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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Taiki Aoki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexandr Nikitin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nikitin is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Smack My Bitch Up . Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!
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| 170 cm
29
155 lbs
20 - 10 - 0 |
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170 cm
26
155 lbs
9 - 7 - 1 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine |
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Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank |
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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
20 - 10 - 0, fighting out of New York, Taiki Aoki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
9 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Alexandr Nikitin!
The judges for this bout are Micheangelo Fripello, Paul Gruel and Jeff Smith.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Aoki slips a straight right by Nikitin.
Nikitin wants to clinch up but Aoki keeps it at a distance.
Aoki half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Nikitin gets in close and instigates a clinch.
A right handed body shot lands from Nikitin.
Nikitin blocks a body shot from Aoki.
A right handed body shot lands from Aoki.
Nikitin throws a head punch that misses.
Aoki has a couple of punches blocked by Nikitin.
Aoki tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Nikitin's elbow.
Aoki scores with a shot to the side of Nikitin's head.
Nikitin looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Nikitin lands a left hand.
A short right from Aoki.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aoki has a couple of punches blocked by Nikitin.
Aoki misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Nikitin lands with a short shot to the head.
Nikitin can't find room to land a body shot as Aoki controls the action.
Nikitin misses with some punches.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Nikitin creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Aoki.
That's one minute gone in the round.
A short body shot lands from Aoki as the two fighters clinch.
Aoki lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Aoki throws a punch but it's blocked by Nikitin.
Aoki lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Nikitin backwards.
Nikitin blocks a body shot from Aoki.
Aoki is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Nikitin is defending well.
Aoki gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Nikitin regains guard.
Aoki with a nice head shot there.
Aoki in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Nikitin is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Aoki avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Aoki lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Aoki throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Nikitin lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nikitin stopping the sweep attempt from Aoki.
Nikitin trying to control but Aoki is working from the bottom.
Nikitin preventing the sweep.
Aoki bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Nikitin's guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Nikitin is on top in guard.
Aoki 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.
Nikitin trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Nikitin postures up in Aoki's guard and throws a big left but Aoki blocks it.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Nikitin trying to control but Aoki is working from the bottom.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Aoki shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Nikitin is trying to defend but Aoki finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aoki prevents Nikitin from improving his position.
Aoki thows a huge punch but Nikitin dodges it nicely.
Nikitin is trying to get back to full guard.
Aoki throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Aoki is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Nikitin is just riding it out for now. Aoki eventually gives up the hold.
Aoki missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Nikitin manages to get to full guard.
Nikitin is trying to keep Aoki in close.
Aoki landing with the ground and pound.
Aoki throws a big elbow that misses.
Aoki postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Aoki with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Aoki missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Aoki landing with the ground and pound.
Nikitin avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Taiki Aoki dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
Nikitin throws a lazy right hand but Aoki sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Aoki looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Nikitin is fending him off so far but Aoki persists. Nope, Nikitin circles away and we're back to standing.
Nikitin tries to clinch up.
Aoki steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Nikitin.
Aoki tries to counter with a takedown but Nikitin is quick to defend against it.
Nikitin takes a swing at Aoki's ribcage but misses.
Nikitin throws a lazy right hand but Aoki sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Aoki attempts a counter takedown but Nikitin avoids it well and moves away.
Nikitin misses with a straight right.
Aoki dives in and grabs Nikitin's left leg, looking for a takedown. Nikitin pushes down on Aoki's head and hops out.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A telegraphed right hand from Nikitin misses the target.
Aoki bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Aoki appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Nikitin in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Nikitin connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Aoki momentarily.
Aoki uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nikitin.
That's one minute gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Nikitin.
Alexandr Nikitin is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nikitin moves in looking to clinch but Aoki pushes him off.
Aoki appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Nikitin throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Alexandr Nikitin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nikitin misses the jab.
Aoki half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Aoki takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Nikitin misses with a wild body shot.
Aoki tries for a takedown but Nikitin sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Taiki Aoki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nikitin misses with a looping right.
Aoki tries to counter with a takedown but Nikitin is quick to defend against it.
Aoki moves out of range as Nikitin strikes.
Aoki drops down looking for a counter takedown but Nikitin sprawls and moves away.
Aoki slips under a jab.
Aoki tries to counter with a takedown but Nikitin is quick to defend against it.
Aoki slips a jab from Nikitin.
Aoki drops down looking for a counter takedown but Nikitin sprawls and moves away.
