PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Moses Kippo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lyoto Aoki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kippo comes into the arena with Killing Time blaring out of the sound system. Aoki has chosen Handlebars as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Kippo
vs
Aoki

188 cm
27
195 lbs
10 - 6 - 0

183 cm
24
200 lbs
14 - 7 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Moses Kippo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Lyoto Aoki!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Kenichi Hosakawa and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kippo checks a leg kick.
Aoki looks for a takedown but Kippo sprawls well.
Kippo throws a hook to the side of Aoki's head but Aoki sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

Aoki drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Kippo is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Aoki has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Who's going to make the next move?
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kippo sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Aoki throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Aoki is thwarting Kippo's attempts to control the position.
Aoki is keen to just control but Kippo is a slippery customer.
Kippo is trying is best to control the position here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kippo looks like he's trying to stand up.
Aoki is looking to take a break and control but Kippo is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Kippo feints and as Aoki raises his hands in defense, Kippo changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Aoki not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Kippo drops back, looking for a kneebar! Aoki looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Aoki looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Aoki!
Aoki wants to control but Kippo is keeping him busy.
Kippo is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Aoki working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aoki throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

Aoki swings around for an armbar but Kippo sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Aoki's guard.
Kippo is looking to stand up but Aoki won't let him.
Kippo stopping the sweep attempt from Aoki.
Kippo wants to stand but Aoki has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Kippo trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kippo has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Aoki is proving hard to escape from.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kippo trying to control the position from guard on top but Aoki is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

Kippo decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Aoki misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kippo cracks Aoki with an open hand slap.
Kippo digs a good hook to Aoki's body.
Aoki will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Aoki jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aoki is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Aoki looks to land a combination but Kippo avoids it well.
Aoki looks gassed!
Aoki misses with a jab to the body

and Kippo counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Kippo stands up out of the half guard.
Aoki on the wrong end of a nice jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Aoki tries to land a front kick but Kippo steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Kippo throws a jab but it's blocked by Aoki.
Kippo closes the distance and lands a one-two.

It looks like Lyoto Aoki has been cut.
Aoki misses with a body kick.
Kippo checks a leg kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kippo fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Aoki checks it well.
A combination from Kippo does no damage.
Aoki throws a body punch but Kippo moves out of range.
Left hook, right uppercut from Kippo.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Moses Kippo dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Lyoto Aoki's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Kippo closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Kippo decides to stand up, so the ref orders Aoki to his feet.
A shot to the liver by Kippo. Beautiful body shot.
Kippo lands a body shot.
Kippo scores with a jab to the body.
Kippo fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Aoki tries to move into range but Kippo moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Lyoto Aoki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kippo scores with a jab to the head.
Kippo connects with a jab.
Aoki avoids the body shot from Kippo.
A slow jab from Aoki misses its intended target.
Kippo swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Aoki.
Aoki tries to clinch but Kippo moves away
and Kippo counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Aoki is breathing heavily.
Kippo throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Aoki stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aoki takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Kippo jabs at Aoki's body.
Kippo tries to bum rush Aoki with a series of wild strikes but Aoki uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Kippo ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Aoki moves away.
Aoki keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kippo scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Kippo moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Kippo connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Kippo lands with an uppercut that bounces Aoki off the cage and back into rage.
Moses Kippo is winning the standup battle so far.
Kippo tries to bum rush Aoki with a series of wild strikes but Aoki uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Aoki shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Kippo sprawls well. Kippo wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Aoki gets slowly back to his feet.
Nice straight punches there by Kippo. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Kippo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

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

Kippo seems to be working for a kimura but Aoki defends the submission attempt.
Moses Kippo overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
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!
Kippo trying to control from half guard but Aoki is working away.
Aoki wants to get back to full guard.
Kippo is looking to stall here but Aoki recovers full guard.

Kippo stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aoki walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Kippo fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Aoki throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kippo's waist but Kippo gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Aoki off to one side.
Moses Kippo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kippo will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kippo lands a nice shot that snaps Aoki's head back.
Kippo throws a looping overhand right but Aoki ducks down to avoid it.
Kippo scores with a hook to the body. Aoki takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Kippo fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Aoki takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Kippo paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aoki takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

That has opened up Lyoto Aoki's cut even more.

Kippo drives through with a takedown into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Aoki is working an open guard so Kippo takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Aoki takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Kippo tries to bum rush Aoki with a series of wild strikes but Aoki uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Kippo motions for Aoki to come forward. Kippo throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kippo jabs Aoki to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Kippo works Aoki's body with a nice hook.
Kippo tries for a takedown but Aoki sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Moses Kippo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kippo fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Aoki manages to avoid it.
Kippo is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Aoki can do to turn this around?
Aoki falls off balance throwing a combination
and Kippo connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kippo misses the jab.
A swing and a miss from Kippo.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Moses Kippo dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Lyoto Aoki's cut.
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. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Aoki looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Aoki with a lazy takedown attempt
and Kippo connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Kippo throws a body punch but Aoki moves out of range.
Kippo fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Aoki looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Kippo misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Kippo swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kippo misses with the combination.
Aoki stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Aoki wants it to stay on the feet.
Kippo throws a right and a left that Aoki avoids nicely.
Aoki throws a lazy right hand but Kippo sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kippo fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Kippo moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Aoki has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Aoki waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kippo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kippo misses with a jab to the body

and Aoki counters by moving into the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Aoki.
Kippo is trying to break free.
Kippo blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Aoki lands a knee to the head.
Aoki wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Kippo pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kippo lunges at Aoki with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Aoki's hand.
Kippo avoids the head kick by Aoki.
Kippo slips a jab and a cross from Aoki.
Aoki shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Aoki tries to move into range but Kippo moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Kippo misses with the combination.
Kippo thuds his right hand into Aoki's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Aoki misses with a double jab.
Kippo fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Aoki looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kippo lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Kippo lands a jab-cross combination.
Kippo stalks Aoki and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Aoki's face. Aoki staggers backwards, shaken.
Kippo takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Kippo fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Kippo misses with a leg kick

and Aoki counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Kippo!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Aoki thowing shots but they're missing.

Kippo somehow manages to escape the mount and get back to his feet!
Aoki with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Kippo to score with a decent uppercut.
Kippo lands a head shot.
Aoki takes a shot to the body in his stride.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kippo throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Kippo rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Aoki moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Aoki shoots in for a takedown but Kippo shows good takedown defense.
Kippo lands an overhand right.
An inside leg kick lands from Kippo.
A punch combination from Kippo misses.
Aoki throws a combination that misses
and Kippo counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Lyoto Aoki has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kippo scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Aoki doesn't seem bothered though.
A jab lands there for Kippo.
A shot to the liver by Kippo. Beautiful body shot.
Kippo throws a shot to the body.
Kippo fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Aoki drops his hands momentarily and Kippo takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
A slow jab from Kippo misses its intended target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A shot to the liver by Kippo. Beautiful body shot.
Nice cross by Kippo.
Kippo uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Aoki has time to react.
Aoki throws a sloppy head kick
and Kippo counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Aoki thinking.
Kippo lands a jab to Aoki's midsection.
Nice shot lands for Kippo.
Kippo misses with the combination.
Sloppy strikes from Kippo. Those never looked like landing.
Aoki throws a lazy right hand but Kippo sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kippo misses with a two punch combination.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kippo dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kippo lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Moses Kippo is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kippo misses with a wild body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Moses Kippo showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kippo, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 30:26
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 30:26
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Moses Kippo!