PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Christian Maxim (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cristian Romero (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Maxim
vs
Romero

189 cm
32
185 lbs
12 - 7 - 1

179 cm
32
180 lbs
23 - 24 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Fast

//buriedALIVE// Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Christian Maxim!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 24 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Cristian Romero!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fray, Ryoma Takatsuka and Paul Gruel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maxim stuffs the takedown.
Maxim with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Romero takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Maxim throws a head kick that misses

and Romero counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Romero.
Romero trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Maxim manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Maxim has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Maxim postures up.
Maxim trying to stand up but can't free himself from Romero's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Romero is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Maxim stands up and waves to Romero to follow him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maxim lands with an uppercut that bounces Romero off the cage and back into range.
Maxim bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Romero's head backwards.
Maxim stuffs the takedown attempt from Romero. Romero gets slowly back to his feet.
Romero blocks a head kick by Maxim.
Maxim takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Maxim displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Romero.
Christian Maxim has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cristian Romero.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Romero is defended easily by Maxim.

Romero closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Romero lands in his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maxim looking to hit a scissor sweep but Romero is one step ahead there.
Romero is pushing down on Maxim's leg trying to pass to half guard. Maxim is fighting to maintain full guard but Romero has managed to sneak the leg through.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Romero working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Maxim wants to get back to full guard.
Maxim is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at Bushido Training Center, so we'll see if he gets out of it.
Romero is looking to advance position but Maxim won't allow it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Maxim trying to control but Romero postures up.
Maxim controlling the position for now.
Romero works his way into full mount!
Maxim takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Romero working for a guillotine from mount but Maxim is in no mood to give up.
Romero looking to control but Maxim is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Maxim is looking to get to half guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Maxim is working hard here to advance position.
Romero controlling his opponent.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Romero is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Maxim has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Maxim!
Maxim wants to stand but Romero is controlling his posture from full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Romero manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Romero can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Maxim is looking to escape.

Romero jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Maxim is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Maxim and Romero has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Romero working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Romero advances nicely into full mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cristian Romero dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Romero avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Horrible takedown by Romero or perhaps it was just good defense by Maxim which made him look bad.
Romero darts in looking for a takedown but Maxim gets double underhooks and turns Romero into the cage.
Maxim is trying to push Romero away but Romero has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Maxim looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Romero manages to break the clinch.
Romero fails with the takedown
and Maxim counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Christian Maxim has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cristian Romero.
Maxim cracks Romero with a right hand to the side of the head.
Maxim lands an overhand right.
Romero shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Maxim defends it nicely.
Maxim just misses with a punch to the body.
Christian Maxim is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Romero darts in looking for a takedown but Maxim gets double underhooks and turns Romero into the cage.
Romero is breathing heavily.
Romero trying to stall but Maxim improves his position.
Romero wants to take the fight to the mat but Maxim manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Romero is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Maxim to keep the fight standing.
Maxim looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Maxim stops a takedown attempt from Romero.
Romero keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Maxim's efforts to push away.

Maxim breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Romero shoots in for a takedown but Maxim shows good takedown defense.
Romero takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Nice shot by Maxim.
Maxim connects with a right hand. Romero shakes it off.
Romero fails with a takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Romero keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Maxim is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Maxim pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Maxim bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Romero's head backwards.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A looping hook to the body misses from Maxim. Romero does a little dance to reset his feet.
Romero throws a series of punches but Maxim moves out of range.
Maxim connects with a single shot there.
Maxim cracks Romero with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Maxim throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Romero shoots for a double leg takedown but Maxim sprawls well. He's pushed Romero's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Romero slips under a jab from Maxim.
Maxim throws a looping overhand right but Romero ducks down to avoid it.
Maxim leaves Romero with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Maxim tries to bum rush Romero with a series of wild strikes but Romero uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maxim lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Cristian Romero is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sloppy strikes from Maxim. Those never looked like landing.
Nice takedown defense from Maxim. No joy for Romero on that attempt.
Maxim plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Maxim swings for the body but Romero moves out of range.
Romero walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Romero slips a jab from Maxim.
Maxim swings for the body but Romero moves out of range.
Ohhhhh! A huge head kick from Maxim! Romero is out on his feet! Maxim rushes in and throws more strikes. The ref is looking closely - Romero is covering up but the punishment is just too much and the ref steps in to stop the fight! Romero is staring into space, just thankful that the beatdown has ended. Brutal finish.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:45 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Christian Maxim!
Christian Maxim seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.