PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Khen Aranico (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Stevie Wonder (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Aranico
vs
Wonder

173 cm
19
155 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

150 cm
18
150 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good in bed

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Enjoys gardening

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Khen Aranico!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Stevie Wonder!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Taro Takaoka and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wonder stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Wonder wants it to stay on the feet.
Wonder should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Wonder slips under a jab.
Wonder doesn't manage to clinch there - Aranico circles away.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Wonder.
Wonder is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Aranico is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Wonder trying to control the position but Aranico is working away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Wonder tries to move to full mount but Aranico actually manages to regain half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wonder looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Aranico is trying to maintain the position but Wonder is very close to passing his half guard.
Wonder thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Aranico's head.

Wonder is working for a submission of some sort.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Aranico misses with a takedown

and Wonder counters with a single leg into guard. Aranico didn't expect that.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aranico keeping full guard, as Wonder tries to pass.
Aranico will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Wonder got a little sloppy there for a moment and Aranico has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Wonder has managed to get both his arms back between Aranico's legs - danger averted.
Wonder content to stall in guard here.

Aranico looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Wonder has picked Aranico up and slammed him! Aranico can't keep hold of the triangle and Wonder manages to pass to side control!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wonder trying to control the position but Aranico is working away.
Aranico pushes Wonder away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Wonder gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Aranico is not content to let Wonder control the position.
Wonder looks gassed!
Wonder lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Wonder trying to control the action but Aranico is working from the bottom.
Aranico is trying to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Wonder laying and praying for a moment but Aranico takes advantage and regains half guard.
Aranico is trying to stand back up but Wonder is controlling him

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Wonder closes this distance looking for a takedown but Aranico circles away.
Wonder shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Aranico counters with a one-two to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stevie Wonder dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Aranico shoots for a double leg takedown but Wonder sprawls well. He's pushed Aranico's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Stevie Wonder seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Aranico shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Wonder fails with the takedown

and Aranico counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Wonder's guard now.
Aranico stands and throws Wonder's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Wonder wants to get back to his feet but Aranico is dominant here and he's now got Wonder's back!
Wonder is keeping busy.

Aranico is persistently looking for the submission but Wonder is defending it well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Aranico has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wonder controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.

Aranico looking for the RNC.
Wonder rolls, trying to escape but Aranico keeps control of the position.
Khen Aranico overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Aranico is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Wonder preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Aranico.
Wonder covering up well under a barage of strikes.

Aranico looking for the choke but no joy.
Wonder has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wonder trying to control the action but Aranico just sinks the hooks in.
Aranico loading up with punches from the back mount - how long can Wonder hold on?

Aranico is persistently looking for the submission but Wonder is defending it well.
Aranico scores with strikes from the back.
Aranico throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wonder tries to break free.

Aranico has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Aranico is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Wonder defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Wonder wants to control his opponent's hands but Aranico gets his hands free.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Wonder has eaten all the pies!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Wonder covers up after taking a massive shot to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Khen Aranico dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Aranico changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Wonder looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Wonder wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

Aranico stands up and beckons Wonder to his feet.
Wonder tries to clinch there but Aranico circles away.
Aranico shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Wonder defends it nicely.

Wonder moves into the clinch successfully.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Wonder displaying some good clinch control by pressing Aranico up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wonder goes for a takedown attempt but Aranico pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Aranico shoots and misses

so Wonder counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Aranico working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Wonder doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Wonder manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Wonder throws and elbow that misses. Aranico uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Wonder's guard. Nice move by Aranico!
Aranico throws a big right hand that misses.
Aranico lands a couple of digs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Aranico drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Wonder manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Aranico has Wonder in his guard.
Wonder won't allow Aranico to sweep him here.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Wonder accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Wonder has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Aranico is proving hard to escape from.

Aranico is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Wonder defends well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wonder advances to half guard.
Wonder trying to control from half guard but Aranico is working away.
Aranico has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Wonder is working away from the top position though.
Aranico makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Aranico.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Aranico keeping moving, preventing Wonder from controlling successfully.
Aranico looking for a sweep. Not yet Aranico, not yet.

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

Aranico has his foot on Wonder's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Wonder works his way back into a safe position though.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Wonder missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Khen Aranico showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Aranico 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 Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 29:27
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 29:27
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 29:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Khen Aranico!