PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Daniel Maia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ronaldo Ferreira (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ronaldo Ferreira has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Daniel Maia's chin.

Maia
vs
Ferreira

182 cm
21
188 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

186 cm
26
197 lbs
15 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Conviction

Conviction
Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Daniel Maia!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ronaldo Ferreira!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice sprawl there from Ferreira as Maia shoots in.
Ferreira stuns Maia with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Ferreira scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

Maia decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Ferreira is defending against the submission attempts here by Maia.
Ferreira trying to control from the bottom.
Maia trying to control from half guard but Ferreira is working away.
Maia wants to pass to mount but Ferreira is defending the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ferreira is trying to stand back up but Maia is controlling him
Maia wants to free his trapped foot but Ferreira is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Maia is working hard here to advance position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Maia shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Ferreira sprawls well. Ferreira wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Maia gets slowly back to his feet.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Ferreira!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ferreira displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Maia.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Daniel Maia. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Maia shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Ferreira as he jumps to the side.
A combination from Ferreira does no damage.
Ferreira thows a body shot but no joy.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Maia is defended easily by Ferreira.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ferreira misses with an uppercut.
Maia fails with the takedown.
Ferreira wants to slow Maia down by chopping away at his legs.
Maia looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Ferreira is fending him off so far but Maia persists. Nope, Ferreira circles away and we're back to standing.
Ferreira throws a head kick but Maia moves out of range.
Maia showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ferreira.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Maia misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Maia shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Ferreira's guard.
Ferreira is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Ferreira tries to land a sweep but no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ronaldo Ferreira dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Ferreira ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Maia moves away.
Ferreira thows a body shot but no joy.
Ferreira throws a body punch but Maia moves out of range.
Ferreira throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Ferreira looks to score with a jab to the body but Maia is just out of range.
Maia with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Ferreira to score with a decent uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ferreira throws a right and a left that Maia avoids nicely.
Maia misses with a takedown attempt - Ferreira sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Ferreira tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Maia was well out of range. Poor timing from Ferreira.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Maia shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Maia showed some decent athleticism there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ferreira trying to control but Maia postures up.
Ferreira is not content to let Maia control the position.

Maia seems to be looking for submissions.
Maia has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Maia is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Ferreira can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Ferreira tries to hold on but Maia postures up.
Ferreira is desperately trying to improve his position but Maia has a good base and remains in mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maia trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Maia wants to take his opponent's back but Ferreira doesn't allow it.
Ferreira is in all sorts of trouble here.
Maia looking to control but Ferreira is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

Maia goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Ferreira turns into him and now he's in Maia's guard.
Maia looking to control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

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.
Ferreira trying to control but Maia is working from the bottom.

Maia is looking for a triangle but Ferreira pushes his legs off easily.
Ferreira controlling from the top position.

Maia working for a triangle but Ferreira defends it 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 Daniel Maia will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Maia uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Ferreira.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Maia has a takedown stuffed.
A leg kick checked by Maia.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ferreira misses with a hook. Maia ducked under it nicely.
Ferreira throws a jab but it's blocked by Maia.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ferreira pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Maia is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Ferreira.
Ronaldo Ferreira is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Maia shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Ferreira sprawls well. Ferreira wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Maia gets slowly back to his feet.
Ferreira throws a sloppy head kick and Maia moves out of range easily.
Ferreira misses with a double jab.
A cross from Maia lands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Ferreira throws the kick towards the body but Maia avoids it.
Maia fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Daniel Maia. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ferreira explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Maia moves out of range as Ferreira strikes.
Maia takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Maia looks for a takedown but Ferreira sprawls well.
Horrible takedown by Maia or perhaps it was just good defense by Ferreira which made him look bad.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maia ducks under a wild hook from Ferreira.
Ferreira swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Ferreira thows a body shot but no joy.
Maia shoots in looking for a takedown. Ferreira tries to sprawl out of it but Maia keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Ferreira manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Ferreira looks to score with a jab to the body but Maia is just out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Ferreira misses with a hook. Maia ducked under it nicely.
A nice leg kick lands there from Ferreira.
Nice defenses there by Maia.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Ferreira, right into the meat.
Ferreira lands with a straight right. Maia didn't see that one coming.
Ferreira misses with a head kick.

Maia drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ronaldo Ferreira really dominated that round.
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.

Maia shoots for a takedown but Ferreira saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Maia swings for the body but Ferreira moves out of range.
Ferreira connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Ferreira rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Maia moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Maia throws a looping overhand right but Ferreira ducks down to avoid it.
No luck for Maia with that takedown attempt.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ferreira looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Maia shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Ferreira pinned against the cage. Ferreira gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Daniel Maia. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maia uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Ferreira.
Ferreira tries to bum rush Maia with a series of wild strikes but Maia uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Maia shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Ferreira sprawls well. Ferreira wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Maia gets slowly back to his feet.
A shot to de liver by Ferreira. Beautiful body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ferreira rushes Maia and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Maia has Ferreira pressed against the cage, preventing Ferreira from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Ferreira's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Maia avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Ferreira misses with a few strikes there.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Maia.
Ferreira throws a hook to the side of Maia's head but Maia sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maia has a takedown stuffed.
Maia keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ferreira.
Maia looks for a takedown but Ferreira sprawls well.
Maia shoots in but Ferreira avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Ferreira lunges at Maia with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Maia's hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ferreira ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Maia moves away.
Maia catches Ferreira with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Ferreira swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Ferreira throws a head kick that half lands.
Maia has a takedown stuffed.
Nice takedown defense from Ferreira. No joy for Maia on that attempt.
Maia shoots in and drives through. Ferreira sprawls well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ronaldo Ferreira dominated that fourth round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Ferreira tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Maia paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ferreira defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Maia.
Maia looks for a takedown but Ferreira sprawls well.
Ronaldo Ferreira seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ferreira throws a head kick that misses.
Ferreira misses with a wild body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maia shoots in for a takedown but Ferreira shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Daniel Maia. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Maia ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Maia keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ferreira.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maia will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A big right from Ferreira misses.
Maia dives in and grabs Ferreira's left leg, looking for a takedown. Ferreira pushes down on Maia's head and hops out.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Ferreira lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Maia has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Maia and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Ronaldo Ferreira is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ferreira throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ferreira defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Maia.

Maia drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Ferreira is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maia creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.

Maia is trying to get an arm triangle but Ferreira is defending well.
Ferreira tries to bench press Maia off him but Maia keeps the position.
Ferreira is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Maia's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Ferreira wants to control but Maia is keeping busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ferreira is looking to improve his position.
Daniel Maia has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ferreira is trying to stand up here but Maia is controlling him well.
Maia trying to control the action but Ferreira is working from the bottom.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Ferreira closes the distance and clinches.

That's four 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.
Maia fails to pull the fight into his guard.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Maia.
Ferreira working hard to break the clinch.
Ferreira stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Maia blocking some punches.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ferreira.
Ferreira is trying to force a seperation but Maia has the dominant position.
Maia prevents Ferreira from breaking the clinch.
Ferreira is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Maia tries to pull guard but Ferreira won't allow it.
Maia tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Ferreira smiles and moves away.
Ferreira throws a leg kick but Maia sees it coming and moves out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ronaldo Ferreira comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Ferreira 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight for Ronaldo Ferreira!
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight for Ronaldo Ferreira!
Judge Suge Night scores the fight for Ronaldo Ferreira!

Ronaldo Ferreira wins by unanimous decision!
Ronaldo Ferreira is the new middleweight champion!