PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Marcus Maven (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steve Vega (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Marcus Maven has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Maven
vs
Vega

166 cm
36
145 lbs
18 - 8 - 1

178 cm
32
169 lbs
11 - 10 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Marcus Maven!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Steve Vega!
The judges for this bout are Steve Erwin, Ron Honeybunn and Chris Dean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maven misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A jab from Vega does it's job there.
Maven swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

so Vega counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Maven might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Vega is looking to pass into half guard but Maven pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Maven is in guard.

The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Maven is stalling in the full guard.
Vega wants to sweep but no luck.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vega manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Maven manages to get himself to full guard.

Vega looking to pass the guard.
Vega wants to control from the top but Maven keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vega wants to pass the guard but Maven is keeping the position.
Vega passes Maven's left leg - he's now in half guard.
My spies in Fokai Academy inform me that Vega has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!

Maven makes his way to full guard, as Vega worked for a kimura.

Vega postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Maven is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Vega, into his guard.

Maven decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maven misses with a low kick as Vega jumps back.
Vega is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Maven attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Maven misses with a series of wild punches.
Good leg kick by Maven there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Maven is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Vega.
Vega with a poor takedown
and Vega takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Vega shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Maven as he jumps to the side.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maven throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Vega.
Vega counters with a body kick.
A slow jab from Vega misses its intended target.
Marcus Maven seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Maven pivots, looking for a leg kick but Vega is out of range and Maven settles back down.
Maven loads up on a big right hand but Vega slips the punch.
Maven lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Vega looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Maven connects with a leg kick. Vega looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Vega shoots in but Maven avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Marcus Maven has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steve Vega.
Vega takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice uppercut lands for Vega. That snapped Maven's head back.
Maven lands a nice leg kick that just misses Vega's sensitive parts.
Vega shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Maven defends it nicely.
Maven appears to be looking for a big counter.
Marcus Maven is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Maven, right into the meat.
A punch combination from Maven misses.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Maven throws a nice head kick!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marcus Maven 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.

Maven scores with the left hand. Vega knows he should have avoided that one.
Maven tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Vega tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Maven manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Maven pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Good exchange - Maven coming out on top.
Maven with a hook.

Vega rushes Maven and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Maven gets underhooks to prevent Vega's takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maven lands a left hand.
Vega misses with an elbow over the top.
Vega blocking some punches.
Vega misses with a hook to the ribs.
Vega pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Maven avoids the elbow strike from Vega, against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vega working aggressively here.
Vega looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Vega tries for a takedown. No joy.
Vega doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Maven can't find room to land a body shot as Vega controls the action.

Maven breaks the clinch.
Maven takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Maven dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Vega. That did some damage!
Vega tries to close the distance and clinch up but Maven swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Vega is looking to clinch but Maven is avoiding it.

Maven drops Vega with a beautiful combination! Vega stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Maven is looking for the KO!

Vega is rocked!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Vega glances at the clock... BAM! Maven nails him with a big right hand! A momentary lapse in concentration sends Vega crashing to the mat! The referee steps in and this one is over! Damn, Vega is out of it, he thinks the ref is his opponent!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:52 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Marcus Maven!