PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Tatsuya Aoki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Russell Lynn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Russell Lynn struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 186.4lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Aoki
vs
Lynn

178 cm
34
181 lbs
29 - 14 - 1

194 cm
31
205 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 29 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Tatsuya Aoki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Russell Lynn!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, Chris Dean and Ben Watson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lynn lands the left hand.

It looks like Tatsuya Aoki has been cut.
Lynn dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Good work by Aoki as he checks the leg kick.
Aoki looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Lynn throws a head kick that half lands.
Lynn connects with a body shot that sends Aoki's belly button to the back.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Aoki defending well as Lynn loads up on a big left hand.
Aoki takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Aoki lunges at Lynn with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Lynn's hand.
Aoki dodges the punch combination from Lynn.
Lynn misses with a left hand

and Aoki counters with a single leg into guard. Lynn didn't expect that.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Aoki throws a big right hand that misses.
Aoki is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Aoki trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aoki won't allow Lynn to sweep him here.
Aoki lands a couple of digs.
Aoki might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Lynn keeping moving, preventing Aoki from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Aoki with a flurry of punches that miss.
Lynn avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Aoki throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Aoki loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Aoki pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Lynn is keeping the position for now.
Aoki won't allow Lynn to sweep him here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lynn avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aoki stands and throws Lynn's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Aoki throws an elbow but Lynn slips to the side and avoids it well.
Lynn is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Aoki wants to take a breather but Lynn is having none of it.

Aoki is working for a submission of some sort.
Lynn tries to kick Aoki off but Aoki keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Aoki missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Lynn blocking the ground and pound attempt from Aoki.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lynn wants to improve his position but Aoki is controlling well.
Aoki has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Aoki looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Aoki looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Aoki trying to control from Lynn's half guard. Lynn has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Aoki throws a big elbow that misses.
Aoki keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Lynn's head.
Aoki trying to control but Lynn is working from the bottom.
Aoki working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lynn avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Aoki tries to free his leg and advance position but Lynn is retaining full guard.
Lynn is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Aoki working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Aoki throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Lynn managing to control the position.
Lynn is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Aoki is controlling him.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Aoki wants to pass the guard but Lynn is keeping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Tatsuya Aoki will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Tatsuya Aoki's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Aoki fails with a takedown attempt.
Lynn lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Lynn avoids the body shot from Aoki.
Aoki throws a big shot that misses.
Lynn lets his hands go wild with a nice combination. Left! Right! Uppercut! Spinning backfist! Aoki goes down and covers up as Lynn starts wailing on him! The ref watches the action closely before stepping in and putting a stop to the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:42 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Russell Lynn!
Russell Lynn decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.