PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Demian Maia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and George Arona (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Maia
vs
Arona

183 cm
22
185 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

188 cm
22
184 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Very quick

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Prefers standup

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Demian Maia!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, George Arona!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Thiago Cunha and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maia shoots in looking for a takedown. Arona tries to sprawl out of it but Maia keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Arona manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Arona tries to clinch but Maia is having none of it.
Maia tries for a takedown but Arona sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Maia swats away the attempt to clinch by Arona.
Arona tries to clinch up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maia misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Demian Maia. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Arona wants to clinch up but Maia keeps it at a distance.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Arona gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

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

Maia looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Maia has an active guard here but Arona has managed to pass into half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Maia manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Arona got a little sloppy there for a moment and Maia has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Arona has managed to get both his arms back between Maia's legs - danger averted.

Maia pushes a forearm under Arona's chin to create some space. He's escaped his hips and pivoted quickly for an armbar! Can he extend the arm? Yes, Arona is tapping out! Damn, that was fast!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:31 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Demian Maia!