PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Aron Gray (ranked 23431 p4p, 2135 weight class) and Paulo Maldini (ranked 649 p4p, 242 weight class). Paulo Maldini is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Gray
vs
Maldini

177 cm
24
160
1 - 3 - 0

181 cm
27
154
4 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Good chin

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Granite chin

EFC Threads

Knock Out Clothing

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 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Aron Gray !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Paulo Maldini!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Paul Tew and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maldini jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Gray appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Maldini throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Gray sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Maldini clobbers Gray with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Gray takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Maldini lands with a good body shot.
Maldini scores with a crisp jab that stopped Gray in his tracks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maldini moves into range and connects with a jab.
Maldini throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maldini uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Maldini misses with a body punch
and Gray counters with a nice low kick that buckles Maldini's knee momentarily.
Maldini lands with a straight right. Gray didn't see that one coming.
Maldini throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Maldini tests Gray 's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Maldini scores with a crisp jab that stopped Gray in his tracks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gray takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Maldini connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Maldini scores with the left hand. Gray knows he should have avoided that one.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Maldini has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Maldini connects with the punch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Maldini scores with a body shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Maldini misses the target.
A little feinted left hand from Gray on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Gray on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Maldini throws an overhand right that lands on Gray 's shoulder, as Gray tries to avoid the shot.
Gray half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maldini darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Maldini misses the shot to the body.
Gray seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Gray takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Maldini throws a hook but Gray avoids it easily.
An attempted straight right counter from Gray misses the target.
Nice jab there from Maldini.
Maldini lands with an overhand left.
Maldini works over Gray 's head and body with a nice combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maldini throws a body punch but Gray moves out of range.
Maldini looks to throw the jab but Gray is out of range.
Maldini throws a jab when Gray was well out of range.
Maldini lands with a nice combination. Gray backs away looking to recover.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Maldini tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Gray was well out of range. Poor timing from Maldini.
Nice jab there from Maldini.
Gray bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Gray throwing a counter right hand but Maldini manages to avoid it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Paulo Maldini dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Gray slips under a jab from Maldini.
A left and a right from Maldini both land. Nice combination.
Gray takes one to the side of the head.
Maldini scores with a decent looking hook.
Maldini connects with a single shot there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gray uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Maldini.
No joy there for Maldini, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Gray feinted with a counter takedown.
Paulo Maldini seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Maldini lands a jab to Gray 's midsection.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gray has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Maldini finds it's way round the side to connect with Gray 's head.
Maldini throws a hook but Gray avoids it easily.
Maldini throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Maldini throws a looping overhand right but Gray ducks down to avoid it.
Maldini misses with a hook.
Maldini paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Paulo Maldini is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gray tries to move into range but Maldini moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maldini connects with a jab.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Gray might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Maldini tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Gray was well out of range. Poor timing from Maldini.
Gray half committed to a counter leg kick.
Gray slips a jab and a cross from Maldini.
Gray wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Gray moves out of range as Maldini strikes.
Gray ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Gray feinted with a counter takedown.
Gray has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Maldini finds it's way round the side to connect with Gray 's head.
Maldini has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Maldini cracks Gray with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maldini ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gray moves away.
Gray wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Gray looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Maldini getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
A jab from Maldini does it's job there.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Maldini.
Gray takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Gray moves out of range of the strikes.
Gray changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Gray staying out of range there.
Gray tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Maldini manages to circle out of the way.
Gray walks into a left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maldini looks to land a combination. Gray sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Maldini connects with a body shot that sends Gray 's belly button to the back.
Maldini throws a body shot but no joy.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Maldini misses with a looping left.
Gray is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Maldini throws a one two combo.
Gray takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Paulo Maldini showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Nice straight punches there by Maldini. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Maldini.
Maldini lands a head shot.
Gray shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Maldini swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Gray appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Gray ducks under a wild hook from Maldini.
Gray drops down looking for a counter takedown but Maldini sprawls and moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maldini lands a head shot.
Maldini scores with a jab. Gray acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Maldini lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Gray has been working on his balance at EFC Gym, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Maldini.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gray is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Maldini.
A decent looking cross lands there for Maldini.
Maldini tests Gray 's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Gray ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Maldini throws a shot from downtown. Gray moves away and avoids it.
Maldini lands a jab.
Gray shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gray takes one to the chin there.
Gray slips a jab and a cross from Maldini.
Maldini throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Gray holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gray swings wildly with an uppercut but Maldini uses good head movement to avoid it.
A short right from Maldini on the inside.
Gray throws a punch but it's blocked by Maldini.
Gray working aggressively here.
Gray drops down looking for an ankle pick but Maldini pulls his leg out and moves away.
Maldini thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maldini scores with the left hand. Gray knows he should have avoided that one.
Maldini cracks Gray with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Maldini rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Gray moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Maldini lands the left hand.
Gray dodges the punch combination from Maldini.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Maldini.
Maldini throws a series of strikes that have Gray backpedaling.
Maldini lands a nice looking body shot.
Maldini throws a body punch but Gray moves out of range.
Gray tries to counter with a takedown but Maldini is quick to defend against it.
Maldini throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Gray changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Gray defending well as Maldini loads up on a big left hand.
As Maldini tries to get set, Gray tries to push him back and clinch up but Maldini manages to avoid the attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Paulo Maldini comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Maldini 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 Richard Clark scores the fight 24:30
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 24:30
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 24:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Paulo Maldini!