PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jyrki Sukulaku (ranked 280 p4p, 1040 weight class) and Thomas Maeda (ranked 39 p4p, 134 weight class). Maeda has chosen Submission 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.

Sukulaku
vs
Maeda

178 cm
27
155
15 - 6 - 0

169 cm
36
164
29 - 19 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Powerful

Brooklyn Threads
Pound Town INC

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Jyrki Sukulaku!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 29 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Thomas Maeda!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, William Gold and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maeda connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Sukulaku momentarily.
Sukulaku is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Maeda.
Sukulaku slips a jab and a cross from Maeda.
Maeda throws a combination that misses
and Sukulaku counters with a stiff right hand.
Sukulaku definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

Maeda shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Sukulaku napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Maeda misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Sukulaku manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Maeda passes the guard and advances to mount!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Maeda with shots to the head and body - Sukulaku looks very uncomfortable down there.

Maeda looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Sukulaku regains half guard.

Sukulaku looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Maeda is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Sukulaku has managed to free his arm - good work.
Maeda looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Maeda working his ground and pound in the gym. So far it seems to be working well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sukulaku makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Sukulaku.

Sukulaku is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Maeda is aware though and is defending well.
Maeda slips nicely into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Maeda is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Sukulaku looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Sukulaku is trying to get back to full guard.
Maeda wants to pass to mount but Sukulaku is defending the position.
Sukulaku is not content to let Maeda control the position.
Sukulaku wants to control but Maeda is keeping busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Maeda wants to lay and pray for a moment but Sukulaku keeps working.

Sukulaku is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Maeda pulls his head out easily.

Sukulaku is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Maeda pulls his head out easily.
Maeda seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Sukulaku does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Sukulaku tries to roll over but Maeda keeps him under control.
Maeda wants to pass to mount but Sukulaku is defending the position.
Maeda prevents Sukulaku from improving his position.

Sukulaku actively working from the bottom here.
Sukulaku trying to control from the bottom.
Sukulaku wants to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maeda drops an elbow to the side of Sukulaku's head.
Maeda prevents Sukulaku from improving his position.
Maeda looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Sukulaku gets full guard.
Maeda is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Sukulaku keeping moving, preventing Maeda from controlling successfully.

Sukulaku has his foot on Maeda's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Maeda works his way back into a safe position though.
Maeda working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Maeda keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Sukulaku's head.
Maeda sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Maeda stands up over Sukulaku, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maeda stopping the sweep attempt from Sukulaku.
Sukulaku trying to keep a closed guard but Maeda is proving a slippery customer.
Maeda lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Maeda tries to free his leg and advance position but Sukulaku is retaining full guard.
Maeda trying to control but Sukulaku is working from the bottom.
Sukulaku looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Sukulaku is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Maeda throws a big elbow that misses.
Sukulaku utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Sukulaku had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Maeda defends it easily.
Sukulaku working a defensive guard here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Maeda dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Maeda lands a nice shot to the body.
Sukulaku takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
A telegraphed right hand from Maeda misses the target.
Maeda throws a series of punches but Sukulaku avoids them all with ease.
A little feinted left hand from Sukulaku on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
The fighters circling - Sukulaku throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Maeda throws a nice looking combination but Sukulaku bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Sukulaku swings widly with a right hand
and Maeda connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Maeda scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Jab from Sukulaku.
Maeda uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Sukulaku.
Maeda swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Sukulaku is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Maeda.
Maeda drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sukulaku defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Maeda.
Maeda wants to clinch.
Jyrki Sukulaku is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice shot by Sukulaku.
Sukulaku's corner calls for a 1-2. Sukulaku obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Sukulaku throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sukulaku swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Maeda.
Maeda uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Sukulaku.
Maeda has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Sukulaku throws a head kick that misses.
Sukulaku throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Maeda scores with a jab. Sukulaku acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
The fight stays on the outside here - Maeda looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Maeda misses with a two punch combination.
Maeda lands a nice shot that snaps Sukulaku's head back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sukulaku misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sukulaku misses with a looping left.
Maeda misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Maeda throws an overhand right that lands on Sukulaku's shoulder, as Sukulaku tries to avoid the shot.
Maeda thows a left - swing and a miss!
Maeda takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Sukulaku throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Sukulaku looks to land a left hand but Maeda moved out of range nicely.
Maeda clobbers Sukulaku with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Sukulaku looks to score with a jab to the body but Maeda is just out of range.
Maeda paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

