PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bodgan Petrov (ranked 2290 p4p, 267 weight class) and Kazushi Aoki (ranked 3609 p4p, 387 weight class). Bodgan Petrov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Petrov
vs
Aoki

176 cm
25
276 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

195 cm
22
270 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Bodgan Petrov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kazushi Aoki!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Petrov throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Petrov takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Aoki throws a hook to the side of Petrov's head but Petrov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Aoki scores with a decent looking hook.
Petrov takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Petrov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Aoki.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Aoki has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Petrov looks to throw the jab but Aoki is out of range.
Aoki has his takedown stuffed

and Petrov moves into the clinch.

Petrov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Petrov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Petrov throws the left hand but Aoki avoids the punch easily.
Petrov walks into a left hand.
Petrov scores with a leg kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

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

Petrov working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Aoki doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Aoki manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Petrov is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Aoki defends well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Petrov keeping moving, preventing Aoki from controlling successfully.
Petrov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Aoki is one step ahead there.
Petrov keeping moving, preventing Aoki from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Petrov 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.
Petrov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Aoki manages to get himself to full guard.

Petrov works over Aoki with some ground and pound from guard.
Petrov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Aoki is keeping the position for now.
Aoki pulls Petrov in close to his closed guard and prevents Petrov from doing any damage or advancing position.
Petrov might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aoki keeping full guard, as Petrov tries to pass.
Aoki is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

Petrov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Petrov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Aoki bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Petrov's guard.

Petrov looking for a guillotine here but Aoki defends easily.
Aoki scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aoki connects with a couple of short punches.

Petrov 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.

Petrov is looking for a triangle but Aoki pushes his legs off easily.
Petrov keeping moving, preventing Aoki from controlling successfully.
Petrov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Aoki is one step ahead there.
Aoki lands a couple of digs.

It looks like Bodgan Petrov has been cut.
Aoki won't allow Petrov to sweep him here.
Aoki postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Aoki controls from within his opponent's guard.

Petrov looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Petrov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Aoki is one step ahead there.
Aoki makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Bodgan Petrov's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aoki scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

Jeez, Bodgan Petrov's cut is really nasty now. The referee must be thinking about getting that checked.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Bodgan Petrov's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:28 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Kazushi Aoki!
A relieved looking Kazushi Aoki thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.