PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Demian Maia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dylan Mcgrath (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Maia
vs
Mcgrath

185 cm
21
185 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

181 cm
21
172 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Australian Xtreme - 159 Energy + Stamina!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Demian Maia!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Dylan Mcgrath!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Mcgrath has taken the fight to the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Maia.
Maia is trying to drag Mcgrath to the mat but Mcgrath just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Mcgrath looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Mcgrath looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Maia drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Mcgrath gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Maia tries to pull guard but Mcgrath won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Demian Maia. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Maia keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Mcgrath's efforts to push away.
Maia is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mcgrath is looking to break free of the clinch but Maia has double underhooks.

Maia manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Maia has a closed guard, preventing Mcgrath from standing up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mcgrath wants to stand and escape but instead Maia has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maia prevents Mcgrath from getting back to his feet.
Maia is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Maia controlling from the top position.
Maia seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Mcgrath for as long as he can get away with.

That's two 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.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Mcgrath is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Maia trying to control the position from guard on top but Mcgrath is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Demian Maia.
A looping hook to the body misses from Mcgrath. Maia does a little dance to reset his feet.
Mcgrath throws a chopping leg kick but Maia manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Mcgrath throws a big shot that misses.
Mcgrath throws a right hand that Maia ducks under and follows up with a left that Maia also avoids with ease.
Nice takedown defense from Mcgrath. No joy for Maia on that attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mcgrath takes a jab right on the kisser.

Mcgrath gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Mcgrath escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Maia uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Mcgrath.

Mcgrath closes the distance and clinches.
Maia fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Mcgrath looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Maia looking to slow down the pace here.
Maia tries to pull guard but Mcgrath won't allow it.
Mcgrath has had enough of the clinch but Maia keeps him there for the moment.

Mcgrath breaks from the clinch.
Mcgrath works Maia's body with a nice hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Maia closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Mcgrath to the mat! Mcgrath manages to get full guard.
Mcgrath keeping moving, preventing Maia from controlling successfully.
Mcgrath wants to stand and escape but Maia is having none of it.
Maia controls from within his opponent's guard.
Mcgrath working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Maia.
Maia not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Maia prevents Mcgrath from getting back to his feet.
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 Demian Maia will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Maia shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Mcgrath sprawls well. Mcgrath wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Maia gets slowly back to his feet.

Maia scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Mcgrath wants to get back to his feet but Maia drags him back down.

Maia goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Mcgrath rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Maia's guard! Nice work there by Mcgrath!
Mcgrath wants to stand but Maia is controlling his posture from full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Maia is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Mcgrath defends well.

Mcgrath avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Mcgrath would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Maia working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Mcgrath doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Mcgrath manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Mcgrath would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Mcgrath wants to stand and escape but instead Maia has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Mcgrath is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Maia is controlling him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maia sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Maia throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Mcgrath works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Maia won't allow Mcgrath to get back to his feet.

Mcgrath pushes Maia off and scrambles back to his feet.
Mcgrath is breathing heavily.

Maia shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Mcgrath napping and manages to drive through into side control!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maia trying to control the action but Mcgrath is working from the bottom.
Maia controlling from side mount.
Maia is looking to take a break and control but Mcgrath is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Mcgrath wants to get back to his feet but Maia drags him back down.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Demian Maia dominated that second round.
That's time! Maia's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Mcgrath wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Mcgrath thows a body shot but no joy.
Maia is trying hard to land a takedown here. Mcgrath sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Maia moves out of range of the strikes.
A clash of legs there as Maia blocks the low kick.
Mcgrath defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Maia.
Mcgrath misses with a double jab.
Mcgrath takes a swing at Maia's ribcage but misses.
Maia tries to close the distance and clinch up but Mcgrath swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Nice sprawl there from Mcgrath as Maia shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Demian Maia. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mcgrath scores with a shot to the body.
Mcgrath is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Maia rather than just go for the knockout.
Mcgrath fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Maia is out of range.
Mcgrath misses with a wild combination.
Maia shoots in for a double leg but Mcgrath sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Mcgrath jabs at Maia's body.
Maia looks to score with a jab to the body but Mcgrath is just out of range.
Maia avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Mcgrath will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Maia misses with a takedown attempt - Mcgrath sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maia shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Mcgrath but Mcgrath pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Nice body punch from Mcgrath.
Mcgrath connects with a nice looking jab.
Mcgrath listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mcgrath lands with an uppercut that bounces Maia off the cage and back into rage.

Maia is rocked!
Mcgrath lands a right hook to the body.
Oh Maia is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Mcgrath swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Maia seems to have got his legs back now.
Maia avoids a low kick by using good footwork.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mcgrath is looking to chop away at Maia's legs.
Mcgrath tries to land a leg kick but Maia saw it coming and moves away.
Mcgrath just misses with a punch to the body.
Dylan Mcgrath seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Maia blocks a jab.
Mcgrath misses with a straight left.
A solid body kick from Mcgrath.
Dylan Mcgrath has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mcgrath misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Maia.
Maia takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Mcgrath scores with a nice head shot.
Maia avoids the body shot from Mcgrath.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A slapping leg kick lands for Mcgrath.
Mcgrath throws a combination. Maia tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Dylan Mcgrath is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mcgrath throws the left hand but Maia avoids the punch easily.
Mcgrath rushes Maia with punches - Maia moves straight backwards instead of circling and gets clipped by the second strike... and the third... and the fourth! Oh, Maia goes down! Mcgrath follows up with more strikes and the ref steps in to end the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:26 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Dylan Mcgrath!