PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Carmelo Willis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ethan Aurek (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ethan Aurek has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Carmelo Willis's chin.

Willis
vs
Aurek

164 cm
18
214 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

195 cm
18
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Hates pizza

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Carmelo Willis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ethan Aurek!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Yuuki Gou and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Aurek closes the distance and clinches.
Willis blocks a body shot from Aurek.
Aurek has Willis pushed against the cage.
Willis softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Willis looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Willis is trying to push Aurek away but Aurek has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Willis tries to pull guard but Aurek forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Willis manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

Willis has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Aurek uses from the top position.
Aurek controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Willis looking for a sweep. Not yet Willis, not yet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aurek trying to control the position from guard on top but Willis is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Willis controlling Aurek's posture.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Willis's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Aurek slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Aurek trying to control the position from guard on top but Willis is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

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.
Aurek stuffs the takedown.
Nice sprawl there from Willis as Aurek shoots in.
Aurek fails with a takedown attempt.
Aurek throws a head kick that Willis semi-blocks.

It looks like Carmelo Willis has been cut.
Aurek fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Willis with a lazy takedown attempt

and Aurek counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Carmelo Willis. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Aurek has Willis pressed against the cage, preventing Willis from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Willis jumps guard but Aurek stands there with Willis around his waist. Willis gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Willis slows down the pace here.
Willis tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Aurek smiles and moves away.
Aurek takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

Aurek takes the fight into the clinch.
Willis misses with a punch on the inside.
Aurek wants to break free but Willis has control.

Aurek lands a takedown into guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Willis is on top in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Willis stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Willis tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Aurek defends well and Willis ends up having to push Aurek into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Willis tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Willis is breathing heavily.
Willis throws a sloppy head kick and Aurek moves out of range easily.
Willis displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Aurek.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Willis leaves Aurek with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Willis holding his opponent close, against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ethan Aurek will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Carmelo Willis's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Aurek fails with the takedown
and Willis counters with a one-two to the body.

Aurek shoots in and bounces Willis off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Willis keeping full guard, as Aurek tries to pass.
Willis might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Willis 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.
Willis is adopting a defensive guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aurek wants to control from the top but Willis keeps moving.
Aurek is in close to Willis's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Willis pulls Aurek in close to his closed guard and prevents Aurek from doing any damage or advancing position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Willis continues to stall.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's two 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.
Willis is trying hard to land a takedown here. Aurek sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Aurek shoots for a double leg takedown but Willis sprawls well. He's pushed Aurek's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Willis drops down looking for a counter takedown but Aurek sprawls and moves away.

Aurek pushes Willis up against the cage in a clinch.

Willis's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Aurek fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Carmelo Willis has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ethan Aurek.
Aurek is breathing heavily.
Willis tries to clinch there but Aurek circles away.
Aurek is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Willis tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Aurek defends well and Willis ends up having to push Aurek into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Aurek slaps away a takedown attempt from Willis, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Willis goes for a double leg but Aurek avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Aurek continues to drive forward.
Aurek changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Carmelo Willis is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Willis shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Aurek counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Willis takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Willis really is a fat lump.
A nice leg kick lands there from Aurek.
Ethan Aurek seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Willis shoots in for a double leg but Aurek sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Aurek rushes Willis and presses him up against the cage.

Aurek escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Aurek scores with a kick to the midsection.
Aurek throws a sloppy head kick and Willis moves out of range easily.
Willis tries to counter with a takedown but Aurek is quick to defend against it.

Aurek fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Willis to the ground. Aurek is now in Willis's guard.
Aurek lands a couple of elbows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Willis keeping moving, preventing Aurek from controlling successfully.

Willis has his foot on Aurek's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Aurek works his way back into a safe position though.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Aurek trying to control the position from guard on top but Willis is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Aurek has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Willis pulls Aurek in close to his closed guard and prevents Aurek from doing any damage or advancing position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ethan Aurek showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Carmelo Willis's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Aurek, as that shot connected.
Willis fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
A slapping leg kick lands for Aurek.
Willis tries to score a power double leg takedown but Aurek sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Willis somewhat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aurek changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Willis tries to avoid it but Aurek manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Willis to the ground. Willis escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Aurek tries to sprawl but Willis drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Aurek is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Willis's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Willis's back!
Aurek wants to control the position but Willis frees himself and scrambles - Aurek manages to regain control in side control.

Aurek is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Willis is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Aurek tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Willis sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aurek throwing shots but Willis is blocking nicely.
Willis trying to control from the bottom.
Aurek slows the pace down in half guard.
Willis trying to control here.
Aurek thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Willis keeps control of the position for the meantime.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aurek is looking to pass Willis's guard but actually Willis recovers to full guard.
Willis pulls Aurek in close to his closed guard and prevents Aurek from doing any damage or advancing position.
Aurek wants to control from the top but Willis keeps moving.

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.
Aurek might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Willis haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

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

Willis drives through and clinches with Aurek against the cage.
Aurek tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Willis just stands there and leans against the cage.

Willis jumps guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Willis looking to hit a scissor sweep but Aurek is one step ahead there.
Aurek pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Willis is keeping the position for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ethan Aurek.
Well Aurek has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Ethan Aurek!