PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Masakazu Aoki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Josie Marquez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Aoki comes to the cage accompanied by Sandstorm by Darude. The crowd seem to be enjoying Marquez's choice of entrance music: the most annoying Mexican polka music you have heard in your life. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Aoki
vs
Marquez

155 cm
39
147 lbs
31 - 18 - 1

173 cm
25
148 lbs
11 - 7 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

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 31 - 18 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Masakazu Aoki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Josie Marquez!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Paulo Santos and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A big left from Marquez misses.
Marquez misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Aoki pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Aoki blocks a jab.
Marquez looks to land a combination but Aoki avoids it well.
Marquez misses with a hook.

Aoki closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Marquez did well to prevent Aoki getting side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Marquez is looking to control Aoki's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Marquez avoid being mounted?
Aoki content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Marquez blocking the ground and pound attempt from Aoki.

Aoki is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Marquez desperately trying to maintain half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aoki is looking to take a break and control but Marquez is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Aoki thows a huge punch but Marquez dodges it nicely.
Aoki is looking to advance position but Marquez won't allow it.
Aoki passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Marquez!
Marquez is looking to improve his position but Aoki isn't that keen on the idea.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aoki throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Marquez because Aoki loaded up on that one.
Aoki controlling from the full mount.
Aoki thowing shots but they're missing.
Marquez is trying desperately to improve position.
BOOM! Aoki connects with a massive shot to the dome!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aoki tries to control but Marquez wriggling away.
Aoki breaks from Marquez's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Marquez in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Aoki controlling the pace for now.
Aoki throwing strikes here but Marquez is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Aoki takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Aoki sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aoki dominating with strikes here.
Aoki trying to control but Marquez is having none of it.
Aoki controlling the position easily from mount.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Aoki scores with a couple of good head shots there.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Marquez really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Aoki wants to control the pace but Marquez is squirming around nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Masakazu Aoki dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Marquez throws a right hand that Aoki ducks under and follows up with a left that Aoki also avoids with ease.
Aoki feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Marquez's calf.
Marquez lands a jab to Aoki's midsection.
Aoki cracks Marquez with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Aoki shoots in for a double leg but Marquez sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Aoki pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Marquez finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Aoki tries to clinch but Marquez moves out of range.
Marquez defending well as Aoki loads up on a big left hand.
Marquez bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Marquez misses with a hook. Aoki ducked under it nicely.
Aoki lands with a shot to the body.
Aoki ducks under a wild hook from Marquez.
Aoki slips under a jab.
Aoki fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Aoki thows a body shot but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aoki defending well as Marquez loads up on a big left hand.
Aoki throws a nice looking combination but Marquez bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Aoki walks into a jab.
Aoki throws a jab but it's blocked by Marquez.
Marquez throws a hook but Aoki avoids it easily.
Aoki lands a nice looking body shot.
Aoki looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
A shot to the body from Marquez misses
and Aoki counters with a stiff right hand.
Aoki lands with a slapping head kick.
Masakazu Aoki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Marquez swings for the body but Aoki moves out of range.
Aoki's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Marquez connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Aoki scrambles back to his feet.
A jab from Aoki misses.
Marquez misses with a looping right.
Josie Marquez is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Marquez moves out of range of the leg kick from Aoki.
Good exchange - Marquez coming out on top.
Marquez connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Marquez takes one on the button.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marquez keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Masakazu Aoki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Aoki swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A head kick misses from Aoki.
Aoki is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Marquez misses with a series of wild punches.
Aoki on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Aoki lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Aoki throws a combination. Marquez tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Aoki swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Marquez lands a slapping body shot.
Aoki connects with a leg kick. Marquez looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Masakazu Aoki is winning the standup battle so far.
Marquez lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Aoki uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Marquez.
Aoki moves out of range as Marquez strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aoki looks to land a right hand but Marquez moved out of range.
Aoki throws a hook but Marquez blocks it.
Marquez is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Aoki, right into the meat.
Marquez blocks a jab.
Marquez feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Aokis jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Marquez moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Aoki ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Marquez defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Aoki.
Aoki bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Marquez scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Aoki tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Marquez manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Aoki uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Marquez.
A big right from Marquez misses.
Aoki tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Marquez was well out of range. Poor timing from Aoki.
Some bone on bone action there as Marquez checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marquez waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Aoki.
A slow jab from Aoki misses its intended target.
Marquez dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Jab from Aoki.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Aoki throws a body punch but Marquez moves out of range.
Aoki ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Aoki misses with a leg kick.
Aoki scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Marquez doesn't seem bothered though.
The fighters circling - Marquez throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Marquez might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
A swing and a miss from Marquez.

