PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Gerald Hodges (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Masakazu Aoki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Aoki has chosen Sandstorm by Darude as his entrance music. Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Hodges
vs
Aoki

173 cm
23
157 lbs
11 - 4 - 0

155 cm
30
147 lbs
18 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

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 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Gerald Hodges!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Masakazu Aoki!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Frank Dennis and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Aoki misses with a looping right.
Aoki tries to clinch but Hodges moves away
and Hodges counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Hodges slips a jab and a cross from Aoki.
Aoki tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Hodges manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Hodges works Aoki's body with a nice hook.
A punch combination from Aoki misses.
Hodges scores with a head kick. Aoki tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Hodges misses with a low kick.
The fighters circling - Aoki throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Aoki moves to clinch but Hodges breaks away
and Hodges counters with a nice leg kick.
Aoki looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Aoki misses with a few strikes there.
Aoki shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Hodges as he avoids it easily.
Aoki tries to move into range but Hodges moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Aoki swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Hodges counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aoki misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Aoki missing with a left hand there. Hodges was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Aoki is looking to clinch but Hodges is avoiding it.
Aoki lands with a hook. Hodges tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Aoki with a poor takedown
and Hodges counters with a nice low kick that buckles Aoki's knee momentarily.
Hodges stuffs the takedown.
Gerald Hodges has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Masakazu Aoki.
Aoki looks gassed!
Aoki misses with a wild combination.
Aoki tries to close the distance and clinch but Hodges swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Hodges connects with a solid leg kick.
Hodges keeps the fight on the outside.
Aoki swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
That kick from Hodges tenderised Aoki's leg. Aoki is trying to keep his angry face on.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hodges fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Hodges. Aoki shrugs it off though.
Masakazu Aoki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hodges pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hodges uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Aoki.
Aoki shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Hodges defends it nicely.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Aoki rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Hodges moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Hodges throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Hodges. Aoki shrugs it off though.
Aoki throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Aoki on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Aoki fails with a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hodges scores with a decent looking hook.
Aoki stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Hodges.
Hodges scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Aoki is trying hard to land a takedown here. Hodges sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Good leg kick by Hodges there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Hodges jabs Aoki right on the nose. Aoki blinks but takes it well.
Hodges cracks Aoki with a right hand to the side of the head.
A low kick from Aoki is predictable there
and Hodges counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Hodges connects with a leg kick. Aoki looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Aoki moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Gerald Hodges is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A slapping leg kick lands for Hodges.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Aoki blocks a head kick by Hodges.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hodges throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Aoki.
Aoki shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Aoki misses with a left hand
and Hodges counters with a nice leg kick.
Aoki throws a right and a left that both miss.
Aoki sizes up Hodges with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Donk. Hodges catches Aoki right on the button with a cross.
Hodges bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Hodges thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Aoki if he has to take too many more of those.
Hodges connects with a leg kick. Aoki looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Hodges is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Aoki closes the distance and pushes Hodges back into the cage.
Hodges is trying to break the clinch but Aoki has him pressed against the cage.

Hodges breaks from the clinch.
Aoki fails with the takedown
and Hodges counters with a nice uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gerald Hodges dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Aoki's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Hodges connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Aoki scrambles back to his feet.
A low kick from Aoki is predictable there
and Hodges counters with a low kick, right behind Aoki 's knee.

