PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Aslak Maitonaama (ranked 1567 p4p, 2096 weight class) and Mitsu Misawa (ranked 204 p4p, 272 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.

Maitonaama
vs
Misawa

185 cm
27
175
10 - 6 - 0

182 cm
25
174
7 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Dangerous knees
Very quick

Good wrestler
Great elbows
Powerful

Voodoo Nutrition
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

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 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Aslak Maitonaama!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mitsu Misawa!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Frank Antenori and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Misawa ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Maitonaama moves away.
Maitonaama looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Maitonaama throws the left hand but Misawa avoids the punch easily.
Maitonaama avoids a punch combination nicely.
Misawa lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Maitonaama circles away quickly and effectively.
Misawa fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Maitonaama manages to avoid it.

Maitonaama throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Misawa was covering up waiting for the punch and Maitonaama finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Maitonaama trying to control but Misawa is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Misawa is controlling Maitonaama's posture.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maitonaama keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Misawa's head.
Misawa has momentary wrist control but Maitonaama slips an elbow through the middle.
Misawa preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Maitonaama missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Maitonaama has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Maitonaama is working Misawa over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Maitonaama postures up.
Maitonaama is fighting to break Misawa's control of his arms but Misawa is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Maitonaama wants to pass the guard but Misawa is keeping the position.
Misawa wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Maitonaama trying to control the position from guard on top but Misawa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Misawa is looking to stand up but Maitonaama isn't so interested in that idea.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maitonaama is looking to work some ground and pound but Misawa has wrist control.
Misawa not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Maitonaama pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Misawa is keeping the position for now.
Maitonaama with a nice head shot there.
Misawa is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Misawa wants to stand and escape but Maitonaama is having none of it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Misawa controlling the position.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Maitonaama feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Maitonaama in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Maitonaama's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Misawa is pulling down on Maitonaama's head. It's preventing any offense from Maitonaama, at least for the moment.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Maitonaama wants to pass the guard but Misawa is keeping the position.
Misawa has Maitonaama pulled in close to control his posture.
Maitonaama with a nice head shot there.
Misawa is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Maitonaama with a flurry of punches that miss.
Maitonaama scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Misawa is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Maitonaama trying to control but Misawa is working from the bottom.
Misawa is looking to stand up but Maitonaama isn't so interested in that idea.
Misawa working a defensive guard here.
Maitonaama stops Misawa from standing up.
Misawa keeping moving, preventing Maitonaama from controlling successfully.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Maitonaama uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Misawa.
Maitonaama shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Misawa as he jumps to the side.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Maitonaama tries for a takedown but Misawa sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Misawa looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Some wild striking there from Misawa.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Aslak Maitonaama dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Maitonaama uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Misawa.
Misawa connects with a body shot.

Maitonaama drives through and clinches with Misawa against the cage.
Maitonaama tries for a takedown but Misawa manages to get underhooks.
Maitonaama is trying to pull guard but Misawa has him pressed against the cage.
Misawa misses with some punches.
Misawa lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Misawa misses with an elbow over the top.
Misawa lands an elbow just above Maitonaama 's eye.
Misawa lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Misawa lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Maitonaama.
Maitonaama is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Misawa pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aslak Maitonaama. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maitonaama wants to take the fight to the mat but Misawa manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Misawa is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Misawa lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

