PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Doctor Pepper (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Daniel Maia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Doctor Pepper had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Pepper
vs
Maia

200 cm
23
185 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

182 cm
18
188 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Intelligent

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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Doctor Pepper!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Daniel Maia!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Maia closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Pepper to the mat! Pepper manages to get full guard.
Maia wants to pass the guard but Pepper is keeping the position.

Maia drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Pepper manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Maia has Pepper in his guard.

Maia working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Pepper doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Pepper manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Maia looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Pepper puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Maia is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Pepper's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Pepper's back!

Maia is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Pepper defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Maia is trying to stick to Pepper's back but Pepper is turning into Maia. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Maia's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Pepper.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Maia working for a triangle but Pepper defends it easily.
Pepper advances position into side control!
Maia looks gassed!
Pepper tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

Pepper tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Pepper has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Maia tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Pepper is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Maia has escaped the position, nice work there.
Maia gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Pepper passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Maia!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maia looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!

Pepper patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Maia tries to break free.
Maia is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Pepper doesn't have the hooks in and Maia manages to turn into his guard.

Pepper throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Maiais looking to pass into half guard but Pepper pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Pepper is in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pepper trying to control the position from guard on top but Maia is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Pepper tries to free his leg and advance position but Maia is retaining full guard.

Pepper drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Pepper jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Pepper preventing the sweep.
Pepper wants to control from the top but Maia keeps moving.
Maia looking to hit a scissor sweep but Pepper is one step ahead there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Pepper misses with a takedown

and Maia counters with a takedown into side control.

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

Maia tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pepper manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Maia is breathing heavily.
Pepper makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Pepper.
Maia won't allow Pepper to sweep him here.
Pepper is working hard here to advance position.

Pepper is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maia wants to pass the guard but Pepper is keeping the position.
Maia must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Maia has gone for a leg lock! Pepper slips out almost immediately though and dives into Maia's guard.
Maia wants to improve his position but instead Pepper has moved into half guard.
Pepper moves nicely into side control.

Pepper tries for a kimura but Maia is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maia is trying to get back to half guard.
Maia looking for a sweep but Pepper has passed into full mount! Oh no!

Pepper has control of Maia's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Maia regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Pepper seems to be looking to move to his opponent's back but Maia is holding on tight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Pepper wants to control the pace but Maia is squirming around nicely.

Pepper is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Maia can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Maia regains half guard.
Maia is looking to improve his position.
Pepper really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Pepper is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Maia darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Maia prevents Pepper from improving his position.

Maia is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Pepper doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Maia.
Maia takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Maia wants to work for an arm triangle but Pepper is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Maia moves into full mount! Pepper won't be happy about that!

Maia jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Pepper is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Pepper and Maia has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Pepper sneaks back into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maia trying to mount his opponent but Pepper defends it.
Pepper is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Maia's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Maia's back!
Pepper is trying to stick to Maia's back but Maia is turning into Pepper. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Pepper's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Maia.

Maia has gone for a leg lock! Pepper slips out almost immediately though and dives into Maia's guard.

Maia is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Pepper preventing the sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maia looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Pepper puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Maia slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Maia is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Maia has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Pepper is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Maia.
Maia is trying to get back to half guard.

Pepper is working to tighten is grip on Maia's neck. He's isolated an arm and is working for an arm triangle. Maia has recognised the danger and is trying to turn with the submission but Pepper is really squeezing tight and eventually Maia passes out! Pepper breaks the hold and jumps onto the cage to celebrate! Submission of the night, I'd say!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:02 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Doctor Pepper!