PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Roger Cantor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shinya Aoki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Cantor
vs
Aoki

175 cm
28
165 lbs
14 - 12 - 0

176 cm
31
158 lbs
9 - 12 - 0

Good wrestling
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 14 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Roger Cantor!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Shinya Aoki !
The judges for this bout are Ben Hemmingworth, Eliza Hachem and John Mangel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Aoki bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Cantor is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Aoki 's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cantor is looking for a sweep. Aoki is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Aoki is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Cantor is controlling Aoki 's trapped leg to prevent Aoki from advancing to side control.
Cantor is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at Madz **21 Elite coaches**, so we'll see if he gets out of it.
Aoki tries to pass to full mount but Cantor defends it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Aoki looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Aoki is keen to just control but Cantor is a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Aoki looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Cantor gets back to full guard.
Cantor has control of Aoki 's left arm, preventing Aoki from doing any damage.

Cantor working for a triangle but Aoki defends it easily.

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.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Aoki wants to control from the top but Cantor keeps moving.

Aoki is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Aoki stopping the sweep attempt from Cantor.

Cantor has his foot on Aoki 's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Aoki works his way back into a safe position though.
Aoki pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Cantor is keeping the position for now.
Aoki wants to control from the top but Cantor keeps moving.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cantor is trying to control the position but Aoki postures up.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Some wild striking there from Aoki .
Aoki checks a leg kick.
Cantor avoids a punch combination nicely.
Aoki throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Aoki lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Aoki fails in his attempt to clinch.
Cantor lands a nice leg kick that just misses Aoki 's sensitive parts.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cantor turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Cantor misses with a straight left.

Aoki shoots in and gets a takedown into Cantor's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Aoki trying to control but Cantor is working from the bottom.
Cantor wants to sweep here but Aoki controlling him for the moment.

Cantor looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Aoki tries to free his leg and advance position but Cantor is retaining full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Cantor is looking for a triangle but Aoki pushes his legs off easily.
Aoki not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shinya Aoki dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Aoki avoids the head kick by Cantor.
Aoki looks for a takedown but Cantor sprawls well.
Cantor lands a leg kick that knocks Aoki off balance momentarily.
Aoki fails with a takedown attempt.
Cantor tried to counter with a leg kick but Aoki avoided it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cantor lands a nice shot that snaps Aoki 's head back.
Aoki has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Aoki tries to close the distance and clinch up but Cantor swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cantor dodges the punch combination from Aoki .
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Aoki checks a leg kick.
Cantor connects with a leg kick. Aoki looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Cantor slaps away a takedown attempt from Aoki , before circling back to the center of the mat.
Cantor feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Roger Cantor has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shinya Aoki .
Cantor misses with a low kick as Aoki jumps back.
The crowd cheers as Aoki lands an impressive looking overhand right. Cantor doesn't seem phased though.
Cantor throws a sloppy head kick and Aoki moves out of range easily.
Cantor bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Aoki 's head backwards.
Aoki doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Cantor counters with a head kick. That will keep Aoki thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cantor cracks Aoki with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Shinya Aoki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cantor misses with a low kick.
Aoki just misses with a punch to the body.
Cantor appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Aoki darts in looking for a takedown but Cantor gets double underhooks and turns Aoki into the cage.
Cantor looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Aoki avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Cantor misses with a head kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A head kick from Cantor lands but Aoki takes it in his stride.
Aoki shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Cantor counters with a two punch combo.
Aoki has a takedown stuffed.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cantor throws a head kick that misses.
Aoki throws a leg kick but Cantor moved away.
Cantor tried to counter with a leg kick but Aoki avoided it.
Cantor fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Aoki .
Cantor attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Cantor misses with a low kick.
Aoki is trying hard to land a takedown here. Cantor sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Aoki looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cantor bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Aoki 's guard.

Aoki has a closed guard, preventing Cantor from standing up.
Aoki controlling Cantor's posture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Aoki kicks Cantor off and gets to his feet.
Cantor throws a leg kick that misses.
Cantor tries to score with a low kick but Aoki moves his leg out of the way.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cantor throws a leg kick but Aoki sees it coming and moves out of range.
Aoki misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Cantor takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roger Cantor dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Cantor bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
It looked like Cantor was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Cantor keeps the fight on the outside.
Cantor half committed to a counter leg kick.
Cantor throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Cantor keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
A leg kick checked by Aoki .

Aoki shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Cantor's guard.

Cantor has his feet on Aoki 's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cantor is looking to chop away at Aoki 's legs.

Aoki rushes Cantor and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Cantor misses with a punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cantor taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Aoki stalling the fight.

Cantor's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Aoki closes the distance and clinches up with Cantor, looking for a takedown. Aoki pushes Cantor against the cage but Cantor circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Cantor is looking for a counter combo.
Aoki tries a low kick but Cantor avoids it.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Cantor lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Aoki has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Aoki and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Roger Cantor is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Aoki scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Some bone on bone action there as Aoki checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Aoki feints the counter takedown.
Aoki misses with a body punch
and Cantor makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Cantor moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cantor throws a leg kick that misses.
Aoki lands a nice shot that snaps Cantor's head back.
Aoki tries for a takedown but Cantor sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Roger Cantor has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shinya Aoki .
Aoki tries to clinch but Cantor moves out of range.
Aoki is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Cantor.
Aoki tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Cantor defends well and Aoki ends up having to push Cantor into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Aoki swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Aoki misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Cantor throws a front kick aimed at Aoki 's knee but Aoki avoids it well.
Aoki fails with a takedown attempt.
Aoki is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Cantor rather than just go for the knockout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good exchange - Cantor coming out on top.
Cantor scores with a jab to the head.
A clash of legs there as Aoki blocks the low kick.

Aoki throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Cantor tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Aoki is in Cantor's guard.

Cantor has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Aoki off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Cantor displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Aoki .

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aoki misses with a takedown attempt
and Cantor counters with a nice leg kick.
Aoki takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Aoki fails to land the takedown.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Aoki shoots in and drives through. Cantor sprawls well.
Good leg kick by Cantor there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Cantor throws a solid leg kick but Aoki takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Cantor.
Aoki tries for a takedown but Cantor sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Cantor misses with a low kick as Aoki jumps back.
Cantor stuffs the takedown.
Cantor throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
A good leg kick by Cantor.

And that's the end of the fight!
Roger Cantor showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Cantor 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 Ben Hemmingworth scores the fight 29:28
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 29:28
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Roger Cantor!
Our winner, Roger Cantor, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.