PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Paul Jones (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ceg Maak (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Jones
vs
Maak

178 cm
22
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

182 cm
22
183 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Paul Jones!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ceg Maak!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Roosa Järviläinen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Maak gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Jones to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Maak working for a triangle but Jones defends it easily.
Jones is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Jones trying to control the position from guard on top but Maak is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Maak swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Jones trying to control the position from guard on top but Maak is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Jones wants to stand and escape but instead Maak has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Maak looking to pass the guard.
Maak trying to control the position from guard on top but Jones is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Jones working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Maak has passed into half guard!

That's two 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.

Maak is trying to work for a kimura but Jones is defending well.
Jones has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Maak is working away from the top position though.

Maak is working for a submission of some sort.
Jones is trying to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Maak is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Jones is not content to let Maak control the position.
Jones wants to control but Maak is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Jones tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

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

Jones shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maak has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Jones is working away from the top position though.
Maak is looking for a sweep. Jones is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Jones keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Jones looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Jones dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Jones throws a head kick that misses.

Jones gets the takedown into side control.
Jones scores with punches from side control.
Jones wants to take a breather but Maak manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Jones.
Jones knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Maak on the ground.
Jones scoring with punches to the head and body.

Jones got a little sloppy there for a moment and Maak has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Jones has managed to get both his arms back between Maak's legs - danger averted.
Jones trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maak looking to control.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Maak is on top in guard.
Maak postures up.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Jones managing to control the position.
Maak with a flurry of punches that miss.
Maak throwing strikes but missing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Jones keeping moving, preventing Maak from controlling successfully.
Jones trying to control the position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Jones tries to clinch but Maak is having none of it.
Paul Jones seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Maak with a poor takedown

and Jones counters with a takedown into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones scores with punches from side control.
Maak sneaks back into half guard.
Jones trying to control from half guard but Maak is working away.
Jones is pressing down on Maak's thigh, looking to free his foot. Maak is holding on for now.
Jones is trying to control. Maak wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

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.
Maak trying to control but Jones postures up.
Jones is just content to waste time from the top position. Maak takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Maak keeping moving, preventing Jones from controlling successfully.
Maak is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Jones has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Maak is on top in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Jones dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Jones gets a takedown into half guard.
Maak is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Jones's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Jones's back!
Jones covering up well under a barage of strikes.

Maak working for a choke but Jones is defending well.
Maak missing with strikes from the back.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maak controlling well, preventing Jones from escaping the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Maak not allowing Jones to control his hands.
Maak is looking to control Jones but Jones is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Jones is trying to break free.
Jones is keeping busy.
Maak missing with punches from the back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Maak has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Maak is looking to control Jones but Jones is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Maak throwing damaging strikes from the back! Jones could be in trouble here!
Jones looking very determined here, making life difficult for Maak.

Maak working for the choke.
Paul Jones overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Jones is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Jones is trying to get back to his feet but Maak has full control of the position and if anything, Jones has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Jones looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Maak trying to control momentarily.

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.
I really don't envy Jones right now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jones trying to control the hands but Maak won't let him.
Ceg Maak has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jones prevents Maak from getting a body triangle.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ceg Maak comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Jones has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 29:28
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Paul Jones!