PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Harper Gray (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mitsuyo Maeda (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gray comes to the cage accompanied by Atreyu-Lip Gloss & Black. Harper Gray had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Gray
vs
Maeda

170 cm
21
135 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

170 cm
25
142 lbs
13 - 6 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Harper Gray!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mitsuyo Maeda!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Daniel Franklin and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maeda throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Maeda throws a hook but Gray blocks it.
Maeda misses with a hook

and Gray counters with a shoot takedown. Maeda fights it but they end up in guard.

Maeda is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Gray trying to control the position from guard on top but Maeda is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Gray drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Maeda manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Gray has Maeda in his guard.
Maeda trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gray tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Gray is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Gray is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Maeda is aware though and is defending well.
Gray looking to hit a scissor sweep but Maeda is one step ahead there.
Maeda scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maeda wants to control from the top but Gray keeps moving.
Maeda has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Maeda passes Gray's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Gray looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Maeda moves nicely into side control.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Gray takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Maeda prevents Gray from escaping the position.
Maeda scores with a couple of short elbows.
Gray tries to bench press Maeda off him but Maeda keeps the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Maeda is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Gray has escaped the position, nice work there.
Maeda remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Maeda trying to control the action but Gray is working from the bottom.
Maeda working the ground and pound.
Maeda wants to lay and pray for a moment but Gray keeps working.
Maeda in side control lands a decent elbow.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Maeda tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Maeda has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Maeda wants to control but Gray is keeping him busy.
Maeda working the ground and pound.
Maeda tries to move into full mount but can't pass Gray's legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Maeda has hold of Gray's arm here. He's working for an Americana. It looks like he might have it! Gray tries to escape but he's just digging himself in deeper - Maeda cranks the arm and Gray screams in pain! The ref makes a decision and ends the fight before the tap - no complains from Gray, who is just happy to have his arm attached to his body.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:19 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Mitsuyo Maeda!
Mitsuyo Maeda gave a mention to KINGDOM in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).