PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Emong Salvacion (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shinya Aoki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Salvacion kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Till I Collapse. Shinya Aoki has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Salvacion
vs
Aoki

178 cm
28
166 lbs
12 - 9 - 0

176 cm
28
158 lbs
6 - 7 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
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 12 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Emong Salvacion!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Shinya Aoki !
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Francis DeMontford and Eliza Hachem.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Salvacion shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Aoki is trying to defend but Salvacion finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Aoki is refusing to be controlled, as Salvacion sits in half guard.
Aoki slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Aoki looking to control.
Aoki looking for a sweep. Not yet Aoki , not yet.
Our spies down at at Beat Down Under inform us that Aoki has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Salvacion wants to pass the guard but Aoki is keeping the position.
Salvacion trying to control the position from guard on top but Aoki is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salvacion working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Aoki wants to sweep here but Salvacion controlling him for the moment.
Salvacion pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Aoki is keeping the position for now.
Salvacion distracts Aoki with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Aoki wants to stand up but Salvacion is controlling him.
Salvacion trying to control but Aoki is working from the bottom.
Salvacion lands a couple of elbows.
Salvacion sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Salvacion looking to pass the guard.
Aoki keeping moving, preventing Salvacion from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Aoki shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Salvacion's guard.
Salvacion tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Aoki thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Aoki wants to get up but he can't break Salvacion's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Salvacion not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Salvacion seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Salvacion pulls Aoki in close to prevent any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aoki throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Aoki wants to stand and escape but instead Salvacion has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Salvacion tries to free his leg and advance position but Aoki is retaining full guard.
Salvacion trying to control the position from guard on top but Aoki is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Aoki trying to keep a closed guard but Salvacion is proving a slippery customer.
Salvacion looking to pass the guard.
Aoki wants to get back to his feet but Salvacion is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

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.
Salvacion trying to control the position from guard on top but Aoki 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.

Salvacion shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Aoki napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Salvacion grinds an elbow into Aoki 's temple.
Aoki is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Salvacion off and has taken his back!

Aoki is looking for the choke from the back position but Salvacion is controlling his hands well.
Salvacion tries to escape but Aoki has the hooks in and won't let him break free.

Salvacion defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Aoki is trying to stick to Salvacion's back but Salvacion is turning into Aoki . He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Aoki 's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Salvacion.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Emong Salvacion dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Aoki closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Salvacion to the mat! Salvacion manages to get full guard.
Aoki stands up over Salvacion, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Salvacion is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Salvacion looking for a sweep. Not yet Salvacion, not yet.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Salvacion is on top in guard.

Salvacion wants to pass the guard but Aoki is keeping the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Salvacion throws a strike but Aoki rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Aoki pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Salvacion is keeping the position for now.
Aoki is looking to stand up but Salvacion won't let him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aoki throws a strike but Salvacion rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Salvacion advances to half guard.

Salvacion is trying to work for a kimura but Aoki is defending well.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Salvacion connects with a nice short shot to Aoki 's temple.
Aoki wants to control but Salvacion is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Aoki looking for submissions off his back.
Salvacion wants to lay and pray for a moment but Aoki keeps working.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Salvacion is controlling the pace.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Aoki makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Aoki .
Salvacion missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Aoki working for a triangle but Salvacion defends it easily.
Salvacion lands a couple of digs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salvacion is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Salvacion lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Salvacion trying to control the position from guard on top but Aoki is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Salvacion slips nicely into half guard.
Salvacion working Aoki over with strikes.
Salvacion controlling the action here.
Salvacion is trying to control the action in half guard but Aoki is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Aoki trying to hold on to Salvacion's head to control him but Salvacion postures up.
Salvacion is trying to control the action in half guard but Aoki is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Salvacion closes this distance looking for a takedown but Aoki circles away.

Salvacion shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Aoki manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Aoki looking to control.
Salvacion pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Aoki is keeping the position for now.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Aoki is pulling down on Salvacion's head to control his posture.
Aoki is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Emong Salvacion dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Aoki thows a leg kick but Salvacion checks it
enabling Salvacion to counter with a crisp jab.
Aoki shoots in looking for a takedown but Salvacion manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Aoki 's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Aoki fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Salvacion manages to avoid it.
A quick step to the side and Salvacion tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Salvacion leaves Aoki with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Salvacion tries to bum rush Aoki with a series of wild strikes but Aoki uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Salvacion shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Aoki sprawls well. Aoki wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Salvacion gets slowly back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aoki shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Salvacion sprawls well. Salvacion wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Aoki gets slowly back to his feet.
Emong Salvacion has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shinya Aoki .
Aoki tries for a takedown but Salvacion circles away easily
and Salvacion counters with a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Aoki darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Salvacion makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Salvacion.
Salvacion wants to sweep here but Aoki controlling him for the moment.
Salvacion is trying to control the position but Aoki postures up.
Aoki throws a big elbow that misses.
Aoki pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Salvacion is keeping the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aoki wants to control from the top but Salvacion keeps moving.
Aoki in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Aoki wants to stand and escape but instead Salvacion has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Aoki is trying to keep Salvacion in close.
Emong Salvacion overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Salvacion in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Salvacion slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aoki taking a bit of punishment here - Salvacion scoring with strikes.
You can see the frustration on Aoki 's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Salvacion misses with the ground and pound.
Sloppy strikes there by Salvacion.
Aoki is trying to get back to half guard.
Shinya Aoki has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A lull in the action here as Salvacion stalls from top position.
Aoki tries to bench press Salvacion off him but Salvacion keeps the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Salvacion scores with a couple of short elbows.
Salvacion takes a little break here. Aoki wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Salvacion grinds an elbow into Aoki 's temple.
Salvacion wants to lay and pray for a moment but Aoki keeps working.

Aoki throws Salvacion to one side and escapes!
Salvacion shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Aoki defends it nicely.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Aoki jabs at Salvacion's body.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Emong Salvacion.
Well Salvacion has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Hugh Johnson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Francis DeMontford scores the fight 30:27
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Emong Salvacion!
Emong Salvacion looked relieved post fight as he said the following; 'I was beating him on the ground last time till I got caught, if Igor wants a trilogy I'm up for it, if not, I want a rematch with Pacquiao!'.