Nikitin closes the distance and clinches.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nikitin tries to stall but Aoki uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Nikitin lands a hook to the side of the head.
Nikitin content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Nikitin lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Aoki drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Aoki misses with the head strike.
A right hook to the body lands for Aoki.
Nikitin blocks a body shot from Aoki.
Aoki lands a left hand that snaps the head of Nikitin backwards.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nikitin swings wildly with an uppercut but Aoki uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nikitin pushes Aoki back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Aoki has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Nikitin is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Nikitin stalls.
A head punch on the inside from Aoki fails to land.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikitin lands a nice shot to the body.
Nikitin gets through Aoki's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Nikitin is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Nikitin blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Aoki throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Nikitins head.
Nikitin is leaning against Aoki and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Aoki misses with the head strike.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Nikitin.
Aoki lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Nikitin backwards.
The referee calls for Nikitin to work.
Nikitin misses with a body punch.
Nikitin lands a left hand that snaps the head of Aoki backwards.
Aoki misses with the head strike.
Nikitin makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aoki misses with a short punch on the inside.
Aoki tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Nice body punch from Aoki.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Aoki tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Good body shot from Aoki.
Aoki doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A short uppercut from Aoki.
Aoki gets through Nikitin's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Aoki lands a shot to the body.
Aoki misses with a hook from the clinch.
Aoki misses with a hook from the clinch.
Aoki is working Nikitin over against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Aoki.
Aoki misses with a hook from the clinch.
Nikitin misses with a short punch on the inside.
Nikitin's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Aoki tries to work over Nikitin's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Aoki digs a right hand into Nikitin's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Nikitin's gas tank.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Alexandr Nikitin showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Aoki's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Aoki.
Nikitin throws a shot to the body.
Aoki throws a predictable looking body shot
and Nikitin cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Nikitin waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Aoki.
Nikitin rushes Aoki and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Aoki blocking some punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nikitin softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Aoki misses with a punch to the body.
Aoki makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Aoki fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Aoki fails to land.
Aoki swings away with an uppercut that misses.
That's one minute gone in the round.
A left hand lands to the body for Nikitin.
Nikitin tries to stall but Aoki uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Nikitin creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Nikitin.
A nice left hand lands by Aoki.
Nikitin misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Aoki is looking to take this one to the mat.
Aoki misses with a hook to the ribs.
Nikitin misses with a punch to the body.
Nikitin lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Nikitin looking to slow down the pace here.
Aoki lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Nikitin lands a hook that snaps the head of Aoki backwards.
Nikitin pushes Aoki back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Nikitin fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Nikitin blocking some punches.
Aoki working aggressively here.
A short left from Aoki.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nikitin prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Taiki Aoki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Aoki struggles to land a body shot inside as Nikitin controls his hands.
Aoki tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Nikitin's elbow.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Nikitin.
A right handed body shot lands from Nikitin.
Nikitin can't find room to land a body shot as Aoki controls the action.
Nikitin swings wildly with an uppercut but Aoki uses good head movement to avoid it.
Aoki lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Nikitin goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Nikitin pressing his opponent against the cage.
Nikitin lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Nikitin stalling against the cage.
Still in the clinch, Nikitin scores with a nice short uppercut.
Aoki misses with a punch to the body.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aoki tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Nikitin's elbow.
Nikitin prevents a body shot from Aoki.
Aoki blocks an uppercut.
Nikitin blocking some punches.
Nikitin scores with a shoulder strike.
Nikitin gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Aoki.
Nikitin can't find room to land a body shot as Aoki controls the action.
Aoki misses with a hook to the ribs.
Aoki goes for a takedown attempt but Nikitin pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Nikitin jabs Aoki right on the nose. Aoki blinks but takes it well.
Nikitin throws a jab but it's blocked by Aoki.
Nikitin might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nikitin misses with a wild body shot.
Nikitin moves into the clinch.
Aoki misses with a body punch.
Aoki drops down looking for an ankle pick but Nikitin pulls his leg out and moves away.
Nikitin gets caught flat footed, as Aoki shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Nikitin trying to keep a closed guard but Aoki is proving a slippery customer.
Aoki lands a couple of digs.
Aoki postures up in Nikitin's guard and throws a big left but Nikitin blocks it.
Nikitin looking to control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
And that's the end of the fight!
Alexandr Nikitin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Nikitin 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 Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 28:29
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexandr Nikitin!
After winning the bout, Alexandr Nikitin thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
46% |
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