PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Marcus Maximus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alex Pato (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Alex Pato told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Maximus
vs
Pato

180 cm
22
200 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

189 cm
22
211 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Pill Popper's Palace

Attliction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight 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, Marcus Maximus!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Alex Pato!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Alexandre Firmino and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Maximus bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Pato regains half guard, as Maximus was trying to land strikes.
Pato is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Maximus's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Maximus's back!
Maximus breaks Pato's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Pato is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Maximus is looking to improve his position.
Maximus is looking to control Pato's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Maximus avoid being mounted?
Pato wants to stand up but Maximus manages to regain full guard.
Maximus throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Pato stays in close to Maximus's body and controls the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pato stopping the sweep attempt from Maximus.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Pato moves into the clinch successfully.
Pato is pressed up against the cage. Maximus has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Pato down to the mat. Pato avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Nice sprawl there from Pato as Maximus shoots in.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Maximus.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marcus Maximus. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pato stuffs the takedown.

Maximus closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Maximus is breathing heavily.
Maximus wants to free his trapped foot but Pato is holding on for dear life with his legs.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pato wants to get back to his feet.
Pato wants to control but Maximus is keeping busy.
Pato connecting with a few gentle strikes.
Maximus not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Pato controlling the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Let's hope that Pato has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Maximus is looking to advance position but Pato won't allow it.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Maximus misses with a takedown attempt - Pato sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Pato swinging wilding here.
Maximus shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Pato but Pato pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Maximus tries to keep at a distance but Pato has taken the fight into the clinch.

Pato escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Maximus fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Maximus changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Pato tries to avoid it but Maximus manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Pato to the ground. Pato escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Pato pushes Maximus up against the cage in a clinch.
Maximus has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Pato is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Pato stops a takedown attempt from Maximus.
Maximus tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Pato smiles and moves away.

Pato rushes Maximus and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maximus goes for a takedown in the clinch but Pato prevents it.
Maximus changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Pato fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Maximus shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Pato pinned against the cage. Pato gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Pato will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Pato gets a clinch.
Maximus has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Pato is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Pato manages to break the clinch.
Pato stuffs the takedown attempt from Maximus. Maximus gets slowly back to his feet.
Maximus on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Alex Pato is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Pato gets caught flat footed, as Maximus shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Maximus trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Pato manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Pato stands up and waves to Maximus to follow him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maximus misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Pato has closed the distance and engaged Maximus in a clinch.

Pato manages to break the clinch.
Maximus closes the distance and clinches up with Pato, looking for a takedown. Maximus pushes Pato against the cage but Pato circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Maximus shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Pato as he avoids it easily.
Maximus fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Pato lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Pato has taken the fight to the clinch.
Pato is pressed up against the cage. Maximus has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Pato down to the mat. Pato avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Pato clinches up with Maximus and pushes him back against the cage.

Maximus has clasped his hands together around Pato's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Maximus scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Pato to see if he's OK.
Maximus grinds an elbow into Pato's temple.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Maximus lands a nice forearm strike.
Pato is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Pato is not content to let Maximus control the position.
You can see the frustration on Pato's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Pato dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Maximus shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Pato as he avoids it easily.

Maximus tries to keep at a distance but Pato has taken the fight into the clinch.

Pato manages to pull guard.
Pato trying to keep a closed guard but Maximus is proving a slippery customer.
Maximus looking to pass the guard.
Maximus is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Pato keeping full guard, as Maximus tries to pass.
Maximus trying to control the position from guard on top but Pato is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Pato has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Maximus can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

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

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pato is in a horrible position here. Maximus smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Pato is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Maximus looking to finish Pato with some ground and pound. This is bad for Pato!
Maximus breaks from Pato's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Marcus Maximus overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Maximus trying to control but Pato is having none of it.
Maximus looking to finish Pato with some ground and pound. This is bad for Pato!
Maximus is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Pato can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Maximus cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Maximus punishing his opponent with strikes.
Pato is in all sorts of trouble here.
The referee warns Pato that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
The referee warns Pato that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Pato slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

Maximus is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pato misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Pato trying to control here.
Maximus lands strikes from half guard.
Pato blocking the ground and pound attempt from Maximus.

