PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Viko Maafala (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rex KwonDo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Maafala comes to the cage accompanied by Fight. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Maafala
vs
KwonDo

195 cm
33
282 lbs
18 - 14 - 0

189 cm
33
245 lbs
23 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
Good knees
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

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 18 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Viko Maafala!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rex KwonDo!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Mauricio Rocha and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

A momentary lapse in concentration from Maafala enables KwonDo to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Maafala manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
KwonDo looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
KwonDo slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Maafala sneaks back into half guard.
KwonDo perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
KwonDo is looking to take a break and control but Maafala is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Maafala blocking the ground and pound attempt from KwonDo.
Maafala is trying to control but can't.
Maafala tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

KwonDo is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Maafala has managed to free his arm - good work.
Maafala is looking to control KwonDo's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Maafala avoid being mounted?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maafala moves into full guard.
Maafala being controlled here, momentarily.
Maafala 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.
KwonDo forces his way into half guard.
KwonDo throwing shots but Maafala is blocking nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
KwonDo is keen to just control but Maafala is a slippery customer.
KwonDo slips a nice elbow through Maafala's hands, connecting with Maafala's forehead.

It looks like Viko Maafala has been cut.
Maafala tries to roll over but KwonDo keeps him under control.
KwonDo trying to mount his opponent but Maafala defends it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maafala throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
KwonDo lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
KwonDo working the head and body with strikes.

Maafala is defending against the submission attempts here by KwonDo.
Maafala keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
KwonDo scoring with strikes to the body and head.
KwonDo working the head and body with strikes.
Maafala has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. KwonDo is working away from the top position though.
Maafala is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of KwonDo's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take KwonDo's back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
KwonDo turns into Maafala and is now in his guard.
Maafala trying to control the position.
KwonDo stands and throws Maafala's legs to the side, diving into side control.
KwonDo working the ground and pound.
KwonDo lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Maafala takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
KwonDo cracks Maafala with an elbow. That is naaassty.
KwonDo prevents Maafala from escaping the position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

KwonDo is trying to get an arm triangle but Maafala is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

KwonDo thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
KwonDo lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.

Viko Maafala's cut is getting worse.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maafala is looking for a sweep.

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

KwonDo swings around for an armbar but Maafala sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into KwonDo's guard.
KwonDo has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Maafala controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Maafala seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down KwonDo for as long as he can get away with.

KwonDo looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Maafala wants to pass the guard but KwonDo is keeping the position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
KwonDo wants to sweep here but Maafala controlling him for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rex KwonDo dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Viko Maafala's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Maafala wants to clinch
and KwonDo counters with a lovely shot to the body.
KwonDo displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Maafala.
Maafala changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. KwonDo tries to avoid it but Maafala manages to keep hold of a leg and drag KwonDo to the ground. KwonDo escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Maafala with a lazy takedown attempt
and KwonDo counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Viko Maafala. That's going to take a lot out of him.

KwonDo scores a takedown into full mount!

KwonDo has control of Maafala's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Maafala regains control of the situation pretty easily.
KwonDo unloading with bombs!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

KwonDo goes for an armbar but Maafala turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Maafala.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for KwonDo. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Maafala throwing strikes but missing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
KwonDo is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

KwonDo looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Maafala has picked KwonDo up and slammed him! KwonDo can't keep hold of the triangle and Maafala manages to pass to side control!
Rex KwonDo has got the better of the ground game so far.
Maafala trying to control the position but KwonDo is working away.
Maafala postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Maafala advances nicely into full mount.
KwonDo wants to control but Maafala is having none of it.
Maafala scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Maafala unloading with bombs!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
KwonDo tries to lock up and control but Maafala gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
KwonDo tries to reverse the position but Maafala maintains control.
Maafala breaks from KwonDo's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Maafala lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Maafala pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Maafala unloading with bombs!
Maafala lands with some vicious ground and pound - can KwonDo hang on?
Maafala landing strikes from the mount and KwonDo is in trouble!
Maafala controlling the position easily from mount.
Maafala working KwonDo over with strikes here.
Maafala lands a big elbow.
KwonDo is desperately trying to improve his position but Maafala has a good base and remains in mount.
KwonDo is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maafala can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as KwonDo is looking to escape.
Maafala in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Maafala working KwonDo over with strikes here.
KwonDo tries to lock up and control but Maafala gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
KwonDo is desperately trying to improve his position but Maafala has a good base and remains in mount.
KwonDo is breathing heavily.
KwonDo is squirming around, avoiding Maafala's attempts to control the action.
Maafala dominating with strikes here.
KwonDo tries to hold on but Maafala pushes him away.
Maafala has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of KwonDo's face.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Maafala with a couple of short strikes.
KwonDo is squirming around, avoiding Maafala's attempts to control the action.
KwonDo is in all sorts of trouble here.
Maafala controlling the pace for now.
KwonDo manages to regain half guard. Good work.
KwonDo is trying to control but can't.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
It looks like Maafala is going to stand back up.
KwonDo is positioning himself well to prevent Maafala advancing to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Viko Maafala dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Viko Maafala's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Maafala fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Maafala shoots in but KwonDo avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Maafala shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts KwonDo as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Viko Maafala. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Maafala gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Maafala looking to hit a scissor sweep but KwonDo is one step ahead there.
KwonDo with a nice head shot there.
KwonDo is looking to work some ground and pound but Maafala has wrist control.
KwonDo trying to control the position from guard on top but Maafala is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
KwonDo looking to sit in guard and control but Maafala gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's one minute gone in the round.

KwonDo escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Maafala gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
KwonDo keeping moving, preventing Maafala from controlling successfully.
KwonDo controls Maafala momentarily but Maafala frees himself.
KwonDo keeping moving, preventing Maafala from controlling successfully.
KwonDo is looking to sweep but instead, Maafala has passed into half guard.
Maafala wants to stand but KwonDo has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
KwonDo wants to control but Maafala is keeping busy.
Maafala thows a huge punch but KwonDo dodges it nicely.

KwonDo actively working from the bottom here.
Maafala not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Maafala slips a nice elbow through KwonDo's hands, connecting with KwonDo's forehead.
Maafala sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. KwonDo defending well though.
KwonDo moves into full guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
KwonDo controls Maafala momentarily but Maafala frees himself.
KwonDo takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maafala lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Maafala with a nice head shot there.
Maafala trying to control but KwonDo is working from the bottom.

KwonDo looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
KwonDo manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Maafala manages to get himself to full guard.
KwonDo throws a big elbow that misses.
Maafala wants to sweep here but KwonDo controlling him for the moment.
KwonDo throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Maafala works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
KwonDo working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Maafala is trying to control the position from the bottom.
KwonDo looking to pass the guard.
Maafala is trying to keep KwonDo in close.
KwonDo trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Maafala wants to sweep but no luck.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Maafala utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Maafala pulls KwonDo in to control the position.

We're going to have a standup here because Viko Maafala wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
KwonDo throws a nice looking combination but Maafala bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Maafala throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around KwonDo's waist but KwonDo gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Maafala off to one side.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Rex KwonDo.
Well KwonDo 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 28:29
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 28:29
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rex KwonDo!
After winning the bout, Rex KwonDo thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.