PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Esteban Saviola (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Juan Maxwell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Maxwell is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Basket Case. Juan Maxwell is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Saviola
vs
Maxwell

170 cm
24
153 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

185 cm
23
150 lbs
6 - 8 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Esteban Saviola!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Juan Maxwell!
The judges for this bout are Albert Achterberg, Paul Aken and Daniel Blasius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Saviola looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Maxwell!

Saviola looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.

Saviola working for a submission but Maxwell is keeping him at bay.
Maxwell tries to hold on but Saviola pushes him away.

Saviola moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Maxwell has worked his arm free - good work by Maxwell!

Saviola goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Maxwell rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Saviola's guard! Nice work there by Maxwell!
Saviola wants to stand but Maxwell is controlling the position.
Saviola keeping full guard, as Maxwell tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maxwell sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Saviola's guard.
Saviola is looking to get back to is feet but Maxwell passes into side control.
Saviola might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Saviola is not content to let Maxwell control the position.
Saviola wants to get back to his feet but Maxwell drags him back down.

Saviola bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Saviola throws a right and a left that Maxwell avoids nicely.
Maxwell takes a swing at Saviola's ribcage but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maxwell slips a jab and a cross from Saviola.
Maxwell misses with a takedown

and Saviola decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Maxwell's guard.
Maxwell wants to stand and escape but Saviola is having none of it.
Maxwell is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Maxwell doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Maxwell is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Maxwell keeping full guard, as Saviola tries to pass.

Saviola drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Maxwell dives on top into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saviola wants to stand but Maxwell is controlling the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Saviola is breathing heavily.
Maxwell trying to control but Saviola is working from the bottom.
Saviola is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Maxwell is controlling him.
Maxwell is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

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.
Maxwell wants to get up but he can't break Saviola's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Maxwell won't allow Saviola to get back to his feet.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Saviola ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Saviola lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Saviola circles away from the clinch attempt.
Maxwell ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Saviola moves away.
Maxwell fails with the takedown

and Saviola decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Maxwell's guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Saviola is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Maxwell controls Saviola momentarily but Saviola frees himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Esteban Saviola dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Saviola shoots for a takedown but Maxwell saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
A left and a right from Saviola both land. Nice combination.
Saviola looks for a takedown but Maxwell sprawls well.
Maxwell closes the distance but Saviola moves to the side

and Saviola decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Maxwell's guard.

Maxwell is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Saviola defends well.

Saviola thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Saviola drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Maxwell manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Saviola has Maxwell in his guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Saviola manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Saviola!
Saviola avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Maxwell with a lazy takedown attempt

and Saviola counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Maxwell!

Saviola looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.

Saviola jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Maxwell is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Maxwell and Saviola has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maxwell keeping his opponent close.

Saviola is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Maxwell knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Saviola tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Saviola is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Maxwell has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Saviola is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Maxwell is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Maxwell struggling a bit here.

Saviola is trying to get an arm triangle but Maxwell is defending well.
Maxwell is looking for a sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Maxwell sneaks back into half guard.

Maxwell kicks off Saviola and gets to his feet.
Saviola circles away from the clinch attempt

and Saviola counters with a shoot takedown. Maxwell fights it but they end up in guard.
Maxwell looking for a sweep. Not yet Maxwell, not yet.

Saviola drops back looking for a leg! Maxwell is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Maxwell manages to kick Saviola off! Saviola jumps back into Maxwell's guard.
Maxwell wants to sweep here but Saviola controlling him for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Esteban Saviola dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Saviola misses with the combination.
Maxwell throws a push kick but Saviola slaps the foot to one side.
Maxwell fails with an attempt to clinch.
A head kick misses from Maxwell.
Maxwell wants to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maxwell tries to close the distance and clinch but Saviola swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saviola misses with a wild combination.
Maxwell misses with a takedown

and Saviola counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Saviola drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Maxwell dives on top into guard.

Saviola is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Saviola tries for a takedown but Maxwell manages to get underhooks.
Saviola is trying to force a seperation but Maxwell has the dominant position.
Maxwell is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Saviola gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Maxwell escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Saviola shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Saviola wants to finish this one by submission but Maxwell is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Saviola.
Maxwell is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saviola won't let Maxwell get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Saviola prevents Maxwell from getting the reversal.

Saviola has isolated one of Maxwell's arms. Maxwell looking to fight him off but Saviola twists into an armbar. It's tight... Will he tap?? YES, he's tapped! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:42 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Esteban Saviola!