PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Demian Maia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Borba Antunes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Borba Antunes has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Demian Maia's chin.

Maia
vs
Antunes

183 cm
24
186 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
185 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Demian Maia!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Borba Antunes!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Matheus Silva and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Antunes throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Maia fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Antunes shoots in and gets a takedown into Maia's guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Maia pulls Antunes in close to his closed guard and prevents Antunes from doing any damage or advancing position.
Maia keeping moving, preventing Antunes from controlling successfully.

Maia uses the cage to get back to his feet.

Antunes looking to score a takedown here. Maia is defending well but Antunes drives through and ends up in Maia's guard.
Antunes looks gassed!
Maia is trying to keep Antunes in close.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Antunes gets to his feet. Maia looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Maia tries to score a power double leg takedown but Antunes sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Maia somewhat.
Antunes changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Maia tries to avoid it but Antunes manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Maia to the ground. Maia escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Maia.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Demian Maia. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Maia shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Antunes wants to control but Maia is having none of it.
Maia lands a nice shot to the head.
Maia tries to control but Antunes wriggling away.
Maia content just to control the position here.
Maia has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maia scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Antunes?
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!
Maia dominating with strikes here.
Maia looking to finish Antunes with some ground and pound. This is bad for Antunes!
Maia sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Maia trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Maia working the ground and pound effectively.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maia sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Antunes taking shots to the head.
Antunes taking shots to the head.
Maia trying to control but Antunes is having none of it.
Antunes is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Maia landing punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Maia has hold of Antunes's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Antunes manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Antunes is trying to escape the mount but Maia keeps good control and instead manages to take Antunes's back.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Maia's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
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!

Maia is working the back position looking for the choke. Oh, he's slid into an armbar! Beautiful transition and Antunes taps out! Fantastic Jiu Jitsu from Maia.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:54 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Demian Maia!
Demian Maia retains his middleweight title!