PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Shinya Aoki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Reed Hightower (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Aoki
vs
Hightower

176 cm
35
158 lbs
14 - 18 - 0

179 cm
27
171 lbs
9 - 7 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

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 14 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Shinya Aoki !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Reed Hightower!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Paul Aken and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Aoki closes the distance and clinches.

Aoki pulls Hightower into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hightower with a flurry of punches that miss.

Aoki had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Hightower defends it easily.

Aoki is looking for a triangle but Hightower pushes his legs off easily.
Hightower throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Aoki works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Aoki is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at Brimstone Gym that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.
Aoki keeping moving, preventing Hightower from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aoki working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hightower.
Hightower tries to free his leg and advance position but Aoki is retaining full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hightower is stalling in the full guard.
Hightower pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Aoki is keeping the position for now.
Aoki keeping moving, preventing Hightower from controlling successfully.
Hightower working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Aoki keeping moving, preventing Hightower from controlling successfully.
Hightower in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hightower lands a couple of elbows.
Hightower sitting in guard here, content to control.
Hightower with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Aoki tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Aoki has control of Hightower's left arm, preventing Hightower from doing any damage.
Hightower throws a big right hand that misses.
Hightower working some strikes from top position.
Hightower postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Aoki utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hightower slips nicely into half guard.
Hightower looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

Hightower is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Aoki has managed to free his arm - good work.
Aoki controlling the position well.
Aoki tries to roll over but Hightower keeps him under control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hightower is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Hightower throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Hightower looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Aoki with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Aoki keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Hightower working the head and body with strikes.
Aoki has hold of Hightower's hands but Hightower slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Hightower content to control rather than advance.
Hightower is trying to control. Aoki wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well, if Hightower is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

Hightower is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but Aoki still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, Aoki has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Aoki tries to score with some ground and pound. Hightower controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Hightower can't do much from the bottom here.

Aoki is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Hightower has escaped the position, nice work there.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hightower manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Nice takedown defense from Hightower. No joy for Aoki on that attempt.
Hightower moves out of range as Aoki strikes.
Aoki with a lazy takedown attempt
and Hightower cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Hightower fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Aoki checks it well.
Hightower cracks Aoki with a nasty uppercut that draws ooohs from the crowd and sends Aoki tumbling backwards onto the mat. He tries to recover but Hightower pounces and lands a hail of unanswered strikes that forces the referee to step in to end the fight! Aoki is not happy but he gave the referee no choice!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:30 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Reed Hightower!
Reed Hightower tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.