PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Franco Maydala (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alex Shaw (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Franco Maydala has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Maydala
vs
Shaw

193 cm
22
227 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

155 cm
18
230 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Franco Maydala!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alex Shaw!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Wesley Smith and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shaw tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Maydala paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Maydala tries to keep at a distance but Shaw has taken the fight into the clinch.

Maydala pulls guard successfully.

Maydala pushes Shaw off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

Maydala gets a double leg takedown into Shaw's guard.
Maydala working some strikes from top position.
Shaw keeping moving, preventing Maydala from controlling successfully.
Maydala postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Shaw is working an open guard so Maydala takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Maydala closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Shaw did well to prevent Maydala getting side control.

Shaw has one foot on Maydala's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shaw doesn't manage to clinch there - Maydala circles away.

Maydala drives through with a takedown into guard.

Shaw wriggles free and stands up.

Maydala closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Shaw's guard.
Maydala is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shaw throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

Shaw has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Maydala has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.

Maydala has picked Shaw up - he's going for a ride! Maydala dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.

Shaw kicks off Maydala and gets to his feet.

Maydala tries to keep at a distance but Shaw has taken the fight into the clinch.

Shaw's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Shaw is looking to clinch.
Shaw wants to clinch up but Maydala keeps it at a distance.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Shaw tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Maydala counters with a shoot takedown. Shaw fights it but they end up in guard.

Shaw has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Maydala off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

Shaw drives through and clinches with Maydala against the cage.

Maydala turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

Shaw throws Maydala to one side and escapes!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shaw tries to clinch but Maydala moves out of range.

Shaw clinches up against the cage.

Shaw successfully pulls guard.

Shaw uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Shaw tries to clinch up.
It looked like Maydala was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.

Shaw rushes Maydala and presses him up against the cage.

Shaw breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Shaw gets caught napping as Maydala dives in and scores a takedown. Shaw manages to retain guard.

Shaw wriggles free and stands up.
Shaw is looking to clinch but Maydala is avoiding it.

Shaw closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Shaw breaks the clinch.

Shaw closes the distance and clinches.

Shaw escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Shaw takes the fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Maydala ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Maydala no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Maydala on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Maydala tries to get out of the position.

Maydala is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Maydala is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Shaw dives into side control.
Maydala parries the strikes from Shaw easily there. Shaw is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Maydala to escape.
Maydala is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
We've been informed that Shaw has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.

Shaw decides to stand back up.
Shaw shoots in looking for a takedown. Maydala tries to sprawl out of it but Shaw keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Maydala manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
The fight stays on the outside here - Shaw looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shaw is looking to clinch but Maydala is avoiding it.

Maydala decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Shaw manages to escape and get back to his feet!

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

Shaw manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Shaw breaks from the clinch.

Maydala shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Maydala showed some decent athleticism there.

Shaw pushes Maydala off and gets back to his feet.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A nice combination there by Shaw.
Shaw tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Maydala closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Shaw makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Shaw dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Alex Shaw seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Shaw wants to clinch up but Maydala keeps it at a distance.
Shaw fails in his attempt to clinch.
Good shot there by Maydala.
Shaw tries to clinch but Maydala moves out of range.
Maydala appears to be looking for a counter takedown.

Maydala changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Shaw looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Maydala working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Shaw tries to escape but Maydala is in control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Shaw tries to improve position but can't.
Maydala scoring with punches from side control.
Shaw is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Maydala off and has taken his back!
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Maydala is trying escape back to his feet. He turns into his opponent's guard and eventually finds his way back to his feet.
Shaw tries to clinch but Maydala is having none of it.

Maydala scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Shaw throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Shaw on the wrong end of a kick to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shaw forces Maydala back against the cage and clinches.
A shot in the inside from Shaw.

Maydala manages to break the clinch.
Maydala throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Shaw clinches with his opponent.

Shaw manages to pull guard.

Shaw pushes Maydala off and gets back to his feet.

Maydala gets the takedown into side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Shaw is not in a great position here, taking some shots.

Shaw throws Maydala to one side and escapes!

Shaw drives through and clinches with Maydala against the cage.

