PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Joe Maximez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Moloch Vlavo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Moloch Vlavo has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Maximez
vs
Vlavo

176 cm
24
170 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

179 cm
26
170 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Good chin

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

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 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Joe Maximez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Moloch Vlavo!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Chris Dean and Eliza Hachem.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vlavo lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

It looks like Joe Maximez has been cut.
Vlavo scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Maximez slips a jab and a cross from Vlavo.
Maximez feinted with a counter takedown.
Horrible takedown attempt by Maximez or perhaps it was just good defense by Vlavo, which made it look bad.
Vlavo moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Vlavo throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Maximez counters with a single leg into guard. Vlavo didn't expect that.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Maximez engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maximez trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Maximez prevents Vlavo from getting back to his feet.
Maximez is stalling in the full guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Vlavo lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Maximez backs up against the cage.
Maximez blocks a jab.
Maximez staying out of range there.
Maximez fails to land the takedown.
Vlavo misses with a combination

and Maximez counters with a single leg into guard. Vlavo didn't expect that.
Maximez is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Maximez stops Vlavo from standing up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maximez trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Maximez controls from within his opponent's guard.
Maximez passes easily into side control. Nice work.
You can see the frustration on Vlavo's face as Maximez controls the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Maximez advances nicely into full mount.
Maximez takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Moloch Vlavo dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Joe Maximez's cut.
That's time! Maximez's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Vlavo throws a nice looking combination but Maximez bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Maximez has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Vlavo finds it's way round the side to connect with Maximez's head.
Maximez will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Vlavo throws the left hand but Maximez avoids the punch easily.
Vlavo missing with a left hand there. Maximez was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Vlavo misses with a few strikes there.
Vlavo throws a big shot that misses.
Maximez feinted with a counter takedown.
Maximez has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Maximez drives through with a takedown into Vlavo's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Maximez engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maximez passes Vlavo's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Maximez wants to pass the guard but Vlavo is defending well.
Well, if Maximez is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
We've been hearing that Maximez has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Maximez is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Maximez stalling.
Vlavo is trying to stand up here but Maximez is controlling him well.
Maximez keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Maximez seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Vlavo for as long as he can get away with.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maximez blocks a jab.
Vlavo thows a left - swing and a miss!
Moloch Vlavo seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Maximez shoots in but Vlavo avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Vlavo stuns Maximez with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Vlavo uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Maximez has time to react.
Vlavo connects with a body shot.
Vlavo swinging wildly here.
Nice cross by Vlavo.

Joe Maximez's cut is getting worse.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maximez shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Vlavo but Vlavo pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joe Maximez. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Maximez scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Joe Maximez overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Maximez is looking to take a break and control but Vlavo is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Maximez just content to control the position.
Vlavo has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Vlavo is not content to let Maximez control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Moloch Vlavo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Joe Maximez'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. This is the final round!

Vlavo missing with a left hand there. Maximez was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Maximez feinted with a counter takedown.
Vlavo throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Maximez slips under a jab from Vlavo.
Maximez is looking to counter the offense by Vlavo and move into the clinch.
Maximez slips a straight right by Vlavo.
A punch combination from Vlavo misses.
Maximez changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Vlavo throws a looping overhand right but Maximez ducks down to avoid it.
Maximez drops down looking for a counter takedown but Vlavo sprawls and moves away.
Vlavo lands a right hook to the body.
Vlavo misses with a wild combination.
Vlavo takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maximez slips a jab and a cross from Vlavo.
Moloch Vlavo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Vlavo throws out a loose jab but Maximez uses good head movement to avoid it.
Maximez appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Vlavo looks to land a left hand but Maximez moved out of range nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maximez shoots for a takedown but Vlavo saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Vlavo connects with a crisp jab.
Vlavo misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Vlavo might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Vlavo connects with a single shot there.
Some wild striking there from Vlavo.
Maximez tries to counter with a takedown but Vlavo is quick to defend against it.
Horrible takedown attempt by Maximez or perhaps it was just good defense by Vlavo, which made it look bad.
Sloppy strikes from Vlavo. Those never looked like landing.
Vlavo throws a left and a right that both miss

and Maximez counters with a shoot takedown. Vlavo fights it but they end up in guard.
Maximez controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Joe Maximez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maximez working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Vlavo's head.
Maximez engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Maximez passes easily into side control. Nice work.
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!
A lull in the action here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Moloch Vlavo is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Maximez continues to stall.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Moloch Vlavo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Vlavo looks to score with a jab to the body but Maximez is just out of range.
Vlavo looks to throw the jab but Maximez is out of range.
A left lands for Vlavo.
Maximez is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Vlavo.
Maximez shoots in looking for a takedown but Vlavo manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Maximez's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joe Maximez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Vlavo tests Maximez's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Maximez walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

And that's the end of the fight!
Moloch Vlavo comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Vlavo winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Hugh Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Dean scores the fight 27:30
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Moloch Vlavo!