PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Lil FitzPatrick (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Masakazu Aoki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

FitzPatrick
vs
Aoki

175 cm
22
135 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

155 cm
22
144 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Inexperienced

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Lil FitzPatrick!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Masakazu Aoki!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Yuuki Gou and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Aoki gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
FitzPatrick seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Aoki controls FitzPatrick momentarily but FitzPatrick frees himself.
Aoki looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
FitzPatrick works a leg free and moves into half guard.
FitzPatrick will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
FitzPatrick controlling the pace.
FitzPatrick tries to pass the half guard into mount. Aoki knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Aoki is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with FitzPatrick in particular looking to stall.

FitzPatrick is trying to work for a kimura but Aoki is defending well.
FitzPatrick trying to control from half guard but Aoki is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
FitzPatrick prevents Aoki from improving his position.
Aoki trying to hold on to FitzPatrick's head to control him but FitzPatrick postures up.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Aoki gets a takedown into half guard.

Aoki is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Aoki works his way into side control.
FitzPatrick is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Aoki is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. FitzPatrick knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Aoki looks gassed!
FitzPatrick wants to control but Aoki postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
FitzPatrick holding on.
FitzPatrick sneaks back into half guard.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
FitzPatrick keeping hold of Aoki's head, controlling as best he can.
Aoki is pressing down on FitzPatrick's thigh, looking to free his foot. FitzPatrick is holding on for now.

Aoki seems to be working for a kimura but FitzPatrick defends the submission attempt.
FitzPatrick moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
FitzPatrick looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

Aoki is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
FitzPatrick wants to sweep here but Aoki controlling him for the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
FitzPatrick is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Aoki pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. FitzPatrick is keeping the position for now.
FitzPatrick wants to sweep here but Aoki controlling him for the moment.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
FitzPatrick keeping moving, preventing Aoki from controlling successfully.
FitzPatrick looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Aoki puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Aoki trying to pass the guard but FitzPatrick defending well.
Aoki should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
FitzPatrick regains full guard. Nicely done.
Aoki pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. FitzPatrick is keeping the position for now.

Aoki drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and FitzPatrick dives on top into guard.
Aoki is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

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

Aoki is working for a submission of some sort.
FitzPatrick manages to get to full guard.

Aoki is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Aoki passes FitzPatrick's left leg - he's now in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Lil FitzPatrick will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Aoki fails with the takedown

and FitzPatrick counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Aoki's guard now.
FitzPatrick trying to control the position from guard on top but Aoki is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Aoki looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
FitzPatrick slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
FitzPatrick is trying to move to mount but Aoki reverses beautifully and ends up in FitzPatrick's guard.
FitzPatrick is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Aoki works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Aoki prevents FitzPatrick from improving his position.
Aoki wants to free his trapped foot but FitzPatrick is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
FitzPatrick trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aoki controlling the position easily from mount.
FitzPatrick wants to control but Aoki is having none of it.
FitzPatrick is trying to escape the mount.
FitzPatrick is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
FitzPatrick is working to get back to half guard.
Aoki can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as FitzPatrick is looking to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
FitzPatrick wants to hold on but Aoki pushes him away.

Aoki goes for an armbar but he's not got it… FitzPatrick turns into him and now he's in Aoki's guard.
FitzPatrick works a leg free and moves into half guard.
FitzPatrick prevents Aoki from improving his position.
Aoki wants to control but FitzPatrick is keeping busy.
Aoki moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
FitzPatrick sitting in guard, not really doing much.
FitzPatrick trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
FitzPatrick really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Aoki is on top in guard.
FitzPatrick not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Aoki drops back looking for a leg! FitzPatrick is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and FitzPatrick manages to kick Aoki off! Aoki jumps back into FitzPatrick's guard.
Aoki trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

FitzPatrick looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Aoki forces his way into half guard.
Aoki tries to pass the half guard into mount. FitzPatrick knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
FitzPatrick is controlling Aoki's trapped leg to prevent Aoki from advancing to side control.

Aoki seems to be looking for submissions.

Aoki is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, FitzPatrick has managed to free his arm - good work.
FitzPatrick is trying to maintain the position but Aoki is very close to passing his half guard.
Aoki prevents FitzPatrick from improving his position.
FitzPatrick keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Lil FitzPatrick overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Aoki is looking for a kimura here.
FitzPatrick keeping hold of Aoki's head, controlling as best he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Lil FitzPatrick will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get 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.

FitzPatrick shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than FitzPatrick was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Aoki wants to hold on but FitzPatrick pushes him away.
FitzPatrick controlling from mount.
Aoki regains half guard.
FitzPatrick wants to control but Aoki is keeping him busy.

Aoki looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Aoki takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
FitzPatrick is looking to stall here but Aoki recovers full guard.

Aoki looking for a guillotine here but FitzPatrick defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aoki keeping moving, preventing FitzPatrick from controlling successfully.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Lil FitzPatrick just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Aoki shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and FitzPatrick decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Aoki's guard.
Aoki is trying to keep FitzPatrick in close.

FitzPatrick drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and FitzPatrick jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Aoki had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. FitzPatrick is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Aoki Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take FitzPatrick's back instead.

Aoki is working for the choke. It looks like he might have got it... has he...? Yes! FitzPatrick is tapping out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:01 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Masakazu Aoki!