PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Demian Maia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ground Guru (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Demian Maia has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Maia
vs
Guru

185 cm
25
155 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

174 cm
19
155 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Cuts easily

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Experienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Demian Maia!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ground Guru!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Sosuke Kotani and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Guru drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Maia really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
You can see the frustration on Maia's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Maia isn't going anywhere.
Maia is looking for a sweep.
Guru tries to score with some ground and pound. Maia controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Maia tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Guru wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Guru looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Guru tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Guru has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Maia struggling a bit here.

Guru is trying to get an arm triangle but Maia is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Guru wants to lay and pray for a moment but Maia keeps working.
Maia is trying to get back to half guard.
Maia is not content to let Guru control the position.

Guru is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Maia has escaped the position, nice work there.
Maia struggling a bit here.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maia is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Guru is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Guru is looking to take a break and control but Maia is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Guru swings around for an armbar but Maia sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Guru's guard.
Maia slips nicely into half guard.

Guru is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Maia pulls his head out easily.
Guru is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Maia wants to lay and pray for a moment but Guru keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Guru trying to control here.
Guru tries to get to full guard but Maia has control of the leg.
Maia seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Guru does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Guru wants to improve his position but Maia is controlling well.
Maia is trying to control the action in half guard but Guru is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

We're going to have a standup here because Demian Maia wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Guru pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Maia shoots in looking for a takedown. Guru tries to sprawl out of it but Maia keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Guru manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Maia gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Guru counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Guru.
Maia will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Guru trying to control the position from guard on top but Maia is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Guru postures up.
Guru trying to control the position from guard on top but Maia is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Maia is trying to control the position but Guru postures up.
Guru wants to pass the guard but Maia is keeping the position.
Maia is trying to control the position from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Demian Maia has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Maia looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Guru is fending him off so far but Maia persists. Nope, Guru circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Demian Maia. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Maia tries to score a power double leg takedown but Guru sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Maia somewhat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ground Guru dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Guru circles away from the clinch attempt.
Maia changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Guru tries to avoid it but Maia manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Guru to the ground. Guru escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Guru feints and as Maia raises his hands in defense, Guru changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Maia looking to control.
Maia keeping full guard, as Guru tries to pass.
Guru throws a strike but Maia rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Guru manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Maia manages to get himself to full guard.
Guru trying to control the position from guard on top but Maia is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Guru pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Maia is keeping the position for now.

Maia looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Maia is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Guru stopping the sweep attempt from Maia.
Guru trying to control but Maia is working from the bottom.
Guru trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Guru wants to control from the top but Maia keeps moving.
Guru being controlled here momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

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

Guru shoots in and gets a takedown into Maia's guard.
Guru stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Maia swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Maia keeping moving, preventing Guru from controlling successfully.
Guru throwing strikes from guard but Maia blocks nicely.
Guru trying to control the position from guard on top but Maia is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ground Guru has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Maia with a lazy takedown attempt

and Guru counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Guru tries to free his leg and advance position but Maia is retaining full guard.
Guru wants to control from the top but Maia keeps moving.
Maia is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Maia is really struggling to control Guru but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Guru trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Maia keeping moving, preventing Guru from controlling successfully.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Guru throws a hook but Maia avoids it easily.
Maia shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Guru as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Demian Maia. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Maia clinches with his opponent.
Guru has Maia pressed up against the ropes and is working for takedown. Maia manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Guru blocking some punches.

Maia pulls guard.
Guru won't allow Maia to sweep him here.
Guru wants to control from the top but Maia keeps moving.
Maia can't keep his opponent in guard - Guru advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Guru wants to work for an arm triangle but Maia is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Maia is trying to get back to full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Guru is trying to work for a kimura but Maia is defending well.
Guru seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ground Guru showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Guru has Maia up against the ropes in a clinch.
Guru tries to pull guard but Maia holds him up against the ropes and eventually Guru drops back down to his feet.
Guru is looking for a takedown up against the ropes. Maia gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Maia trying to stall but Guru improves his position.
Guru jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Maia walks away with a smile on his face. Guru gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Demian Maia has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ground Guru.
Guru fails to land the takedown.
Maia displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Guru.
Maia is looking to clinch but Guru is avoiding it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Guru closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Guru content to control rather than advance.

