PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jim Rafferty (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Demian Maia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Rafferty
vs
Maia

180 cm
22
193 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
22
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Decent elbows
Good chin

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jim Rafferty!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Demian Maia!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rafferty misses with a two punch combination.
A head kick misses from Maia.
Maia shoots for a takedown but Rafferty saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Rafferty scores with a jab.
Maia sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Rafferty throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Rafferty throws a right hand that Maia ducks under and follows up with a left that Maia also avoids with ease.
Rafferty throws a right and a left that both miss.
Rafferty looks to land a combination but Maia avoids it well.
A nice combination there by Rafferty.
Rafferty misses with the combination.
Rafferty throws a head kick that misses.

Maia shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Maia is trying to control. Rafferty wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Rafferty pushes Maia off looking to stand but Maia dives back in and keeps control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rafferty trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

Maia wants to work for an arm triangle but Rafferty is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Maia seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Maia prevents Rafferty from standing back up.
Maia wants to control but Rafferty is keeping him busy.
Well, if Maia is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Maia lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maia looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Rafferty with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Rafferty wants to get back to his feet.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Rafferty is breathing heavily.
Maia performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Maia stops Rafferty from getting back to his feet.

Maia is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Rafferty defends it well.
Rafferty wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Maia connects with a nice short shot to Rafferty's temple.
Maia performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Maia takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Rafferty has hold of Maia's hands but Maia slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Maia takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Rafferty is trying to stand back up but Maia is controlling him

Maia in half guard on the top. He's looking for a kimura... He's got it locked and he's managed to free his trapped foot. Rafferty tries to escape but it's on too tight and he has to tap! Great BJJ skills there from Maia!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:04 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Demian Maia!