PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Alton Newcastle (ranked 243 p4p, 22 weight class) and Taiki Aoki (ranked 416 p4p, 46 weight class). Alton Newcastle has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Newcastle
vs
Aoki

170 cm
36
148 lbs
24 - 19 - 2

170 cm
39
156 lbs
32 - 14 - 2

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

KAISER Nutrition - Q160

Zenith Nutrition (160q/225$)

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 24 - 19 - 2, fighting out of Tokyo, Alton Newcastle!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 32 - 14 - 2, fighting out of Los Angeles, Taiki Aoki!
The judges for this bout are , Don Winkell and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Aoki blocks a jab.
Newcastle looks to land a right hand but Aoki moved out of range.
Newcastle checks the leg kick.
Aoki tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Newcastle swivels and escapes.
Aoki lands a jab.

Aoki drives through with a takedown into Newcastle's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Aoki trying to control the position from guard on top but Newcastle is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Newcastle throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Newcastle looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Aoki puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Newcastle gets full guard.
Newcastle has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aoki is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Aoki lands a couple of digs.
Newcastle lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Aoki keeping full guard, as Newcastle tries to pass.
Aoki 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.
Newcastle trying to move into half guard but instead Aoki has managed to sweep!

Newcastle is trying to keep Aoki in close.
Aoki has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Newcastle looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Newcastle wants to control the position but Aoki says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Aoki looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Newcastle wants to get back to full guard.
Aoki controlling the action here.
Newcastle is pressing down on Aoki's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Newcastle isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Aoki stacks Newcastle on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Aoki!
Aoki controlling the position.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Newcastle looking for a sweep but Aoki has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Aoki lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Newcastle tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Newcastle is working hard here to advance position.
Aoki controlling the pace for now.
Newcastle is looking to get to half guard.
Aoki tries to control but Newcastle wriggling away.
Newcastle is in all sorts of trouble here.
Aoki lands with some strikes.
Newcastle is in all sorts of trouble here.
Aoki trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Aoki raining down shots from the mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Newcastle is wriggling around trying to escape.
Aoki working Newcastle over with strikes here.
Newcastle sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Newcastle is trying to control but Aoki manages to pass to mount!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Aoki controlling the pace for now.
Newcastle tries to lock up and control but Aoki gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Aoki lands a big elbow.
Newcastle manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Aoki throwing shots but Newcastle is blocking nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Taiki Aoki dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Newcastle lands a slapping body shot.
A swing and a miss from Newcastle.
Aoki is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Newcastle connects with a looping right hand.
Aoki looks to score with a jab to the body but Newcastle is just out of range.
Aoki dives in for a single leg takedown but Newcastle sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Newcastle misses with a hook. Aoki ducked under it nicely.
Aoki throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Newcastle's waist but Newcastle gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Aoki off to one side.
Newcastle swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Aoki has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Aoki dives in and scores a takedown into Newcastle's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Newcastle lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Newcastle trying to control but Aoki is working from the bottom.
Newcastle passes Aoki's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aoki tries to roll over but Newcastle keeps him under control.

Newcastle is looking for a kimura but Aoki is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Newcastle to get the leverage.
Aoki won't allow Newcastle to pass to mount.
Taiki Aoki has got the better of the ground game so far.
Aoki wants to get back to full guard.
Aoki trying to control but Newcastle postures up.
Newcastle is trying to control the action in half guard but Aoki is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Newcastle is working for a kimura from half guard. He's really concentrating on the hold and it's allowed Aoki to slip a leg under and get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Aoki tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two 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.
Aoki looking to control.

Aoki is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Newcastle wants to pass the guard but Aoki is keeping the position.
Newcastle sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Aoki's guard.
Aoki is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Aoki is not content to let Newcastle control the position.
Aoki trying to control here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Newcastle wants to pass to mount but Aoki is defending the position.
Newcastle wants to control but Aoki is keeping him busy.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Newcastle is looking for a kimura here.
Newcastle is pressing down on Aoki's thigh, looking to free his foot. Aoki is holding on for now.

That's four 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.

Newcastle is looking for a kimura here.
Aoki is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Newcastle is trying to work for a kimura but Aoki is defending well.
Newcastle uses his free foot to push down on Aoki's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Aoki.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Newcastle trying to control but Aoki is having none of it.
Aoki regains half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alton Newcastle dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

A telegraphed right hand from Aoki misses the target.
Aoki throws a body shot but no joy.
A jab from Newcastle misses.
And Aoki tries to counter it with a takedown but Newcastle pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Newcastle throws an overhand right that lands on Aoki's shoulder, as Aoki tries to avoid the shot.
Newcastle lands a right hook to the body.

Newcastle tries to sprawl but Aoki drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Newcastle moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Newcastle is trying to control the position but Aoki postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Newcastle throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Newcastle wants to sweep but no luck.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aoki is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Aoki tries to free his leg and advance position but Newcastle is retaining full guard.
Newcastle is trying to control the position but Aoki postures up.
Newcastle keeping moving, preventing Aoki from controlling successfully.
Newcastle controls Aoki momentarily but Aoki frees himself.

Aoki got a little sloppy there for a moment and Newcastle has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Aoki has managed to get both his arms back between Newcastle's legs - danger averted.
Aoki trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Newcastle throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Newcastle wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Aoki pushing down on Newcastle's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Aoki working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

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

Aoki wants to work for an arm triangle but Newcastle is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Newcastle moves into full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Newcastle looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Newcastle is trying to control the position but Aoki postures up.
Aoki wants to control from the top but Newcastle keeps moving.
Aoki works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Newcastle is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Newcastle looking for submissions off his back.
Newcastle gets back to full guard.

Newcastle throws his legs up looking for a submission but Aoki uses it to pass to side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Newcastle is not content to let Aoki control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Aoki looks up at the clock and then as Newcastle takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Aoki smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Newcastle is looking to regain half guard here but Aoki keeps moving and retains side control.
Newcastle taking punishment in the form of punches.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Aoki lands an elbow.
Newcastle takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Newcastle is looking to reverse the position.
Newcastle is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Taiki Aoki comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous 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.