PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Gianfranco Zola (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Masakazu Aoki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zola comes to the ring accompanied by Balls to the Wall. Aoki has chosen DaRude - Sandstorm as his entrance music. Both these fighters are unbeaten, so somebody's 0 has got to go!This should be fireworks!

Zola
vs
Aoki

163 cm
23
145 lbs
11 - 0 - 0

155 cm
22
140 lbs
7 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

MMA's Best Nutrition
Elite Clothing

MMA's Best Nutrition
Syndicate Drugs

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Gianfranco Zola!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Masakazu Aoki!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Edson Gomes and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Aoki looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Aoki wants to control but Zola is keeping him busy.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Aoki in particular looking to stall.
Zola wants to improve his position but Aoki is controlling well.
Aoki trying to mount his opponent but Zola defends it.
Zola slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Aoki pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Zola is keeping the position for now.
Zola not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Aoki prevents Zola from getting back to his feet.
Aoki slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Aoki tries for a kimura but Zola is defending well.
Zola gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aoki passes the guard and advances to mount!
Aoki is trying to take his opponent's back.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Aoki is trying to control here but Zola has managed to regain half guard.
Zola tries to roll over but Aoki keeps him under control.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

Aoki is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Zola has managed to free his arm - good work.
Zola wants to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Aoki is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Zola has managed to free his arm - good work.
Zola is trying to maintain the position but Aoki is very close to passing his half guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

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

Zola closes the distance and clinches.
Zola makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Aoki tries to pull guard but Zola holds him up against the ropes and eventually Aoki drops back down to his feet.

Aoki gets a trip takedown into half guard.

Aoki is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Zola is just riding it out for now. Aoki eventually gives up the hold.
Aoki looks gassed!
Aoki looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zola is trying to get back to full guard.
Zola is refusing to be controlled, as Aoki sits in half guard.
Zola is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Aoki prevents Zola from standing back up.
Zola landing rabbit punches to the side of Aoki's head. Not doing much damage but still scoring a few points.
Zola is trying to get back to full guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Zola stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

Zola closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Zola lands in his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aoki has his hands on Zola's head, controlling the position.
Aoki wants to sweep but no luck.

Aoki is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Zola preventing the sweep.
Aoki trying to control the position.

Aoki looking for a guillotine here but Zola defends easily.
Zola wanted to stand there but Aoki had control of the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Masakazu Aoki will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Zola tries to clinch but Aoki is having none of it.
Aoki doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Zola counters with a straight right hand.
Zola tries to bum rush Aoki with a series of wild strikes but Aoki uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Aoki shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Zola counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Zola.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Zola.
Zola is pressed up against the ropes. Aoki has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Zola down to the mat. Zola avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Gianfranco Zola has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Masakazu Aoki.
Zola moves in looking to clinch but Aoki pushes him off.
Aoki tries for a takedown but Zola circles away easily
and Zola counters with a nice uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Zola fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Aoki, pushing him back against the ropes.
Aoki is breathing heavily.
Zola drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Aoki gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Aoki has Zola pressed up against the ropes. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Aoki pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Zola tumbling to the mat - Aoki dives into Zola's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zola keeping moving, preventing Aoki from controlling successfully.
Aoki passes into half guard.
Zola wants to improve his position but Aoki is controlling well.
Aoki is looking to take a break and control but Zola is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Aoki looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

Zola actively working from the bottom here.

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.
Aoki wants to take a breather but Zola is having none of it.
Zola tries to get to full guard but Aoki has control of the leg.
Zola moves into full guard.
Aoki trying to control the position from guard on top but Zola is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Aoki thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Aoki slips nicely into half guard.

Zola looking for submissions off his back.

Aoki is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aoki is looking to advance position but Zola won't allow it.
Zola is pressing down on Aoki's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Zola is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Zola striking off his back but it's not causing Aoki any problems.
Aoki trying to control but Zola is working from the bottom.
Zola wants to sweep here but Aoki controlling him for the moment.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Zola is on top in guard.
Zola looking to pass the guard.

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.
Zola passes into half guard.
Aoki is trying to maintain the position but Zola is very close to passing his half guard.

Zola is looking for a kimura but Aoki is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Zola to get the leverage.
Aoki slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Zola won't allow Aoki to sweep him here.

Aoki looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Zola wants to control from the top but Aoki keeps moving.

Aoki is looking for a triangle but Zola pushes his legs off easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Gianfranco Zola will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Zola throws a chopping leg kick but Aoki manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Aoki swats away the attempt to clinch by Zola.
Masakazu Aoki is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Zola is looking to clinch.