Shaw is fighting off a takedown attempt but Maydala is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Shaw to the mat. Shaw regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.

Shaw uses the cage to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Maydala clinches.

Maydala has hold of one of Shaw's legs. Shaw is fighting the takedown attempt but Maydala gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.

Shaw is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

Shaw escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Shaw tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Maydala paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Maydala scores with a jab. Shaw acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Shaw tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Shaw moves in looking to clinch but Maydala pushes him off.
Shaw tries to close the distance and clinch but Maydala swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Shaw moves into the clinch.

Shaw escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Shaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maydala lands a jab.
Maydala looks to land a combination. Shaw sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Shaw jumps into guard, dragging Maydala to the mat.

Shaw manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Maydala throws a good cross that connects.

Maydala clinches.
Shaw is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Maydala is defending well.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Shaw breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Shaw has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Shaw gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Maydala to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Shaw scrambles and gets back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shaw shoots in for a takedown but Maydala shows good takedown defense.
Franco Maydala has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alex Shaw.

Maydala shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Maydala will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Shaw manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Maydala circles away from the clinch attempt.
The fight stays on the outside here - Shaw looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Maydala gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Shaw breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Shaw closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Maydala has one foot on Shaw's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Shaw fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
As Shaw looks to move away, Maydala throws a big counter combo bu Shaw just gets out of the way.

Maydala throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Shaw tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Maydala is in Shaw's guard.

Shaw has his feet on Maydala's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

Maydala bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Shaw throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Shaw showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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!

Nice takedown defense from Maydala. No joy for Shaw on that attempt.

Shaw rushes Maydala and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Maydala's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Maydala clinches with his opponent.
Maydala lands with a short punch from the clinch.

Maydala's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Maydala scores with a nice strike.
Shaw is looking to clinch but Maydala is avoiding it.
Shaw wants to clinch up but Maydala keeps it at a distance.

Maydala gets a double leg takedown into Shaw's guard.

Shaw manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Shaw breaks from the clinch.

Shaw clinches up with Maydala and pushes him back against the cage.

Maydala lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Shaw has one foot on Maydala's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

Shaw closes the distance and pushes Maydala back into the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Shaw breaks from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Maydala looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Shaw!

Shaw throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Franco Maydala is winning the standup battle so far.
Shaw tries to clinch up.

Maydala looking to score a takedown here. Shaw is defending well but Maydala drives through and ends up in Shaw's guard.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Shaw manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Shaw breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Shaw darts in looking for a takedown but Maydala gets double underhooks and turns Shaw into the cage.

Maydala scores with a takedown into Shaw's guard.

Shaw manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.

Shaw pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Shaw takes the fight into the clinch.

Maydala pulls guard.
Alex Shaw is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shaw in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Shaw won't allow Maydala to sweep him here.

Maydala is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Maydala is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Maydala wants to stand up but Shaw is controlling him.

Shaw decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Shaw closes the distance and clinches.

Shaw breaks the clinch.

Shaw rushes Maydala and presses him up against the cage.
Shaw tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Maydala smiles and moves away.
Franco Maydala has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alex Shaw.
Maydala circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A thudding body kick lands there by Maydala!

Shaw clinches.
Come on Maydala - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Maydala.

Shaw breaks from the clinch.
Shaw shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Maydala defends it nicely.
Maydala wants to land a leg kick but Shaw is out of range.

Shaw gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Maydala lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Shaw manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Maydala keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Shaw tries to pull guard but Maydala won't allow it.

Maydala breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Shaw clinches up with Maydala and pushes him back against the cage.

Maydala has clasped his hands together around Shaw's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.

Shaw throws Maydala to one side and escapes!
Shaw tries to clinch there but Maydala circles away.
Maydala throws a big counter combination but Shaw scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.

Shaw has managed to clinch.

Maydala manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Franco Maydala has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Maydala is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Shaw loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Shaw in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Shaw wants to control from the top but Maydala keeps moving.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Maydala looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Maydala knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Shaw on the ground.
Shaw throwing strikes but missing.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alex Shaw comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Shaw winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alex Shaw!
A pretty intense looking Alex Shaw took the opportunity post-fight to ask for a shot at the title.