PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Thiago Anderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gessinger Maltz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Anderson's entrance music is Nelly - Here comes the Boom. A fine choice. Thiago Anderson has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Anderson
vs
Maltz

160 cm
22
168 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

178 cm
23
162 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Thiago Anderson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Gessinger Maltz!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Thiago Cunha and Matheus Silva.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A head kick misses from Anderson.
Maltz throws a series of punches but Anderson avoids them all with ease.
A jab from Maltz misses.
Maltz misses with a few strikes there.
Anderson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Maltz was well out of range. Poor timing from Anderson.

Anderson closes the distance and clinches.
Maltz doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Anderson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Anderson looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Maltz wants to clinch but Anderson slips to the side
and Anderson counters with a body kick that stops Maltz in his tracks momentarily.
Anderson avoids the head kick by Maltz.

Anderson closes the distance and pushes Maltz back into the cage.
Maltz looking for a takedown.
Anderson trying to land knees to the body.
Anderson tries to land knees in the clinch but Maltz avoids the damage to the body.

Anderson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Anderson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Anderson stuns Maltz with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Anderson misses with a head kick.
Maltz gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Anderson moves into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maltz takes an elbow to the forehead.
Maltz blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Anderson lands an elbow just above Maltz 's eye.
Anderson prevents a takedown attempt there.
Thiago Anderson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gessinger Maltz.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Maltz.
Maltz blocks an elbow strike from Anderson.
Anderson is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Maltz is defending well for now.
Anderson scores with a knee to the head.

Anderson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Maltz tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Anderson counters with a head kick.
Anderson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Maltz was well out of range. Poor timing from Anderson.
Maltz tries to clinch up

and Anderson counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Anderson lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Maltz is trying to drag Anderson to the mat but Anderson just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Anderson gets underhooks to prevent Maltz's takedown attempt.
Maltz looks gassed!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Anderson breaks the clinch.
Anderson throws a left and a right that both miss
and Maltz counters with a one-two to the body.
Anderson circles away from the clinch attempt

and Anderson counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Anderson.

Anderson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Maltz tries to clinch

and Anderson counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Maltz can't get the takedown.
Anderson tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Maltz avoids it.

Anderson manages to break the clinch.
Maltz tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.

Anderson fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Maltz, pushing him back against the cage.
Maltz is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Anderson pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Anderson lands an elbow inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Anderson lands a damaging elbow.
Anderson is pressed up against the cage. Maltz has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Anderson down to the mat. Anderson avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Maltz throws a head kick that misses

and Anderson holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Anderson tries to land knees in the clinch but Maltz avoids the damage to the body.
Maltz is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Anderson gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Anderson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Maltz sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
A head kick by Maltz misses

and Anderson counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Anderson.

Anderson manages to break the clinch.
Maltz blocks a head kick by Anderson.
A looping hook to the body misses from Anderson. Maltz does a little dance to reset his feet.
Maltz shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Anderson as he jumps to the side.
Anderson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Maltz.
Anderson throws a head kick that misses.
A head kick from Anderson lands but Maltz takes it in his stride.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Anderson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Maltz tries to clinch up

and Anderson counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Anderson.
Anderson lands a nice elbow.
Maltz has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Anderson is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Anderson breaks from the clinch.
Maltz throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Anderson counters with a slapping leg kick.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Anderson lands an elbow just above Maltz 's eye.
Anderson lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Anderson gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Anderson lands an elbow that stopped Maltz in his tracks for a moment.
Maltz takes an elbow to the temple.
Maltz tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Anderson just stands there and leans against the cage.
Maltz takes an elbow to the temple.

Anderson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Maltz tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Anderson counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thiago Anderson dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Anderson throws a head kick that misses.
Maltz throws a left and a right that both miss

and Anderson moves into the clinch.
Maltz misses with a hook from the clinch.

Anderson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Anderson lands with a kick to the temple. Maltz shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Maltz darts in trying to clinch

and Anderson counters by moving into the clinch.
Anderson throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Anderson lands an elbow inside that Maltz shrugs off.
Maltz jumps guard but Anderson stands there with Maltz around his waist. Maltz gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
A left hand lands to the body for Anderson.

Anderson breaks from the clinch.
Anderson avoids a punch combination nicely.

Anderson closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Maltz has Anderson pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Anderson manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Maltz is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anderson throws a head punch that misses.

Anderson breaks from the clinch.
A head kick misses from Maltz.
Anderson is looking to wear down Maltz with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Maltz takes a kick to the side of the head.
A head kick by Maltz misses

and Anderson counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Anderson.
Anderson lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Maltz blocking some punches.

