PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ralfus Presting (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tatsuya Aoki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ralfus Presting could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Tatsuya Aoki's chin.

Presting
vs
Aoki

182 cm
32
180 lbs
22 - 17 - 1

178 cm
36
181 lbs
32 - 17 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Dangerous knees
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Fast

GREEN!160
Tokyo United Fightwear

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 22 - 17 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Ralfus Presting!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 32 - 17 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Tatsuya Aoki!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Elvis Blanc and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Presting changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Aoki tries to avoid it but Presting manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Aoki to the ground. Aoki escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Aoki changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Aoki blocks a head kick by Presting.
Aoki drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Presting defends it well.

Presting closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Aoki to the mat! Aoki manages to get full guard.
Presting wants to control from the top but Aoki keeps moving.
Aoki is looking to stand up but Presting isn't so interested in that idea.

Aoki has his feet on Presting's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Ralfus Presting seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Presting shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Aoki but Aoki pushes him off and we're back to square one.
As Presting backs off Aoki throws a huge counter combo but Presting manages to avoid it all.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aoki leaves Presting with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ralfus Presting. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Aoki misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Presting shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Presting takes the fight into the clinch.
Presting misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Aoki.
Aoki on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Aoki jumps guard but Presting turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Aoki goes for a takedown attempt but Presting pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Presting tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Aoki counters with a takedown into side control.

Aoki goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Presting has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Aoki but great work by Presting.

Presting is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Aoki has escaped the position, nice work there.
Aoki is trying to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!

Presting working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Presting wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Aoki, who protects the arm well.

Presting is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Aoki knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Presting trying to control the action but Aoki is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Presting is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Aoki is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Aoki is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Aoki is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Presting off and has taken his back!

Aoki is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Presting is defending well though. Aoki let's go of the attempt for now.
Presting rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Aoki sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Presting defending well though.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Aoki working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Aoki connects with a nice short shot to Presting's temple.
Aoki throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Presting is looking to control Aoki's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Presting avoid being mounted?

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Presting looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Aoki works his foot free and advances to mount.
Presting wants to hold on but Aoki pushes him away.
Aoki lands a big shot there that rocks Presting but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Aoki cracks Presting with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.

It looks like Ralfus Presting has been cut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Aoki wants to control the pace but Presting is squirming around nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Presting tries to lock up and control but Aoki gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Presting keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Presting throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Presting working to try and regain half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tatsuya Aoki dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ralfus Presting's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Aoki stuns Presting with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Presting shoots in for a takedown but Aoki shows good takedown defense.
Presting throws a leg kick

and Aoki counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Presting looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Presting is looking for a triangle but Aoki pushes his legs off easily.
Aoki pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Presting is keeping the position for now.
Presting is trying to keep Aoki in close.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Aoki avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Aoki advances position into side control!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Presting is looking for a sweep.
Aoki looks up at the clock and then as Presting takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Aoki smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Aoki working the body and head with strikes.
Aoki cracks Presting with a big right hand but Presting just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.

Aoki is trying to get an arm triangle but Presting is defending well.
Presting is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Presting is not content to let Aoki control the position.
Presting 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Presting is trying to control Aoki's posture but Aoki avoids it.
Presting is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
You can see the frustration on Presting's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Presting is looking to regain half guard here but Aoki keeps moving and retains side control.

Aoki is trying to get an arm triangle but Presting is defending well.
Aoki lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Presting down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aoki lands some shots froms side control.
Aoki working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Presting manages to get back to half guard.
Presting wants to control but Aoki is keeping busy.
Aoki is nestled in close to Presting, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Presting is staying active underneath Aoki, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Aoki has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Aoki trying to pass the guard but Presting defending well.
Presting moves into full guard.
Aoki passes Presting's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Aoki looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Presting blocking the ground and pound attempt from Aoki.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Presting has hold of Aoki's hands but Aoki slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Presting works his way to full guard. Good work.
Aoki makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Aoki throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Presting trying to keep a closed guard but Aoki is proving a slippery customer.

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

Presting working for a triangle but Aoki defends it easily.
Aoki has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Presting working a defensive guard here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Presting looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Aoki pushes down on Presting's leg and manages to get into half guard.
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 cut man is working on Ralfus Presting's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Presting throws a lazy head kick

and Aoki counters with a single leg into guard. Presting didn't expect that.
Tatsuya Aoki has got the better of the ground game so far.

Presting is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Aoki defends well.
Aoki in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Presting has his foot on Aoki's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Aoki works his way back into a safe position though.
Aoki trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Presting looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Aoki has picked Presting up and slammed him! Presting can't keep hold of the triangle and Aoki manages to pass to side control!
Aoki landing strikes.
Aoki is working Presting over with some ground and pound from side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aoki controls the position.
Presting takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Aoki is working Presting over with some ground and pound from side control.
Aoki is looking to take a break and control but Presting is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Aoki grinds an elbow into Presting's temple.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Presting is trying to get back to half guard.
Presting takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Aoki working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Presting is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Presting is trying to control Aoki's posture but Aoki avoids it.
Aoki lands an elbow.
Aoki throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Presting is looking to reverse the position.
Aoki wants to lay and pray for a moment but Presting keeps working.
Aoki is putting a hurting on Presting here, landing some big shots from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aoki landing strikes.
Presting can't do much from the bottom here.
Presting is working to avoid the ground and pound but Aoki connects with a decent elbow.
Aoki connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Presting some visible discomfort.
Aoki trying to control the position but Presting is working away.
Aoki creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Aoki lands an elbow.
Presting tries to buck Aoki off but Aoki is having none of it.
Presting prevents Aoki from improving position.
Presting takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Presting tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Presting is working hard here to advance position.
Presting on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Presting is not content to let Aoki control the position.
Presting manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Aoki lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Presting is trying to control but can't.
Aoki is trying to control. Presting wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Presting is trying to control but can't.

Aoki seems to be looking for submissions.
Aoki takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Presting slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aoki advances to half guard.
Ground and pound from Aoki.

Presting is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Aoki pulls his head out easily.
Aoki looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Aoki passes the guard and advances to mount!
Aoki landing shots from mount.
Aoki has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Presting's face.
Presting bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Aoki tries to land a sweep but no joy.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tatsuya Aoki comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Aoki winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Gregory Folan scores the fight 27:30
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 27:30
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 27:30

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.