PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Oleg Maximov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Flatline Tom (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tom has chosen blood blood blood blood as his entrance music. Oleg Maximov has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Maximov
vs
Tom

195 cm
27
272 lbs
11 - 6 - 0

179 cm
20
229 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Insanely flexible

Good takedowns
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Oleg Maximov!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Flatline Tom!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Russell Pearce and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tom showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Maximov.
Maximov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Maximov throws a predictable looking body shot
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Maximov throws a leg kick that misses.
Maximov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Maximov lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Tom has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Tom and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Tom pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Maximov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tom avoids a punch combination nicely.
Maximov misses with a wild combination.
Tom slips a jab from Maximov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tom swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Tom chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Maximov fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Tom is out of range.

Maximov moves into the clinch successfully.
Maximov unloads a knee to the mid-section. Tom lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Tom wants to get back to striking at distance but Maximov won't allow it.
Maximov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Maximov landing knees to the body.
Tom looks winded!
Maximov pressing his opponent against the cage.
Maximov unloads a knee to the mid-section. Tom lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Maximov slowing the pace effectively.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tom tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Maximov avoids it.
Tom blocks the elbow strike.
Maximov scores a nice knee to the body.
Maximov controlling the action here for a moment.
Tom looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Maximov landing knees to the head.

It looks like Flatline Tom has been cut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tom on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Maximov is stalling here.
Tom misses with a body punch.
Maximov blocks a body shot from Tom.
Maximov putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Tom in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Maximov stalls.
Tom misses with the head strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maximov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Tom tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Maximov blocking some punches.
Tom pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Tom.
A head punch on the inside from Tom fails to land.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Tom fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Tom.
Maximov displaying some good clinch control by pressing Tom up against the cage.
A short body shot lands from Tom as the two fighters clinch.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Tom unloads a knee to the mid-section.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A right hand to the body from Tom.
Maximov using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Tom trying to control the position but instead, Maximov has worked for underhooks and has pushed Tom into the cage.
Tom swings wildly with an uppercut but Maximov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Maximov stalling.
Maximov landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Tom misses with a hook from the clinch.
Maximov blocks an elbow strike.
Maximov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Tom avoids it.
Maximov landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tom avoiding damage as Maximov throws knees to the body.
Our sources have told us that Maximov has been working on his elbows in the gym.
Maximov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Tom doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Tom misses with the head strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Oleg Maximov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Flatline Tom's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Tom jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Maximov misses with the combination.
Maximov throws a series of punches but Tom moves out of range.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Maximov, right into the meat.
Maximov lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

Maximov clinches up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tom blocks a body shot from Maximov.
Maximov has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Maximov is looking to control Tom's arms but Tom gets an underhook and turns him. Now Maximov has his back to the cage.
Maximov prevents Tom from breaking the clinch.
Tom throws an elbow that misses.
Tom letting Maximov take a breather here.
Tom working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tom misses with a hook from the clinch.
A hook to the body from Tom.
Maximov stalling against the cage.
Maximov lands a nice elbow.
Maximov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Tom avoids it.
Maximov lands a knee to the body.
Tom is breathing heavily.
Maximov landing knees to the body.
Maximov lands a body shot.
Knees to the body from Maximov.
Maximov slowing the pace effectively.
Knees to the body from Maximov.
Maximov controlling the action here for a moment.
Maximov seems to have come into the fight with the intention of avoiding any damage in the clinch, rather than actually showing any aggression.
Oleg Maximov has scored more points in the clinch so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting pretty annoyed with Maximov for his constant stalling in the clinch and are voicing their displeasure.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Oleg Maximov.
Tom uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Maximov.
Oleg Maximov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Maximov throws a lazy head kick
enabling Tom to counter with a crisp jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Maximov throws a body shot but no joy.
Oleg Maximov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Maximov falls off balance throwing a combination
and Tom counters with an inside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Maximov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Tom swings wildly with an uppercut but Maximov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tom tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Tom lands with a light punch inside.
Tom lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Maximov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Tom can do to turn this around?
Tom scores with a shot to the side of Maximov's head.
Knees in the clinch landing for Maximov.
Maximov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Tom is defending well for now.
Maximov stalls.
Maximov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Tom tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Maximov avoids it.
Maximov is struggling to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tom misses with an elbow strike.
Tom tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Maximov leaning against his opponent.
Tom is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Maximov is keeping busy.
Maximov manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Maximov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Tom avoids it.
Maximov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Tom scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Tom as Maximov tries to tie him up.
Maximov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Maximov takes a shot to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Oleg Maximov dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Flatline Tom's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Maximov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Oleg Maximov is winning the standup battle so far.
Maximov swinging wildly here.

