PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Demian Maia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nathan Pierce (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Maia
vs
Pierce

183 cm
25
195 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

183 cm
26
196 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Knockout power

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 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Demian Maia!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nathan Pierce!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Frank Dennis and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Pierce gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Maia to score an easy takedown into full guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Pierce keeping full guard, as Maia tries to pass.
Maia pushing down on Pierce's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Maia is trying to work for a kimura but Pierce is defending well.

Pierce looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Maia is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Maia moves into full mount! Pierce won't be happy about that!

Maia working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Maia with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pierce has given up his back. Will we see Maia going for some submissions?
Pierce is in bad spot here.

Maia is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Pierce is defending well here and trying to improve his position.

Maia looking for the choke but no joy.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Maia is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Pierce wants to control his opponent's hands but Maia gets his hands free.
Pierce is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Maia off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.

Maia is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Pierce defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Maia is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Pierce is defending well though. Maia let's go of the attempt for now.
Maia is breathing heavily.

Maia is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Maia has the hooks in. Pierce is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

Maia is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Pierce tries to break free.

Maia is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Pierce knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Pierce for a finish.

Maia has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Pierce has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Pierce manages to reverse the position and now he's in Maia's guard. Nice work there by Pierce.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pierce wants to control from the top but Maia keeps moving.
Pierce preventing the sweep.
Pierce wants to pass the guard but Maia is keeping the position.

Maia looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Maia has his foot on Pierce's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Pierce works his way back into a safe position though.
Pierce tries to free his leg and advance position but Maia is retaining full guard.

Maia working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Pierce doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Pierce manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Pierce wants to control from the top but Maia keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maia keeping full guard, as Pierce tries to pass.
Pierce really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Maia. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Pierce 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.
Pierce trying to control but Maia is working from the bottom.

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

Pierce drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Pierce jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Pierce postures up in Maia's guard and throws a big left but Maia blocks it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Maia is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Maia throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Demian Maia dominated that round.
That's time! Maia's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Nice uppercut lands for Pierce. That snapped Maia's head back.

Maia shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Pierce's guard.

Pierce is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Maia defends well.
Maia sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Pierce's guard.
Maia moves into full mount! Pierce won't be happy about that!

Maia jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Pierce manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Maia advances nicely into full mount.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Pierce bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Maia looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Maia looking for a guillotine here but Pierce defends easily.

Pierce drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Pierce jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Maia has his foot on Pierce's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Pierce works his way back into a safe position though.

Pierce 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.
Demian Maia overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Pierce passes into half guard.
Pierce is keen to just control but Maia is a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Pierce lands a nice short elbow.
Pierce trying to control the action but Maia is working from the bottom.
Maia pushes Pierce off looking to stand but Pierce dives back in and keeps control.

Pierce is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Maia actively working from the bottom here.
Pierce prevents Maia from standing back up.
Maia tries to get to full guard but Pierce has control of the leg.

Pierce wants to work for an arm triangle but Maia is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Maia actively working from the bottom here.

Pierce is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Maia is just riding it out for now. Pierce eventually gives up the hold.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maia is looking to improve his position.
Maia tries to kick Pierce off but Pierce keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Maia looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Maia is looking for a sweep. Pierce is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Maia is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Pierce pulls his head out easily.
Maia is trying to get back to full guard.
Pierce prevents Maia from standing back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pierce is trying to control the action in half guard but Maia is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Maia wants to improve his position but Pierce is controlling well.

Pierce seems to be working for a kimura but Maia defends the submission attempt.
Maia is trying to stand.
Maia manages to get to full guard.

Maia looking for a guillotine here but Pierce defends easily.
Pierce wants to control from the top but Maia keeps moving.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Pierce is working Maia over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Demian Maia 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!

Maia feints and as Pierce raises his hands in defense, Maia changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Pierce trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Pierce looking to hit a scissor sweep but Maia is one step ahead there.
Maia slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Pierce is looking for a sweep.

Maia is in a dominant position here, looking for a kimura. Pierce looks calm but he's in trouble here. Maia gets his leg over his opponent's head and yanks on the arm. Pierce is tapping like a morse code operator on the titanic! SOS! SOS! Maia lets go of the hold and Pierce can pop his arm back in it's socket.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:49 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Demian Maia!