PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Duke Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Axl Aoki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johnson comes to the cage accompanied by Through The Fire and Flames - Dragonforce. Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Johnson
vs
Aoki

180 cm
23
167 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

180 cm
24
162 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Duke Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Axl Aoki!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Shigeki Fujiwara and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Johnson has managed to clinch.

Johnson pulls Aoki into guard.
Aoki trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Aoki is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Johnson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Aoki is one step ahead there.

Aoki thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Johnson has Aoki pulled in close to control his posture.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Johnson trying to control the position here.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Johnson looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Aoki!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson controlling his opponent.
Aoki is looking to get to half guard.

Johnson is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Aoki has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Aoki!

Aoki thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Johnson wants to sweep here but Aoki controlling him for the moment.
Johnson knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Aoki on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Johnson is adopting a defensive guard.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Aoki drops back looking for a leg! Johnson is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Johnson manages to kick Aoki off! Aoki jumps back into Johnson's guard.
Johnson controlling the position.

Aoki drops back looking for a leg! Johnson is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Johnson manages to kick Aoki off! Aoki jumps back into Johnson's guard.
Aoki looks gassed!

Aoki drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Johnson dives on top into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is pushing down on Aoki's leg trying to pass to half guard. Aoki is fighting to maintain full guard but Johnson has managed to sneak the leg through.

Aoki looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Johnson slows the pace down in half guard.
Johnson's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnson is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Aoki!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Johnson sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Duke Johnson just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown but Aoki shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Duke Johnson dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Johnson scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Aoki shoots and misses

and Johnson counters with a nice double leg into side control. Aoki won't be happy with that.
Johnson controls the position.
Aoki tries to improve position but can't.

Johnson has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Aoki closes this distance looking for a takedown but Johnson circles away.
Johnson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Aoki tries to avoid it but Johnson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Aoki to the ground. Aoki escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Duke Johnson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Johnson shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Johnson gets to his feet. Aoki looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Johnson takes the fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson wants to break free but Aoki has control.
Johnson is looking to break free of the clinch but Aoki has double underhooks.
Johnson wants to break free but Aoki has control.
Johnson goes for a takedown attempt but Aoki pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Johnson gets a clinch.
Aoki has Johnson pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Johnson manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Duke Johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Axl Aoki.

Johnson pulls guard effortlessly.

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

Aoki thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Aoki won't allow Johnson to sweep him here.

Aoki has gone for a leg lock! Johnson slips out almost immediately though and dives into Aoki's guard.
Aoki being controlled here, momentarily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Aoki is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Johnson is aware though and is defending well.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Johnson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Duke Johnson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Johnson has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Johnson decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Aoki, up you get!
Johnson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Aoki checks a leg kick.
Aoki stuffs the takedown attempt from Johnson. Johnson gets slowly back to his feet.
Aoki shoots in but no luck this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Duke Johnson dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Johnson has a takedown stuffed.
Johnson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Aoki sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Johnson somewhat.
Johnson wants to clinch up but Aoki keeps it at a distance.
Johnson shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Aoki counters with a nice double leg into guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Duke Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Johnson is controlling Aoki's posture.

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 drops back, looking for a kneebar! Johnson looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Johnson looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Johnson!

Johnson goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Aoki rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Johnson's guard! Nice work there by Aoki!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Aoki drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Johnson dives on top into guard.
Aoki preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Johnson content to stall in guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Aoki can't keep his opponent in guard - Johnson advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Johnson is looking to advance position but Aoki won't allow it.
Johnson seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

Aoki is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Johnson pulls his head out easily.
Aoki keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Aoki is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Johnson pulls his head out easily.
Johnson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Johnson stalling.
Aoki is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Johnson takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Duke Johnson just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.

Aoki gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Aoki escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Johnson gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Johnson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Axl Aoki has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Duke Johnson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Johnson slips nicely into half guard.

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

And that's the end of the fight!
Duke Johnson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Johnson has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Taro Takaoka scores the fight 30:27
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 30:27
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Duke Johnson!