Maximov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Maximov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Maximov slows down the pace here.
Tom can't find room to land a body shot as Maximov controls the action.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tom lands a hook that snaps the head of Maximov backwards.
Maximov is trying to maintain a safe position but Tom gets an underhook and turns Maximov into the cage.
Maximov blocks an uppercut.
A short right from Tom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maximov trying to land knees to the body.
Maximov crunches a lovely knee into Tom's ribcage.
Tom takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Maximov lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Tom swings wildly with an uppercut but Maximov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Maximov displaying some good clinch control by pressing Tom up against the cage.
Maximov gets a warning from the ref for wasting time.
Maximov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Tom is defending well for now.
Tom working aggressively here.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Tom as Maximov tries to tie him up.
Tom avoiding damage as Maximov throws knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tom letting Maximov take a breather here.
Maximov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Tom.
Tom can't find room to land a body shot as Maximov controls the action.
Maximov missing with knees to the body.
Tom lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Maximov backwards.
Tom letting Maximov take a breather here.
Tom has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Tom throws a punch but it's blocked by Maximov.
Maximov effectively controlling the action here.
Tom trying to control the position but instead, Maximov has worked for underhooks and has pushed Tom into the cage.
Maximov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Tom fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maximov displaying some good clinch control by pressing Tom up against the cage.
Tom leaning against his opponent.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Oleg Maximov.
A combination from Maximov does no damage.

Maximov takes the fight into the clinch.
Maximov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Maximov blocks a body shot from Tom.
Tom managing to block the knees to the body from Maximov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tom being controlled against the cage.
Maximov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Tom avoids it.
Maximov slows down the pace here.
Tom misses with a short punch on the inside.
Maximov scores a nice knee to the body.
Maximov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tom tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Maximov manages to break the clinch.
Some bone on bone action there as Tom checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Oleg Maximov clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Flatline Tom's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Maximov fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Maximov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Tom swings widly with a right hand
and Maximov counters with a lovely shot to the body.

Maximov has managed to clinch.
Maximov is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Knees in the clinch landing for Maximov.
Tom letting Maximov take a breather here.
Tom managing to block the knees to the body from Maximov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tom tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Maximov's elbow.
Tom is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Maximov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Tom is defending well for now.
Maximov taking a breather.
Maximov stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tom is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Maximov is keeping busy.
Maximov stalling against the cage.
Tom comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

It looks like Oleg Maximov has been cut.
Maximov lands a knee to the body.
Maximov slowing the pace effectively.
Tom tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Maximov's elbow.
The referee calls for Maximov to work.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Oleg Maximov.
Tom misses with a kick to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maximov misses with a two punch combination.

Maximov closes the distance and clinches.
Maximov trying to land knees to the body.
Tom throws a punch but it's blocked by Maximov.
Tom lands a hook to the side of the head.
Tom fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Tom being controlled against the cage.
Maximov is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Maximov taking a breather.
Maximov blocks a body shot from Tom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maximov has Tom pressed against the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Oleg Maximov.
Tom misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Maximov.
Maximov throws a body punch but Tom moves out of range.
Some wild striking there from Maximov.
Maximov throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Maximov lands a slapping body shot.
Tom showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Maximov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Some bone on bone action there as Maximov checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Maximov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Maximov misses with a low kick as Tom jumps back.
Maximov scores with a hook to the body. Tom takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Maximov checks the leg kick nicely there.
Sloppy strikes from Maximov. Those never looked like landing.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tom's jab looks to have found its range, popping Maximov under the eye.
Maximov scores with a jab to the jaw.
Tom throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Oleg Maximov had his way with Flatline Tom in that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Maximov moves out of range as Tom strikes.
Tom takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

Maximov clinches up against the cage.
Maximov missing with knees to the body.
Tom letting Maximov take a breather here.
Tom lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maximov is pushing Tom up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Tom avoiding damage as Maximov throws knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maximov takes a shot to the head.
Tom looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Tom lands a left hand that snaps the head of Maximov backwards.
Tom trying to control the position but instead, Maximov has worked for underhooks and has pushed Tom into the cage.
Tom lands a right hand.
Tom struggles to land a body shot inside as Maximov controls his hands.
Tom fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Tom fails to land.
Maximov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Maximov leaning his opponent against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tom creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Tom takes a knee to the side of the body.
Tom is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
The referee calls for Maximov to work.
Maximov working Tom over with knees to the body.
Maximov dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Oleg Maximov.
Maximov pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Tom back to the cage. Maximov follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A lazy left from Maximov finds it's target.
Maximov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tom was well out of range. Poor timing from Maximov.
Tom looks to score with a jab to the body but Maximov is just out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tom throws a wild body kick that Maximov sees coming a mile off.
Maximov throws a one two combo.

That has opened up Flatline Tom's cut even more.
Tom thumps Maximov with a low kick.
Maximov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Tom circles away quickly and effectively.
Tom wants to land a leg kick but Maximov is out of range.
Maximov misses with a double jab
and Tom counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Maximov misses with a few strikes there.

Maximov clinches up with Tom and pushes him back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A knee to the head by Tom.
Tom fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Maximov crunches a lovely knee into Tom's ribcage.
Tom misses with a punch on the inside.
Tom tries to throw a body punch but Maximov avoids it by throwing Tom back against the cage.
A bit of stalling here from Maximov.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A nice right hand lands inside from Tom.
Knees in the clinch landing for Maximov.
Maximov will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Tom up against the cage.
Maximov looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Flatline Tom has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Oleg Maximov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Tom throws a head punch that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Oleg Maximov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Maximov has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Reed Andrews scores the fight 50:45
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 50:45
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Oleg Maximov!
Oleg Maximov retains his heavyweight title!
As Oleg Maximov got his breath back, he grabbed the microphone and managed to blurt out the following: Yes'.
In defeat, Flatline Tom stepped up to the mic, saying 'I'll come back next time better prepared. he may have won, but i instilled a fear in him when he felt my power.'.