PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Luke Cage (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Viko Maafala (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Cage
vs
Maafala

198 cm
26
300 lbs
12 - 2 - 0

195 cm
25
290 lbs
11 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Luke Cage!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Viko Maafala!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Frank Dennis and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Maafala shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Cage is trying to defend but Maafala finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Cage keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Cage has hold of Maafala's hands but Maafala slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cage blocking the ground and pound attempt from Maafala.
Cage tries to roll over but Maafala keeps him under control.
Cage keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Cage is trying to stand.
Cage desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Maafala throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Cage controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maafala wants to free his trapped foot but Cage is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Maafala throwing shots but Cage is blocking nicely.
Maafala winds up and cracks Cage with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Cage on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Maafala throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Cage is looking to improve his position.
Cage moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Maafala passes Cage's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Cage pushes Maafala off but Maafala dives into side control.
Cage sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Maafala working over Cage with some ground and pound. Cage looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cage wants to get back to his feet.
Cage avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Maafala.
Maafala landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Cage trying to control from the bottom.
Maafala missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Cage is positioning himself well to prevent Maafala advancing to mount.

Maafala is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Maafala wants to pass to mount but Cage is defending the position.
Cage keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Cage wants to control but Maafala is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cage looks like he's trying to stand up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Cage lands a really nice looking cross but Maafala seems unphased.
Cage scores with a shot to the body.
Maafala takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

It looks like Viko Maafala has been cut.
Maafala looks gassed!
Cage scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A right-left combo lands from Cage.
Cage stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Cage!
Cage throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Maafala on the side of the head.

That has opened up Viko Maafala's cut even more.
Cage ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Cage throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Maafala on the side of the head.
Maafala with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Cage to score with a decent uppercut.

The cut above Viko Maafala's eye is starting to cause him problems now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cage lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Maafala at a distance.
Luke Cage is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Maafala ducks right into an uppercut from Cage.
Maafala ducks right into an uppercut from Cage.

Viko Maafala's cut is absolute horrible now. This looks like something out of a horror film with blood covering both fighters.
Cage lands with a nice combination. Maafala backs away looking to recover.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Viko Maafala's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:24 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Luke Cage!