PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Taiki Aoki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Puntti Manne (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Manne has chosen Redrama - Music as his entrance music. Puntti Manne has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Taiki Aoki's chin.

Aoki
vs
Manne

170 cm
27
155 lbs
17 - 7 - 0

170 cm
27
151 lbs
14 - 5 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Bad Man Clothing (Nothing Over $40)
KAISER Nutrition (160!/220$)

Hellbent
V-Mask Clothing (10%)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Taiki Aoki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Puntti Manne!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Jack Bonds and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Manne gets tackled into the cage by Aoki. Aoki maintains the clinch.
Manne misses with some punches.
Aoki drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Aoki swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Manne gets underhooks to prevent Aoki's takedown attempt.
Aoki has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Manne blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Manne swings wildly with an uppercut but Aoki uses good head movement to avoid it.
Manne misses with the head strike.
Aoki misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Manne prevents a body shot from Aoki.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Aoki.
Manne blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Aoki scores with a shoulder strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Aoki.
Aoki tries to work over Manne's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Aoki scores with a shot to the side of Manne's head.
Manne swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Manne misses with some punches.
Manne misses with a punch on the inside.
Aoki can't find room to land a body shot as Manne controls the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aoki can't get the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Taiki Aoki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Manne working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Aoki tries for a takedown but Manne manages to get underhooks.
A short body shot lands from Manne as the two fighters clinch.
Manne lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Manne working hard to break the clinch.
Aoki drops down looking for an ankle pick but Manne pulls his leg out and moves away.
Aoki fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Manne manages to avoid it.
Manne swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Manne goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
A telegraphed right hand from Aoki misses the target.
Aoki just misses with a punch to the body.
Manne pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Aoki drops down looking for a counter takedown but Manne sprawls and moves away.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Manne.
A slow jab from Manne misses its intended target.
Aoki feinted with a counter takedown.
Puntti Manne seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Aoki takes a swing at Manne's ribcage but misses.
Aoki throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Aoki throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Manne's waist but Manne gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Aoki off to one side.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Aoki has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Manne.
Aoki misses with a wild body shot.
Manne keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Manne avoids the body shot from Aoki.
Aoki lands a jab to Manne's midsection.
Manne throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Aoki tries to clinch but Manne is having none of it.
Manne appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Aoki misses with a hook. Manne ducked under it nicely.
That kick from Manne tenderised Aoki's leg. Aoki is trying to keep his angry face on.
Manne pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Aoki looks to land a left hand but Manne moved out of range nicely.
Manne swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Manne uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Puntti Manne is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Aoki shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Aoki moves into the clinch.

Aoki has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Manne clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manne looking very determined here, making life difficult for Aoki.
Manne tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Manne is in all sorts of trouble here.
Aoki landing punches.
Manne slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

Aoki is working for a kimura but Manne is defending it quite comfortably.
Aoki with the ground and pound but Manne uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Aoki is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Manne working for a triangle but Aoki defends it easily.

Manne is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Aoki is aware though and is defending well.

Manne is looking for a triangle but Aoki pushes his legs off easily.
Aoki postures up.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Aoki's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Manne controls Aoki momentarily but Aoki frees himself.
Aoki passes Manne's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Taiki Aoki will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Manne throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Aoki is looking to clinch but Manne is avoiding it.
Aoki moves out of range as Manne throws a body kick.
Aoki half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Manne scores with a jab to the head.
Puntti Manne seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Aoki closes this distance looking for a takedown but Manne circles away.
Nice uppercut lands for Manne. That snapped Aoki's head back.
Aoki ducks right into an uppercut from Manne.
Manne swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Manne connects with an inside leg kick.
Manne uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Aoki has time to react.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Manne ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Aoki moves away.
Aoki misses the shot to the body.
Manne looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Manne throws a leg kick that is checked

and Aoki counters with a takedown into side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Manne is not content to let Aoki control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aoki looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Manne is avoiding damage well.
Manne gets back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Manne makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Manne.
Aoki working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Aoki in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Manne is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Aoki with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Aoki throws a big elbow that misses.
Manne keeping moving, preventing Aoki from controlling successfully.
Aoki keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Manne's head.
Aoki throwing strikes but missing.
Aoki postures up in Manne's guard and throws a big left but Manne blocks it.
Manne trying to control the position.
Aoki is working Manne over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Manne avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Manne avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aoki stands and throws Manne's legs to the side, diving into side control.
The ground and pound from Aoki seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Aoki lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Manne struggling a bit here.
Aoki fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Manne is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Aoki throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Aoki not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Manne has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Manne tries to get to full guard but Aoki has control of the leg.

Aoki is working for a kimura but Manne is defending it quite comfortably.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aoki looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Aoki wants to control but Manne is keeping him busy.
Aoki lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Manne gets back to full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Manne looking for a guillotine here but Aoki defends easily.
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 Taiki Aoki will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Manne scores with a one two! Aoki had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Aoki avoids the head kick by Manne.
Manne connects with an inside leg kick.
Aoki wants to clinch.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Aoki.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Manne stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Manne wants it to stay on the feet.
Manne scores with a three punch combo!
Manne uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Aoki.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A decent looking cross lands there for Manne.
Manne throws a lazy right hand but Aoki sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nice uppercut lands for Manne. That snapped Aoki's head back.
Manne works Aoki's body with a nice hook.
Aoki blocks the body kick.
Manne tries a head kick but it misses.
Aoki blocks a low kick nicely.
Manne connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

Aoki looking to score a takedown here. Manne is defending well but Aoki drives through and ends up in Manne's guard.
Aoki postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Manne looking for a sweep. Not yet Manne, not yet.
Aoki missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aoki wants to control from the top but Manne keeps moving.
Aoki working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Aoki throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Manne works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Manne keeping full guard, as Aoki tries to pass.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Manne working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Aoki.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Aoki throws out a loose jab but Manne uses good head movement to avoid it.
Manne thows a body kick. Aoki tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Aoki paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Manne slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Aoki takes a swing at Manne's ribcage but misses.
Manne was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manne scores with a nice right hand.
Manne lands with a hook. Aoki tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Aoki on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Aoki throws a right hand that misses
and Manne counters with a straight right hand.
Manne lands with an uppercut that bounces Aoki off the cage and back into range.
Manne connects with the punch.
A punch lands to the side of Aoki 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Aoki misses with a straight left.
Manne fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Manne, right into the meat.
Taiki Aoki is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Aoki throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Puntti Manne has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Manne connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Aoki's hands.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Manne misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Aoki.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aoki swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Aoki takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Aoki keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Aoki avoids the body shot from Manne.
Aoki appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Manne misses with a leg kick.
Aoki shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Taiki Aoki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Manne misses with a leg kick.
Aoki changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Manne connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Aoki's hands.
Manne misses with a left hand
and Aoki counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Manne lands with a cross.

Aoki is rocked!
Aoki on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Oh Aoki is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Aoki shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Manne but Manne pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Manne misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

And that's the end of the fight!
Puntti Manne comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Aoki 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Puntti Manne!
Puntti Manne decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.