PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jurmas Uusisto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mitsuyo Maeda (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Uusisto comes to the cage accompanied by System Of A Down - B.Y.O.B.. Mitsuyo Maeda is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Uusisto
vs
Maeda

177 cm
31
178 lbs
32 - 11 - 1

177 cm
34
178 lbs
18 - 8 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 32 - 11 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Jurmas Uusisto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Mitsuyo Maeda!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Phil Schofield and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Uusisto is looking to land body kicks.
Maeda scores with a crisp jab that stopped Uusisto in his tracks.
Maeda throws a leg kick which misses Uusisto's front leg but catches the back leg as Uusisto tries to avoid it.
Maeda misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Uusisto throws a head kick that misses

and Maeda counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Maeda.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Maeda sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Uusisto's guard.
Maeda throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Uusisto is refusing to be controlled, as Maeda sits in half guard.
Uusisto wants to control but Maeda is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Uusisto's coaches at Athletic Advantage have been working on his defensive grappling in preparation for this fight so let's see if he can get out of this tricky position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Maeda is looking to take a break and control but Uusisto is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Uusisto avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Maeda.
Maeda uses his free foot to push down on Uusisto's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Uusisto.
Maeda prevents Uusisto from getting the reversal.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maeda punching from mount but Uusisto doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Uusisto wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Maeda.
Uusisto keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Maeda looking to finish Uusisto with some ground and pound. This is bad for Uusisto!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Maeda is working for a guillotine from mount but Uusisto frees his head quite easily.
Maeda lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Maeda landing strikes from the mount and Uusisto is in trouble!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maeda scores with a couple of good head shots there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Uusisto is in all sorts of trouble here.
Maeda landing shots from mount.
Maeda throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Maeda dominating with strikes here.
Uusisto tries to reverse the position but Maeda maintains control.
Maeda working the ground and pound effectively.
BOOM! Maeda connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Uusisto keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maeda fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Uusisto holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Maeda tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Maeda connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Maeda is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Uusisto blocking the ground and pound.
Maeda lands a big shot there that rocks Uusisto but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Uusisto is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Uusisto avoids a series of strikes thrown by Maeda.
Maeda scores with a couple of good head shots there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maeda looking to control but Uusisto is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Uusisto tries to hold on but Maeda postures up.
Maeda landing strikes from the mount and Uusisto is in trouble!
Uusisto taking shots to the head.
Maeda postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Uusisto looks a forlorn figure.
Maeda lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.

Uusisto is rocked!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Maeda can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Uusisto is looking to escape.
Oh Uusisto is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Maeda in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mitsuyo Maeda dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Maeda's jab looks to have found its range, popping Uusisto under the eye.
Uusisto seems to have got his legs back now.
Uusisto scores with a jab. Maeda acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Maeda looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Maeda lands a glancing blow to the side of Uusisto's head.
Uusisto lands a head kick!
Maeda has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Mitsuyo Maeda seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Uusisto throws a right and a left that both miss.
Uusisto moves out of range of the leg kick from Maeda.
Maeda scores with a jab to the head.
Maeda works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Uusisto scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Maeda throws a sloppy head kick and Uusisto moves out of range easily.
Maeda has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Maeda there as he acknowledges the shot.
Maeda throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Maeda shoots in for a double leg but Uusisto sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Uusisto checks a low kick from Maeda.
Uusisto lands a nice looking kick to the body. Maeda takes a step back to recover.
Uusisto moves to clinch but Maeda breaks away

and Maeda decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Uusisto's guard.
Maeda looking to pass the guard.
Maeda wants to control from the top but Uusisto keeps moving.
Maeda postures up and lands a big shot to Uusisto's brow.
Uusisto looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Uusisto is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Maeda looking to sit in guard and control but Uusisto gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Uusisto wants to control from the top but Maeda keeps moving.
Maeda has his hands on Uusisto's head, controlling the position.
Uusisto is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Uusisto working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Maeda keeping moving, preventing Uusisto from controlling successfully.
Maeda 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.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Maeda controls Uusisto momentarily but Uusisto frees himself.
Maeda 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.
Maeda trying to keep a closed guard but Uusisto is proving a slippery customer.
Uusisto trying to control the position from guard on top but Maeda is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mitsuyo Maeda has got the better of the ground game so far.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Jurmas Uusisto.

Maeda throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Uusisto tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Maeda is in Uusisto's guard.
Maeda looking to pass the guard.
Maeda has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Uusisto working for a triangle but Maeda defends it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Uusisto is trying to control the position but Maeda postures up.
Maeda lands a couple of elbows.
Uusisto is pulling down on Maeda's head. It's preventing any offense from Maeda, at least for the moment.
Uusisto wants to sweep here but Maeda controlling him for the moment.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Maeda keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Uusisto's head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Maeda throws an elbow that misses. Uusisto uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Maeda's guard. Nice move by Uusisto!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Mitsuyo Maeda will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Uusisto sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
A nice leg kick lands there from Maeda.
Uusisto lands a nice looking body shot.
A slapping leg kick lands for Maeda.
Maeda dives in for a single leg takedown but Uusisto sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Uusisto wants to stall.
A nice right hand lands inside from Uusisto.
Uusisto lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Maeda.
Maeda wants to take the fight to the mat but Uusisto manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Maeda gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Uusisto regains guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Uusisto trying to keep a closed guard but Maeda is proving a slippery customer.
Maeda loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Uusisto is pulling down on Maeda's head. It's preventing any offense from Maeda, at least for the moment.
Maeda lands a couple of elbows.
Maeda postures up in Uusisto's guard and throws a big left but Uusisto blocks it.

