PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Muay Thai Spar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Demian Maia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Maia has chosen Vida Bandida as his entrance music. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Thai Spar
vs
Maia

200 cm
27
189 lbs
18 - 6 - 0

185 cm
27
200 lbs
10 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Granite chin

ADCC Champion
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

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 18 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Muay Thai Spar!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Demian Maia!
The judges for this bout are Paul Aken, Wagner Zegers and Radbod Blank.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Spar sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Maia throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Maia scores with a kick to the midsection.
Maia misses with an attempted mid kick.
Maia takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Spar stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Spar wants it to stay on the feet.
Spar looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Maia misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Maia throws a hook to the side of Spar's head but Spar sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Maia buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
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 takes a swing at Spar's ribcage but misses.
Spar avoids the head kick by Maia.
Maia comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

Maia moves into range and clinches up with Spar.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maia lands with a light punch inside.
A right handed body shot lands from Maia.
Maia blocks an elbow strike from Spar.
Maia stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Maia manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Maia lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Spar.
Maia blocks an elbow strike from Spar.
Maia avoids a wild elbow strike from Spar.
Spar blocks an uppercut.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Spar just misses with a elbow thrown towards Maia's brow.
Spar has had enough of the clinch but Maia keeps him there for the moment.
Come on Maia - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Maia is looking to take this one to the mat.
Spar lands an elbow just above Maia 's eye.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spar softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Maia is leaning against Spar and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Spar misses with an elbow over the top.

Maia breaks from the clinch.
Maia misses with the body kick
and Spar counters with a nice uppercut.
Maia lands with a kick to the temple. Spar shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

It looks like Muay Thai Spar has been cut.
Maia fails with the takedown
and Spar counters with a thumping low kick.
Muay Thai Spar has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Demian Maia.
An inside leg kick lands from Maia.
Maia throws a looping overhand right but Spar ducks down to avoid it.
Maia misses with a right hand
and Spar counters with a head kick. That will keep Maia thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Muay Thai Spar is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Spar throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Maia's head.
Maia connects with a good right hand that stumbles Spar. Spar circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Maia darts in and clinches Spar up against the cage.
Maia blocks the elbow strike.
Spar misses with an elbow strike.
Maia tries for a takedown. No joy.
Spar gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Maia.
Spar throws an elbow but it misses.
Spar is trying to force a seperation but Maia has the dominant position.
Maia blocks an elbow strike from Spar.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Spar.

Maia has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Spar is trying to keep an underhook but Maia manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Spar trying to hold on to Maia's head to control him but Maia postures up.
Spar is looking to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spar is looking to control Maia's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Spar avoid being mounted?
Maia is keen to just control but Spar is a slippery customer.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Maia throwing shots but Spar is blocking nicely.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Spar wants to control but Maia is keeping busy.

Spar looking for submissions off his back.
Maia not doing much here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Maia wants to control but Spar is keeping him busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Demian Maia dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Muay Thai Spar's cut.
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.

Spar throws a body kick that misses.
Spar moves out of range of the leg kick from Maia.
Maia lands a leg kick that knocks Spar off balance momentarily.
Maia shoots in for a takedown but Spar shows good takedown defense.
Spar on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Maia misses with a body kick.
Demian Maia is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Maia gets tackled into the cage by Spar. Spar maintains the clinch.
Spar tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Maia avoids it.

Spar pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Maia throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Maia throws the left hand but Spar avoids the punch easily.
Good work by Spar as he checks the leg kick.
Maia fails with the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spar works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Maia throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Spar counters with a low kick, right behind Maia 's knee.
Maia throws a nice outside leg kick.
Maia loads up on a big right hand but Spar slips the punch.

Maia gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Spar is pressed up against the cage. Maia has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Spar down to the mat. Spar avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Muay Thai Spar has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Demian Maia.
Spar tries a head kick but it misses.
Maia tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Spar fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Maia, pushing him back against the cage.
Maia lands a shoulder strike.
Spar creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spar misses with a knee strike.
Spar throws an elbow but it misses.
Maia on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Maia pushes Spar back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Spar creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
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 blocks an elbow strike from Spar.
Spar blocking some punches.
Maia tries to throw a body punch but Spar avoids it by throwing Maia back against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Spar.
Spar pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Maia lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Spar throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

Maia breaks the clinch.
Maia throws a head kick that Spar semi-blocks.

Spar gets tackled into the cage by Maia. Maia maintains the clinch.
Spar misses with an elbow over the top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maia tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Spar looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Maia misses with a punch on the inside.

Maia breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Maia moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Maia. Spar does a little dance to reset his feet.

Maia has Spar up against the cage in a clinch.
Spar tries a knee to the head but Maia blocks it.
Maia leaning his opponent against the cage.
Maia blocks the elbow strike.
A nice right hand lands inside from Maia.
Maia is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Spar is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spar lands an elbow inside that Maia shrugs off.

It looks like Demian Maia has been cut.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Maia.
Maia trying to control the position but instead, Spar has worked for underhooks and has pushed Maia into the cage.

