PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Shane Couture (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shinji Aoshi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Couture
vs
Aoshi

193 cm
25
225 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
225 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Shane Couture!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Shinji Aoshi!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Yuuki Gou and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Aoshi lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Couture circles away quickly and effectively.
Aoshi leaves Couture with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Aoshi throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Aoshi misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Couture swats away the attempt to clinch by Aoshi.
Aoshi keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Aoshi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Couture moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aoshi misses with a two punch combination.

Couture shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Aoshi is trying to defend but Couture finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Couture throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Couture not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Couture missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Aoshi really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Couture. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Couture missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Couture missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Couture working over Aoshi with some ground and pound. Aoshi looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Couture thows a huge punch but Aoshi dodges it nicely.
Couture thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Aoshi's head.

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.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
A good leg kick by Aoshi.
Couture is breathing heavily.
Aoshi throws a chopping leg kick but Couture manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Aoshi throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Couture.

It looks like Shane Couture has been cut.
Aoshi with a poor takedown

and Couture counters with a takedown into side control.
Couture will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Aoshi is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Couture 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.
Couture in side control, throwing shots but Aoshi defends.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Aoshi wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Couture throwing strikes but Aoshi manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aoshi wants to stand but Couture is controlling his arm.
Couture on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Couture tries to get out of the position.
Aoshi is looking to take a break and control but Couture is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Aoshi wants to stand but Couture has his arm trapped.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shinji Aoshi dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Shane Couture's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Aoshi is looking to clinch but Couture is avoiding it.
Aoshi misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Aoshi shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Aoshi throws a sloppy head kick and Couture moves out of range easily.
Aoshi wants to clinch

and Couture counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Couture not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Couture working over Aoshi with some ground and pound. Aoshi looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Aoshi avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Couture.
Couture missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Couture throwing shots but Aoshi is blocking nicely.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Aoshi is looking to improve his position.
Couture stops Aoshi from getting back to his feet.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Aoshi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Aoshi falls off balance throwing a combination

and Couture decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Aoshi's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Couture stops Aoshi from standing up.
Couture is looking to work some ground and pound but Aoshi has wrist control.
Couture missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Couture missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Aoshi working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Couture.
Couture trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Couture wants to pass the guard but Aoshi is keeping the position.
Aoshi wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
A head kick misses from Aoshi.
Aoshi tries a head kick but it misses.
Aoshi swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Aoshi shoots and misses

and Couture counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Couture sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Aoshi defending well though.
Couture thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Aoshi's head.
Aoshi tries to get to full guard but Couture has control of the leg.
Aoshi is looking to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aoshi blocking the ground and pound attempt from Couture.
Couture thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Aoshi's head.
Couture looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Aoshi wants to get back to his feet.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Aoshi throws a solid leg kick but Couture takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Aoshi.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shane Couture dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Shane Couture's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Aoshi with a lazy takedown attempt

and Couture counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Couture postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Aoshi wants to stand but Couture is controlling the position.
Couture thows a big elbow that misses.
Couture loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Couture throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Couture throws and elbow that misses. Aoshi uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Couture's guard. Nice move by Aoshi!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aoshi trying to control the position from guard on top but Couture is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Couture is trying to control the position but Aoshi postures up.

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.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Aoshi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Aoshi does no damage.
Aoshi shoots in but Couture avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Aoshi throws a head kick that half lands.

Aoshi drops Couture with a beautiful combination! Couture stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Aoshi is looking for the KO!

Shane Couture's cut is getting worse.
Shane Couture is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A combination from Aoshi does no damage.
Aoshi misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Aoshi throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Couture.
Aoshi tries a head kick but it misses.
Aoshi clinches but Couture breaks the clinch

and Couture counters with a shoot takedown. Aoshi fights it but they end up in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aoshi wants to stand up but Couture is controlling him.
Aoshi working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Couture.
Aoshi not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Couture missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Couture accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shinji Aoshi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Aoshi 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 Taro Takaoka scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 28:29
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shinji Aoshi!