Aoki gets a clinch.
Aoki struggles to land a body shot inside as Hodges controls his hands.
Aoki wants a takedown.
Hodges is trying to break the clinch but Aoki is controlling him.
Aoki is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Hodges pulls him back up using the underhooks.
A head punch on the inside from Aoki fails to land.
Aoki changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Hodges fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Gerald Hodges has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Masakazu Aoki.
Aoki fails with a takedown attempt.
Aoki is breathing heavily.
Hodges works Aoki's body with a nice hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hodges lands a nice leg kick that just misses Aoki's sensitive parts.
Aoki cracks Hodges with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Gerald Hodges is winning the standup battle so far.
Hodges scores with a kick to the body.
Hodges fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Aoki has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Aoki steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Hodges. That one must have hurt.
Hodges connects with a body shot that sends Aoki's belly button to the back.
Hodges lands with a straight right. Aoki didn't see that one coming.
Hodges scores with a leg kick.
No luck for Aoki with that takedown attempt.
Hodges lands a nice looking body shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hodges scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aoki rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Hodges moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Hodges scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Aoki takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Hodges fakes the leg kick and cracks Aoki in the body.
Hodges lands with an uppercut that bounces Aoki off the cage and back into rage.
Hodges scores with a kick to the body.
Hodges moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Masakazu Aoki is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
An inside leg kick lands from Hodges.
Aoki tries to clinch but Hodges is having none of it.
Hodges cracks the inside of Aoki's front leg.
Hodges lands a two punch combo.
Hodges lands with a thumping leg kick.
Aoki shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hodges pinned against the cage. Hodges gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hodges keeps Aoki at a distance using the push kick.
Hodges lands a lovely overhand right.
Aoki with a lazy takedown attempt
and Hodges counters with a straight right hand.
Hodges is looking to slow Aoki down with leg kicks.
Hodges feints and then cracks Aoki's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Aoki down.
Hodges lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Aoki backs up against the cage.
Hodges throws a head kick that Aoki semi-blocks.
Hodges connects with a leg kick. Aoki looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Some wild striking there from Aoki.
Hodges lands a nice looking body kick.
Aoki's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hodges lands a nice looking body kick.
Hodges lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Aoki throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hodges.
Aoki tries to clinch but Hodges moves out of range.
Aoki misses with an uppercut
and Hodges counters with a leg kick.
Aoki is trying hard to land a takedown here. Hodges sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Aoki on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Hodges jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hodges scores with a push kick.
Hodges throws a head kick that half lands.
Hodges chopping away at his opponent's legs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gerald Hodges dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Aoki tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Hodges.
Aoki is looking to clinch but Hodges is avoiding it.
Hodges scoring well with a low kick there.
Hodges throws a nice inside leg kick.
Aoki looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hodges is fending him off so far but Aoki persists. Nope, Hodges circles away and we're back to standing.
Hodges buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Hodges misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Hodges dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Aoki. That did some damage!
Aoki falls off balance throwing a combination
and Hodges counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Hodges plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Aoki takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Hodges - that will leave a mark!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aoki fails to land with a series of punches.
Hodges throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Aoki shoots in but no luck this time.
Hodges lands a head kick. Aoki smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
No luck for Aoki with that takedown attempt.
Gerald Hodges has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Masakazu Aoki.
Hodges pushes Aoki away with a front kick.
Hodges is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Aoki moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Hodges takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Aoki misses with a takedown
and Hodges counters with a left to the body.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Hodges.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hodges lands with a straight right. Aoki didn't see that one coming.
Hodges connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Hodges connects with an inside leg kick.
Aoki doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Hodges counters with a body kick that stops Aoki in his tracks momentarily.
Aoki has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Aoki chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Hodges can pounce on him.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hodges scores with a three punch combo!
Aoki is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Hodges connects with a leg kick. Aoki looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Aoki throws a series of punches but Hodges avoids them all with ease.
Hodges lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Hodges stuffs the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aoki takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Masakazu Aoki has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Aoki takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
A good leg kick by Hodges.
Hodges bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Aoki's head.
Hodges is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Aoki can do to turn this around?
Aoki takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Aoki fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Aoki takes a kick to the side of the head.
Hodges lands a body shot.
Aoki misses with the combination.
Hodges lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aoki throws a left and a right that both miss
and Hodges makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Aoki tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Hodges lets loose with a powerful body kick. Aoki will feel that in the morning.
Hodges scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Aoki misses with the combination.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Aoki has a takedown stuffed.
Aoki throws a leg kick
letting Hodges counter with a right hand.
A nice leg kick lands there from Hodges.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Hodges.
A good leg kick by Hodges.
Aoki doesn't manage to clinch there - Hodges circles away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gerald Hodges showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Hodges, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gerald Hodges!