PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Alton Newcastle (ranked 339 p4p, 35 weight class) and Taiki Aoki (ranked 610 p4p, 69 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Newcastle
vs
Aoki

170 cm
35
148 lbs
23 - 19 - 1

170 cm
38
156 lbs
31 - 14 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

KAISER Nutrition - Q160

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 23 - 19 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Alton Newcastle!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 31 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Taiki Aoki!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Don Winkell and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Newcastle gets off balance looking for a body kick

and Aoki counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Aoki won't allow Newcastle to sweep him here.
We've been hearing good reports from Newcastle'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.
Aoki stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Newcastle swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Aoki is working Newcastle over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Aoki trying to control but Newcastle is working from the bottom.
Aoki preventing the sweep.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aoki sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Newcastle looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Newcastle not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aoki wants to control from the top but Newcastle keeps moving.

Newcastle escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Aoki gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Aoki stopping the sweep attempt from Newcastle.

Newcastle has his foot on Aoki's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Aoki works his way back into a safe position though.
Aoki controls from within his opponent's guard.

Newcastle looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Aoki with a nice head shot there.
Aoki with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Newcastle has his foot on Aoki's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Aoki works his way back into a safe position though.
Aoki postures up.

Newcastle has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Aoki can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Aoki drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Aoki jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Aoki postures up.
Aoki stopping the sweep attempt from Newcastle.
Aoki wants to control from the top but Newcastle keeps moving.
Aoki wants to pass the guard but Newcastle is keeping the position.
Aoki is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aoki trying to control but Newcastle is working from the bottom.
Aoki landing with the ground and pound.
Newcastle keeping full guard, as Aoki tries to pass.
Newcastle looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Aoki tries to free his leg and advance position but Newcastle is retaining full guard.

Newcastle is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Aoki is aware though and is defending well.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Newcastle is on top in guard.

Aoki keeping moving, preventing Newcastle from controlling successfully.
Newcastle preventing the sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Newcastle slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Newcastle wants to lay and pray for a moment but Aoki keeps working.
Aoki tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Aoki is not content to let Newcastle control the position.
Aoki is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Newcastle's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Aoki manages to get to full guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Newcastle trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Aoki manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Taiki Aoki dominated 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.

The crowd cheers as Aoki lands an impressive looking overhand right. Newcastle doesn't seem phased though.
Newcastle looks to throw the jab but Aoki is out of range.
And Aoki tries to counter it with a takedown but Newcastle pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Newcastle is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Aoki.
Newcastle looks to land a right hand but Aoki moved out of range.
Aoki jabs at Newcastle's body.
Aoki misses the shot to the body.
Aoki lands a nice shot to the body.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Aoki.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Newcastle ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Aoki moves away.
Aoki throws out a powerful jab.
Aoki ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Aoki connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Aoki misses with a low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Newcastle uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Aoki.
Aoki looks for the body kick but Newcastle saw that one coming.
Aoki uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Newcastle.
Aoki connects with the punch.

Nice combo by Newcastle! Oh, that's hurt him - Aoki falls to the canvas and Newcastle follows him into side control.

Aoki is rocked!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Newcastle laying and praying for a moment but Aoki takes advantage and regains half guard.
Aoki is still in real trouble! Can Newcastle finish him?
Newcastle trying to control from half guard but Aoki is working away.
Aoki seems to have recovered his senses.
Newcastle is pressing down on Aoki's thigh, looking to free his foot. Aoki is holding on for now.
Aoki tries to get to full guard but Newcastle has control of the leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aoki is looking to get back to full guard here but Newcastle has managed to pass to side control instead.
Taiki Aoki has got the better of the ground game so far.
Newcastle advances to mount.
Aoki really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Aoki tries to lock up and control but Newcastle gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

Newcastle is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Aoki is surviving well by controlling Newcastle's body position as best he can.
Newcastle prevents Aoki from getting the reversal.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Newcastle can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Aoki is looking to escape.
Aoki manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Aoki wants to improve his position but Newcastle is controlling well.
Aoki is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Newcastle's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Newcastle's back!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Newcastle tries to escape but Aoki has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Newcastle rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Aoki seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Newcastle does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Aoki working over Newcastle with some ground and pound. Newcastle looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Aoki works his way into full mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aoki scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Newcastle manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Newcastle is looking for a sweep. Aoki is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Aoki wants to control but Newcastle is keeping him busy.
The fighters are battling for position here. Newcastle manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Newcastle working a defensive guard here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Newcastle tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Aoki loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Newcastle trying to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Taiki Aoki will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Aoki defending well as Newcastle loads up on a big left hand.
Aoki slips a jab from Newcastle.
Aoki drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Newcastle defends it well.
Newcastle throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Aoki sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Aoki just misses with a punch to the body.
Newcastle throws a good cross that connects.
A jab from Newcastle misses.
Aoki drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Newcastle defends it well.
Newcastle tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Aoki was well out of range. Poor timing from Newcastle.
Aoki shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Newcastle as he avoids it easily.
Newcastle bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Aoki's head backwards.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Newcastle thows a left - swing and a miss!
Aoki throws a big shot that misses.
Alton Newcastle seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Newcastle misses with a wild body shot.
Aoki feints the counter takedown.
Newcastle will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Newcastle misses with a lunging right hand

and Aoki counters with a shoot takedown. Newcastle fights it but they end up in guard.
Newcastle keeping moving, preventing Aoki from controlling successfully.
Aoki trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Aoki passes Newcastle's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Newcastle manages to get to full guard.

Newcastle working for a triangle but Aoki defends it easily.
Newcastle can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Aoki controls the pace.
Alton Newcastle has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aoki makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Newcastle is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Newcastle wants to lay and pray for a moment but Aoki keeps working.
Aoki moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Aoki is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Newcastle trying to control but Aoki is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Newcastle stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Aoki swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Newcastle lands a couple of elbows.
Newcastle is looking to advance position but Aoki has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Newcastle regains half guard.
Taiki Aoki is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Newcastle wants to get back to full guard.
Aoki not doing much here.
Aoki trying to control the action but Newcastle is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aoki is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Newcastle wants to get back to full guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Newcastle manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Newcastle 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.
Aoki showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
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.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alton Newcastle showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Aoki has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 29:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!