PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Demien Maia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Fitch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). John Fitch has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Maia
vs
Fitch

183 cm
27
178 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

180 cm
22
179 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Knockout power

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 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Demien Maia!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, John Fitch!
The judges for this bout are Paul Aken, Radbod Blank and Nard Betker.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fitch displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Maia.

Fitch throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Maia was covering up waiting for the punch and Fitch finishes the takedown easily into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Maia manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Fitch manages to get himself to full guard.
Maia trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maia throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Fitch works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Maia is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Fitch preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Maia drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Maia jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Maia drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Maia jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Fitch wants to hit a switch here but Maia passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Fitch there!
Fitch is desperately trying to improve his position but Maia has a good base and remains in mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maia thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Fitch is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

Maia swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Fitch is now in Maia's guard. A big mistake from Maia there, giving up the dominant position!

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Fitch got a little sloppy there for a moment and Maia has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Fitch has managed to get both his arms back between Maia's legs - danger averted.

Maia working for a triangle but Fitch defends it easily.
Fitch must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Fitch looking to sit in guard and control but Maia gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Demien Maia dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Maia misses with a takedown

and Fitch counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Maia looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Demien Maia overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Fitch is looking to stall here but Maia recovers full guard.
Maia can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Fitch controls the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Maia is looking for a triangle here but Fitch uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Maia trying to remain calm as Fitch controls from the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Maia tries to improve position but can't.
Fitch really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Maia. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Maia is working hard here to advance position.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Maia is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Maia looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Maia is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Fitch pulls his head out easily.
Fitch trying to control the pace.

That's four 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 ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. John Fitch wasn't active enough on the ground.
Maia gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Fitch counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Maia!
Fitch controlling his opponent.
Fitch looking to control but Maia is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Maia working to try and regain half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Fitch showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Maia stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Maia wants it to stay on the feet.
Maia shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Fitch counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Maia working for a triangle but Fitch defends it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitch is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. John Fitch wasn't active enough on the ground.

Maia shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Maia is working for a kimura but Fitch is defending it quite comfortably.
Fitch wants to get back to full guard but Maia has mounted him!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Maia working from mount. He moves in close and looks like he might be going for an arm triangle... He's hopped off to the side and he's transitioned into an Anaconda choke. Fitch turning a nasty shade of purple. He's refusing to tap but he's gone! He's out! The ref rips Maia off and cradles Fitch's limp body as Maia celebrates with his corner.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:47 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Anaconda Choke). Demien Maia!
Demien Maia thanked the fans post fight for their support.