PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Luiz Araujo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vesa Asikainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Araujo kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Who Shot Ya?. There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Araujo
vs
Asikainen

187 cm
33
221 lbs
14 - 18 - 1

189 cm
34
225 lbs
2 - 27 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 18 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Luiz Araujo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 27 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Vesa Asikainen!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Ren Mimura and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Asikainen darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Araujo kicks Asikainen off and gets back to his feet.

Asikainen shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Asikainen showed some decent athleticism there.
Asikainen prevents Araujo from standing back up.
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!
Araujo tries to roll over but Asikainen keeps him under control.
Araujo landing a few short strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Araujo flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Araujo is controlling Asikainen's trapped leg to prevent Asikainen from advancing to side control.

Araujo manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Asikainen keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.

Araujo manages to break the clinch.
A thudding body kick lands there by Araujo!

Araujo gets caught flat footed, as Asikainen shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Araujo is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Araujo thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Asikainen's head.
Araujo thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Araujo is working for a kimura but Asikainen is defending it quite comfortably.

Araujo wants to work for an arm triangle but Asikainen is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Araujo not doing much here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Asikainen wants to improve his position but Araujo is controlling well.
Araujo landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Araujo throwing shots but Asikainen is blocking nicely.
Araujo throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Asikainen is looking for a sweep. Araujo is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Asikainen is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Araujo scores with a couple of nice shots.

Araujo is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Asikainen defends it well.
Araujo winds up and cracks Asikainen with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Asikainen really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Araujo. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Asikainen is not content to let Araujo control the position.
Araujo has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Araujo is nestled in close to Asikainen, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Araujo is taking a breather. Asikainen says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

Araujo is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Asikainen is trying to control but can't.

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.

Araujo is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Araujo is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Asikainen doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Araujo.
Araujo trying to mount his opponent but Asikainen defends it.
Araujo keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luiz Araujo dominated that round.
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.

Araujo gets a takedown into half guard.

Araujo maintaining the dominant position here and is working for a kimura. He's locked it up! Asikainen could be in real trouble here! He's trying to wriggle out but Araujo has cracked it and Asikainen is screaming in pain - he's tapped out! Great finish by Araujo!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:22 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Luiz Araujo!
A less than humble Luiz Araujo misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.