PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between BJ Aoki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jeroen Heijdens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Aoki
vs
Heijdens

177 cm
24
148 lbs
9 - 6 - 1

175 cm
24
158 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, BJ Aoki!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jeroen Heijdens!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Heijdens checks a leg kick nicely.
Aoki slips a jab and a cross from Heijdens.
Aoki throws a left and a right that both miss

and Heijdens counters by moving into the clinch.
Heijdens has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Aoki is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Heijdens tries to land knees in the clinch but Aoki avoids the damage to the body.

Aoki pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A big left from Aoki misses.
Aoki scores with a one two! Heijdens had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Aoki stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Heijdens falls off balance throwing a combination
letting Aoki counter with a right hand.
Nice uppercut there from Aoki.
Aoki looks to score with a jab to the body but Heijdens is just out of range.

Aoki closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Heijdens did well to prevent Aoki getting side control.
Aoki is just content to waste time from the top position. Heijdens takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.

Aoki drops back looking for a leg! Heijdens is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Heijdens manages to kick Aoki off! Aoki jumps back into Heijdens's guard.
Aoki has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aoki looking to pass the guard.
Aoki trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Heijdens is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Aoki defends well.
Aoki trying to control but Heijdens is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Aoki tries to free his leg and advance position but Heijdens is retaining full guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
A combination from Aoki does no damage.
A lazy left from Aoki finds it's target.
Heijdens throws a head kick that misses.
Aoki throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Heijdens throws a low kick, looking for Aoki's leg but Aoki calmly moves out of range.
Heijdens swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
No joy there for Aoki, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Aoki tries to bum rush Heijdens with a series of wild strikes but Heijdens uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Aoki misses with a two punch combination.
Heijdens thuds his shin into the meat of Aoki's side.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aoki thows a body shot but no joy.
Aoki misses with a body shot.
Heijdens throws a combination that misses

and Aoki counters with a single leg into guard. Heijdens didn't expect that.
Aoki throws a strike but Heijdens rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Aoki is breathing heavily.
Heijdens trying to control the position from guard on top but Aoki is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Heijdens looking to pass the guard.
Aoki wants to get back to his feet but Heijdens is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Aoki tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Heijdens drops back looking for a leg! Aoki is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Aoki manages to kick Heijdens off! Heijdens jumps back into Aoki's guard.
Aoki looking to control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Heijdens ducks under a wild hook from Aoki.
Aoki looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Heijdens staying out of range there.
Aoki falls off balance throwing a combination
and Heijdens makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

BJ Aoki dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Heijdens shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Aoki's guard.

Aoki escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Heijdens gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Heijdens controlling from the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Aoki looking to hit a scissor sweep but Heijdens is one step ahead there.
Heijdens slips nicely into half guard.
Heijdens prevents Aoki from improving his position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aoki is staying active underneath Heijdens, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Aoki is trying to get back to full guard.
Aoki trying to get back to full guard but Heijdens takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!

Aoki defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Heijdens.
Aoki tries to improve his position but instead Heijdens has taken his back!
Heijdens keeps control of the position as Aoki tries to break free.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two 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.
Aoki is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Heijdens.
Let's hope that Heijdens has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

Heijdens is persistently looking for the submission but Aoki is defending it well.
Aoki wants to escape the position.
Aoki trying to control but not successfully.
Heijdens controlling well, preventing Aoki from escaping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Heijdens is trying to stick to Aoki's back but Aoki is turning into Heijdens. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Heijdens's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Aoki.
Aoki trying to control but Heijdens is working from the bottom.

Heijdens 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.
Heijdens wants to sweep here but Aoki controlling him for the moment.
Heijdens is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Aoki trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

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.
Heijdens trying to keep a closed guard but Aoki is proving a slippery customer.
Heijdens keeping full guard, as Aoki tries to pass.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
A punch combination from Aoki misses.
Heijdens thows a body shot but no joy.
Heijdens shoots in and drives through. Aoki sprawls well.
Aoki throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Heijdens showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Aoki.
Heijdens scores with a shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jeroen Heijdens showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Aoki blocks a head kick by Heijdens.
Aoki will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Aoki.
BJ Aoki is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Aoki shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Aoki showed some decent athleticism there.

Aoki is working for a kimura but Heijdens is defending it quite comfortably.
Heijdens keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Aoki is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Heijdens doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Aoki.

Aoki is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Heijdens keeping hold of Aoki's head, controlling as best he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Heijdens gets back to full guard.
Aoki stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Heijdens swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Aoki being controlled here momentarily.
Heijdens is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Aoki is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Heijdens is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Heijdens has escaped and now he's on top!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Heijdens is stalling in the full guard.

