PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Gabriel Kiptanui (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jose Aldo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kiptanui comes into the arena with Teflon Brothers - Hoodilammas feat. Juju blaring out of the sound system. Aldo is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Rough Rida. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kiptanui
vs
Aldo

173 cm
28
181 lbs
15 - 10 - 1

180 cm
32
185 lbs
16 - 9 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Dangerous knees
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Milwaukee's Best 160 SALE $150

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Gabriel Kiptanui!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jose Aldo!
The judges for this bout are Roger Salmon, Paul Gruel and Colin Fray.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Aldo lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Aldo throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kiptanui's waist but Kiptanui gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Aldo off to one side.

Kiptanui clinches up with Aldo and pushes him back against the cage.
Aldo throws a punch but it's blocked by Kiptanui.

Kiptanui has hold of one of Aldo's legs. Aldo is fighting the takedown attempt but Kiptanui gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Aldo wants to stand up but Kiptanui is controlling him.
Kiptanui pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Aldo is keeping the position for now.
Kiptanui stopping the sweep attempt from Aldo.
Kiptanui passes easily into side control. Nice work.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Kiptanui looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Kiptanui is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Aldo knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Kiptanui working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aldo wants to control but Kiptanui postures up.

Kiptanui thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Aldo tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Kiptanui wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Aldo struggling a bit here.
Kiptanui is looking to take a break and control but Aldo is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kiptanui working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aldo is trying to improve his position.

Kiptanui tries for a kimura but Aldo is defending well.

Kiptanui is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Aldo knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Kiptanui wants to lay and pray for a moment but Aldo keeps working.
Aldo is trying to control Kiptanui's posture but Kiptanui avoids it.
Aldo is trying to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aldo gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Aldo can't escape the position.
Aldo is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Kiptanui looking to control but Aldo is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

Kiptanui looking for a guillotine from mount but Aldo is having none of it.
Kiptanui can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Aldo is looking to escape.

Kiptanui looking for a guillotine from mount but Aldo is having none of it.
Aldo working to try and regain half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kiptanui sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!

Kiptanui is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Aldo to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Aldo shrugs it off.
Aldo is looking to improve his position but Kiptanui isn't that keen on the idea.

Aldo defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Kiptanui.
Kiptanui is landing with some decent strikes but Aldo is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
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!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kiptanui pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Kiptanui can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Aldo is looking to escape.
Kiptanui is really struggling to control Aldo but he's trying to hold on to the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Kiptanui tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Aldo swivels and escapes.
Aldo avoids the head kick by Kiptanui.
Gabriel Kiptanui is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kiptanui throws out a powerful jab.
Aldo has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Kiptanui.
Kiptanui fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Aldo manages to avoid it.
Aldo moves out of range of the body kick from Kiptanui.
A lazy left from Aldo finds it's target.
Kiptanui misses with the combination.
Kiptanui changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Aldo tries to avoid it but Kiptanui manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Aldo to the ground. Aldo escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Kiptanui scores with a decent looking hook.
Kiptanui throws a hook but Aldo avoids it easily.
Kiptanui misses with a takedown
and Aldo counters with a nice uppercut.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gabriel Kiptanui. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aldo shoots in but no luck this time.
Kiptanui is trying hard to land a takedown here. Aldo sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Aldo swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Aldo throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kiptanui's waist but Kiptanui gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Aldo off to one side.
Kiptanui tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Aldo paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kiptanui swings for the body but Aldo moves out of range.
Kiptanui dodges the punch combination from Aldo.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Kiptanui.
Kiptanui throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Aldo.

Kiptanui bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Aldo is looking to reverse the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kiptanui is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Aldo is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Kiptanui thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Kiptanui working away.
Kiptanui wants to lay and pray for a moment but Aldo keeps working.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Kiptanui working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Kiptanui is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Aldo is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kiptanui is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Aldo has escaped the position, nice work there.
Aldo is looking to regain half guard here but Kiptanui keeps moving and retains side control.
Kiptanui sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Aldo is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.

Kiptanui wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Aldo, who protects the arm well.

Kiptanui is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Aldo has escaped the position, nice work there.
Kiptanui wants to control but Aldo is keeping him busy.
Aldo is looking for a sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The strikes coming from Kiptanui are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Gabriel Kiptanui overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Aldo tries to control but Kiptanui manages to take his back.
Aldo breaks Kiptanui's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Aldo must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Kiptanui 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.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Aldo got a little sloppy there for a moment and Kiptanui has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Aldo has managed to get both his arms back between Kiptanui's legs - danger averted.
Aldo pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kiptanui is keeping the position for now.
Kiptanui keeping moving, preventing Aldo from controlling successfully.
Aldo pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kiptanui is keeping the position for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Aldo wants to control from the top but Kiptanui keeps moving.

Kiptanui throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gabriel Kiptanui dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Kiptanui pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kiptanui wants to clinch up but Aldo keeps it at a distance.

Aldo takes the fight into the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kiptanui.
Aldo working aggressively here.
Kiptanui blocks an uppercut.

Kiptanui manages to break the clinch.
Kiptanui scores with a head kick. Aldo tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Gabriel Kiptanui seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kiptanui wants to clinch.
Kiptanui wants to clinch up but Aldo keeps it at a distance.
Aldo looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kiptanui is fending him off so far but Aldo persists. Nope, Kiptanui circles away and we're back to standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kiptanui throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kiptanui shoots in for a takedown but Aldo shows good takedown defense.
Kiptanui tries to land a front kick but Aldo steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Kiptanui swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kiptanui misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Kiptanui swinging wildly here.
Aldo closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kiptanui circles away.
Gabriel Kiptanui is winning the standup battle so far.
Aldo misses with a two punch combination.
Aldo avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Aldo shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kiptanui pinned against the cage. Kiptanui gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Gabriel Kiptanui has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jose Aldo.
Kiptanui lands with a kick to the temple. Aldo shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Jose Aldo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aldo shoots for a takedown but Kiptanui saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Kiptanui shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Aldo defends it nicely.
A chopping leg kick lands by Kiptanui.
Kiptanui pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Aldo shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kiptanui but Kiptanui pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Aldo gets a clinch.
Kiptanui has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Aldo after a bit of a struggle.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Aldo scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Kiptanui fails to pull the fight into his guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kiptanui jumps guard but Aldo turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Aldo gets control of Kiptanui's arms and successfully pulls guard. Aldo will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Aldo bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Kiptanui's guard.
Aldo passes Kiptanui's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Kiptanui wants to sweep but Aldo has passed to side control!
Aldo advances to mount.

Aldo is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Kiptanui can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Kiptanui is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Gabriel Kiptanui is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kiptanui tries to buck Aldo off but Aldo takes his back!
Aldo is hanging on to Kiptanui's back as he tries to escape.
Kiptanui turns into Aldo and is now in his guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Aldo wriggles free and stands up.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Aldo shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kiptanui but Kiptanui pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Kiptanui takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Kiptanui lands a leg kick that knocks Aldo off balance momentarily.
Kiptanui dodges the punch combination from Aldo.
Aldo stuffs the takedown attempt from Kiptanui. Kiptanui gets slowly back to his feet.
Aldo lands with a nice body punch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Aldo waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kiptanui.

Aldo clinches up against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jose Aldo comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kiptanui has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Roger Salmon scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 29:28
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gabriel Kiptanui!
Gabriel Kiptanui bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.