PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Thomas Maeda (ranked 546 p4p, 365 weight class) and Pablo Itzpapalotltotec (ranked 77 p4p, 51 weight class). Maeda comes to the cage accompanied by Submission. The crowd seem to be enjoying Itzpapalotltotec's choice of entrance music: Copacabana - Barry Manilow. 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.

Maeda
vs
Itzpapalotltotec

169 cm
37
164
30 - 20 - 0

173 cm
27
155
15 - 6 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Voodoo Nutrition
Pound Town INC

Brooklyn Apothecary

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 30 - 20 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Thomas Maeda!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Pablo Itzpapalotltotec!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Ren Mimura and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A jab from Maeda finds it's way through Itzpapalotltotec's defenses.
Maeda looks to land a combination but Itzpapalotltotec avoids it well.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Itzpapalotltotec has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Maeda misses with a combination
and Itzpapalotltotec counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Maeda throws a right hand that misses
and Itzpapalotltotec counters with a stiff right hand.

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

Maeda thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Itzpapalotltotec is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Maeda's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Maeda lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Itzpapalotltotec moves into full guard.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Itzpapalotltotec being controlled here, momentarily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Maeda is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Itzpapalotltotec bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Maeda's guard.

Itzpapalotltotec is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Itzpapalotltotec tries to free his leg and advance position but Maeda is retaining full guard.

Maeda escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Itzpapalotltotec gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Itzpapalotltotec controlling from the top position.
Maeda working a defensive guard here.
Maeda can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Itzpapalotltotec controls the pace.
Maeda looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Maeda is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Itzpapalotltotec defends well.
Itzpapalotltotec looking to pass the guard.
Itzpapalotltotec trying to control the position from guard on top but Maeda is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Maeda can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Itzpapalotltotec controls the pace.
Let's hope that Itzpapalotltotec has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Itzpapalotltotec wants to control from the top but Maeda keeps moving.

Maeda working for a triangle but Itzpapalotltotec defends it easily.
Itzpapalotltotec is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Itzpapalotltotec's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Maeda goes for a double leg but Itzpapalotltotec avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Itzpapalotltotec continues to drive forward.
Itzpapalotltotec throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Maedas head.
Itzpapalotltotec misses with some punches.
Maeda wants to take the fight to the mat but Itzpapalotltotec manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Itzpapalotltotec swings wildly with an uppercut but Maeda uses good head movement to avoid it.
Maeda cracks Itzpapalotltotec with a nice body shot.
A nice left hand lands by Itzpapalotltotec.
Maeda is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Itzpapalotltotec gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thomas Maeda. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A short right from Itzpapalotltotec on the inside.
Maeda blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Itzpapalotltotec.
Nice body punch from Itzpapalotltotec.
Maeda struggles to land a body shot inside as Itzpapalotltotec controls his hands.
Itzpapalotltotec lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Maeda throws a punch but it's blocked by Itzpapalotltotec.
Maeda blocks a body shot from Itzpapalotltotec.
Maeda working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Maeda is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Itzpapalotltotec is defending well.
Itzpapalotltotec working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Maeda goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Itzpapalotltotec working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Itzpapalotltotec lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Maeda backwards.

Itzpapalotltotec's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Maeda misses with a left hand
and Itzpapalotltotec counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Maeda thinking.
Maeda misses with an uppercut
and Itzpapalotltotec makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Maeda throws a lazy uppercut
and Maeda takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Maeda moves out of range as Itzpapalotltotec strikes.
Itzpapalotltotec lands a jab.
Itzpapalotltotec stuns Maeda with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Itzpapalotltotec with a hook.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Pablo Itzpapalotltotec 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.

Maeda waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Itzpapalotltotec.
Itzpapalotltotec is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Maeda with a body shot.
Maeda with a jab.
Maeda throws out a loose jab but Itzpapalotltotec uses good head movement to avoid it.
Itzpapalotltotec connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Maeda's hands.
Maeda throws a jab when Itzpapalotltotec was well out of range.
Maeda lands with a hook. Itzpapalotltotec tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Maeda throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Itzpapalotltotec appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Maeda tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Itzpapalotltotec manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Itzpapalotltotec looks like he wants to counter punch here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Itzpapalotltotec moves out of range of the strikes.
Itzpapalotltotec doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.

Maeda shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Itzpapalotltotec is refusing to be controlled, as Maeda sits in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Maeda wants to work for an arm triangle but Itzpapalotltotec is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Itzpapalotltotec gets full guard.
Itzpapalotltotec trying to keep a closed guard but Maeda is proving a slippery customer.
Maeda has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Itzpapalotltotec is on top in guard.

Itzpapalotltotec slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
More stalling from Itzpapalotltotec.

Maeda working for a triangle but Itzpapalotltotec defends it easily.