Maeda drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Maeda trying to control the position from guard on top but Sukulaku is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Maeda throws a big elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sukulaku is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Maeda is aware though and is defending well.
Maeda trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Maeda postures up.

Sukulaku is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Maeda wants to control from the top but Sukulaku keeps moving.
Maeda lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Sukulaku trying to keep a closed guard but Maeda is proving a slippery customer.
Maeda stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sukulaku swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Sukulaku looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Maeda trying to control but Sukulaku is working from the bottom.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maeda engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Sukulaku is looking for a triangle but Maeda pushes his legs off easily.
Maeda sitting in guard here, content to control.

Sukulaku is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Maeda working some strikes from top position.
Sukulaku is trying to control the position but Maeda postures up.
Sukulaku 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.
Maeda controlling from the top position.

Sukulaku throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Thomas Maeda will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Maeda uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Sukulaku.
Sukulaku scores with a jab to the body.
Maeda tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sukulaku swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Maeda looks to land a combination but Sukulaku avoids it well.
Sukulaku throws a hook but Maeda blocks it.
Jyrki Sukulaku is winning the standup battle so far.
Sukulaku scores with a punch to the head.
Sukulaku throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
The fighters circle momentarily. Maeda darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Sukulaku connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Maeda shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Sukulaku but Sukulaku pushes him off and we're back to square one.
An attempted straight right counter from Sukulaku misses the target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fight stays on the outside here - Maeda looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Maeda lands with a cross.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sukulaku connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
No joy there for Maeda, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Maeda shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Maeda was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Sukulaku is trying to improve his position.
Maeda wants to control but Sukulaku is keeping him busy.
Maeda cracks Sukulaku with a big elbow.
Sukulaku avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Maeda.
Sukulaku is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Maeda is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Sukulaku knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Sukulaku is trying to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maeda working away.
Maeda is working Sukulaku over with some ground and pound from side control.
Sukulaku is trying to improve his position.
Sukulaku is not content to let Maeda control the position.
Sukulaku is trying to control Maeda's posture but Maeda avoids it.
Sukulaku tries to improve position but can't.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Maeda wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Sukulaku, who protects the arm well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maeda scores with punches from side control.
You can see the frustration on Sukulaku's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Sukulaku tries to bench press Maeda off him but Maeda keeps the position.
Thomas Maeda has got the better of the ground game so far.
Maeda wants to lay and pray for a moment but Sukulaku keeps working.
Sukulaku takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Maeda works to advance to full mount. Sukulaku defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.

Maeda goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Sukulaku turns into him and now he's in Maeda's guard.

Sukulaku avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maeda keeping moving, preventing Sukulaku from controlling successfully.
Sukulaku passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Maeda is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Sukulaku not doing much here.
Maeda is looking to improve his position.
Sukulaku has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Sukulaku tries to control but Maeda wriggling away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Thomas Maeda just about did enough to take it.
That's time! Sukulaku's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Maeda ducks under a wild hook from Sukulaku.
Despite the aggression on Maeda's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Maeda moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