Aoki scores with a takedown into Zola's guard.
Masakazu Aoki has got the better of the ground game so far.
Aoki controls from within his opponent's guard.
Zola keeping moving, preventing Aoki from controlling successfully.
Zola keeping full guard, as Aoki tries to pass.

Zola had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Aoki is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Zola Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Aoki's back instead.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Aoki manages to reverse the position and now he's in Zola's guard. Nice work there by Aoki.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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.
Aoki stays in close to Zola's body and controls the position.
Aoki trying to control the position from guard on top but Zola is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Zola looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Aoki tries to free his leg and advance position but Zola is retaining full guard.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Aoki scores with a takedown into Zola's guard.
Aoki trying to control but Zola is working from the bottom.
Aoki stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Zola swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Zola keeping moving, preventing Aoki from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zola not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Aoki trying to control but Zola is working from the bottom.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Aoki shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Zola counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Zola breaks the clinch.
Aoki doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Zola counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Zola tries to clinch up.
Aoki shoots in but no luck this time.
Gianfranco Zola has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Masakazu Aoki.

Aoki scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Aoki trying to control the position but Zola is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zola tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Aoki wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Aoki has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Zola!
Zola bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Zola works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Zola trying to control from half guard but Aoki is working away.
Aoki makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Aoki.

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

Aoki looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Masakazu Aoki really dominated that round.
That's time! Zola's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Zola clinches with his opponent.
Aoki tries for a takedown. No joy.
Zola misses with some punches.
Zola wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Aoki pulls Zola into guard.
Aoki tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Zola stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Aoki swivels though and keeps the full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aoki looking to control.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Aoki closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Zola to the mat! Zola manages to get full guard.
Aoki stops Zola from standing up.
Aoki passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Zola tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Aoki wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Zola manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Aoki is staying active underneath Zola, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Aoki is trying to control but can't.
Aoki is looking for a sweep. Zola is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Zola thows a huge punch but Aoki dodges it nicely.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Zola lands a lovely overhand right.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zola tries to clinch there but Aoki circles away.
Aoki shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Zola pinned against the cage. Zola gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
A shot to de liver by Zola. Beautiful body shot.
Zola tries to clinch but Aoki is having none of it.
Aoki defending well as Zola loads up on a big left hand.
Aoki doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Zola counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Gianfranco Zola has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Masakazu Aoki.
Aoki swats away the attempt to clinch by Zola.

Aoki shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Zola's guard.
Aoki wants to control from the top but Zola keeps moving.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aoki trying to control but Zola is working from the bottom.

Zola looking for a guillotine here but Aoki defends easily.
Aoki trying to control the position from guard on top but Zola is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Aoki might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Zola kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

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.
Zola is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

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

Zola gets caught flat footed, as Aoki shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Aoki advances position into side control!
Zola is trying to improve his position.
Zola is being controlled here.
Aoki passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Zola!
Zola wants to try and get back to his feet.
Zola is trying to escape the mount.
Aoki moves to back control.
Aoki trying to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Masakazu Aoki dominated that fourth round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Zola misses with a two punch combination.
Aoki with a lazy takedown attempt
and Zola counters with a nice body shot.

Aoki fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Zola sprawls well initially but Aoki persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Aoki is looking to stall here but Zola recovers full guard.
Zola manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Aoki manages to get himself to full guard.
Zola trying to control but Aoki is working from the bottom.

Aoki looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Aoki is trying to control the position but Zola postures up.

Aoki working for a triangle but Zola defends it easily.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Aoki looking for a sweep. Not yet Aoki, not yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aoki keeping moving, preventing Zola from controlling successfully.
Aoki trying to control the position.

Aoki is looking for a triangle but Zola pushes his legs off easily.

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

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Aoki decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Gianfranco Zola has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zola is refusing to be controlled, as Aoki sits in half guard.
Aoki controlling the pace.
Aoki works his way into side control.

Aoki tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Aoki is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Zola has escaped the position, nice work there.

Aoki thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zola tries to bench press Aoki off him but Aoki keeps the position.
Aoki works to advance to full mount. Zola defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Aoki trying to control but Zola is having none of it.
Zola is desperately trying to improve his position but Aoki has a good base and remains in mount.
Aoki trying to control but Zola is having none of it.
Zola sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

That's four 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.
Zola tries to get to full guard but Aoki has control of the leg.

Zola actively working from the bottom here.

Aoki is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Zola moves into full guard.
Aoki wants to control from the top but Zola keeps moving.

Zola is looking for a triangle but Aoki pushes his legs off easily.

Zola working for a triangle but Aoki defends it easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Masakazu Aoki comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Aoki 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 46:50
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 46:50
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Masakazu Aoki!
Masakazu Aoki is the new bantamweight champion!