PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Derrick Rankinstein (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Henrique Aldo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Rankinstein
vs
Aldo

169 cm
18
142 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

171 cm
25
147 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
Powerful

Balco Boys Battle Gear
Balco Boys - Hilo

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Derrick Rankinstein!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Henrique Aldo!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Shigeki Fujiwara and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Aldo takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Rankinstein connects with a right hand. Aldo shakes it off.
Aldo throws a head kick that Rankinstein semi-blocks.

It looks like Derrick Rankinstein has been cut.
A shot to the liver by Rankinstein. Beautiful body shot.
Aldo misses with a few strikes there.
Aldo ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Rankinstein stuffs the takedown.
Aldo moves out of range of the strikes.
Aldo tries a head kick but it misses.
Aldo avoids the body shot from Rankinstein.
Aldo shoots in but Rankinstein avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Rankinstein misses with a body punch
and Aldo finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Aldo walks into a stiff left hand from Rankinstein.
Danga de danga de dang - Rankinstein scores with a four punch combination!
Aldo tries to score a power double leg takedown but Rankinstein sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Aldo somewhat.
Derrick Rankinstein has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Henrique Aldo.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Rankinstein!
Good standup being displayed there by Rankinstein as he connects with a hook.
Good exchange - Rankinstein coming out on top.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rankinstein lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Aldo at a distance.
Aldo takes a body punch but keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rankinstein lands with a cross.
A head kick misses from Aldo.
Rankinstein misses with a series of wild punches.
Derrick Rankinstein is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rankinstein defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Aldo.
Aldo looks gassed!
Aldo has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Aldo there as he acknowledges the shot.
Aldo dives in and grabs Rankinstein's left leg, looking for a takedown. Rankinstein pushes down on Aldo's head and hops out.
Nice uppercut lands for Rankinstein. That snapped Aldo's head back.
Rankinstein moves into range and connects with a jab.
Rankinstein lands a two punch combo.
Rankinstein misses with a wild body shot.
Rankinstein throws a right hand that Aldo ducks under and follows up with a left that Aldo also avoids with ease.
Aldo uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Rankinstein.
Rankinstein moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Aldo with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Rankinstein to score with a decent uppercut.
Rankinstein bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Rankinstein fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Aldo manages to avoid it.
Rankinstein is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Rankinstein throws a combination that misses
and Aldo counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A right-left combo lands from Rankinstein.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rankinstein. Aldo does a little dance to reset his feet.
Rankinstein slips a jab and a cross from Aldo.
A jab from Rankinstein does it's job there.
Rankinstein scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Rankinstein misses with a body shot.
Aldo bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Rankinstein throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Aldo avoids the body shot from Rankinstein.
Rankinstein misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Aldo.
Derrick Rankinstein seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Aldo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Rankinstein misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Aldo.
Rankinstein throws a hook but Aldo avoids it easily.
Aldo tries to work over Rankinstein's front leg with a kick but Rankinstein checks it.
Rankinstein lands with an uppercut that bounces Aldo off the cage and back into rage.
Rankinstein swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Aldo counters by clinching up.
Aldo content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Aldo wants a takedown but no success here.
Rankinstein stops a takedown attempt from Aldo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aldo leaning against his opponent.
Rankinstein wants to stall.
Knees in the clinch landing for Aldo.
A frustrated look appears on Rankinstein's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Aldo digs a right hand underneath Rankinstein's ribcage. Rankinstein let out a lung full of air as it connected.

Aldo has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Rankinstein uses from the top position.
Rankinstein wants to pass the guard but Aldo is keeping the position.
Aldo wants to sweep but no luck.
Rankinstein has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Aldo is trying to keep Rankinstein in close.
Rankinstein controlling from the top position.
Rankinstein knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Aldo on the ground.
Rankinstein trying to control the position from guard on top but Aldo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Rankinstein is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Aldo is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

We're going to have a standup here because Derrick Rankinstein wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Rankinstein thuds his right hand into Aldo's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Aldo looks to land a body kick but Rankinstein moved away.
Aldo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Rankinstein throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Rankinstein misses with a double jab

and Aldo counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Rankinstein!
Aldo can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Rankinstein is looking to escape.
Aldo landing shots from mount.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rankinstein is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Henrique Aldo will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Derrick Rankinstein's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Rankinstein throws a combination that misses

