PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ronaldo Souza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Demian Maia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Souza might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Taio Cruz - Dynamite. 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?

Souza
vs
Maia

183 cm
18
191 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

183 cm
18
190 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ronaldo Souza!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Demian Maia!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Frank Dennis and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Souza drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Maia is trying to control the position but Souza postures up.
Maia might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Souza kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Maia avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Souza stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Maia swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Souza stands up and waves to Maia to follow him.

Maia gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Souza trying to control but Maia is working from the bottom.

Souza drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Souza jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Souza postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Souza postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Maia is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Souza, into his guard.

Souza scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Maia slaps away a takedown attempt from Souza, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Souza changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Maia looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Souza is breathing heavily.
Maia manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maia is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Souza is trying to get back to full guard.
Maia wants to stand up but Souza has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Souza works his way to full guard. Good work.
Maia stopping the sweep attempt from Souza.
Maia wanted to stand there but Souza had control of the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Souza is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Souza thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

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

Souza is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Maia's half guard.
Souza sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Maia defending well though.
Souza prevents Maia from improving his position.
Souza moves nicely into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Souza is chipping away with strikes.

Souza has an Americana. Maia didn't react quickly enough there and he's in big trouble now! He tries to squirm out but is forced to tap! Souza is delighted and gyrates in front of the ring girls. They seem to like the attention - it'll be interesting to see if Souza hooks up with any of them at the after show party.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:38 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Ronaldo Souza!