PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Maurício Aurelio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nikita Klitschko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nikita Klitschko told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Aurelio
vs
Klitschko

177 cm
23
165 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

178 cm
25
156 lbs
9 - 9 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Maurício Aurelio!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nikita Klitschko!
The judges for this bout are , Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fight stays on the outside here - Klitschko looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Klitschko closes the distance and clinches.
Aurelio is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Klitschko trying to stall but Aurelio improves his position.
Aurelio throws a punch but it's blocked by Klitschko.
Aurelio blocks a body shot from Klitschko.
Aurelio lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Klitschko controlling the action here for a moment.
Klitschko has Aurelio pushed against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A short right from Aurelio on the inside.

Klitschko escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Klitschko fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Aurelio manages to avoid it.

Klitschko closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aurelio working hard to break the clinch.
Klitschko prevents a body shot from Aurelio.
Aurelio tries to throw a body punch but Klitschko avoids it by throwing Aurelio back against the cage.
Aurelio misses with a hook from the clinch.
Aurelio cracks Klitschko with a nice body shot.
Klitschko scores with a shoulder strike.
Aurelio tries to stall but Klitschko uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Aurelio blocks a body shot from Klitschko.

Klitschko breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Aurelio bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Klitschko's head backwards.
Klitschko is looking to clinch but Aurelio is avoiding it.
Aurelio avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Aurelio keeps the fight on the outside.
Klitschko moves out of range of the body kick.
Klitschko is looking to clinch but Aurelio is avoiding it.
Aurelio drops down looking for a counter takedown but Klitschko sprawls and moves away.
A big left from Klitschko misses.
Nikita Klitschko is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Klitschko tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Aurelio is able to avoid easily.

Klitschko gets a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aurelio managing to block the knees to the body from Klitschko.
Klitschko blocks an uppercut.
Aurelio lands with a left to the head.

Klitschko breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Aurelio connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Klitschko momentarily.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Aurelio throws a wild body kick that Klitschko sees coming a mile off.
Aurelio takes a shot right to the bread basket.

Klitschko has managed to clinch.
Klitschko lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Klitschko has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Aurelio seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Klitschko can turn it around.
A right handed body shot lands from Klitschko.

Klitschko pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Klitschko moves into the clinch successfully.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Klitschko just leaning against Aurelio, taking a breather.

Klitschko pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Klitschko fails with an attempt to clinch.

Klitschko gets in close and instigates a clinch.
A right hook to the body lands for Klitschko.
Stalling in the clinch from Klitschko.

Klitschko escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Aurelio scores with a shot to the body.
Klitschko lands a right hook to the body.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Klitschko.

Klitschko gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Aurelio tries a body shot but Klitschko blocks it.
Aurelio tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Klitschko breaks from the clinch.
Klitschko misses with an uppercut.
Aurelio is looking to slow Klitschko down with leg kicks.
Klitschko tries to clinch up but Aurelio circles away and keeps his distance.
Aurelio connects with a solid leg kick.
Klitschko tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Aurelio throws a hook to the side of Klitschko's head but Klitschko sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

Klitschko moves into the clinch.
Aurelio misses with some punches.
A right hand to the body from Klitschko.
Aurelio looking to slow down the pace here.

Klitschko manages to break the clinch.
Aurelio throws a push kick but Klitschko slaps the foot to one side.
Aurelio lands with a thumping leg kick.
Klitschko doesn't manage to clinch there - Aurelio circles away.
Aurelio jabs Klitschko right on the nose. Klitschko blinks but takes it well.
Sloppy strikes from Klitschko. Those never looked like landing.
Aurelio ducks under a wild hook from Klitschko.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Klitschko.
Klitschko takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Klitschko stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Aurelio.
Klitschko throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikita Klitschko dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Klitschko crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Aurelio - the referee stops the clock and Klitschko gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Aurelio. Klitschko manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.

It looks like Maurício Aurelio has been cut.
Aurelio connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Aurelio lands a nice shot to the body.
Aurelio swats away the attempt to clinch by Klitschko.
Nikita Klitschko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Klitschko throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Aurelio throws the kick towards the body but Klitschko avoids it.
Klitschko moves out of range of the leg kick from Aurelio.
Klitschko is looking to clinch.
Klitschko ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Aurelio moves away.

Klitschko closes the distance and clinches.
The referee calls for Klitschko to work.
I was talking to Aurelio's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Nikita Klitschko seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Klitschko avoiding damage.
Aurelio is working Klitschko over against the cage.

