PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Shinya Aoki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nate Heywood (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Aoki comes to the cage accompanied by Nina simone - Feeling good. The crowd seem to be enjoying Heywood's choice of entrance music: Go Hard-DJ Khaled. Nate Heywood struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 156.4lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Aoki
vs
Heywood

180 cm
22
162 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

180 cm
23
164 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Good chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Determined

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 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Shinya Aoki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nate Heywood!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Daniel Franklin and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Heywood shoots for a double leg takedown but Aoki sprawls well. He's pushed Heywood's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Heywood shoots for a double leg takedown but Aoki sprawls well. He's pushed Heywood's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Aoki fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Heywood sprawls well initially but Aoki persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Heywood wants to get back to full guard.
Aoki wants to pass the guard but Heywood is defending well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Heywood tries to get to full guard but Aoki has control of the leg.
Heywood looks gassed!

Heywood is defending against the submission attempts here by Aoki.
Heywood is looking to improve his position.
Aoki is trying to control the action in half guard but Heywood is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Heywood tries to get to full guard but Aoki has control of the leg.

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

Heywood bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Aoki is trying to control Heywood's posture but Heywood avoids it.
Aoki sneaks back into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aoki on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Aoki gets back to full guard.

Aoki escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Heywood gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Aoki trying to keep a closed guard but Heywood is proving a slippery customer.
Heywood wants to pass the guard but Aoki is keeping the position.
Aoki pulls Heywood in close to prevent any damage.
Aoki manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Aoki lands a nice shot to the head.
Heywood is desperately trying to improve his position but Aoki has a good base and remains in mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aoki can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Heywood is looking to escape.
Aoki looking to control and managing it successfully.

Aoki working for a submission here. He's tucked his head under his opponent's arm, looking for an arm triangle. He's hopped off into side control, looking to tighten the submission... is it going to work? He's given up a good position looking for it. Heywood looks OK. Oh, I spoke too soon, he's out! That must have been tighter than I thought! Excellent work there by Aoki! Submission of the night perhaps?

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:31 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Shinya Aoki!