PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ground Guru (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Demian Maia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Guru
vs
Maia

174 cm
20
162 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

185 cm
27
155 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Counter striker
Cardio machine

Good takedowns
Brawler
Tends to cut

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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ground Guru!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Demian Maia!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Ren Mimura and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Maia scores a takedown into full mount!
Guru is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Maia forces the positional change into back control.
Maia is not going to allow Guru to sit and survive in this position.

Guru preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Maia.
Guru manages to reverse the position and now he's in Maia's guard. Nice work there by Guru.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Maia working a defensive guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Guru looking to pass the guard.

Maia is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Guru defends well.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Guru slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Guru tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Guru is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Maia knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Guru tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Guru is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Maia has escaped the position, nice work there.

Guru tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Guru has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Maia wants to control but Guru postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Guru thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Guru has control of an arm but Maia manages to advance to Guru's back!
Guru looking to control the position.
Guru breaks Maia's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Guru is looking to work some ground and pound but Maia has wrist control.

Maia is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Guru wants to pass the guard but Maia is keeping the position.
Guru is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Guru stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Maia swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Maia working for a triangle but Guru defends it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Guru is pushing down on Maia's leg trying to pass to half guard. Maia is fighting to maintain full guard but Guru has managed to sneak the leg through.

Guru is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Maia makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Maia.
Guru advances to half guard.
Guru wants to take a breather but Maia is having none of it.

Guru seems to be working for a kimura but Maia defends the submission attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Guru is thwarting Maia's attempts to control the position.
Guru tries to pass to full mount but Maia defends it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ground Guru dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Guru closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Maia's guard.

Maia escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Guru gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Guru looking to pass the guard.
Guru might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Maia is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Guru is defending against the submission attempts here by Maia.
Guru slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Ground Guru overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Guru is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Maia is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maia trying to control but Guru is working from the bottom.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Maia stays in close to Guru's body and controls the position.
Guru keeping moving, preventing Maia from controlling successfully.
Guru trying to control the position here.
Guru lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Maia!
Maia in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Maia has given up his back - I don’t know if this is a deliberate ploy to try and escape or if he is just struggling down there.

Maia preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Guru.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Maia just trying to survive but Guru is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Guru is looking to finish with some ground and pound!

Maia preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Guru.

Maia is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Maia trying to control the position but Guru manages to sink in the hooks.

Guru looking for the RNC.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maia tries to escape the position.

Guru tightening his grip on Maia, looking for the choke.

Guru is persistently looking for the submission but Maia is defending it well.
Maia can't escape the position.

Guru looking for the choke but no joy.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Guru working for the choke.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Guru is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.

Maia showing good submission defense here.

Guru is working for the choke. I would put my money on him to finish from this position. He's rolled onto his back and has dragged Maia with him. Maia is trying to defend but Guru has an arm under the chin now! Maia grimaces and is forced to tap out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:51 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Ground Guru!