PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Zak Maxwell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kolbe Bryant (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Zak Maxwell has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Maxwell
vs
Bryant

175 cm
21
167 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

179 cm
24
162 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very strong

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Zak Maxwell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kolbe Bryant!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, John Roberts and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maxwell displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Bryant.
Maxwell defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Bryant.
Maxwell scores with a jab.
Bryant moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Bryant misses with a low kick.
Bryant keeps the fight on the outside.

Maxwell shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Bryant working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Maxwell.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Maxwell's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Maxwell is looking to work some ground and pound but Bryant has wrist control.
Maxwell thows a big elbow that misses.
Bryant avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Bryant is adopting a defensive guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bryant tries to land a sweep but no joy.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Bryant can do anything to dispel that myth.
Maxwell tries to free his leg and advance position but Bryant is retaining full guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Bryant changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Maxwell looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maxwell is not content to let Bryant control the position.
Bryant really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Maxwell. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Maxwell can't do much from the bottom here.
Maxwell regains half guard.

Bryant is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Maxwell has managed to free his arm - good work.
Maxwell is staying active underneath Bryant, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Bryant prevents Maxwell from improving his position.
Maxwell trying to hold on to Bryant's head to control him but Bryant postures up.
Maxwell is pressing down on Bryant's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Maxwell 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.
Bryant loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Maxwell has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Bryant has passed into side control.
Bryant scores with punches from side control.
Maxwell gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Maxwell is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Bryant's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Bryant's back!
Bryant tries to break free.
Maxwell lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
Maxwell looking to soften up his opponent with punches.
Maxwell is hanging on to Bryant's back as he tries to escape.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Maxwell scores with strikes from the back.
Maxwell gets his hands free as Bryant looks to control.
Maxwell lands a couple of good shots to his opponent's body and a final shot to the head. Good little attack there by Maxwell.
Bryant tries to roll but Maxwell sticks to his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maxwell not allowing Bryant to control his hands.
Bryant looks gassed!
Maxwell loading up with punches from the back mount - how long can Bryant hold on?
Bryant wants to control his opponent's hands but Maxwell gets his hands free.
Maxwell lands a shot to the body.
Maxwell scores with punches and elbows.
Bryant can't escape the position.
Bryant is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Maxwell lands punches and elbows.
Bryant looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Maxwell gets his hooks in and is throwing strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bryant rolls, trying to escape but Maxwell keeps control of the position.
Maxwell scores with strikes from the back.
Maxwell is throwing punches to the body, looking to soften Bryant up.
Bryant is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Maxwell off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.
Maxwell gets his hooks in and is throwing strikes.
Bryant looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Bryant tries to roll but Maxwell sticks to his back.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Maxwell connects with a big shot to the side of Bryant's head.
Maxwell throwing damaging strikes from the back! Bryant could be in trouble here!
Bryant wants to escape the position.

Bryant is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Maxwell gets his way!
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Bryant wants to control his opponent's hands but Maxwell gets his hands free.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Bryant misses with a takedown attempt

and Maxwell counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Bryant utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Maxwell postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Bryant is trying to keep Maxwell in close.
Maxwell trying to control but Bryant is working from the bottom.
Maxwell wants to pass the guard but Bryant is keeping the position.
Bryant has control of Maxwell's left arm, preventing Maxwell from doing any damage.
Bryant looking to control.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Jab from Maxwell.
Kolbe Bryant seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bryant tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Maxwell connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bryant throws a jab when Maxwell was well out of range.
Maxwell moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Bryant with a lazy takedown attempt

and Maxwell counters with a takedown into side control.
Bryant is breathing heavily.
Bryant is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Bryant has hold of Maxwell's hands but Maxwell slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Bryant tries to get to full guard but Maxwell has control of the leg.
Maxwell works his way into side control.
Zak Maxwell overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Bryant avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Maxwell.
Maxwell lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Bryant down.
Bryant is looking to regain half guard here but Maxwell keeps moving and retains side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maxwell tries to advance to mount but Bryant denies him.
Bryant tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Maxwell lands a nice forearm strike.
Bryant is looking for a sweep.
Bryant avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Maxwell.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Bryant misses with an uppercut. Maxwell saw that one coming.
Bryant shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Maxwell counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Zak Maxwell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kolbe Bryant.
Bryant tries for a takedown but Maxwell circles away easily
letting Maxwell counter with a right hand.

Maxwell throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Bryant was covering up waiting for the punch and Maxwell finishes the takedown easily into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maxwell passes Bryant's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Maxwell prevents Bryant from improving his position.
Maxwell scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Bryant taking some punishment here, with Maxwell in his half guard.
Maxwell winds up and cracks Bryant with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Maxwell not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Bryant is trying is best to control the position here.
Bryant is pressing down on Maxwell's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Bryant looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Bryant preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Bryant is looking to sweep but instead, Maxwell has passed into half guard.
Bryant wants to improve his position but Maxwell is controlling well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maxwell scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Bryant taking some punishment here, with Maxwell in his half guard.
Bryant tries to get to full guard but Maxwell has control of the leg.
Bryant taking some punishment here, with Maxwell in his half guard.
Maxwell tries to pass to full mount but Bryant defends it.
Bryant manages to get to full guard.
Maxwell throwing strikes from guard but Bryant blocks nicely.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Maxwell is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Bryant looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zak Maxwell dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Maxwell lands a glancing blow to the side of Bryant's head.
Bryant misses with a combination
and Maxwell counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Maxwell changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Bryant tries to avoid it but Maxwell manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Bryant to the ground. Bryant escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Bryant defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Maxwell.
Bryant misses with a wild body shot.
Good shot there by Maxwell.
Bryant doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Maxwell counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Bryant misses with a takedown attempt

and Maxwell counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bryant is pressing down on Maxwell's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Maxwell drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Maxwell jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Maxwell loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Bryant preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bryant keeping moving, preventing Maxwell from controlling successfully.
Maxwell is looking to work some ground and pound but Bryant has wrist control.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Maxwell's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Bryant is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Bryant manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Bryant cracks Maxwell with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
The referee warns Maxwell that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Maxwell tries to reverse the position but Bryant maintains control.
Bryant pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Bryant lands a heavy elbow.
Bryant trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Bryant with a couple of short strikes.
Kolbe Bryant has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Maxwell is desperately trying to improve his position but Bryant has a good base and remains in mount.
Maxwell slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Bryant slips a nice elbow through Maxwell's hands, connecting with Maxwell's forehead.
Bryant lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Bryant missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Bryant scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Maxwell is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Bryant's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Bryant's back!
Maxwell scores with a nice shot to the head of his opponent. Bryant is looking for a way out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bryant defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Maxwell's arms.
Maxwell avoiding Bryant 's attempts to control his hands.
Will Maxwell go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
Maxwell thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.
Bryant manages to reverse the position and now he's in Maxwell's guard. Nice work there by Bryant.
Maxwell is controlling Bryant's posture.
Bryant postures up and lands a big shot to Maxwell's brow.
Bryant trying to control but Maxwell is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Maxwell working for a triangle but Bryant defends it easily.
Bryant trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Bryant accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Bryant pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Maxwell is keeping the position for now.
Zak Maxwell is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Bryant makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Maxwell manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Bryant manages to get himself to full guard.

Maxwell avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Maxwell with a nice head shot there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zak Maxwell showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Maxwell 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 Dean Styles scores the fight 30:27
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 30:27
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zak Maxwell!