PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Bruno Dos Santos (ranked 3605 p4p, 405 weight class) and Takeshi Aoki (ranked 3920 p4p, 431 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Dos Santos
vs
Aoki

187 cm
25
170 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

180 cm
25
175 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Prefers standup

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Bruno Dos Santos!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Takeshi Aoki!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Gwen Towbar and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dos Santos avoids the head kick by Aoki.
Bruno Dos Santos seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Aoki tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Aoki fakes the leg kick and cracks Dos Santos in the body.
The crowd cheers as Dos Santos lands an impressive looking overhand right. Aoki doesn't seem phased though.
Aoki throws a sloppy head kick and Dos Santos moves out of range easily.

Dos Santos scores with a takedown into Aoki's guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Dos Santos throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Aoki works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Aoki preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Aoki utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Aoki utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Dos Santos trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Aoki wants to stand and escape but Dos Santos is having none of it.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Dos Santos accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Aoki preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Dos Santos throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Aoki works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Dos Santos in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aoki preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Dos Santos throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Aoki works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Dos Santos with a flurry of punches that miss.
Dos Santos loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Dos Santos stops Aoki from standing up.
Dos Santos throws a big elbow that misses.
Dos Santos throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Aoki works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Dos Santos stands up over Aoki, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Dos Santos 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.

Dos Santos drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Aoki manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Dos Santos has Aoki in his guard.

Dos Santos has an active guard here but Aoki has managed to pass into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Dos Santos looking for submissions off his back.

Dos Santos is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Aoki pulls his head out easily.
Aoki prevents Dos Santos from improving his position.
Dos Santos is working hard here to advance position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Dos Santos looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dos Santos is looking for a sweep. Aoki is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Dos Santos is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Aoki pulls his head out easily.

Dos Santos looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Dos Santos looking for submissions off his back.

Dos Santos looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

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.

Dos Santos actively working from the bottom here.

Dos Santos actively working from the bottom here.
Dos Santos is breathing heavily.

Aoki decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Dos Santos closes this distance looking for a takedown but Aoki circles away.
Dos Santos takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

Dos Santos dives in and scores a takedown into Aoki's guard.
Aoki is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Dos Santos is controlling him.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Dos Santos throwing strikes from guard but Aoki blocks nicely.
Aoki avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Dos Santos gets the takedown into side control.
Dos Santos working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.

Dos Santos goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Aoki has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Dos Santos but great work by Aoki.
Dos Santos is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Aoki stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Aoki connects with a leg kick. Dos Santos looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
A slapping leg kick lands for Aoki.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A swing and a miss from Dos Santos.

Dos Santos looking to score a takedown here. Aoki is defending well but Dos Santos drives through and ends up in Aoki's guard.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Aoki manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
I was talking to Dos Santos's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dos Santos prevents Aoki from breaking the clinch.
Aoki is looking to break free of the clinch but Dos Santos has double underhooks.
Aoki is looking to break free of the clinch but Dos Santos has double underhooks.
We've been informed that Aoki has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.

Dos Santos has clasped his hands together around Aoki's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Dos Santos scoring with punches from side control.

Dos Santos wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Aoki, who protects the arm well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dos Santos misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

Dos Santos wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Aoki, who protects the arm well.
Aoki takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Dos Santos fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Aoki takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Dos Santos sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Aoki is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.

Dos Santos looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Dos Santos thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dos Santos working the ground and pound.

Dos Santos is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Aoki is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Dos Santos tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Dos Santos is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Aoki knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

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.

Dos Santos swings around for an armbar but Aoki sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Dos Santos's guard.

Dos Santos working for submissions but it's allowed Aoki to get to half guard.

Dos Santos is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Aoki pulls his head out easily.

Dos Santos looking for submissions off his back.

Dos Santos looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Takeshi Aoki will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Dos Santos fails with the takedown.
Aoki gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Dos Santos.
Aoki misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Dos Santos looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Aoki pushes Dos Santos off and gets back to his feet.
Aoki lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Dos Santos blocks a head kick by Aoki.
Aoki throws a nice outside leg kick.
A head kick misses from Aoki.
Aoki tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A head kick misses from Aoki.

Dos Santos drives through with a takedown into Aoki's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Dos Santos postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Bruno Dos Santos overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Dos Santos working some strikes from top position.
Aoki has momentary wrist control but Dos Santos slips an elbow through the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Dos Santos drops back looking for a leg! Aoki is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Aoki manages to kick Dos Santos off! Dos Santos jumps back into Aoki's guard.
Dos Santos makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Dos Santos is looking to work some ground and pound but Aoki has wrist control.
Dos Santos has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Dos Santos loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Dos Santos tries to free his leg and advance position but Aoki is retaining full guard.
Dos Santos content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Dos Santos pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Aoki is keeping the position for now.
Dos Santos connects with a couple of short punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dos Santos passes Aoki's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Dos Santos looks to land a strike but Aoki avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Dos Santos accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Aoki avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Dos Santos throws a big right hand that misses.
Aoki preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Dos Santos makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Dos Santos's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Dos Santos working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Dos Santos's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Dos Santos lands a couple of digs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dos Santos scoring with some ground and pound.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Dos Santos's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Aoki preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Dos Santos throwing strikes from guard but Aoki blocks nicely.
Dos Santos advances position into side control!
Dos Santos looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Aoki is avoiding damage well.

Dos Santos tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Dos Santos has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Dos Santos working the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Dos Santos is trying to get an arm triangle but Aoki is defending well.
Dos Santos postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Aoki managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Dos Santos.
Dos Santos throwing strikes but Aoki manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Dos Santos is looking to regain half guard here but Aoki keeps moving and retains side control.
Dos Santos is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Aoki's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

Dos Santos actively working from the bottom here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bruno Dos Santos showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Dos Santos 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 George Francis scores the fight 30:28
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 29:28
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bruno Dos Santos!
Post fight, Bruno Dos Santos took to the microphone: 'I want jemsa rematch next fight I promise that motherfucker can't survive this time'.