Heijdens drops back looking for a leg! Aoki is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Aoki manages to kick Heijdens off! Heijdens jumps back into Aoki's guard.
Aoki is looking to stand up but Heijdens isn't so interested in that idea.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Heijdens stopping the sweep attempt from Aoki.
Aoki is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Aoki has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Heijdens has passed into side control.
Aoki tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Heijdens has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Heijdens sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jeroen Heijdens really dominated that round.
That's time! Aoki's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Heijdens fails to land with a series of punches.
Heijdens thows a left - swing and a miss!
Aoki misses with a combination
and Heijdens counters with a good, hard body kick but Aoki shrugs it off.
Aoki throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Heijdens throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Aoki throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Heijdens sees it coming and avoids it easily.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Heijdens throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Aoki avoids the body shot from Heijdens.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Heijdens throws a head kick that misses
letting Aoki counter with a right hand.
Heijdens throws a head kick that misses
enabling Aoki to counter with a crisp jab.
Heijdens pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Aoki throws a right and a left that Heijdens avoids nicely.
Aoki throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Aoki lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Heijdens circles away quickly and effectively.
Aoki moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Heijdens swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Aoki misses with a wild combination.
Aoki will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Heijdens throws a series of punches but Aoki moves out of range.
A nice combination there by Aoki.
Aoki misses with a combination

and Heijdens counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Heijdens stalling in the clinch.
Heijdens has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Aoki avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Heijdens is struggling to control the position.
Heijdens goes for a takedown in the clinch but Aoki prevents it.
Heijdens is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Aoki is defending well for now.
Aoki tries to break the clinch but Heijdens is controlling the position.
Aoki wants to break the clinch but can't.
Aoki is trying to break the clinch but Heijdens is controlling him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Heijdens keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Aoki's efforts to push away.
Heijdens misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Aoki.
Heijdens keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Aoki's efforts to push away.
Aoki is trying to break the clinch but Heijdens is controlling him.
A right hook to the body lands for Heijdens.
A short body shot lands from Heijdens as the two fighters clinch.
Heijdens makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Aoki tries to break the clinch but Heijdens is controlling the position.
Heijdens tries to score a body lock takedown but Aoki shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
BJ Aoki has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jeroen Heijdens.
Aoki is trying to force a seperation but Heijdens has the dominant position.
Aoki wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Aoki can't break the clinch.
Aoki tries to circle away but Heijdens has him pinned against the cage.
Heijdens unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Heijdens lands an elbow that stopped Aoki in his tracks for a moment.

Heijdens has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Aoki is trying to keep an underhook but Heijdens manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Heijdens keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Aoki wants to control but Heijdens passes into side.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aoki is trying to control Heijdens's posture but Heijdens avoids it.
Aoki manages to get back to half guard.
Aoki works his way to full guard. Good work.
Aoki is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Heijdens controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jeroen Heijdens dominated that fourth round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Aoki swinging wilding here.
Heijdens misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Heijdens misses with a series of wild punches.
Aoki throws a left and a right that both miss
and Heijdens counters with a thumping low kick.
BJ Aoki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Aoki fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Heijdens avoids the body shot from Aoki.
Aoki throws a lazy head kick
and Heijdens counters with a solid body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aoki throws a right and a left that both miss.
Aoki throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Heijdens counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Aoki chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Heijdens can pounce on him.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Heijdens misses with a combination
and Aoki counters with a nice uppercut.
Aoki takes a head kick and keeps coming.

Aoki looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Heijdens!

Aoki is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Heijdens has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Heijdens!
Heijdens lands a couple of elbows.
Heijdens trying to control the position from guard on top but Aoki is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Heijdens controlling from the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Aoki looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Aoki looking for subs off his back but Heijdens has passed one foot through into half guard.
Heijdens passes to full mount!
Aoki gets back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aoki wants to control but Heijdens is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Jeroen Heijdens has got the better of the ground game so far.
Heijdens is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Heijdens is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Heijdens lands a big elbow.
Aoki tries to control Heijdens's body but Heijdens pushes him off. Aoki squirms to his side and now Heijdens has his back!
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
Jeroen Heijdens is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Well, with Heijdens on his back, surely it's only a matter of time before Aoki is tapping out... Can he escape the position?

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.

Heijdens has the hooks in and he's looking for a rear naked choke here. Aoki is defending well but eventually Heijdens manages to get an arm under the chin and he's locked on the RNC! Aoki has no choice but to tap now! He does! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:39 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Jeroen Heijdens! Jeroen Heijdens retains his featherweight title!