PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Shinya Aoki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Janek Kochanowski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Kochanowski's choice of entrance music: Sting Of The Bumblebee. Janek Kochanowski has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Aoki
vs
Kochanowski

176 cm
34
158 lbs
13 - 17 - 0

178 cm
49
165 lbs
34 - 47 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Very quick

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Shinya Aoki !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 34 - 47 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Janek Kochanowski!
The judges for this bout are Damien Edna, Ben Hemmingworth and Chris Dean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kochanowski just misses with a punch to the body.

Kochanowski gets caught napping as Aoki dives in and scores a takedown. Kochanowski manages to retain guard.
Kochanowski throws a couple of heel strikes.
Kochanowski looking to control.
Kochanowski avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kochanowski working a defensive guard here.
Aoki with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Aoki trying to control the position from guard on top but Kochanowski is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aoki sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Kochanowski tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aoki looking to pass the guard.
Aoki pushing down on Kochanowski's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Aoki with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Aoki wants to take a breather but Kochanowski is having none of it.
Kochanowski is looking to control Aoki 's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kochanowski avoid being mounted?

Aoki is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Kochanowski defends it well.
Kochanowski gets full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Aoki is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Kochanowski tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Aoki has gone for a leg lock! Kochanowski slips out almost immediately though and dives into Aoki 's guard.

Kochanowski throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kochanowski preventing the sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Kochanowski got a little sloppy there for a moment and Aoki has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kochanowski has managed to get both his arms back between Aoki 's legs - danger averted.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Aoki looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Kochanowski working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Kochanowski must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Kochanowski trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Kochanowski trying to control but Aoki is working from the bottom.
Aoki looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kochanowski is one step ahead there.
Aoki is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Kochanowski trying to control the position from guard on top but Aoki is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

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 .
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Aoki !
Kochanowski thows a left - swing and a miss!
A head kick misses from Kochanowski.

Aoki shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Kochanowski working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Aoki doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Aoki manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Aoki chips away with some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shinya Aoki dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Aoki connects with a leg kick. Kochanowski looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Aoki is defended easily by Kochanowski.

Aoki takes the fight into the clinch.
Kochanowski tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kochanowski gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Aoki tries for a takedown. No joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aoki jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Kochanowski walks away with a smile on his face. Aoki gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shinya Aoki . That's going to take a lot out of him.

Aoki is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Kochanowski's half guard.
Aoki is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kochanowski can do to turn this around?
Aoki trying to pass the guard but Kochanowski defending well.
Shinya Aoki overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Aoki is trying to work for a kimura but Kochanowski is defending well.
Aoki looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Kochanowski with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Kochanowski is trying to control but can't.
Aoki works his way into side control.
Aoki scores with a couple of short elbows.

Aoki is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Kochanowski is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Kochanowski taking punishment in the form of punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Aoki thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Aoki has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

Aoki shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Kochanowski's guard.
Aoki lands a couple of digs.
Kochanowski looking to control.

Aoki drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Kochanowski dives on top into guard.

Aoki bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Kochanowski's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kochanowski wants to hit a switch here but Aoki passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Kochanowski there!
Aoki landing strikes, looking to finish!
Aoki dominating with strikes here.
Aoki with a couple of short strikes.
Aoki is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Aoki unloading with bombs!

Aoki is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Kochanowski can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.

Aoki swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Kochanowski is now in Aoki 's guard. A big mistake from Aoki there, giving up the dominant position!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Aoki is trying to keep Kochanowski in close.
Aoki preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kochanowski wants to get up but he can't break Aoki 's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Aoki is pulling down on Kochanowski's head to control his posture.
Kochanowski loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shinya Aoki dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Kochanowski misses the jab.
Aoki appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Kochanowski misses with a head kick.
Aoki walks into a stiff left hand from Kochanowski.
Kochanowski tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kochanowski moves in looking to clinch but Aoki pushes him off.
Kochanowski swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Aoki shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Kochanowski napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Aoki is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Kochanowski is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
You can see the frustration on Kochanowski's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kochanowski tries to bench press Aoki off him but Aoki keeps the position.
Kochanowski can't do much from the bottom here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kochanowski is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Aoki thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Kochanowski wants to control but Aoki postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Kochanowski is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Aoki tries for a kimura but Kochanowski is defending well.
Kochanowski wants to control but Aoki postures up.
Aoki landing a few strikes.
Kochanowski struggling a bit here.
Aoki scores with a couple of short elbows.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Aoki looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Aoki wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Kochanowski, who protects the arm well.
Aoki working away.
Aoki lands a decent elbow from side control.
Aoki wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kochanowski keeps working.
Aoki cracks Kochanowski with a big right hand but Kochanowski just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Aoki thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Aoki decides to stand back up. Aoki steps back and let's Kochanowski get back to his feet.
Aoki walks into a left hand.
Kochanowski looks to clinch

and Aoki counters with a single leg into guard. Kochanowski didn't expect that.
Kochanowski keeping moving, preventing Aoki from controlling successfully.