Maeda rushes Sukulaku and presses him up against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Maeda.
Maeda misses with a punch to the body.
Maeda tries to pull guard but Sukulaku holds him up against the cage and eventually Maeda drops back down to his feet.
Maeda misses with a hook to the ribs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maeda pushes off an throws an elbow but Sukulaku leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Maeda.
Maeda lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Sukulaku blocks a body shot from Maeda.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maeda goes for a takedown in the clinch but Sukulaku prevents it.
Maeda looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Maeda tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Maeda is trying to break the clinch but Sukulaku is controlling him.
Maeda is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Jyrki Sukulaku has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thomas Maeda.
Maeda tries to throw a body punch but Sukulaku avoids it by throwing Maeda back against the cage.
Maeda tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Maeda tries to work over Sukulaku's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Maeda doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Maeda wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Sukulaku has him pressed against the cage.
Maeda tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Sukulaku blocks an uppercut.
Maeda fails to pull guard.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Maeda.
A short right from Maeda on the inside.
Maeda wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Sukulaku has him pressed against the cage.
Sukulaku tries to pull guard but Maeda forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Maeda struggles to land a body shot inside as Sukulaku controls his hands.
Sukulaku prevents a body shot from Maeda.
Maeda tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Maeda tries to work over Sukulaku's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Sukulaku working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Sukulaku blocks an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sukulaku manages to pull guard.
Maeda trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Sukulaku is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Maeda is aware though and is defending well.

Sukulaku had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Maeda defends it easily.

Sukulaku escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Maeda gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

Sukulaku throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Maeda trying to control but Sukulaku is working from the bottom.
Maeda works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Maeda wants to control but Sukulaku is keeping him busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sukulaku wants to improve his position but Maeda is controlling well.
Maeda wants to pass the guard but Sukulaku is defending well.
Maeda is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Maeda is looking to take a break and control but Sukulaku is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Maeda is nestled in close to Sukulaku, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Sukulaku is looking for a sweep. Maeda is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sukulaku is trying to control but can't.
Maeda is trying to control. Sukulaku wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Sukulaku is trying to control but can't.
Sukulaku slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Maeda dominated that fourth round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

A lazy left from Sukulaku finds it's target.
A decent looking cross lands there for Maeda.
Sukulaku misses with an uppercut.
Sukulaku throws a hook but Maeda blocks it.
Maeda throws out a powerful jab.
Sukulaku misses with a straight left.
Maeda misses with a lunging right hand
and Sukulaku connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Maeda listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Maeda lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
A telegraphed right hand from Maeda misses the target.
Sukulaku throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Maeda on the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Maeda cracks Sukulaku with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Maeda moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sukulaku misses with a straight left.
Maeda avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Maeda blocks a jab.
Sukulaku scores with a nice head shot.
Sukulaku moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Maeda uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Sukulaku.
Nice takedown defense from Sukulaku. No joy for Maeda on that attempt.

Sukulaku cracks Maeda with a big right hand and Maeda goes down!

Maeda is rocked!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sukulaku showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Maeda is still in real trouble! Can Sukulaku finish him?
Sukulaku slips nicely into half guard.

Sukulaku is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Sukulaku is trying to work for a kimura but Maeda is defending well.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

Sukulaku is trying to work for a kimura but Maeda is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Maeda is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Sukulaku pulls his head out easily.
Maeda seems to have recovered his senses.
Sukulaku seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Maeda does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Sukulaku wants to pass to mount but Maeda is defending the position.

Maeda actively working from the bottom here.
Sukulaku is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Maeda holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Sukulaku stalling.
Maeda trying to hold on to Sukulaku's head to control him but Sukulaku postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maeda might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Sukulaku haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Sukulaku wants to pass the guard but Maeda is defending well.
Jyrki Sukulaku has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sukulaku controlling the action here.
Maeda is trying to get back to full guard.
Thomas Maeda is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Maeda is staying active underneath Sukulaku, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Sukulaku's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Maeda connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Sukulaku scrambles back to his feet.

Maeda shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Sukulaku is trying to defend but Maeda finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Maeda thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Sukulaku looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Maeda content to control rather than advance.

Sukulaku actively working from the bottom here.

Sukulaku looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jyrki Sukulaku showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Maeda 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 46:49
Judge William Gold scores the fight 46:49
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thomas Maeda!
Thomas Maeda is the new lightweight champion!
Thomas Maeda made sure to mention his sponsor, Kore Fight Nutrition in his post fight interview.