PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Michael Gleiser (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joaquim Maria (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Maria has chosen Kronos - Bloodtower as his entrance music. 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.

Gleiser
vs
Maria

190 cm
41
230 lbs
18 - 22 - 1

193 cm
36
237 lbs
35 - 14 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

GREEN!160

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 - 22 - 1, fighting out of London, Michael Gleiser!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 35 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Joaquim Maria!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maria avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Maria looks like he wants to counter punch here.

Gleiser rushes Maria and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Gleiser wants a takedown but no success here.

Maria manages to break the clinch.
Gleiser rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Maria counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

It looks like Michael Gleiser has been cut.
Gleiser swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Gleiser shoots for a takedown but Maria saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Maria is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Gleiser wants to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gleiser wants to clinch.
Maria throws out a counter right but Gleiser avoids it with no problem.
Gleiser closes the distance and clinches up with Maria, looking for a takedown. Gleiser pushes Maria against the cage but Maria circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Maria throws a fast counter high kick but Gleiser manages to duck under it in time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michael Gleiser. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gleiser misses with a left hand
enabling Maria to counter with a crisp jab.
Michael Gleiser seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gleiser tries to clinch there but Maria circles away.
Gleiser fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Gleiser tries for a takedown but Maria circles away easily
and Maria counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Gleiser is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Good exchange - Maria coming out on top.
Gleiser throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Maria's waist but Maria gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Gleiser off to one side.
Maria is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
We've been told by Gleiser's head coaches at Vicious Striking that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Gleiser throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Maria shapes to counter with a head kick.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Gleiser is defended easily by Maria.
Maria lands with a slapping head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gleiser throws a left and a right that both miss
and Maria counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Gleiser looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

Gleiser is rocked!

Michael Gleiser's cut is getting worse.

Maria gets tackled into the cage by Gleiser. Gleiser maintains the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Gleiser breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Gleiser moves in looking to clinch but Maria pushes him off.
Gleiser tries to clinch up
and Maria counters with a head kick from the bowels of hell that crumples Gleiser! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:28 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Head Kick). Joaquim Maria!
An out of breath Joaquim Maria thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.