PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Felix Basilan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tatsuya Aoki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Basilan
vs
Aoki

182 cm
36
181 lbs
40 - 18 - 1

178 cm
37
181 lbs
34 - 20 - 1

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Namunamu Clothing
Pitt Nutrition 160Q@$149

GREEN!160
Tokyo United Fightwear

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 40 - 18 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Felix Basilan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 34 - 20 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Tatsuya Aoki!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Yves DeLean and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Basilan feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Aokis jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!

It looks like Tatsuya Aoki has been cut.
Basilan misses with a body kick.
Basilan rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Aoki moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Aoki let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Aoki throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Basilan stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Aoki avoids a kick to the body.
Aoki drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Basilan defends it well.
A slapping leg kick lands for Basilan.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aoki misses with a two punch combination.
Aoki scores with a hook to the body. Basilan takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Aoki throws a body shot but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Basilan lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Aoki misses with a jab, cross combination.
Basilan appears to be looking for a big counter.
A shot to the liver by Aoki. Beautiful body shot.
Aoki moves out of range of the body kick.
Aoki misses with the combination.
Basilan explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aoki swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Basilan fires out a quick counter leg kick but Aoki just manages to avoid it.
Basilan looks for the body kick but Aoki saw that one coming.
Felix Basilan is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Basilan throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Aoki takes one on the button.
Basilan throws a half hearted mid kick.
And Aoki tries to counter it with a takedown but Basilan pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Basilan throws an off balance right hand

and Aoki counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Basilan trying to control the position here.
Aoki with a flurry of punches that miss.
Aoki throws a big right hand that misses.
Aoki wants to pass the guard but Basilan is keeping the position.
Aoki throwing strikes but missing.
Aoki postures up in Basilan's guard and throws a big left but Basilan blocks it.
Basilan has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Aoki wants to control from the top but Basilan keeps moving.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Aoki throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Basilan pulls Aoki in to control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Aoki takes one on the button.
Basilan tries to land a front kick but Aoki steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Aoki tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Aoki moves out of range of the body kick.
A bone on bone clash there as Aoki blocks the leg kick.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Basilan throws a jab but it's blocked by Aoki.
Aoki shoots in and drives through. Basilan sprawls well.
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 Felix Basilan will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Tatsuya Aoki's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Aoki uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Basilan.
Aoki appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Aoki throws a poor cross that misses
and Basilan cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Basilan throws a front kick that sends Aoki stumbling back into the cage.
Basilan is looking to score with low kicks.
Aoki is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Basilan rather than just go for the knockout.
Basilan motions for Aoki to come forward. Basilan throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Basilan throws a head kick but Aoki moves out of range.
Aoki feints the counter takedown.
Basilan throws a series of punches but Aoki moves out of range.
Aoki misses the shot to the body.
Basilan is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Aoki can do to turn this around?

That's one minute gone in the round.

Basilan gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Aoki postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Aoki scoring with punches to the head and body.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Aoki working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Aoki throws a big right hand that misses.
Aoki trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Aoki wants to control from the top but Basilan keeps moving.
Aoki in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aoki not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Aoki with a flurry of punches that miss.
Aoki trying to control the position from guard on top but Basilan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Basilan preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Basilan pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
And Aoki tries to counter it with a takedown but Basilan pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Aoki takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Aoki misses with a lunging right hand
and Aoki takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aoki throws a right and a left that both miss.
Felix Basilan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Basilan lands a big head kick that sends Aoki tumbling to the mat! Basilan takes a step backwards and waves Aoki back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Aoki is rocked!
Aoki has his takedown stuffed
and Basilan counters with a massive hook, right on the button! He's out cold! Damn, that was naaaaaasty! Hopefully he'll be OK.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:24 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Felix Basilan!