Maeda has his foot on Itzpapalotltotec's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Itzpapalotltotec works his way back into a safe position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Itzpapalotltotec slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Maeda keeping moving, preventing Itzpapalotltotec from controlling successfully.
Maeda trying to control the position.
Itzpapalotltotec trying to control the position from guard on top but Maeda is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Maeda throws his legs up looking for a submission but Itzpapalotltotec uses it to pass to side control.

Itzpapalotltotec tries for a kimura but Maeda is defending well.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Itzpapalotltotec working away.
Itzpapalotltotec wants to lay and pray for a moment but Maeda keeps working.

Itzpapalotltotec tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Itzpapalotltotec tries to advance to mount but can't.
Thomas Maeda overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Itzpapalotltotec wants to lay and pray for a moment but Maeda keeps working.
Maeda tries to bench press Itzpapalotltotec off him but Itzpapalotltotec keeps the position.
Itzpapalotltotec trying to control the position but Maeda is working away.
Maeda is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Maeda is trying to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Itzpapalotltotec performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

Itzpapalotltotec is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Maeda has managed to free his arm - good work.
Itzpapalotltotec wants to pass to mount but Maeda is defending the position.
Maeda is not content to let Itzpapalotltotec control the position.
Itzpapalotltotec keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Maeda keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Itzpapalotltotec is looking to take a break and control but Maeda is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Thomas Maeda will probably get the nod.
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. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

A big right from Itzpapalotltotec misses.
A counter left hand to the body from Maeda misses its target.
Maeda throws a big shot that misses.
Pablo Itzpapalotltotec seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Itzpapalotltotec steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Maeda.
Maeda misses with a takedown attempt
and Itzpapalotltotec counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Jab from Maeda.
Maeda throws a left and a right that both miss
and Maeda takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Maeda lands with a cross.
Maeda swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Itzpapalotltotec counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Itzpapalotltotec fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Maeda is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Itzpapalotltotec takes a jab right on the kisser.
Maeda throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Itzpapalotltotec sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A nice side step and Itzpapalotltotec releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maeda fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Itzpapalotltotec on the side of the head.
Maeda throws a jab when Itzpapalotltotec was well out of range.
Itzpapalotltotec throws out a counter right but Maeda avoids it with no problem.
Itzpapalotltotec lands a jab to the head.
Maeda shoots in for a takedown but Itzpapalotltotec shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Itzpapalotltotec throws a looping overhand right but Maeda ducks down to avoid it.
Itzpapalotltotec displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Maeda throws out the jab.
Itzpapalotltotec swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Pablo Itzpapalotltotec is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Maeda closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Maeda misses with a wild body shot.
Itzpapalotltotec let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Itzpapalotltotec circles away from the clinch attempt
enabling Itzpapalotltotec to counter with a crisp jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Itzpapalotltotec takes a swing at Maeda's ribcage but misses.
Maeda cracks Itzpapalotltotec with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Maeda doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Maeda takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thomas Maeda. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Maeda clobbers Itzpapalotltotec with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Maeda on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Itzpapalotltotec smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Itzpapalotltotec misses the shot to the body.
Maeda misses with a lunging right hand
enabling Itzpapalotltotec to counter with a crisp jab.
Itzpapalotltotec bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Maeda's head.
Itzpapalotltotec throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Maeda sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maeda misses with a wild combination.
Maeda wants to clinch up but Itzpapalotltotec keeps it at a distance.
Jab from Itzpapalotltotec.
A big left from Maeda misses.
Itzpapalotltotec looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Maeda darts in looking for a takedown but Itzpapalotltotec gets double underhooks and turns Maeda into the cage.
Itzpapalotltotec blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Itzpapalotltotec has a couple of punches blocked by Maeda.
Itzpapalotltotec lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Itzpapalotltotec digs a right hand underneath Maeda's ribcage. Maeda let out a lung full of air as it connected.

Itzpapalotltotec breaks the clinch.
Maeda has a takedown stuffed.
Itzpapalotltotec moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maeda walks into a stiff left hand from Itzpapalotltotec.
Itzpapalotltotec works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Maeda misses with a left hand
and Itzpapalotltotec counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Maeda drops his hands momentarily and Itzpapalotltotec takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Maeda misses the body punch
and Itzpapalotltotec connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Maeda tries to clinch there but Itzpapalotltotec circles away.
Itzpapalotltotec lands a glancing blow to the side of Maeda's head.
Maeda throws an ugly left hook that misses
enabling Itzpapalotltotec to counter with a crisp jab.
Maeda gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Itzpapalotltotec counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pablo Itzpapalotltotec comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Itzpapalotltotec has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 28:29
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pablo Itzpapalotltotec!
Pablo Itzpapalotltotec decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.
In defeat, Thomas Maeda stepped up to the mic, saying 'Through Japanese translator to English. "My opponent was better today. I will not underestimate him next time"'.