PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Cross Lavi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gray Maynard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Lavi
vs
Maynard

180 cm
22
170 lbs
3 - 7 - 0

180 cm
26
155 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

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 3 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Cross Lavi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Gray Maynard!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Shigeki Fujiwara and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lavi tries for a takedown but Maynard sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Gray Maynard seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
No luck for Lavi with that takedown attempt.

Maynard lands a jab followed by a vicious hook that sends Lavi sprawling to the canvas. Maynard follows him down, looking for the kill. Can Lavi hang on?

Lavi is rocked!

It looks like Cross Lavi has been cut.
Lavi tries to get to full guard but Maynard has control of the leg.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Maynard missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Maynard working the head and body with strikes.
Lavi blocking the ground and pound attempt from Maynard.
Lavi keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Lavi kicks off Maynard and gets to his feet.
Maynard lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Lavi circles away quickly and effectively.

Lavi closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Lavi lands in his opponent's guard.
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!
Maynard wants to stand and escape but Lavi is having none of it.
Lavi is standing up over Maynard. Maynard looks to escape but Lavi dives into side control.
Maynard is trying to buck Lavi off.
Lavi trying to control the position but Maynard is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maynard is trying to get back to his feet.
A lull in the action here as Lavi stalls from top position.
Maynard is trying to get back to his feet.

Lavi stands up and beckons Maynard to his feet.
Maynard tries to bum rush Lavi with a series of wild strikes but Lavi uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Maynard looks gassed!
Maynard tries to bum rush Lavi with a series of wild strikes but Lavi uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Lavi tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Maynard misses with a double jab.

Lavi shoots in and bounces Maynard off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Lavi throwing strikes but missing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lavi wants to control from the top but Maynard keeps moving.
Lavi prevents Maynard from getting back to his feet.
Lavi showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Maynard wants to stand up but Lavi is controlling him.

We're going to have a standup here because Cross Lavi wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Maynard throws a series of punches but Lavi avoids them all with ease.

Lavi shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Maynard napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Maynard wants to get back to his feet but Lavi drags him back down.
Lavi misses with the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maynard bucks up and tries to throw Lavi off but instead Lavi has got his back!
Lavi misses with an elbow to the head.
Lavi missing with strikes from the back.
Maynard avoids the strikes from Lavi.
Lavi 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.
Lavi has good solid back control here.
Maynard wants to get back to his feet.
Even with his hooks in, Lavi manages to miss with strikes from the back.
Lavi controlling from the back.
Maynard holding both Lavi 's hands and preventing any damage.

That's four 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.

Lavi looking to break Maynard's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Maynard remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Lavi will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Lavi is looking to control Maynard but Maynard is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Maynard trying to get back to his feet but Lavi is in full control for now.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Lavi controlling the positon.

Maynard showing good submission defense here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cross Lavi dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Cross Lavi's cut.
That's time! Lavi's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Maynard misses with the combination.
Maynard tries to bum rush Lavi with a series of wild strikes but Lavi uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Lavi looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Lavi throwing strikes but missing.
Lavi tries to free his leg and advance position but Maynard is retaining full guard.
Lavi sitting in guard here, content to control.
Maynard is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Lavi is controlling him.
Lavi showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cross Lavi has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Maynard keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Maynard is breathing heavily.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Lavi.

Lavi shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.

Lavi is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
Maynard throws a right hand that Lavi ducks under and follows up with a left that Lavi also avoids with ease.
The fight stays on the outside here - Lavi looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Nice sprawl there from Maynard as Lavi shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cross Lavi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Maynard throws a series of punches but Lavi moves out of range.

Lavi decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Maynard is trying to stand up here but Lavi is controlling him well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lavi is looking to take a break and control but Maynard is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lavi throwing shots but Maynard is blocking nicely.
Maynard avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Lavi.

Maynard manages to escape and get back to his feet!

Lavi shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Maynard manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lavi stays in close to Maynard's body and controls the position.
Maynard wants to get back to his feet but Lavi is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Lavi sitting in guard here, content to control.
Lavi throwing strikes from guard but Maynard blocks nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lavi won't allow Maynard to get back to his feet.
Lavi content to stall in guard here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Cross Lavi.

Lavi shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Maynard's guard.
Lavi controlling from the top position.
Maynard wants to stand but Lavi is controlling the position.
Lavi advances to half guard.
Lavi throwing shots but Maynard is blocking nicely.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

Lavi seems to be working for a kimura but Maynard defends the submission attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lavi wants to pass the guard but Maynard is defending well.
Maynard is looking to escape.
Maynard is refusing to be controlled, as Lavi sits in half guard.
Maynard looks like he's trying to stand up.
Lavi is controlling the pace.
Maynard is trying to stand up here but Lavi is controlling him well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cross Lavi dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Cross Lavi's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Lavi scores a takedown into full mount!
Maynard is trying to get back to his feet but can't.

Lavi working for a guillotine from mount but Maynard is in no mood to give up.
Lavi looking to ground and pound but Maynard is blocking nicely.
Lavi content just to control the position here.

Lavi working for a submission but Maynard is keeping him at bay.
Maynard is trying to stand up.

Lavi stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maynard misses with a series of wild punches.
Maynard takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Lavi dodges the punch combination from Maynard.
Maynard misses with a double jab.

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

Lavi stands up and beckons Maynard to join him on the feet.
Maynard misses with a double jab.

Lavi looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Lavi throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Maynard works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Lavi sitting in guard here, content to control.
Maynard keeping moving, preventing Lavi from controlling successfully.
Lavi throws a big right hand that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lavi stops Maynard from standing up.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Lavi throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Maynard works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Maynard wants to stand but Lavi is controlling the position.
Cross Lavi overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Lavi is pushing down on Maynard's leg trying to pass to half guard. Maynard is fighting to maintain full guard but Lavi has managed to sneak the leg through.
Lavi prevents Maynard from standing back up.
Well, if Lavi is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Maynard is trying to stand back up but Lavi is controlling him

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lavi seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Lavi throwing shots but Maynard is blocking nicely.

Lavi seems to be working for a kimura but Maynard defends the submission attempt.
Lavi prevents Maynard from standing back up.

Lavi is looking for a kimura here.
Maynard wants to get back to his feet.

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.
Lavi looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Lavi throwing shots but Maynard is blocking nicely.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Lavi in particular looking to stall.

Lavi is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Maynard sees it coming and defends easily.
Maynard is looking to escape.
Lavi thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Lavi wants to lay and pray for a moment but Maynard keeps working.
Lavi content to control rather than advance.
Gray Maynard has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Cross Lavi is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Cross Lavi wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Maynard misses with the combination.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cross Lavi showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Lavi, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 30:27
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 30:26
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cross Lavi!