PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Xing Pugberg (ranked 403 p4p, 23 weight class) and Damen Mayer (ranked 394 p4p, 21 weight class). Damen Mayer struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 136.1lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Pugberg
vs
Mayer

150 cm
25
130 lbs
15 - 8 - 0

170 cm
30
150 lbs
19 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Xing Pugberg!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 10 - 0, fighting out of New York, Damen Mayer!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Steven Brown and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mayer slips a straight right by Pugberg.
Xing Pugberg seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pugberg swings for the body but Mayer moves out of range.

Pugberg shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Mayer is trying to defend but Pugberg finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Mayer is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Pugberg pulls his head out easily.
Mayer regains full guard. Nicely done.

Mayer working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Pugberg doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Pugberg manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Pugberg advances to half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mayer is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Mayer wants to control but Pugberg passes into side.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Mayer's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Mayer is trying to improve his position.

Pugberg looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Pugberg swings around for an armbar but Mayer sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Pugberg's guard.
Mayer trying to control the position from guard on top but Pugberg is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Pugberg might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Mayer trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pugberg utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Pugberg has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Mayer can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Mayer forces his way into half guard.

Pugberg looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Pugberg looking for submissions off his back.
Mayer is looking to take a break and control but Pugberg is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pugberg is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Mayer jumps into side control!

Mayer tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Mayer has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mayer has control of an arm but Pugberg manages to advance to Mayer's back!
Pugberg doesn't have the hooks in and Mayer manages to turn into his guard.

Pugberg is looking for a triangle but Mayer pushes his legs off easily.
Mayer trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pugberg is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Mayer looking for submissions off his back.
Mayer won't allow Pugberg to pass to mount.

Mayer looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mayer is looking to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Xing Pugberg will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Mayer drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Pugberg takes a swing at Mayer's ribcage but misses.
Mayer is looking to clinch.
Mayer throws a body punch but Pugberg moves out of range.
Mayer slips under a jab.
Mayer tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

Pugberg throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Mayer was covering up waiting for the punch and Pugberg finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Pugberg trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Pugberg showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mayer keeping moving, preventing Pugberg from controlling successfully.
Xing Pugberg overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Mayer is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Pugberg defends well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pugberg got a little sloppy there for a moment and Mayer has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Pugberg has managed to get both his arms back between Mayer's legs - danger averted.
Pugberg wants to pass the guard but Mayer is keeping the position.

Pugberg drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Mayer manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Pugberg has Mayer in his guard.

Pugberg not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Pugberg seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.

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.
Mayer trying to control the position from guard on top but Pugberg is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mayer advances position into side control!

Mayer tries for a kimura but Pugberg is defending well.
Pugberg trying to remain calm as Mayer controls from the top position.

Mayer tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Mayer has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Pugberg is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mayer wants to lay and pray for a moment but Pugberg keeps working.
Pugberg tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Mayer is looking to take a break and control but Pugberg is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Pugberg is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Mayer off and has taken his back!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mayer defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Pugberg's arms.
Mayer breaks Pugberg's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Mayer passes into half guard.
Mayer is trying to control. Pugberg wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Mayer is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Pugberg is defending against the submission attempts here by Mayer.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Damen Mayer will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Pugberg's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Pugberg shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Mayer manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Pugberg wants to control from the top but Mayer keeps moving.
Pugberg looking to pass the guard.

Mayer is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Pugberg is aware though and is defending well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mayer manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Pugberg manages to get himself to full guard.

Pugberg looking for a sweep. Not yet Pugberg, not yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pugberg keeping moving, preventing Mayer from controlling successfully.

Pugberg looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Mayer passes into half guard.

Mayer is looking for a kimura but Pugberg is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Mayer to get the leverage.
Pugberg is trying to get back to full guard.
Pugberg makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Pugberg.
Mayer passes easily into side control. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pugberg tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Mayer thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Mayer trying to control the action but Pugberg is working from the bottom.

Mayer tries for a kimura but Pugberg is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pugberg tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Mayer wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Mayer wants to control but Pugberg is keeping him busy.
Pugberg is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Mayer off and has taken his back!
Mayer tries to escape but Pugberg has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Mayer trying to control the action but Pugberg just sinks the hooks in.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mayer is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.

Pugberg has the rear naked choke here! This is very bad for Mayer! Can he survive? No! He's out! Pugberg gets to his feet and celebrates with his cornermen. He looks absolutely delighted. In the post fight interviews he takes time to thank his parents and everyone who has believed in him from the start. How sweet.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:34 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Xing Pugberg!