PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Sami Vasara (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shinya Aoki (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.

Vasara
vs
Aoki

174 cm
47
163 lbs
30 - 35 - 0

173 cm
27
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Experienced

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Fast

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 30 - 35 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Sami Vasara!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Shinya Aoki !
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, John Mangel and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Aoki shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Vasara napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Vasara knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Aoki on the ground.

Aoki is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Vasara is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Aoki working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Vasara is looking to regain half guard here but Aoki keeps moving and retains side control.
Vasara can't do much from the bottom here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vasara is trying to control Aoki 's posture but Aoki avoids it.
Vasara seems a little lost for a moment, as Aoki dominates the positioning.

Aoki stands up.
Vasara swings for the body but Aoki moves out of range.

Aoki changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Vasara looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Aoki looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Vasara is avoiding damage well.

Aoki decides to stand back up. Aoki steps back and let's Vasara get back to his feet.
Vasara closes the distance but Aoki moves to the side
and Aoki counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Aoki changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Aoki scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Vasara is breathing heavily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Aoki 's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Aoki missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Aoki has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Aoki takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Aoki wants to pass to mount but Vasara is defending the position.
Aoki scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Aoki in particular looking to stall.
Vasara on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Aoki seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Aoki moves into full mount! Vasara won't be happy about that!

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.
Aoki has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Vasara's face.
Aoki lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Aoki lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Vasara hang on?
Aoki working the ground and pound effectively.
Aoki controlling the pace for now.
Aoki working Vasara over with strikes here.
Vasara takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
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.

Vasara is looking to clinch but Aoki is avoiding it.
Vasara sets himself, and Aoki steps forward looking for the clinch! Vasara avoids it this time.
Aoki uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Vasara.
Aoki misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
As Aoki looks to move away, Vasara throws a big counter combo but Aoki just gets out of the way.
Aoki has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Aoki manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Vasara on his heels. He'll look to pass Vasara's guard now, I'm sure.
Aoki is standing up over Vasara. Vasara looks to escape but Aoki dives into side control.

Aoki tries for a kimura but Vasara is defending well.

Aoki decides to stand up, so the ref orders Vasara to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Aoki fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Vasara sprawls well initially but Aoki persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Aoki stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Aoki escapes and gets back to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Aoki fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Vasara sprawls well initially but Aoki persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Aoki is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Aoki working the head and body with strikes.
Aoki is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Aoki is landing with some decent strikes but Vasara is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aoki lands a big shot there that rocks Vasara but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Aoki controlling from mount.
Let's hope that Aoki has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Aoki is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Vasara can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Aoki landing strikes from the mount.
Aoki tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aoki breaks from Vasara's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Aoki controlling the position easily from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
More stalling from Aoki .
Aoki lands a big shot there that rocks Vasara but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Aoki with a couple of short strikes.
Aoki content just to control the position here.

Aoki working for a submission but Vasara is keeping him at bay.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shinya Aoki showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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!

A low kick from Vasara is predictable there

and Aoki counters with a takedown into side control.
Aoki controls the position.

Aoki is trying to get an arm triangle but Vasara is defending well.
Aoki advances nicely into full mount.
Aoki controlling the pace for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aoki scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Aoki controlling the pace for now.
Aoki with more of the same as he continues to hold on.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A nice elbow there by Aoki .

Aoki is working for a guillotine from mount but Vasara frees his head quite easily.
Aoki is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Vasara can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Shinya Aoki has got the better of the ground game so far.
Aoki tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Aoki get's back to his feet.

Aoki bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Aoki tries to move into full mount but can't pass Vasara's legs.
Aoki scoring with punches from side control.
Vasara is trying to get back to half guard.
A lull in the action here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aoki landing strikes.
Vasara is trying to escape the position but Aoki is controlling the position.
Sami Vasara has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Aoki landing a few strikes.
Vasara takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Aoki controlling the position.
Shinya Aoki is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Aoki working the head and body with strikes.

Vasara is rocked!

And that's the end of the fight!
Shinya Aoki comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Aoki 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 Winston Howard scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 27:30
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shinya Aoki !