PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Sub Zero (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tatsuya Aoki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zero kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Mortal Kombat Theme. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Zero
vs
Aoki

180 cm
23
173 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

178 cm
25
181 lbs
11 - 8 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
World class MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

L.A. Elite Clothing Co
QFClothing

L.A. Elite Clothing Co

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Sub Zero!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Tatsuya Aoki!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Yukihiro Shimada and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Aoki avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Zero ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Aoki moves away.
Aoki lands with a nice combination. Zero backs away looking to recover.
Aoki tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Zero swivels and escapes.

Aoki shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Aoki showed some decent athleticism there.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Nice strikes from Aoki there.
Zero is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Aoki's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Aoki's back!
Zero knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Aoki on the ground.
Aoki just trying to survive but Zero is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Aoki turns into Zero and is now in his guard.
Aoki stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Zero swivels though and keeps the full guard.
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!
Zero avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Zero wants to improve his position but instead Aoki has moved into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aoki looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Aoki has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Aoki punishing his opponent with strikes.
Zero takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.

Aoki goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Zero turns into him and now he's in Aoki's guard.

Aoki is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zero stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Aoki swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Aoki has an active guard here but Zero has managed to pass into half guard.
Zero tries to pass to full mount but Aoki defends it.
Aoki gets full guard.
Aoki has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Aoki manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Zero leaves Aoki with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
That kick from Zero tenderised Aoki's leg. Aoki is trying to keep his angry face on.
Aoki connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Aoki fails to land the takedown.
Sub Zero has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tatsuya Aoki.
Aoki looks to land a combination. Zero sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

Aoki closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Zero quickly recovers to half guard.
Aoki controlling the action here.
Aoki trying to control from half guard but Zero is working away.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Aoki in particular looking to stall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zero is looking for a sweep. Aoki is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Zero keeping control of the position.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Tatsuya Aoki wasn't active enough on the ground.
Zero uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Aoki.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zero with a hook.
Sub Zero is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Aoki fails to land the takedown.
Aoki takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Tatsuya Aoki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Zero staying out of range there.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Zero.
Aoki looks for a takedown but Zero sprawls well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tatsuya Aoki dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Aoki shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Aoki passes Zero's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Aoki is looking to take a break and control but Zero is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Zero moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Aoki with a flurry of punches that miss.
Aoki trying to control but Zero is working from the bottom.
Tatsuya Aoki has got the better of the ground game so far.
Aoki pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Zero is keeping the position for now.
Aoki is looking to advance position but Zero has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aoki's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Aoki wants to hold on but Zero pushes him away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Aoki sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Aoki is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Aoki regains full guard. Nicely done.
Zero postures up.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Aoki is on top in guard.
Aoki is pushing down on Zero's leg trying to pass to half guard. Zero is fighting to maintain full guard but Aoki has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aoki trying to control from Zero's half guard. Zero has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Aoki trying to control the position from guard on top but Zero is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Zero keeping full guard, as Aoki tries to pass.
Aoki is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zero bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Aoki's guard.
Aoki looking for a sweep. Not yet Aoki, not yet.
Zero won't allow Aoki to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zero wants to pass the guard but Aoki is keeping the position.

Aoki escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Zero gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Aoki looking to hit a scissor sweep but Zero is one step ahead there.

Aoki has his foot on Zero's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Zero works his way back into a safe position though.
Aoki wants to improve his position but instead Zero has moved into half guard.
Aoki manages to get to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aoki manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Zero manages to get himself to full guard.
Zero can't keep his opponent in guard - Aoki advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Aoki thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Zero's head.
Aoki tries to pass to full mount but Zero defends it.

Zero looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Aoki wants to free his trapped foot but Zero is holding on for dear life with his legs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tatsuya Aoki showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Aoki lands a nice looking body shot.
Tatsuya Aoki is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Aoki throws a body punch but Zero moves out of range.
Zero stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Zero wants it to stay on the feet.
Zero stuffs the takedown attempt from Aoki. Aoki gets slowly back to his feet.
Zero scores with a shot to the body.
Horrible takedown by Aoki or perhaps it was just good defense by Zero which made him look bad.
Sub Zero has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tatsuya Aoki.
Zero missing with a left hand there. Aoki was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Zero stuffs the takedown.
Aoki throws a series of punches but Zero moves out of range.
A thudding body kick lands there by Zero!

Zero rushes Aoki and presses him up against the cage.
Aoki takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zero lands a knee to the body.
Nice elbow from Zero.

It looks like Tatsuya Aoki has been cut.
Zero lands a knee to the body.
Zero just leaning against Aoki, taking a breather.
Aoki tries for a takedown but Zero manages to get underhooks.
Knees to the body from Zero.
Zero with a knee to the head.
Zero unloads a knee to the mid-section. Aoki lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Knees to the body from Zero.
Good body shot from Zero.
Knees to the body from Zero.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A left hand lands to the body for Zero.
Zero is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Aoki has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Zero after a bit of a struggle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zero putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Aoki in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Aoki letting Zero take a breather here.
Aoki takes a knee to the side of the body.
Zero lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Aoki or not.
Zero is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Aoki wants a takedown.
Zero lands a knee to the head.
Zero landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Zero pushes Aoki back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Zero connects with a nasty looking knee right to Aoki's face.
Zero connects with a nasty looking knee right to Aoki's face.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zero working Aoki over with knees to the body.
Zero lands a knee to the head.
Aoki takes a knee to the side of the body.
Zero using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Zero lands a right hand.
Zero working Aoki over with knees to the body.
Zero working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Zero stalling against the cage.
Aoki is working for takedown but Zero is calmly controlling the position for now.
Aoki is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Zero with a knee to the head.
Zero lands a good knee to the midsection. Aoki won't want to take too many of those.
Sub Zero has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zero unloads a knee to the mid-section. Aoki lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Zero's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Knees to the body from Zero.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nice body punch from Zero - that landed with a thud.
Zero putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Aoki in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Zero lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Aoki looking for a takedown.
Aoki tries for a takedown but Zero manages to get underhooks.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Zero scores a nice knee to the body.
Zero manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Zero lands a knee to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sub Zero showed his dominance in that final round.
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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 28:29
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tatsuya Aoki!
Tatsuya Aoki seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.