PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Riki Maru (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Xavier Xanther Xaimoungkhoun (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Maru comes to the cage accompanied by N.I.B - Black Sabbath. Xanther Xaimoungkhoun is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: "Ladies and Gentlement". 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?

Maru
vs
Xanther Xaimoungkhoun

190 cm
20
215 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

182 cm
20
205 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Riki Maru!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Xavier Xanther Xaimoungkhoun!
The judges for this bout are Wagner Zegers, Albert Achterberg and Daniel Blasius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Xanther Xaimoungkhoun fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Maru tries to bum rush Xanther Xaimoungkhoun with a series of wild strikes but Xanther Xaimoungkhoun uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Maru drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Maru drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Xanther Xaimoungkhoun dives on top into guard.

Xanther Xaimoungkhoun thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Xanther Xaimoungkhoun looking to pass the guard.

Maru is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Xanther Xaimoungkhoun is aware though and is defending well.
Xanther Xaimoungkhoun slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Maru is looking for a sweep.

Xanther Xaimoungkhoun tries for a kimura but Maru is defending well.
Xanther Xaimoungkhoun misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Xanther Xaimoungkhoun lands some shots froms side control.
Xanther Xaimoungkhoun has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Xanther Xaimoungkhoun working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Maru is trying to improve his position.

Xanther Xaimoungkhoun wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Maru, who protects the arm well.
Xanther Xaimoungkhoun cracks Maru with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Maru tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Xanther Xaimoungkhoun goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Maru has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Xanther Xaimoungkhoun but great work by Maru.

Maru swings around for an armbar but Xanther Xaimoungkhoun sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Maru's guard.
Maru looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Maru had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Xanther Xaimoungkhoun defends it easily.
Maru is breathing heavily.

Xanther Xaimoungkhoun got a little sloppy there for a moment and Maru has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Xanther Xaimoungkhoun has managed to get both his arms back between Maru's legs - danger averted.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Xanther Xaimoungkhoun makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Xanther Xaimoungkhoun throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Maru works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Xanther Xaimoungkhoun pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Maru is keeping the position for now.
Xanther Xaimoungkhoun preventing the sweep.

Maru escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Xanther Xaimoungkhoun gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Xanther Xaimoungkhoun avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Maru has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Xanther Xaimoungkhoun can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xanther Xaimoungkhoun wants to get up but he can't break Maru's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Xanther Xaimoungkhoun drops back looking for a submission - "I'm sorry sir, but I'm gunna break your leg" says Xanther Xaimoungkhoun as he cranks on the unfortunate limb! Maru screams and taps out before any major damage is done! Don't mess with Xanther Xaimoungkhoun! Nice submission victory there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:30 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kneebar). Xavier Xanther Xaimoungkhoun!