PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Cynical Christoph (ranked 405 p4p, 127 weight class) and Matija Maestro (ranked 56 p4p, 17 weight class). Maestro is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Shortwire - Reconfig. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Christoph
vs
Maestro

175 cm
25
160
11 - 5 - 0

174 cm
25
155
14 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

HELLBENT

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Cynical Christoph!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Matija Maestro!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Frank Dennis and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maestro scores with a body shot.
Christoph takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Maestro has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Christoph looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Maestro throws a good cross that connects.
Maestro throws a shot from downtown. Christoph moves away and avoids it.
Christoph is looking for a counter combo.
Christoph throws a body punch but Maestro moves out of range.

Maestro drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Christoph stops Maestro from passing to mount.
Maestro wants to control but Christoph is keeping him busy.
Maestro tries to move to mount but Christoph blocks the move with his legs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Christoph trying to remain calm as Maestro controls from the top position.
Christoph tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Maestro wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Maestro tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Maestro has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Christoph tries to buck Maestro off but Maestro is having none of it.
Maestro tries to advance to mount but can't.
You can see the frustration on Christoph's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Maestro wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Christoph, who protects the arm well.
Christoph trying to control but Maestro flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!
Maestro biding his time, controlling Christoph.

Maestro looking for the choke from the back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Christoph trying to control the action but Maestro just sinks the hooks in.
Christoph staying busy and making it hard for Maestro to control.
Christoph trying to control the hands but Maestro breaks the grip.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
A lull in the action here.

Maestro is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Christoph defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Maestro not allowing Christoph to control his hands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Christoph turns into Maestro and is now in his guard.
Maestro looking to hit a scissor sweep but Christoph is one step ahead there.
Maestro is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Christoph pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Maestro is keeping the position for now.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Maestro tries to land a sweep but no joy.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Matija Maestro dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Christoph throws out a loose jab but Maestro uses good head movement to avoid it.
Matija Maestro seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Maestro connects with a body shot.
Christoph misses with a low kick.
Christoph on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Maestro getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Christoph avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Maestro shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

It looks like Matija Maestro has been cut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Christoph avoids the body shot from Maestro.
Christoph loads up on a big right hand but Maestro slips the punch.
Maestro feints the counter takedown.
Christoph throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Christoph is trying to control but Maestro manages to pass to mount!
Christoph working to try and regain half guard.
Maestro trying to control but Christoph is having none of it.
Maestro controlling from mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Maestro looking for a guillotine from mount but Christoph is having none of it.
Maestro looking to control and managing it successfully.
Maestro's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Christoph is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Christoph working to try and regain half guard.
Maestro pushing the pace here, looking to move to his opponents back and work for a finish.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maestro looking to control but Christoph is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Christoph tries to lock up and control but Maestro gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Christoph is wriggling around trying to escape.
Christoph wants to control but Maestro is having none of it.
Christoph is working to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Maestro trying to control but Christoph is having none of it.
Christoph stops Maestro from taking his back. Still, being mounted isn't any better.
Maestro avoids the attempt from Christoph to control.
Christoph sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Christoph trying to control here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Matija Maestro showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Matija Maestro's cut.
That's time! Christoph's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Maestro throws a shot to the body.
Christoph has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Christoph there as he acknowledges the shot.
Christoph takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Maestro misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Maestro takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Christoph misses with a looping left.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice defenses there by Christoph.
Matija Maestro seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Christoph defending well as Maestro loads up on a big left hand.
Donk. Maestro catches Christoph right on the button with a cross.
A telegraphed right hand from Christoph misses the target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maestro misses with a body shot.
Christoph is looking to counter punch.
Christoph throws a solid leg kick but Maestro takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Christoph.
Maestro feints the counter takedown.
Christoph scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Maestro looks to throw the jab but Christoph is out of range.
Maestro jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Christoph throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Maestro on the side of the head.
Maestro looks to score with a jab to the body but Christoph is just out of range.
Christoph on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Nice takedown defense from Christoph. No joy for Maestro on that attempt.
Maestro tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Christoph swivels and escapes.
Christoph thinks about countering with a head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Left hook, right uppercut from Maestro.
Christoph looks to score with a jab to the body but Maestro is just out of range.
Maestro changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Christoph takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Maestro with a body punch. A glancing blow.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Christoph with a nice cross.
Maestro takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Christoph takes a shot right to the bread basket.

Christoph drops Maestro with a hook right on the temple. He thinks about going to the ground but Maestro looks back up at him and smiles so Christoph waves him back to his feet - he obviously thinks he can knock him out after that shot landed.

