PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Iago Maldonado (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Roger Obrien (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Maldonado
vs
Obrien

200 cm
18
265 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

190 cm
25
234 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Iago Maldonado!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Roger Obrien!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Matheus Silva and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Obrien circles away from the clinch attempt.
Iago Maldonado seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Obrien tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Maldonado swivels and escapes.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Maldonado enables Obrien to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Maldonado manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Obrien pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Maldonado is keeping the position for now.
Maldonado on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Maldonado tries to get out of the position.
Obrien prevents Maldonado from getting back to his feet.
Obrien wants to control from the top but Maldonado keeps moving.
Maldonado knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Obrien on the ground.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Roger Obrien was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Maldonado darts in and clinches Obrien up against the cage.

Maldonado breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Maldonado throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Obrien shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Maldonado scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Obrien looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Maldonado looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Obrien is not content to let Maldonado control the position.

Obrien looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Obrien looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Obrien is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Maldonado pulls his head out easily.
Maldonado wants to lay and pray for a moment but Obrien keeps working.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Obrien trying to control here.

Obrien is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Maldonado pulls his head out easily.

Obrien looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maldonado tries to stand but his arm is trapped.

Obrien is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Maldonado pulls his head out easily.

Obrien looking for submissions off his back.

Obrien looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Maldonado stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.

Maldonado scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Maldonado is breathing heavily.

Obrien looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Obrien is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Maldonado pulls his head out easily.
Maldonado wants to control but Obrien is keeping him busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Iago Maldonado will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Obrien keeps the fight on the outside.

Maldonado shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Maldonado showed some decent athleticism there.
Obrien gets back to full guard.
Obrien keeping moving, preventing Maldonado from controlling successfully.

Obrien working for a triangle but Maldonado defends it easily.

Obrien is working for submissions here. He's thrown up his legs looking for a tringle but Maldonado frees his head nicely. Oh but Obrien has switched to an armbar! Maldonado is tapping furiously! Lovely submission there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:04 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Armbar). Roger Obrien!