PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Marko Cro Crop (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ming Maoki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ming Maoki has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Cro Crop
vs
Maoki

175 cm
20
162 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

176 cm
23
155 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Marko Cro Crop!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ming Maoki!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Valeri Chadov and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maoki slaps away a takedown attempt from Cro Crop, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Maoki pushes Cro Crop up against the ropes in a clinch.
A shot in the inside from Maoki.
Maoki lands a hook that snaps the head of Cro Crop backwards.
Cro Crop blocks the elbow strike.

Cro Crop decides to pull guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Maoki slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Maoki wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Cro Crop, who protects the arm well.
You can see the frustration on Cro Crop's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Cro Crop is looking to reverse the position.
Cro Crop prevents Maoki from moving into mount.
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.
Cro Crop is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cro Crop gets full guard.
Cro Crop keeping moving, preventing Maoki from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maoki is stalling in the full guard.
Cro Crop looking for a sweep. Not yet Cro Crop, not yet.

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

Maoki working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Cro Crop has passed into half guard!
Maoki has hold of Cro Crop's hands but Cro Crop slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Maoki taking some punishment here, with Cro Crop in his half guard.

Maoki is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Cro Crop pulls his head out easily.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Cro Crop connects with a nice short shot to Maoki's temple.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maoki manages to get to full guard.
Cro Crop has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Cro Crop is looking to work some ground and pound but Maoki has wrist control.

Maoki escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Cro Crop gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Maoki working for a triangle but Cro Crop defends it easily.
Cro Crop stands up over Maoki, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Maoki looking for a triangle here. Cro Crop is fighting it but it looks tight! Maoki pulls the arm across and this one won't last much longer! Nope, Cro Crop is tapping out - this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Ming Maoki!
Ming Maoki took some time post fight to say the following; 'I have a great team that is helping me improve each fight. Now that I have taken the belt from the only fighter to ever finish me, I will still continue to work hard and make every fight exciting.'.