Maestro is rocked!
Maestro misses with a hook.
Christoph looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Christoph throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Maestro drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Christoph defends it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Christoph misses with a looping right.
Maestro steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Christoph. That one must have hurt.
Maestro comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Christoph misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Maestro.
Maestro misses the shot to the body.
Maestro just misses with a punch to the body.
Maestro just misses with a punch to the body.
Christoph takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Maestro blocks the body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Christoph avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Christoph tries to land a front kick but Maestro steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Maestro misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Christoph.
Maestro is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Christoph.
Christoph swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
A combination from Christoph does no damage.
Maestro connects with a body shot that sends Christoph's belly button to the back.
Christoph lands with a slapping head kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Christoph throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Maestro scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Christoph closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Cynical Christoph did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The cut man is working on Matija Maestro's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Maestro scores with a punch to the head.
Christoph misses with a hook.
And Maestro tries to counter it with a takedown but Christoph pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Christoph keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Maestro.
Maestro throws a nice looking combination but Christoph bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Maestro lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Christoph at a distance.
Christoph ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Maestro moves away.
Maestro misses with the combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maestro slips a straight right by Christoph.
Maestro tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Christoph was well out of range. Poor timing from Maestro.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Christoph dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Christoph scores with a crisp jab that stopped Maestro in his tracks.
Christoph gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Maestro throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Christoph stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Maestro blocks a jab.
Good exchange - Christoph coming out on top.

That has opened up Matija Maestro's cut even more.
Christoph throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Maestro is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Christoph throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Christoph moves away from the strike by Maestro.
Christoph swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Maestro swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maestro scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Maestro misses with a takedown
and Christoph makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Maestro moves into range and connects with a jab.
Christoph swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Maestro scores with a decent looking hook.
Maestro with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Maestro misses with a body shot
enabling Christoph to counter with a crisp jab.
Christoph misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maestro shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Christoph sprawls well. Christoph wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Maestro gets slowly back to his feet.
Christoph tried to counter with a leg kick but Maestro avoided it.
Christoph throws a hook but Maestro avoids it easily.
A little jabbing left from Maestro on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Christoph dodges the punch combination from Maestro.
Christoph uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Maestro.
Maestro misses with a series of wild punches.
Christoph jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Christoph ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Christoph fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Christoph scores with a push kick.
Sloppy strikes from Maestro. Those never looked like landing.
It looked like Christoph was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Maestro.
Maestro throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Christoph lands with a straight right. Maestro didn't see that one coming.
Maestro works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Maestro misses with a hook
and Christoph counters with a series of strikes. Maestro will be more careful next time no doubt.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Maestro misses the shot to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Cynical Christoph will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Matija Maestro's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Maestro ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Christoph moves away.
Maestro misses with a lunging right hand
and Christoph counters with a left to the body.
Maestro thuds his right hand into Christoph's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Christoph moves forwards but Maestro connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Christoph throws a looping overhand right but Maestro ducks down to avoid it.
Christoph looks to land a left hand but Maestro moved out of range nicely.
Maestro let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
A jab lands there for Maestro.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Christoph misses with a hook. Maestro ducked under it nicely.
Maestro throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Christoph counters with an inside leg kick.
Maestro scores with a sloppy right hand. Christoph should have avoided that one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Christoph looks to land a body kick but Maestro moved away.
Christoph keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Christoph misses with a low kick as Maestro jumps back.
Nice body punch from Christoph.
Christoph takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Christoph throws a head kick but Maestro moves out of range.
Maestro darts in looking for a takedown but Christoph gets double underhooks and turns Maestro into the cage.
Christoph throws a quick counter kick to the body but Maestro avoids it.
Christoph goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maestro throws a body punch but Christoph moves out of range.
Christoph waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Maestro.
A slow jab from Christoph misses its intended target.
Jab, jab by Maestro - just one landing.
Maestro scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Maestro digs a good body shot into Christoph's ribs.
Christoph misses with an uppercut
letting Maestro counter with a right hand.
Christoph throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Maestro tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Christoph takes a body punch but keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maestro moves out of range of the body kick from Christoph.
Christoph misses with a head kick.
Christoph scores with a push kick.
Maestro misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Christoph.
Christoph looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Maestro getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Maestro looks to throw the jab but Christoph is out of range.
Maestro dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Maestro blocks a head kick by Christoph.
Maestro throws a counter combo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Christoph throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Maestro sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Christoph throws the left hand but Maestro avoids the punch easily.
A nice leg kick lands there from Christoph.
A looping hook to the body misses from Christoph. Maestro does a little dance to reset his feet.
Christoph takes one on the chin but seems OK.

Maestro scores with a takedown into Christoph's guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Maestro trying to control but Christoph is working from the bottom.
Christoph controls Maestro momentarily but Maestro frees himself.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Matija Maestro.
Well Maestro has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 46:49
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 47:49
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matija Maestro!
Matija Maestro is the new lightweight champion!
Matija Maestro seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.