Pato looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Pato has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Maximus is working away from the top position though.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Maximus misses with a takedown attempt - Pato sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Pato stuffs the takedown attempt from Maximus. Maximus gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marcus Maximus. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pato will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Maximus shoots for a double leg takedown but Pato sprawls well. He's pushed Maximus's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Maximus throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Pato's waist but Pato gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Maximus off to one side.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Pato as Maximus shoots in.

Maximus scores a takedown into full mount!
Maximus pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Maximus breaks from Pato's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Maximus prevents Pato from getting the reversal.
Pato is squirming around, avoiding Maximus's attempts to control the action.
Maximus lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
A nice elbow there by Maximus.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Pato can do anything to dispel that myth.
Maximus postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Pato looks a forlorn figure.
Maximus working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Maximus putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Pato tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Maximus with a couple of short strikes.
Maximus breaks from Pato's wrist control and lands an elbow.

Maximus goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Pato turns into him and now he's in Maximus's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pato preventing the sweep.
Maximus striking from his own guard.
Pato working some strikes from top position.
Maximus is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Maximus can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Pato controls the pace.
Pato with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Pato trying to control but Maximus is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Pato has Maximus up against the cage in a clinch.

Pato escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Maximus closes the distance and clinches up with Pato, looking for a takedown. Maximus pushes Pato against the cage but Pato circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marcus Maximus dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Pato smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

Maximus feints and as Pato raises his hands in defense, Maximus changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Maximus wants to control from the top but Pato keeps moving.
Maximus looking to sit in guard and control but Pato gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Maximus looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Pato trying to control but Maximus is working from the bottom.
Pato tries to stand but Maximus is controlling from the bottom.
Maximus keeping moving, preventing Pato from controlling successfully.
Maximus wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Pato is now in half guard.

Pato decides to return to a standing position.
Pato is looking to clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pato scores with a kick to the body.
Pato misses with a jab, cross combination.
Maximus looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Pato is fending him off so far but Maximus persists. Nope, Pato circles away and we're back to standing.

Pato drives through and clinches with Maximus against the cage.
Maximus has Pato pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Pato manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Maximus tries to score a body lock takedown but Pato shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marcus Maximus. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Pato jumps into guard, dragging Maximus to the mat.
Maximus lands a couple of elbows.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Maximus's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Maximus stands up over Pato, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Maximus stands up over Pato, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Maximus content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Maximus is working Pato over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Maximus is working Pato over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Maximus lands a couple of digs.
Maximus slips nicely into half guard.
Maximus landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Maximus trying to control from half guard but Pato is working away.
Maximus seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maximus is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Maximus wants to control but Pato is keeping him busy.
Pato regains full guard. Nicely done.
Pato wants to stand and escape but Maximus is having none of it.
Maximus working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Pato not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Pato is on top in guard.

Maximus throws his legs up looking for a submission but Pato uses it to pass to side control.
Pato controls the position from side control.
Maximus is looking for a sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pato controlling from side mount.
Pato throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

Pato thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Pato postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Pato working the ground and pound.
Maximus looking for a sweep but Pato has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Maximus sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Pato seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Maximus does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Pato landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Pato tries to pass to full mount but Maximus defends it.
Pato trying to control from half guard but Maximus is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maximus is trying to get back to full guard.
Pato slips a nice elbow through Maximus's hands, connecting with Maximus's forehead.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Pato connects with a nice short shot to Maximus's temple.
Pato wants to pass the guard but Maximus is defending well.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Pato clinches up with Maximus and pushes him back against the cage.

Pato pulls Maximus into guard.
Pato wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Pato lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Maximus!
Maximus is looking to improve his position but Pato isn't that keen on the idea.
Pato looking to control but Maximus is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Maximus manages to regain half guard. Good work.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Alex Pato.
I think Pato has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alex Pato!