PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Shinya Aoki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and MATT SERRA (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). SERRA is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: ENTER SANDMAN. I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Aoki
vs
SERRA

180 cm
18
163 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

170 cm
19
155 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good in bed

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Shinya Aoki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, MATT SERRA!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, Alyssa Summers and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Aoki changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. SERRA tries to avoid it but Aoki manages to keep hold of a leg and drag SERRA to the ground. SERRA escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Aoki shoots in and drives through. SERRA sprawls well.

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

SERRA working for a triangle but Aoki defends it easily.
SERRA trying to keep a closed guard but Aoki is proving a slippery customer.

Aoki drops back, looking for a kneebar! SERRA looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. SERRA looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from SERRA!
Aoki wants to control but SERRA postures up.
SERRA tries to move into full mount but can't pass Aoki's legs.
Aoki tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aoki is working hard here to advance position.
Aoki is trying to control SERRA's posture but SERRA avoids it.
SERRA really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Aoki. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
SERRA has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Aoki!
Aoki tries to get back to half guard but can't.
SERRA lands a big shot there that rocks Aoki but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, SERRA cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
SERRA can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Aoki is looking to escape.
SERRA tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Aoki is working to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
SERRA landing shots from mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Aoki is breathing heavily.
Aoki is looking to improve his position but SERRA isn't that keen on the idea.

SERRA wants to finish this one by submission but Aoki is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from SERRA.
Aoki is looking to improve his position but SERRA isn't that keen on the idea.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
SERRA putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Aoki really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
SERRA looking to finish Aoki with some ground and pound. This is bad for Aoki!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

SERRA stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
SERRA throws a push kick but Aoki slaps the foot to one side.

SERRA closes the distance and clinches.
Aoki tries to pull guard but SERRA holds him up against the cage and eventually Aoki drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shinya Aoki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Aoki tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. SERRA smiles and moves away.

SERRA bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Aoki tries to buck SERRA off but SERRA is having none of it.
Aoki isn't going anywhere.
Aoki sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aoki is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of SERRA's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take SERRA's back!

Aoki looking for the choke from the back.

Aoki is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Aoki is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. SERRA defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.

Aoki working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
SERRA is really stuck here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Aoki working for the choke.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Aoki avoids the head kick by SERRA.
SERRA tries to clinch there but Aoki circles away.

SERRA has closed the distance and engaged Aoki in a clinch.

SERRA has picked Aoki up - he's going for a ride! SERRA dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Aoki manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
SERRA postures up.
SERRA content to stall in guard here.

Aoki working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. SERRA doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. SERRA manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Aoki pulls SERRA in close to prevent any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Aoki has thrown up a leg looking for a triangle. SERRA doesn't defend quickly enough and Aoki has managed to lock this one up! Can SERRA escape?! NO! He's tapping out! Damn, that was a quick submission - congrats to Aoki on a fantastic submission victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:24 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Shinya Aoki!