PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Sven Verdek (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shinya Aoki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the ring.

Verdek
vs
Aoki

167 cm
24
162 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

181 cm
21
158 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Nutrition 101[10$ for stamina q120]

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Sven Verdek!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Shinya Aoki!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Shirou Masuda and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Aoki blocks a leg kick.
Aoki misses with a takedown attempt - Verdek sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Verdek tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Aoki paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Aoki throws a leg kick that is checked

so Verdek counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Verdek trying to control the position from guard on top but Aoki is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Aoki looking for a sweep. Not yet Aoki, not yet.
Verdek trying to control but Aoki is working from the bottom.

Aoki has his foot on Verdek's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Verdek works his way back into a safe position though.
Verdek throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Verdek won't allow Aoki to sweep him here.
Verdek wants to control from the top but Aoki keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Verdek tries for a takedown but Aoki sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Aoki closes the distance but Verdek moves to the side

and Verdek counters by moving into the clinch.
Aoki tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Verdek just stands there and leans against the ropes.
Aoki is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Aoki jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Verdek walks away with a smile on his face. Aoki gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Sven Verdek has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shinya Aoki.
Verdek wants to clinch.
Verdek wants to clinch up but Aoki keeps it at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Verdek avoids the head kick by Aoki.
Aoki shoots and misses

and Verdek counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Aoki's guard now.
Verdek scoring with some ground and pound.
Verdek trying to control but Aoki is working from the bottom.
Verdek missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Aoki keeping moving, preventing Verdek from controlling successfully.
Verdek postures up in Aoki's guard and throws a big left but Aoki blocks it.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Aoki working a defensive guard here.

Aoki working for a triangle but Verdek defends it easily.

Aoki is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Aoki had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Verdek is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Aoki Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Verdek's back instead.
Aoki is hanging on to Verdek's back as he tries to escape.
Aoki is working the ground and pound here and the referee is taking a close look at Verdek. He must escape soon or this one will be stopped.
Verdek looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Aoki tries to keep control of the position but Verdek is staying busy.
Verdek tries to break free.
Aoki doesn't have the hooks in and Verdek manages to turn into his guard.

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 throws a nice elbow from the bottom.

Aoki looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Aoki wants to sweep here but Verdek controlling him for the moment.
Aoki looks gassed!

Verdek drops back looking for a submission - "I'm sorry sir, but I'm gunna break your leg" says Verdek as he cranks on the unfortunate limb! Aoki screams and taps out before any major damage is done! Don't mess with Verdek! Nice submission victory there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:39 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kneebar). Sven Verdek!
Sven Verdek is the new lightweight champion!