Klitschko breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Klitschko wants to clinch up but Aurelio keeps it at a distance.
Klitschko ducks right into an uppercut from Aurelio.
Maurício Aurelio is winning the standup battle so far.
Klitschko tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Aurelio manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Klitschko has closed the distance and engaged Aurelio in a clinch.
Aurelio misses with a short punch on the inside.
Aurelio makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

Klitschko breaks the clinch.
Aurelio connects with an inside leg kick.
Klitschko moves in looking to clinch but Aurelio pushes him off.
Klitschko connects with an inside leg kick.
Aurelio looks for the body kick but Klitschko saw that one coming.
Klitschko throws a counter combo.
Aurelio connects with a body shot that sends Klitschko's belly button to the back.
Aurelio throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Aurelio throws a body shot but no joy.
Aurelio dips to his left and cracks Klitschko with an uppercut!
Klitschko looks to score with a jab to the body but Aurelio is just out of range.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Aurelio throws a nice inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Klitschko tries to clinch but Aurelio moves out of range.
Klitschko tries to land a front kick but Aurelio steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
The fight stays on the outside here - Klitschko looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Aurelio cracks Klitschko with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

Klitschko moves into range and clinches up with Aurelio.
A shot in the inside from Aurelio.
A head punch on the inside from Aurelio fails to land.

Klitschko breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Klitschko is looking to clinch.
Klitschko displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Aurelio throws out the jab.
As Aurelio backs off Klitschko throws a huge counter combo but Aurelio manages to avoid it all.
Aurelio loads up on a big right hand but Klitschko slips the punch.
Klitschko lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Danga de danga de dang - Klitschko scores with a four punch combination!
Klitschko throws a right and a left that Aurelio avoids nicely.
Klitschko ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Aurelio moves away.
Klitschko takes one on the chin but seems OK.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Klitschko moves in looking to clinch but Aurelio pushes him off.
Aurelio avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Aurelio changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Aurelio tests Klitschko's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Klitschko tries to close the distance and clinch but Aurelio swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Aurelio misses with a wild body shot.
Aurelio scores with a body shot.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Aurelio.
Klitschko is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Aurelio rather than just go for the knockout.
Klitschko scores with a body shot.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Klitschko misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Klitschko tries a body shot but Aurelio blocks it.

Klitschko escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Aurelio throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

Klitschko has closed the distance and engaged Aurelio in a clinch.
Klitschko lands on the inside with an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Klitschko tries a body shot but Aurelio blocks it.
Aurelio lands an uppercut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Klitschko breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Aurelio scores with a push kick.

Klitschko forces Aurelio back against the cage and clinches.
Klitschko tries to land a knee to the head but Aurelio blocks with his arms.
Aurelio is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Aurelio misses with a punch on the inside.
Aurelio tries to break the clinch but Klitschko is controlling the position.
Aurelio looking to slow down the pace here.
Klitschko lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Aurelio scores with a shot to the side of Klitschko's head.

Klitschko breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Aurelio pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

Klitschko rushes Aurelio and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Maurício Aurelio will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Maurício Aurelio's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Aurelio avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Klitschko darts in trying to clinch

and Aurelio counters with a single leg into guard. Klitschko didn't expect that.
Aurelio wants to control from the top but Klitschko keeps moving.

Aurelio drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Aurelio jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Klitschko keeping moving, preventing Aurelio from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aurelio is stalling in the full guard.

Aurelio postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Klitschko is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Aurelio, into his guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Aurelio throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Aurelio is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Klitschko trying to control but Aurelio is working from the bottom.
Klitschko must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Aurelio is trying to keep Klitschko in close.
Aurelio manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Klitschko manages to get himself to full guard.

Klitschko can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Aurelio controls the pace.
Aurelio trying to control but Klitschko is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aurelio wants to pass the guard but Klitschko is keeping the position.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Aurelio trying to control the position from guard on top but Klitschko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Klitschko loads up on a big right hand but Aurelio slips the punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Klitschko scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Aurelio scores with the left hand. Klitschko knows he should have avoided that one.
Klitschko ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Aurelio moves away.
Klitschko tries to clinch but Aurelio is having none of it.
Aurelio keeps the fight on the outside.
Klitschko misses with the combination.
Aurelio scores with a leg kick.
Aurelio lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Klitschko closes the distance looking to clinch

and Aurelio counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Aurelio trying to control the position from guard on top but Klitschko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Aurelio is really struggling to control Klitschko but he's trying to hold on to the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Maurício Aurelio showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Aurelio has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Maurício Aurelio!
Maurício Aurelio seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.