Guru is looking for a kimura here.
Maia is trying to control but can't.
Guru is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Guru wants to control from the top but Maia keeps moving.
Maia controls Guru momentarily but Guru frees himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Guru trying to control but Maia is working from the bottom.

Guru got a little sloppy there for a moment and Maia has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Guru has managed to get both his arms back between Maia's legs - danger averted.
Maia keeping moving, preventing Guru from controlling successfully.
Ground Guru has got the better of the ground game so far.
Maia tries to land a sweep but no joy.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Maia trying to control the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Maia with a lazy takedown attempt

and Guru counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Guru is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Maia!

Guru goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Maia turns into him and now he's in Guru's guard.
Maia has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Guru is looking for a triangle but Maia pushes his legs off easily.
Maia looking to sit in guard and control but Guru gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Guru's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Guru stands and throws Maia's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Guru passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Maia!
Maia slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

Guru seems to be looking for submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Guru trying to pass the guard but Maia defending well.

Guru seems to be looking for submissions.
Guru missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Maia trying to control from the bottom.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Guru is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Maia doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Guru.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Maia is holding on to half guard well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ground Guru really dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Guru closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.

Maia has Guru pressed up against the ropes. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Maia pulls back from the ropes and twists to the side, sending Guru tumbling to the mat - Maia dives into Guru's guard.
Guru wants to improve his position but instead Maia has moved into half guard.
Guru is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Guru looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Maia is looking for a kimura but Guru is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Maia to get the leverage.
Guru trying to control from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Guru gets back to full guard.
Guru keeping moving, preventing Maia from controlling successfully.

Guru looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Maia trying to control but Guru is working from the bottom.
Maia is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Guru looking to control.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Demian Maia wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Maia misses with a takedown

and Guru counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Guru is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Maia is staying active underneath Guru, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Maia trying to control here.
Maia won't allow Guru to pass to mount.
Guru throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Maia has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Guru is working away from the top position though.
Guru seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Demian Maia.
Maia shoots for a double leg takedown but Guru sprawls well. He's pushed Maia's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

Guru manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Maia on his heels. He'll look to pass Maia's guard now, I'm sure.
Guru passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Maia stops Guru from passing to mount.

Guru swings around for an armbar but Maia sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Guru's guard.

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

Guru looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maia trying to control the position from guard on top but Guru is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Guru bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Maia's guard.
Guru trying to control the position from guard on top but Maia is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Guru postures up.
Maia keeping moving, preventing Guru from controlling successfully.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Guru pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Maia is keeping the position for now.

Guru drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Maia dives on top into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ground Guru dominated that fourth round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Maia misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Guru swats away the attempt to clinch by Maia.

Guru fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Maia to the ground. Guru is now in Maia's guard.
Maia trying to control the position.
Maia keeping full guard, as Guru tries to pass.
Maia is trying to keep Guru in close.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Demian Maia wasn't doing enough on the ground.

Guru decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Maia tries to roll over but Guru keeps him under control.
Guru is trying to control. Maia wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Maia tries to get to full guard but Guru has control of the leg.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

Guru is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Guru is pressing down on Maia's thigh, looking to free his foot. Maia is holding on for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Guru is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Maia is trying to maintain the position but Guru is very close to passing his half guard.
Maia is pressing down on Guru's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Maia looking to hit a scissor sweep but Guru is one step ahead there.
Guru trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Guru passes Maia's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Guru is working for a kimura but Maia is defending it quite comfortably.
Maia is refusing to be controlled, as Guru sits in half guard.
Guru wants to pass the guard but Maia is defending well.
Guru wants to lay and pray for a moment but Maia keeps working.
Maia has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Guru is working away from the top position though.

Guru is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Guru trying to mount his opponent but Maia defends it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maia wants to control but Guru is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Ground Guru is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Guru slows the pace down in half guard.
Guru trying to control the action but Maia is working from the bottom.
Maia controlling the position well.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Maia tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ground Guru comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Guru winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 45:50
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 45:50
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ground Guru!
Ground Guru is the new lightweight champion!