Uusisto throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Maeda works over Uusisto with some ground and pound from guard.
Uusisto is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Maeda accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Maeda advances position into side control!
Uusisto manages to get back to half guard.
Uusisto is looking for a sweep. Maeda is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Uusisto is not content to let Maeda control the position.
Uusisto has hold of Maeda's hands but Maeda slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Maeda works his foot free and advances to mount.
Uusisto manages to regain half guard. Good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maeda prevents Uusisto from improving his position.
Maeda is looking to stall here but Uusisto recovers full guard.
Uusisto 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.
Maeda landing some decent shots from guard.
Maeda trying to control the position from guard on top but Uusisto is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Uusisto not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Maeda won't allow Uusisto to sweep him here.
Uusisto keeping moving, preventing Maeda from controlling successfully.
Maeda trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Mitsuyo Maeda.

Maeda looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Uusisto!
Maeda trying to control the position but Uusisto is working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mitsuyo Maeda really dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Maeda fails to land with a series of punches.
Uusisto closes the distance and lands a one-two.
An inside leg kick from Uusisto misses.
Maeda throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Uusisto misses with a wild combination.
Maeda misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
A good leg kick by Maeda.
Uusisto scores with a decent looking hook.
Maeda wants to slow Uusisto down by chopping away at his legs.
Maeda throws a nice outside leg kick.
Uusisto scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Uusisto tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Maeda fails with a takedown attempt.
Maeda does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Jurmas Uusisto is winning the standup battle so far.
Uusisto lands a nice looking kick to the body. Maeda takes a step back to recover.
Maeda throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A jab from Uusisto does it's job there.
Maeda shoots in looking for a takedown. Uusisto tries to sprawl out of it but Maeda keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Uusisto manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Jurmas Uusisto has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mitsuyo Maeda.
Uusisto defending well as Maeda loads up on a big left hand.
Uusisto pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maeda tries to land a body kick
letting Uusisto counter with a right hand.
Maeda throws the kick towards the body but Uusisto avoids it.
Maeda tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Uusisto was well out of range. Poor timing from Maeda.
Maeda throws a jab but it's blocked by Uusisto.
Uusisto blocks a leg kick.
Maeda throws a leg kick but Uusisto sees it coming and moves out of range.
A slow jab from Maeda misses its intended target.
Uusisto throws a jab when Maeda was well out of range.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Maeda tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Maeda throws a right hand that misses
and Uusisto counters with an outside leg kick.
Maeda lands a leg kick that knocks Uusisto off balance momentarily.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Uusisto, right into the meat.
Uusisto throws a head kick that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Uusisto tries to clinch there but Maeda circles away.
Maeda looks to land a left hand but Uusisto moved out of range nicely.
Uusisto misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Maeda.
Uusisto tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Maeda paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Uusisto cracks Maeda with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Maeda swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Uusisto counters with a stiff right hand.
Uusisto takes a swing at Maeda's ribcage but misses.
Uusisto dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Uusisto lands with a shot to the body.
Uusisto walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Maeda checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Uusisto lands an overhand right.
Maeda throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maeda connects with a jab.

Maeda clinches.
A short right from Uusisto on the inside.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Maeda tries a body shot but Uusisto blocks it.
Maeda throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Maeda blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Maeda blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Maeda misses with the head strike.

Uusisto breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Maeda shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Uusisto's guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Uusisto is trying to keep Maeda in close.
Maeda won't allow Uusisto to sweep him here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jurmas Uusisto had his way with Mitsuyo Maeda in that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Maeda misses with a head kick.
Uusisto tries to work over Maeda's front leg with a kick but Maeda checks it.
Maeda throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

Maeda has managed to clinch.
Uusisto looking to slow down the pace here.
Uusisto working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Maeda as Uusisto tries to tie him up.
Maeda lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Uusisto doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Maeda misses with a body punch.
Maeda has Uusisto pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Uusisto manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Uusisto breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maeda shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Uusisto defends it nicely.
Uusisto throws a body punch but Maeda moves out of range.
Uusisto misses with a few strikes there.
Maeda misses with a hook. Uusisto ducked under it nicely.
Uusisto lands an overhand right.
A telegraphed right hand from Maeda misses the target.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Maeda.
Jurmas Uusisto has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mitsuyo Maeda.
Maeda looks for the body kick but Uusisto saw that one coming.

Uusisto moves into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Uusisto manages to break the clinch.
Maeda moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Uusisto displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Maeda throws out the jab.
Maeda misses with an uppercut. Uusisto saw that one coming.
Uusisto tries to clinch up.
A cross from Uusisto lands.
Uusisto swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Maeda counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Uusisto!
Jurmas Uusisto has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
This has been an exciting period of action!
The strikes coming from Maeda are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Uusisto is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Maeda's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Maeda throwing shots but Uusisto is blocking nicely.
Uusisto is looking to get back to full guard here but Maeda has managed to pass to side control instead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maeda working away.
Maeda working the ground and pound from side control.
Maeda is looking to take a break and control but Uusisto is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Uusisto gets back to half guard.
Maeda is trying to control the action in half guard but Uusisto is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Uusisto is pressing down on Maeda's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Uusisto looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

Uusisto escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Maeda gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Uusisto keeping moving, preventing Maeda from controlling successfully.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Maeda looking to sit in guard and control but Uusisto gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Mitsuyo Maeda.
I think Maeda has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 46:49
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 46:49
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mitsuyo Maeda!
During a confident post fight interview, Mitsuyo Maeda thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.