Spar manages to break the clinch.
Maia closes this distance looking for a takedown but Spar circles away.
Spar pivots, looking for a leg kick but Maia is out of range and Spar settles back down.
Maia avoids a kick to the body.
Spar really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
That kick from Maia tenderised Spar's leg. Spar is trying to keep his angry face on.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Maia avoids the head kick by Spar.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Maia checks a leg kick.
Maia shoots and misses
and Spar counters with a leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Demian Maia showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Spar will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Spar tries to clinch up.
Spar walks into a jab.
Spar misses with a kick to the body.
Demian Maia seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Spar tries to keep at a distance but Maia has taken the fight into the clinch.

Spar breaks the clinch.
Spar steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Maia. That one must have hurt.
Maia scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Spar displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Maia.
A punch combination from Maia misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maia dips to his left and cracks Spar with an uppercut!
Maia lands a leg kick that knocks Spar off balance momentarily.
Nice body punch from Maia.
Maia tries a low kick but Spar avoids it.
Maia fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Spar has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Spar throws a low kick but Maia avoids it.
Spar displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Maia.
Maia waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Spar.
Maia fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Spar checks it well.
Maia tries for a takedown but Spar sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Muay Thai Spar has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Demian Maia.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spar walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

Maia gets the takedown into side control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Maia scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Spar to see if he's OK.
Maia trying to control the position but Spar is working away.
Spar is looking to regain half guard here but Maia keeps moving and retains side control.
Spar is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Spar manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Maia actively working from the bottom here.
Maia trying to hold on to Spar's head to control him but Spar postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spar sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Maia is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Spar passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Maia!
Spar can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Maia is looking to escape.
Maia tries to lock up and control but Spar gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maia is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Spar will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Spar looking to control but Maia is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Spar is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Maia is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Spar lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Maia hang on?
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Maia is in all sorts of trouble here.
Demian Maia has got the better of the ground game so far.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Maia wants to control but Spar is having none of it.
Spar can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Maia is looking to escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Demian Maia really dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Spar moves out of range of the body kick from Maia.

Maia has Spar up against the cage in a clinch.
Spar scores with a nice hook to the head.
Maia lands with a left to the head.

Maia escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Maia gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Maia tries to throw a body punch but Spar avoids it by throwing Maia back against the cage.
Maia swings wildly with an uppercut but Spar uses good head movement to avoid it.
Maia working aggressively here.
Spar misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Maia.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maia lands a hook to the side of the head.
Maia tries a body shot but Spar blocks it.
Spar scores with a shoulder strike.
Spar misses with some punches.
Spar misses with the head strike.
Spar is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Maia dodges an elbow strike from Spar.
Maia is trying to break the clinch but Spar has him pressed against the cage.

Maia drags the fight down to the ground.
Spar is stalling in the full guard.
Maia keeping moving, preventing Spar from controlling successfully.
Maia is trying to keep Spar in close.
Maia keeping full guard, as Spar tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Maia keeping moving, preventing Spar from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Muay Thai Spar.
Maia pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Maia closes the distance and clinches up with Spar, looking for a takedown. Maia pushes Spar against the cage but Spar circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Maia throws a front kick that sends Spar stumbling back into the cage.
Spar defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Maia.
Maia changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Spar tries to avoid it but Maia manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Spar to the ground. Spar escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Muay Thai Spar has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Demian Maia.
Maia is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

Spar gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Maia.
Spar pushes Maia back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Spar pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maia tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Spar's elbow.
Maia is struggling to control the position.
Spar connects with a nasty looking knee right to Maia's face.
Spar working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Spar presses Maia against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Maia has a couple of punches blocked by Spar.
Demian Maia seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Maia's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Demian Maia seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Spar's corner calls for a 1-2. Spar obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Spar goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Maia is looking to land body kicks.
Spar throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
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 pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maia throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Spar.
A nice leg kick lands there from Maia.
A lazy body kick from Maia
and Spar counters with a nice low kick that buckles Maia's knee momentarily.
Maia rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Spar moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Maia moves into the clinch.
Maia is looking for a takedown.
Maia swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Maia ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Maia no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Spar avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Spar stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Maia swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Spar slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Muay Thai Spar will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Spar wants to clinch up but Maia keeps it at a distance.
Maia wants to land a leg kick but Spar is out of range.
Maia swings away with a leg kick that misses.
A jab lands there for Maia.
Spar misses with a double jab.
Decent striking displayed by Maia there.
Spar throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Maia on the side of the head.
Spar throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

Maia pushes Spar up against the cage in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Maia softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A shot in the inside from Maia.

Maia gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Spar regains guard.

Spar looking for a guillotine here but Maia defends easily.
Maia is pushing down on Spar's leg trying to pass to half guard. Spar is fighting to maintain full guard but Maia has managed to sneak the leg through.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Maia trying to mount his opponent but Spar defends it.
Maia wants to take a breather but Spar is having none of it.

Spar looking for submissions off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spar won't allow Maia to pass to mount.

Spar looking for submissions off his back.
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 slows the pace down in half guard.
Maia has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Maia dominating with strikes here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maia tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Spar is trying desperately to improve position.
Maia tries to control but Spar wriggling away.
Spar is looking to improve his position but Maia isn't that keen on the idea.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee warns Spar that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.

Muay Thai Spar's cut is getting worse.
Maia working the ground and pound effectively.

Spar is rocked!

Muay Thai Spar's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Muay Thai Spar's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:35 of round 5, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Demian Maia!
Demian Maia is the new middleweight champion!
A very excited looking Demian Maia made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.