Aoki clinches with his opponent.
Marquez is trying to break free.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Aoki tries a body shot but Marquez blocks it.
Marquez jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Aoki walks away with a smile on his face. Marquez gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Aoki dips to his left and cracks Marquez with an uppercut!
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 Masakazu Aoki will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Aoki scores with a decent looking hook.
Marquez scores with a sloppy right hand. Aoki should have avoided that one.
Marquez avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Aoki digs a good body shot into Marquez's ribs.
Marquez swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Aoki.
Aoki misses with a body shot.
Aoki throws a sloppy head kick and Marquez moves out of range easily.
Aoki fails in his attempt to clinch.
Aoki keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Marquez connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Aoki's hands.

Aoki gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Marquez is trying to break the clinch but Aoki is controlling him.

Aoki pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Marquez gets tackled into the cage by Aoki. Aoki maintains the clinch.
Marquez misses with a hook to the ribs.

Aoki breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big right from Marquez misses.
Marquez misses with a series of wild punches.
Marquez ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Nice takedown defense from Marquez. No joy for Aoki on that attempt.
Marquez is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Aoki.
Marquez takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Aoki looks to land a right hand but Marquez moved out of range.
Aoki misses with a series of wild punches.
Aoki lands a two punch combo.
Nice sprawl there from Marquez as Aoki shoots in.
Aoki shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Masakazu Aoki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Aoki takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Aoki swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aoki is trying hard to land a takedown here. Marquez sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Marquez bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Marquez ducks under a wild hook from Aoki.
Aoki lands a head kick!
Marquez scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

It looks like Masakazu Aoki has been cut.
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!
Aoki takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Masakazu Aoki is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Aoki throws a shot to the body.
Marquez walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Marquez throws a body punch but Aoki moves out of range.
Aoki looks to score with a jab to the body but Marquez is just out of range.
Marquez swats away the attempt to clinch by Aoki.
Marquez swinging wildly here.
Nice defenses there by Marquez.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marquez swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Aoki avoids the body shot from Marquez.
Aoki tries to clinch there but Marquez circles away.
Aoki scores with a nice body kick.
Marquez connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
A looping hook to the body misses from Marquez. Aoki does a little dance to reset his feet.
Aoki uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Marquez.
Marquez misses with a looping right.
Aoki throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Marquez throws the left hand but Aoki avoids the punch easily.
Aoki wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Aoki throws a big shot that misses.
Marquez avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Marquez throws out a leg kick but Aoki moves out of range and Marquez only half commits.
Aoki shoots for a double leg takedown but Marquez sprawls well. He's pushed Aoki's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Marquez.
Aoki misses with an uppercut.
Josie Marquez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Aoki connects with a crisp jab.
Marquez listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Aoki throws a nice inside leg kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Aoki. Marquez does a little dance to reset his feet.
Marquez uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Aoki.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Aoki misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Marquez jabs Aoki to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Marquez lands a jab.
Aoki checks a leg kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Marquez tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Aoki was well out of range. Poor timing from Marquez.
Marquez misses with a jab, cross combination.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Josie Marquez.
Well Aoki has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Thiago Cunha scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 30:27
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Masakazu Aoki!
Masakazu Aoki thanked the fans post fight for their support.