PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between scott maxwell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and muhammad ali (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for scott maxwell has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

maxwell
vs
ali

185 cm
21
185 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

185 cm
22
188 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Prefers standup

Good takedowns
Basic striking
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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, scott maxwell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, muhammad ali!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, James Glass and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

ali fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. maxwell sprawls well initially but ali persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
ali is trying to control the action in half guard but maxwell is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
maxwell trying to control but ali postures up.
maxwell is refusing to be controlled, as ali sits in half guard.
ali missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
maxwell wants to control but ali is keeping busy and won't allow it.
maxwell is trying to stand back up but ali is controlling him
Ground and pound from ali.
maxwell trying to control from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
ali avoids the head kick by maxwell.
A head kick misses from maxwell.

ali scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
ali not landing any meaningful shots this time.
ali thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed maxwell's head.
ali not landing any meaningful shots this time.
maxwell is trying to control but can't.
maxwell gets full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
ali loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
maxwell utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
ali being controlled here momentarily.
maxwell is trying to control the position but ali postures up.
ali loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
maxwell looking to control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
maxwell throws a head kick but ali moves out of range.
maxwell is breathing heavily.

ali drives through with a takedown into guard.
ali tries to free his leg and advance position but maxwell is retaining full guard.
maxwell looking to control.
ali trying to stand up but can't free himself from maxwell's guard.
maxwell trying to keep a closed guard but ali is proving a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
ali lands a couple of digs.
ali throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as maxwell works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

ali stands up from guard. Let's bang!
ali blocks a head kick by maxwell.
ali throws a right hand that maxwell ducks under and follows up with a left that maxwell also avoids with ease.

ali bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
maxwell takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
maxwell wants to control but ali postures up.
ali scoring with punches and elbows.

ali is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but maxwell is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
maxwell is not content to let ali control the position.
ali is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt maxwell will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
ali is looking to take a break and control but maxwell is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
maxwell wants to control but ali postures up.
maxwell is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because ali is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
maxwell is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

ali closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - ali lands in his opponent's guard.
ali trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
ali wants to control from the top but maxwell keeps moving.
maxwell controls ali momentarily but ali frees himself.
maxwell keeping moving, preventing ali from controlling successfully.
ali scoring with punches to the head and body.
ali trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
ali throwing strikes but missing.
ali wants to pass the guard but maxwell is keeping the position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

ali scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
ali trying to control the action but maxwell is working from the bottom.
ali not landing any meaningful shots this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

muhammad ali dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

maxwell pulls out of a head kick attempt.

ali closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming maxwell to the mat! maxwell manages to get full guard.
ali passes maxwell's left leg - he's now in half guard.
ali thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed maxwell's head.
maxwell is trying to maintain the position but ali is very close to passing his half guard.
ali missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
ali has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
maxwell wants to control but ali is keeping busy and won't allow it.
ali wants to pass the guard but maxwell is defending well.
maxwell is not content to let ali control the position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
maxwell pulls out of a head kick attempt.

ali gets the takedown into side control.
ali in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
ali wants to control but maxwell is keeping him busy.
ali slows the pace down.
maxwell wants to control but ali postures up.
maxwell is looking for a sweep.
ali landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
ali working the ground and pound.
maxwell wants to control but ali postures up.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

ali shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. ali showed some decent athleticism there.
maxwell trying to hold on to ali's head to control him but ali postures up.
ali tries to pass to full mount but maxwell defends it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
maxwell keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
ali wants to free his trapped foot but maxwell is holding on for dear life with his legs.
ali thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
maxwell is staying active underneath ali, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
maxwell wants to control but ali is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

ali shoots in and bounces maxwell off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
ali trying to control but maxwell is working from the bottom.
ali works over maxwell with some ground and pound from guard.
ali with a nice head shot there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
ali is looking to work some ground and pound but maxwell has wrist control.
maxwell trying to keep a closed guard but ali is proving a slippery customer.
ali connects with a couple of short punches.
muhammad ali has got the better of the ground game so far.
ali is pushing down on maxwell's leg trying to pass to half guard. maxwell is fighting to maintain full guard but ali has managed to sneak the leg through.
maxwell has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. ali is working away from the top position though.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

ali looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
maxwell is trying to stand back up but ali is controlling him
ali lands strikes from half guard.
ali prevents maxwell from improving his position.
maxwell is trying to control but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
ali works his way into full mount!

ali working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
maxwell wants to hold on but ali pushes him away.
ali pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
maxwell is in a horrible position here. ali smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
maxwell is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
ali dominating with strikes here.
maxwell tries to hold on but ali pushes him away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

muhammad ali showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

ali fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. maxwell sprawls well initially but ali persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

ali escapes and gets back to his feet.
maxwell misses with a head kick.

ali takes the fight into the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on maxwell's face as he tries to break the clinch.
ali tries for a takedown but maxwell manages to get underhooks.
maxwell is trying to break free.
maxwell tries to break the clinch but ali is controlling the position.
ali keeps control of maxwell as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
ali taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

ali turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and ali manages to end up in side control.
maxwell struggling a bit here.
maxwell takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
ali in side control lands a decent elbow.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
An elbow from ali crashes against the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
maxwell dodges the ground and pound from ali.
maxwell can't do much from the bottom here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

ali shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. maxwell manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
maxwell not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
ali is pushing down on maxwell's leg trying to pass to half guard. maxwell is fighting to maintain full guard but ali has managed to sneak the leg through.
maxwell wants to control but ali is keeping busy and won't allow it.
ali lands with a punch from half guard.
ali is keen to just control but maxwell is a slippery customer.
ali throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
maxwell blocking the ground and pound attempt from ali.
maxwell wants to control but ali is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

ali drives through with a takedown into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
ali with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
maxwell keeping moving, preventing ali from controlling successfully.
ali with a flurry of punches that miss.
maxwell trying to control the position.
ali missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
ali stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. maxwell swivels though and keeps the full guard.
ali loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
maxwell lands with a slapping head kick.
maxwell tries a head kick but it misses.

ali closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming maxwell to the mat! maxwell manages to get full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
ali passes maxwell's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
ali is thwarting maxwell's attempts to control the position.
maxwell on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
maxwell is looking to control ali's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can maxwell avoid being mounted?
maxwell on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
maxwell is not content to let ali control the position.
ali wants to pass to mount but maxwell is defending the position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

ali rushes maxwell and presses him up against the cage.
maxwell wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but ali has him pressed against the cage.
ali keeps the fight in the clinch, despite maxwell's efforts to push away.

ali works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
ali wants to control from the top but maxwell keeps moving.
ali is looking to work some ground and pound but maxwell has wrist control.
maxwell is controlling ali's posture.
ali is working maxwell over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
muhammad ali is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
ali passes maxwell's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
ali scoring with strikes to the body and head.
ali takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
maxwell manages to get to full guard.
maxwell trying to control the position.
scott maxwell has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

And that's the end of the fight!
muhammad ali comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got ali 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 William Gold scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Glass scores the fight 26:30
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... muhammad ali!