PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between BJ Arabi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sheldon Maia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Maia comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Basket Case kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Arabi
vs
Maia

185 cm
22
185 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

185 cm
19
193 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, BJ Arabi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Sheldon Maia!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Edson Gomes and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Maia shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Arabi is trying to defend but Maia finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Maia wants to free his trapped foot but Arabi is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Arabi is staying active underneath Maia, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Arabi wants to control but Maia is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Arabi is in trouble now - Maia has advanced to mount!
Maia throws some wild stikes that Arabi manages to avoid easily.
Maia prevents Arabi from getting the reversal.

Maia looking for a guillotine from mount but Arabi is having none of it.
Arabi swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Arabi on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Arabi tries to get out of the position.
Arabi is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maia sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Maia moves to the back position.

Maia has the hooks in and he's looking for a rear naked choke here. Arabi is defending well but eventually Maia manages to get an arm under the chin and he's locked on the RNC! Arabi has no choice but to tap now! He does! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:37 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Sheldon Maia!