Anderson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A slapping body kick lands there for Anderson.
Anderson swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Maltz counters with a left and a right that stings Anderson.
Anderson avoids the head kick by Maltz.
Anderson throws a nice head kick!
Maltz loads up on a big right hand but Anderson slips the punch.
Anderson just misses with a punch to the body.
Maltz pivots, looking for a leg kick but Anderson is out of range and Maltz settles back down.
Maltz misses with a hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maltz throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Anderson counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Anderson throws a head kick that misses.
Gessinger Maltz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Anderson scores with a head kick.
Anderson throws the kick towards the body but Maltz avoids it.
Maltz uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Anderson.

Anderson closes the distance and clinches.
Nice body punch from Anderson.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Anderson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Maltz tries to clinch

and Anderson holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Anderson is pressed up against the cage. Maltz has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Anderson down to the mat. Anderson avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Thiago Anderson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gessinger Maltz.

Anderson moves into the clinch successfully.
Anderson throws a knee to the head but misses.

Anderson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Anderson throws a nice outside leg kick.
Maltz throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maltz tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Anderson moves into the clinch.
Anderson tries to land knees in the clinch but Maltz avoids the damage to the body.
Anderson gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Anderson is working Maltz over against the cage.
Maltz wants a takedown but no success here.

Anderson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Anderson scores with a shot to the body.
Anderson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Maltz lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Maltz clinches but Anderson breaks the clinch
and Anderson counters with a slapping leg kick.
Anderson throws a combination that misses
and Maltz counters with a one-two to the body.
Maltz avoids the body shot from Anderson.
Anderson scores with a push kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Anderson punishes Maltz's body with a nice straight punch.
Maltz takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Maltz avoids the head kick by Anderson.
Maltz wants to clinch

and Anderson holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Thiago Anderson has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Anderson is leaning against Maltz and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Anderson lands an elbow just above Maltz 's eye.
Anderson gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Maltz.

Anderson manages to break the clinch.
Anderson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Anderson takes the fight into the clinch.
Maltz tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Anderson scores with a shoulder strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thiago Anderson dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Anderson throws a right hand that Maltz ducks under and follows up with a left that Maltz also avoids with ease.
Maltz darts in trying to clinch
and Anderson counters with a slapping leg kick.
Anderson circles away from the clinch attempt

and Anderson holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Anderson lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Anderson lands an elbow inside.

Anderson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A head kick by Maltz misses
and Anderson finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.

Anderson pushes Maltz up against the cage in a clinch.
Maltz takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Maltz tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Anderson just stands there and leans against the cage.
Anderson lands a knee to the body.

Anderson breaks the clinch.
Anderson scores with a head kick.
Thiago Anderson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maltz walks forward, straight into a front kick from Anderson.
Anderson lands a nice hook to Maltz's body. Maltz takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

Anderson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Anderson ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

Anderson has managed to clinch.
Anderson lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Anderson lands a right hand that snaps the head of Maltz backwards.
A body shot lands from Anderson.
Anderson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Maltz has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Anderson lands a damaging elbow.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Anderson obliges.
Anderson stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Anderson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Maltz can do to turn this around?
Anderson lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

Anderson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Anderson lands with a kick to the temple. Maltz shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Gessinger Maltz is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Anderson throws a head kick that Maltz semi-blocks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maltz closes the distance but Anderson moves to the side

and Anderson counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Anderson is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Maltz is defending well for now.

Anderson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Maltz scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Anderson is trying to improve his position.
Anderson is trying to control Maltz's posture but Maltz avoids it.

Maltz is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Anderson is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Maltz wants to control but Anderson is keeping him busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Anderson wants to control but Maltz postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Anderson tries to improve position but can't.
Anderson is working hard here to advance position.
Anderson bucks up and tries to throw Maltz off but instead Maltz has got his back!
Anderson is trying to break free.
Anderson might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Maltz gets his hands free as Anderson looks to control.
Maltz keeps control of the position easily here as Anderson tries to buck him off.
Anderson tries to break free.
Gessinger Maltz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Maltz working for the choke.
Maltz controlling well, preventing Anderson from escaping the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Even with his hooks in, Maltz manages to miss with strikes from the back.
Anderson turns into Maltz and is now in his guard.
Thiago Anderson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Anderson postures up in Maltz's guard and throws a big left but Maltz blocks it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Anderson trying to control but Maltz is working from the bottom.
Maltz looking for a sweep. Not yet Maltz, not yet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thiago Anderson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Anderson, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Luis Engracia scores the fight 30:27
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thiago Anderson!