PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between John Esposito (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Miko Maia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Esposito comes to the cage accompanied by Sukh Knight. Maia comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Hells Bells kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Esposito
vs
Maia

195 cm
38
285 lbs
27 - 18 - 0

196 cm
34
267 lbs
30 - 21 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

GREEN!160

//buriedALIVE// Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 27 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, John Esposito!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 30 - 21 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Miko Maia!
The judges for this bout are , Don Winkell and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maia ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Esposito moves away.
Esposito throws a jab but it's blocked by Maia.
Maia has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Esposito is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Esposito throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Maia counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Esposito bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Maia's head backwards.
An inside leg kick lands from Maia.
Maia uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Esposito.
Esposito pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Maia scores with a jab to the jaw.
Maia takes a swing at Esposito's ribcage but misses.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Esposito, as that shot connected.
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!
Esposito misses with a right hand
and Maia counters with a straight right hand.
Maia digs a good body shot into Esposito's ribs.
Esposito misses the jab.
Maia sizes up Esposito with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Esposito scores with a jab to the head.
Maia fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Maia misses with a looping left.
A looping hook to the body misses from Esposito. Maia does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice inside leg kick there by Esposito. That's going to slow Maia down.
Maia throws a leg kick but Esposito sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Maia defending well as Esposito loads up on a big left hand.
Miko Maia seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Esposito tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Maia was well out of range. Poor timing from Esposito.
Maia lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Maia digs a good hook to Esposito's body.
Esposito throws a nice inside leg kick.
Maia fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Esposito checks it well.
John Esposito is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Maia jabs Esposito to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Maia tries a low kick but Esposito avoids it.
Maia throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Maia throws a looping overhand right but Esposito ducks down to avoid it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Maia ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Esposito moves away.
Maia swings for the body but Esposito moves out of range.
Maia is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Esposito rather than just go for the knockout.
Esposito lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Maia at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maia finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Maia throws a lazy right hand but Esposito sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Maia throws a good cross that connects.
Maia staying out of range there.
The fighters circling - Esposito throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Esposito with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Maia to score with a decent uppercut.
Maia throws a sloppy head kick and Esposito moves out of range easily.

Maia scores with a takedown into Esposito's guard.
Maia wants to pass the guard but Esposito is keeping the position.
Esposito is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Esposito is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Maia throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Esposito works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esposito wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Maia manages to pass to side control.
Maia seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Esposito is looking to improve his position.
Maia thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Maia is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Esposito is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at The Barracks - LOD, so we'll see if he gets out of it.
Maia looking to land elbow strikes but Esposito uses the position to regain half guard.
Esposito is looking to control Maia's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Esposito avoid being mounted?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Esposito 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.
Maia not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Esposito gets full guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Maia is stalling in the full guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Esposito is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Maia stopping the sweep attempt from Esposito.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Miko Maia will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Esposito swings for the body but Maia moves out of range.
Miko Maia seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Maia looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Esposito is fending him off so far but Maia persists. Nope, Esposito circles away and we're back to standing.
Maia swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Maia changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Maia throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Maia misses with a straight right.
A lazy left from Maia finds it's target.
Maia throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Esposito stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Maia takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Esposito swings and misses with a shot to the body
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Esposito lands a nice looking body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Esposito misses with a double jab.
Esposito lands a slapping body shot.
Esposito darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
A slow jab from Maia misses its intended target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maia lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Esposito avoids a punch combination nicely.
Maia throws a leg kick that misses.
Maia connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Maia fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Esposito manages to avoid it.
Maia tries to land a leg kick but Esposito saw it coming and moves away.
Esposito misses with a body kick.
Maia connects with a body shot that sends Esposito's belly button to the back.
Esposito misses with a looping right.

Maia changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Esposito looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Maia creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Esposito sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Esposito gets back to half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Maia thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esposito on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Esposito has a hand on Maia's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Maia takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Esposito regains half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Maia thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Maia misses with a head shot. Esposito uses the momentum to regain guard.
Esposito preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Maia with a flurry of punches that miss.
Maia with a flurry of punches that miss.
Esposito 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esposito can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Maia controls the pace.
Esposito wants to control the position but Maia says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Maia passes to full mount!
Esposito is wriggling around trying to escape.
Maia is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Maia cracks Esposito with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Maia dominating with strikes here.

It looks like John Esposito has been cut.
Maia with shots to the head and body - Esposito looks very uncomfortable down there.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Maia looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maia landing punches.
Miko Maia has got the better of the ground game so far.
Maia lands a big elbow.
Maia putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Maia working Esposito over with strikes here.

Esposito is rocked!
Maia is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Esposito can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Oh Esposito is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!

Maia jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Esposito manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Esposito seems to have got his legs back now.
Maia is chipping away with strikes.
Maia scoring with punches and elbows.
Maia has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Esposito manages to get back to half guard.

Esposito pushes Maia off and gets back to his feet.
Esposito tries to bum rush Maia with a series of wild strikes but Maia uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Miko Maia showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on John Esposito's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Maia dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Maia swings for the body but Esposito moves out of range.
Maia throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Esposito.
Esposito sizes up Maia with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
No luck for Maia with that takedown attempt.
Esposito swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Esposito missing with a left hand there. Maia was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Maia cracks a nice hook into Esposito's ribs.
Esposito with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Maia throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Esposito's waist but Esposito gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Maia off to one side.
Esposito throws out a loose jab but Maia uses good head movement to avoid it.
Maia ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Esposito moves away.
Esposito scores with a jab to the jaw.
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!
Esposito throws a jab but it's blocked by Maia.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Esposito throws a lazy uppercut
and Maia counters with a lovely straight right hand!

John Esposito's cut is getting worse.
Maia is looking to slow Esposito down with leg kicks.
Maia changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Esposito throws a poor cross that misses
and Maia counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Esposito ducks under a wild hook from Maia.
Esposito paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Esposito throws a push kick but Maia slaps the foot to one side.
Esposito displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Maia.
John Esposito has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Miko Maia.
A chopping leg kick lands by Maia.
No joy there for Esposito, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Maia chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Maia stuns Esposito with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Maia lands a nice shot to the body.
John Esposito has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maia tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Esposito was well out of range. Poor timing from Maia.
Maia misses with a low kick.
Maia scores with a nice strike.
Maia throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Maia fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Esposito manages to avoid it.
A big left from Esposito misses.
Maia scoring well with a low kick there.
Maia keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Esposito.
Maia has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Esposito throws a body punch but Maia moves out of range.
Maia fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Esposito thows a body shot but no joy.
That kick from Maia tenderised Esposito's leg. Esposito is trying to keep his angry face on.
Maia's corner calls for a 1-2. Maia obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Maia lands a right hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esposito misses with a double jab
and Maia counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Maia digs a good body shot into Esposito's ribs.
Esposito walks into a jab.
Maia's jab looks to have found its range, popping Esposito under the eye.
Maia jabs Esposito to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Maia bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Esposito swings widly with a right hand
and Maia counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Esposito throws a jab when Maia was well out of range.
Esposito throws a shot to the body.
Maia checks a low kick from Esposito.
Esposito walks into a left hand.
Esposito is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Esposito avoids the head kick by Maia.
Maia lands a nice looking body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maia fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Esposito avoids it really well and circles away.
Esposito takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Maia throws a solid leg kick but Esposito takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Maia.
Esposito takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Maia tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Maia shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Esposito has his hands clasped together around Maia's back. He's all about the action.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Maia is nestled in close to Esposito, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

And that's the end of the fight!
Miko Maia comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Maia has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Miko Maia!
An out of breath Miko Maia thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.