PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Tatsuya Aoki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rex Botic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Aoki
vs
Botic

178 cm
31
181 lbs
21 - 12 - 1

190 cm
34
175 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Basic striking
Good gas tank

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 21 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Tatsuya Aoki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Rex Botic!
The judges for this bout are Steve Erwin, Hugh Johnson and Skip Squint.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Botic shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Aoki counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Aoki.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Aoki is pushing down on Botic's leg trying to pass to half guard. Botic is fighting to maintain full guard but Aoki has managed to sneak the leg through.
Aoki wants to take a breather but Botic is having none of it.
Aoki looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Botic is not content to let Aoki control the position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Aoki looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Botic is in trouble now - Aoki has advanced to mount!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Botic is working to get back to half guard.
Aoki working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Botic is looking to improve his position but Aoki isn't that keen on the idea.
Botic gets back to half guard.
Botic is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Aoki scores with a couple of nice shots.
Aoki is nestled in close to Botic, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Botic wants to improve his position but Aoki is controlling well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aoki is trying to control the action in half guard but Botic is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
We've been hearing that Aoki has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Botic has hold of Aoki's hands but Aoki slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

Aoki is working for a submission of some sort.
Botic is trying to get back to full guard.
Botic told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Aoki is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Botic is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Aoki scores with a couple of nice shots.
Aoki takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Aoki frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Aoki lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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 landing strikes from the mount and Botic is in trouble!
Botic is trying desperately to improve position.
Aoki looking to finish Botic with some ground and pound. This is bad for Botic!

Botic tries to improve his position but Aoki has taken his back! Aoki has a choke - it's sunk in pretty tight... Will Botic tap? No... maybe... yes! He's tapped! Aoki pushes Botic away and gets up to celebrate with his corner!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:36 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Tatsuya Aoki!
Tatsuya Aoki seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.