It looks like Aslak Maitonaama has been cut.
Maitonaama wants a takedown.
Misawa struggles to land a body shot inside as Maitonaama controls his hands.
Maitonaama tries to score a body lock takedown but Misawa shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Misawa lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Misawa lands an elbow just above Maitonaama 's eye.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Misawa.
Maitonaama takes an elbow to the forehead.
Misawa leaning against his opponent.
Maitonaama is working for takedown but Misawa is calmly controlling the position for now.
Misawa tries to work over Maitonaama's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Misawa is pressed up against the cage. Maitonaama has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Misawa down to the mat. Misawa avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Maitonaama on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Misawa throws a shot from downtown. Maitonaama moves away and avoids it.
Misawa throws a jab when Maitonaama was well out of range.
Misawa is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Maitonaama closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Some wild striking there from Misawa.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Misawa closes the distance and clinches.
Misawa gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Maitonaama has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Misawa is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Maitonaama has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Misawa is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Misawa presses Maitonaama against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Misawa is trying to stall.
Maitonaama prevents a body shot from Misawa.
Misawa lands a nice elbow.
Misawa tries to work over Maitonaama's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Maitonaama looking for a takedown.
A shot in the inside from Misawa.
Maitonaama prevents a body shot from Misawa.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Misawa.
Misawa is defending well against a takedown attempt.
A short body shot lands from Misawa as the two fighters clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Misawa stalling in the clinch but Maitonaama improves position.
Maitonaama tries to pull guard but Misawa forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Misawa.
Misawa lands a damaging elbow.
Misawa lands an elbow just above Maitonaama 's eye.
Maitonaama is looking to take this one to the mat.
Maitonaama has Misawa pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Misawa manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Misawa digs a right hand underneath Maitonaama's ribcage. Maitonaama let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Misawa cracks Maitonaama with a nice body shot.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Misawa.
Misawa lands an elbow that stopped Maitonaama in his tracks for a moment.
Come on Misawa - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Misawa scores with a hook to the body.
Misawa stalling in the clinch.
Misawa misses with a body punch.
Maitonaama blocks an elbow strike.
Misawa misses with an elbow over the top.
Maitonaama can't get the takedown.
Misawa trying to stall but Maitonaama improves his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Misawa lands a body punch.
Misawa stalling.
Misawa lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Maitonaama tightens his grip and picks Misawa up, before dumping him to the ground. Misawa manages to land in guard.
Misawa has his hands on Maitonaama's head, controlling the position.
Maitonaama is looking to work some ground and pound but Misawa has wrist control.
Misawa trying to control the position here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mitsu Misawa showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Aslak Maitonaama's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Misawa lands with a good body shot.
A punch combination from Maitonaama misses.
Misawa let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Maitonaama shoots in for a double leg but Misawa sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Misawa tries to clinch up but Maitonaama circles away and keeps his distance.
Misawa scores with a one two! Maitonaama had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Mitsu Misawa seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Maitonaama fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Misawa manages to avoid it.
Misawa moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Misawa jabs at Maitonaama's body.
Misawa lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Maitonaama circles away quickly and effectively.
Maitonaama slips under a jab from Misawa.
Maitonaama changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Maitonaama takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Misawa has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Misawa tries to clinch but Maitonaama moves out of range.
Maitonaama darts in looking for a takedown but Misawa gets double underhooks and turns Maitonaama into the cage.
Misawa tries to stall but Maitonaama uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Maitonaama wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aslak Maitonaama. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Maitonaama is looking for a takedown.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Maitonaama blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Misawa is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Misawa pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Maitonaama is working for takedown but Misawa is calmly controlling the position for now.
Misawa is trying to maintain a safe position but Maitonaama gets an underhook and turns Misawa into the cage.
Misawa works on Maitonaama's body with a couple of short punches.
Misawa avoiding damage.
Misawa stalls.
Mitsu Misawa seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Misawa comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Misawa lands an elbow that stopped Maitonaama in his tracks for a moment.
Misawa lands a nice elbow.
Misawa is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Misawa lands a body punch.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Misawa.
Maitonaama has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Misawa avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Maitonaama has Misawa pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Misawa manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
A short right from Misawa.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Misawa just misses with a elbow thrown towards Maitonaama's brow.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A right handed body shot lands from Misawa.
Maitonaama changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Misawa fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Maitonaama avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
It looked like Maitonaama wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Misawa paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

Misawa rushes Maitonaama and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
A right handed body shot lands from Misawa.
Misawa lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Misawa lands a body shot in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Misawa lands a nice shot to the body.
Misawa comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Misawa lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Nice elbow from Misawa.
A nice right hand lands inside from Misawa.
Maitonaama can't get the takedown.
Maitonaama is trying to drag Misawa to the mat but Misawa just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Misawa lands an elbow just above Maitonaama 's eye.
Maitonaama takes an elbow to the forehead.
Misawa stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
A nice right hand lands inside from Misawa.
Maitonaama is looking to take this one to the mat.
Misawa gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Maitonaama letting Misawa take a breather here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Misawa throws an elbow but it's blocked.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Misawa stalling against the cage.
Misawa gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Maitonaama.
Misawa throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Maitonaamas head.
Misawa prevents a takedown attempt there.
Misawa lands a left hand that snaps the head of Maitonaama backwards.
Misawa works on Maitonaama's body with a couple of short punches.
Misawa doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Misawa lands a nice elbow.
Misawa lands a hook that snaps the head of Maitonaama backwards.
Maitonaama drops down looking for an ankle pick but Misawa pulls his leg out and moves away.
Misawa misses with a few strikes there.
Maitonaama attempts a counter takedown but Misawa avoids it well and moves away.
Misawa cracks Maitonaama with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Misawa lunges at Maitonaama with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Maitonaama's hand.

Maitonaama is rocked!

And that's the end of the fight!
Mitsu Misawa comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Misawa has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 27:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mitsu Misawa!