and Aldo counters with a single leg into guard. Rankinstein didn't expect that.
Aldo has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Rankinstein is proving hard to escape from.
Aldo looking to pass the guard.
Aldo controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Aldo stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Rankinstein connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Aldo fails with a takedown attempt.
Derrick Rankinstein is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Aldo will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Aldo is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rankinstein dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Rankinstein throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Aldo stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Nice uppercut lands for Rankinstein. That snapped Aldo's head back.
Rankinstein takes a swing at Aldo's ribcage but misses.
Rankinstein connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Aldo's hands.
Aldo shoots in for a double leg but Rankinstein sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Rankinstein pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Aldo back to the cage. Rankinstein follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Rankinstein throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Rankinstein keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Derrick Rankinstein has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Henrique Aldo.
Rankinstein lands a nice shot that snaps Aldo's head back.
Rankinstein tests Aldo's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Rankinstein fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Aldo is trying hard to land a takedown here. Rankinstein sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Rankinstein scores with a jab. Aldo acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A cross from Rankinstein lands.
Aldo avoids a punch combination nicely.
Rankinstein throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
No joy there for Rankinstein, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A head kick misses from Aldo.
Aldo takes one to the side of the head.
Rankinstein bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Rankinstein throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Rankinstein scores with a body shot.
Rankinstein scores with a one two! Aldo had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Rankinstein fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Aldo throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Rankinstein.
Aldo uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Rankinstein.
Rankinstein misses with a leg kick

and Aldo counters with a nice double leg into guard.
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!
Aldo tries to stand but Rankinstein is controlling from the bottom.
Rankinstein pulls Aldo in close to prevent any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aldo looking to pass the guard.

Aldo stands up and waves to Rankinstein to follow him.
Rankinstein connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Rankinstein lands with a shot to the body.
Aldo takes one to the chin there.
Rankinstein jabs Aldo to the body, keeping him at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aldo walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Aldo dodges the punch combination from Rankinstein.
Rankinstein misses with a straight right.
Aldo on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Rankinstein lands a jab to the nose.
Rankinstein swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Aldo.
Rankinstein scores with a jab.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rankinstein. Aldo does a little dance to reset his feet.
Aldo swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Rankinstein counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Aldo avoids the body shot from Rankinstein.
Derrick Rankinstein is winning the standup battle so far.
Rankinstein stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Aldo fails in his attempt to clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Aldo shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Rankinstein defends it nicely.
Rankinstein scores with a jab to the jaw.
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 Derrick Rankinstein will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Derrick Rankinstein's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Aldo with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Rankinstein to score with a decent uppercut.
Rankinstein avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Danga de danga de dang - Rankinstein scores with a four punch combination!
Aldo shoots in for a takedown but Rankinstein shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Rankinstein dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Rankinstein connects with a body shot that sends Aldo's belly button to the back.
Rankinstein throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Aldo misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rankinstein.
Rankinstein misses the body punch

and Aldo counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Rankinstein is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Aldo is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Rankinstein is just riding it out for now. Aldo eventually gives up the hold.
Aldo takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Aldo is pressing down on Rankinstein's thigh, looking to free his foot. Rankinstein is holding on for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aldo is keen to just control but Rankinstein is a slippery customer.

Aldo is working for a kimura but Rankinstein is defending it quite comfortably.
Aldo is keen to just control but Rankinstein is a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Rankinstein wants to get back to full guard.
Aldo with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Aldo throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Aldo not doing much here.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Henrique Aldo wasn't active enough on the ground.
Aldo on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Horrible takedown by Aldo or perhaps it was just good defense by Rankinstein which made him look bad.
Aldo has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Rankinstein connects with a jab.
Rankinstein works Aldo's body with a nice hook.
Aldo lands a nice leg kick that just misses Rankinstein's sensitive parts.
Rankinstein scores with a nice right hand.
Rankinstein connects with a jab.
Aldo walks into a left hand.
Rankinstein throws a one two combo.
Rankinstein fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Aldo manages to avoid it.
Rankinstein moves out of range of the body kick.
Rankinstein moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Rankinstein throws a low kick but Aldo avoids it.
Rankinstein showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Aldo.
Rankinstein cracks Aldo with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Rankinstein jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Rankinstein scores with a nice right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aldo misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Aldo shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Rankinstein but Rankinstein pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Derrick Rankinstein has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Henrique Aldo.
Aldo with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Rankinstein to score with a decent uppercut.
Rankinstein clobbers Aldo with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Rankinstein keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Aldo avoids a punch combination nicely.
Rankinstein jabs Aldo right on the nose. Aldo blinks but takes it well.
Rankinstein throws a predictable looking body shot
and Aldo counters with a right hand to the body.
Aldo shoots in looking for a takedown. Rankinstein tries to sprawl out of it but Aldo keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Rankinstein manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Rankinstein lands a glancing blow to the side of Aldo's head.
Rankinstein connects with the punch.
Some wild striking there from Rankinstein.
Rankinstein digs a good body shot into Aldo's ribs.

And that's the end of the fight!
Derrick Rankinstein showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Rankinstein 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 Ren Mimura scores the fight 30:28
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 30:28
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Derrick Rankinstein!