PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Taiki Aoki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chris Gunn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Aoki
vs
Gunn

170 cm
37
156 lbs
28 - 14 - 1

165 cm
31
154 lbs
15 - 11 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Very quick

Olympic wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 28 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Taiki Aoki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 11 - 1, fighting out of London, Chris Gunn!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Yukihiro Shimada and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gunn misses with a straight left.
Aoki tries for a takedown but Gunn circles away easily
and Gunn counters with a one-two to the body.
Gunn throws an overhand right that lands on Aoki's shoulder, as Aoki tries to avoid the shot.
Aoki feinted with a counter takedown.
Aoki cracks Gunn with a right hand to the side of the head.
Aoki ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Aoki shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Gunn keeping moving, preventing Aoki from controlling successfully.

Gunn looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's one minute gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Gunn is on top in guard.

Gunn with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gunn throwing strikes from guard but Aoki blocks nicely.
Gunn postures up in Aoki's guard and throws a big left but Aoki blocks it.
Gunn trying to control the position from guard on top but Aoki is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Aoki is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Gunn stopping the sweep attempt from Aoki.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gunn working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Gunn must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Aoki tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Aoki manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Gunn manages to get himself to full guard.

Aoki's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Aoki trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Gunn 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.
Aoki wants to pass the guard but Gunn is keeping the position.
Gunn looking to hit a scissor sweep but Aoki is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Gunn keeping moving, preventing Aoki from controlling successfully.
Aoki trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Gunn manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Aoki working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Gunn doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Gunn manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Aoki working a defensive guard here.
Aoki looking to hit a scissor sweep but Gunn is one step ahead there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Gunn loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Gunn stopping the sweep attempt from Aoki.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gunn wants to control from the top but Aoki keeps moving.
Gunn throws a big right hand that misses.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Aoki is on top in guard.

Aoki in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Gunn looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Gunn wants to sweep but no luck.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Taiki Aoki will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Aoki keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Gunn.
Aoki drops down looking for a counter takedown but Gunn sprawls and moves away.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Gunn.
Jab by Aoki.
Aoki dives in for a single leg takedown but Gunn sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Aoki misses with a body punch
and Gunn counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Gunn stuns Aoki with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aoki misses with a hook.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Gunn! But no joy.
Gunn bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Gunn now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Aoki lands a jab to Gunn's midsection.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aoki displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Gunn throws out the jab.
Aoki looks for a takedown but Gunn sprawls well.
A punch lands to the side of Aoki 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Aoki dips to his left and cracks Gunn with an uppercut!
Aoki comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Aoki tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Gunn was well out of range. Poor timing from Aoki.
A little jabbing left from Gunn on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aoki misses with a takedown attempt - Gunn sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Taiki Aoki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gunn blocks a leg kick.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Aoki - that will leave a mark!
Aoki throws a sloppy body shot
and Gunn counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Gunn on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Aoki misses with a takedown attempt
enabling Gunn to counter with a crisp jab.
Aoki darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aoki misses with a straight left.

Aoki throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Gunn was covering up waiting for the punch and Aoki finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Gunn wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Aoki is now in half guard.
Taiki Aoki overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Gunn is staying active underneath Aoki, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
We've been hearing good reports from Aoki's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Gunn misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Gunn wants to get back to full guard.
Aoki controlling the action here.
Nice strikes from Aoki there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aoki wants to free his trapped foot but Gunn is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Gunn manages to get to full guard.
Aoki pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Gunn is keeping the position for now.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Aoki passes Gunn's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Aoki is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Gunn has managed to free his arm - good work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Taiki Aoki dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Aoki swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Gunn avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Gunn throws the left hand but Aoki avoids the punch easily.
Aoki throws a leg kick
and Gunn counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Aoki swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Aoki swings widly with a right hand
and Gunn counters with a two punch combo.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aoki tries for a takedown but Gunn sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Aoki uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Gunn.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aoki shoots in but Gunn avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Aoki with a jab.
Aoki goes for a double leg but Gunn avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Gunn continues to drive forward.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Taiki Aoki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Aoki throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Aoki misses the body punch
and Gunn counters with a nice uppercut.

Aoki drives through with a takedown into Gunn's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aoki is looking to work some ground and pound but Gunn has wrist control.
Aoki works over Gunn with some ground and pound from guard.
Gunn working a defensive guard here.
Gunn is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Aoki tries to get to full guard but Gunn has control of the leg.
Gunn is nestled in close to Aoki, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
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 is looking to control Gunn's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Aoki avoid being mounted?
Aoki makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Aoki.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aoki wants to sweep but no luck.
Gunn is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Aoki bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Gunn's guard.

Aoki wants to control from the top but Gunn keeps moving.
Taiki Aoki is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Aoki avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Chris Gunn has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Gunn throws his legs up looking for a submission but Aoki uses it to pass to side control.
Aoki taking a breather here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gunn sneaks back into half guard.
Gunn trying to hold on to Aoki's head to control him but Aoki postures up.
Gunn is trying to get back to full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Aoki seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Gunn tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Chris Gunn.
I think Aoki 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 Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 29:29
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 29:28
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Taiki Aoki!
Our winner, Taiki Aoki, 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.