PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Demian Maia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jordan Statham (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Maia
vs
Statham

182 cm
28
185 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

196 cm
30
196 lbs
9 - 6 - 1

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
KO power

Good wrestler
Brawler
Good gas tank

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 6 - 3 - 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 9 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jordan Statham!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Thiago Cunha and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maia dives in and grabs Statham's left leg, looking for a takedown. Statham pushes down on Maia's head and hops out.
Statham shoots in for a takedown but Maia shows good takedown defense.
Statham misses with a takedown attempt

and Maia counters with a shoot takedown. Statham fights it but they end up in guard.
Maia prevents Statham from getting back to his feet.

Statham wriggles free and stands up.
Statham is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Maia.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Statham is trying hard to land a takedown here. Maia sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Demian Maia has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jordan Statham.
Maia with a poor takedown

and Statham counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Maia's guard now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Statham passes into half guard.
Statham missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Maia won't allow Statham to pass to mount.
Maia is pressing down on Statham's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Statham looking to pass the guard.
Statham lands a couple of digs.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Maia is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Statham trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Maia controls Statham momentarily but Statham frees himself.
Maia might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Statham forces his way into half guard.
Statham lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Ground and pound from Statham.
Maia tries to get to full guard but Statham has control of the leg.
Statham looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Statham landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Statham scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Maia looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Maia is breathing heavily.

Maia actively working from the bottom here.
Statham tries to pass the half guard into mount. Maia knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Statham is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Maia!
Statham scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Maia?
The referee warns Maia that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Maia is bucking up trying to escape but Statham cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Statham working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Maia can't escape the position.
Statham has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Maia's face.
Statham lands a big shot there that rocks Maia but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Statham lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
A big strike lands for Statham! That's really hurt Maia and he's turned his back - Statham keeps firing away and the ref dives in to stop the fight! Statham jumps to his feet to celebrate the victory!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Jordan Statham!
A very excited looking Jordan Statham 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.