PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Edward Smith (ranked 6035 p4p, 25410 weight class) and Lucas Maia (ranked 680 p4p, 757 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Smith
vs
Maia

190 cm
24
234
0 - 1 - 0

187 cm
25
269
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Big heart

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Edward Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Lucas Maia!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Santiago Holmes and Dirk Anderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith works over Maia's head and body with a nice combination.
Maia tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Smith went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Smith stuffs the takedown attempt from Maia. Maia gets slowly back to his feet.
Smith seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Maia shoots in for a double leg but Smith sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Maia drives through with a takedown into guard.
Smith wants to get back to his feet but Maia is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Maia not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Smith keeping moving, preventing Maia from controlling successfully.
Maia might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Smith haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Maia is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Smith has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Maia is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Smith tries to circle away but Maia has him pinned against the cage.
Maia tries to pull guard but Smith forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Edward Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lucas Maia.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maia wants a takedown.

Smith pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Sloppy strikes from Smith. Those never looked like landing.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Maia.
Smith defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Maia.

Maia feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Smith is looking to stand up but Maia isn't so interested in that idea.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Maia controlling from the top position.
Smith is looking to stand up but Maia isn't so interested in that idea.
Maia has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Elite Island Gym. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Maia pushing down on Smith's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Maia wants to pass to mount but Smith is defending the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Maia is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Smith is trying to stand back up but Maia is controlling him

Maia seems to be working for a kimura but Smith defends the submission attempt.
Smith is trying to stand.

Maia is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Maia seems to be working for a kimura but Smith defends the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Smith kicks off Maia and gets to his feet.
Maia shoots in for a takedown but Smith shows good takedown defense.
Smith darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Smith throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Maia counters with a shoot takedown. Smith fights it but they end up in guard.
Maia looking to pass the guard.
Maia forces his way into half guard.
Maia seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Smith does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Maia trying to mount his opponent but Smith defends it.
Maia controlling the action here.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Maia is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Smith!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Maia is working to isolate an arm here. It's a telegraphed submission attempt but he's gone for it anyway - and he's got it! Maia extends the arm and Smith is forced to tap!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:22 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Lucas Maia!