Aoki drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Aoki jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Aoki trying to control the position from guard on top but Kochanowski is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shinya Aoki clearly takes that 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.

Kochanowski misses with a hook.
Kochanowski has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Shinya Aoki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kochanowski looks to land a combination but Aoki avoids it well.
Aoki fails to land with a series of punches.

Aoki shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Aoki showed some decent athleticism there.

Aoki seems to be working for a kimura but Kochanowski defends the submission attempt.
Aoki throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Kochanowski regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Aoki .
Kochanowski controls Aoki momentarily but Aoki frees himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aoki wants to control from the top but Kochanowski keeps moving.
Aoki sitting in guard here, content to control.
Aoki throwing strikes but missing.
Aoki postures up and lands a big shot to Kochanowski's brow.
Aoki slips nicely into half guard.

That's two 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.
Kochanowski punching from the bottom.

Aoki is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Kochanowski is just riding it out for now. Aoki eventually gives up the hold.

Aoki is looking for a kimura here.
Aoki is figuring out what he wants to do next.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
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.
Nice strikes from Aoki there.
Kochanowski avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Aoki .
Aoki thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Aoki scoring with strikes to the body and head.

Aoki is looking for a kimura here.

Aoki is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but Kochanowski still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, Kochanowski has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aoki tries to bench press Kochanowski off him but Kochanowski keeps the position.
Aoki is trying to control Kochanowski's posture but Kochanowski avoids it.
Aoki gets back to half guard.
Aoki tries to get to full guard but Kochanowski has control of the leg.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kochanowski missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shinya Aoki had his way with Janek Kochanowski in that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Kochanowski throws a head kick that misses.
Good exchange - Kochanowski coming out on top.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Kochanowski misses with an elbow strike.
Aoki is trying to drag Kochanowski to the mat but Kochanowski just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Kochanowski lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Aoki as Kochanowski tries to tie him up.
Aoki avoids the elbow strike from Kochanowski, against the cage.
Kochanowski lands a nice elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aoki jumps guard but Kochanowski stands there with Aoki around his waist. Aoki gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Kochanowski tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kochanowski misses with an elbow over the top.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Aoki as Kochanowski tries to tie him up.
Kochanowski throws an elbow that misses.

Kochanowski is fighting off a takedown attempt but Aoki is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Kochanowski to the mat. Kochanowski regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Kochanowski is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Aoki stays in close to Kochanowski's body and controls the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aoki trying to control the position from guard on top but Kochanowski is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Aoki working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Kochanowski tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Aoki missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Aoki works over Kochanowski with some ground and pound from guard.
Kochanowski is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Aoki .
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shinya Aoki . That's going to take a lot out of him.
Aoki will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Kochanowski misses with a hook. Aoki ducked under it nicely.
Kochanowski on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Shinya Aoki is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
No joy there for Aoki , who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Aoki fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kochanowski, pushing him back against the cage.
Aoki has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Kochanowski is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Kochanowski just misses with a elbow thrown towards Aoki 's brow.
Aoki blocks the elbow strike.

Kochanowski escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Aoki forces Kochanowski back against the cage and clinches.
Kochanowski lands an elbow that stopped Aoki in his tracks for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kochanowski looking to throw knees to the head but Aoki is blocking nicely.
Kochanowski throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Kochanowski swings wildly with an uppercut but Aoki uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kochanowski pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Aoki blocks an elbow strike.
I was talking to Aoki 's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Kochanowski looks to throw an elbow but misses.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Aoki wants the takedown. Kochanowski is fighting it off but Aoki persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Kochanowski's guard against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Aoki controls from within his opponent's guard.
Janek Kochanowski has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Aoki '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.

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 Shinya Aoki .
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Aoki , winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 50:45
Judge Ben Hemmingworth scores the fight 50:45
Judge Chris Dean scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shinya Aoki !
A victorious Shinya Aoki thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.