PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight kickboxing rules bout between William Bird (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Naughtius Maximus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Bird
vs
Maximus

170 cm
29
144 lbs
19 - 2 - 0

173 cm
32
168 lbs
27 - 6 - 0

World class boxer
Insanely flexible

World class MT
Good gas tank

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 19 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, William Bird!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Naughtius Maximus!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Shigeki Fujiwara and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bird rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Maximus moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Bird checks a low kick from Maximus.
Maximus throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Maximus throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Maximus takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Maximus tries to clinch there but Bird circles away.
Bird ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Bird attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Bird has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Bird there as he acknowledges the shot.
Maximus slips a straight right by Bird.
Bird lands a jab to the head.
Bird throws a body kick that misses.
Maximus lets loose with a powerful body kick. Bird will feel that in the morning.
Maximus on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Maximus throws a nice head kick!
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Maximus misses the shot to the body.
A big left from Bird misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bird blocks a low kick nicely.
Bird thows a body shot but no joy.
William Bird seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jab by Bird.
Bird steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Maximus.
Maximus tests Bird's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Bird swings for the body but Maximus moves out of range.
Maximus darts in trying to clinch
and Bird counters with a good, hard body kick but Maximus shrugs it off.
A nice inside leg kick there by Bird. That's going to slow Maximus down.
Good leg kick by Bird there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Bird throws a quick inside leg kick.
Maximus looks for the body kick but Bird saw that one coming.
Maximus tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maximus tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Bird looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Maximus thows a body shot but no joy.
Bird lands a nice leg kick that just misses Maximus's sensitive parts.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Maximus bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Maximus takes a swing at Bird's ribcage but misses.
Bird lands with a straight right. Maximus didn't see that one coming.
Maximus waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Bird.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Bird.
Bird tries to score with a low kick but Maximus moves his leg out of the way.
A jab from Bird does it's job there.
Bird sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Bird wants to land a leg kick but Maximus is out of range.
Bird throws a body kick that misses.
Maximus avoids the body shot from Bird.
A head kick misses from Maximus.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bird finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Maximus dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Maximus fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Bird manages to avoid it.
Maximus tests Bird's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Maximus lands with a nice body punch.
Bird misses with the body kick
and Maximus counters with a head kick. That will keep Bird thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Maximus misses with a looping left.
Bird chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Maximus takes a shot to the body in his stride.
A big left from Maximus misses.
Bird scores with a spinning back kick!
Bird looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Maximus keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bird lands with a good body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Maximus pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Bird throws a leg kick which misses Maximus's front leg but catches the back leg as Maximus tries to avoid it.
Bird fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Maximus.
Bird swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Maximus pushes Bird away with a front kick.
Maximus throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Bird stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Bird throws a wild body kick that Maximus sees coming a mile off.
Bird just misses with a punch to the body.
Bird doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Maximus is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Bird misses with a low kick.
Maximus slips a straight right by Bird.
Bird misses with a hook to the body
and Maximus cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Maximus's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Maximus misses with a wild body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that William Bird will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

An inside leg kick from Bird misses.
Bird pivots, looking for a leg kick but Maximus is out of range and Bird settles back down.
Maximus throws a series of punches but Bird moves out of range.
Maximus jabs at Bird's body.
Maximus checks a low kick from Bird.
Nice jab there from Bird.
Maximus takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Maximus blocks a leg kick.
Bird scores with a leg kick.
Maximus misses with a low kick.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Maximus crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Bird - the referee stops the clock and Maximus gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Bird. Maximus manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.

Maximus clinches up with Bird and pushes him back against the ropes.
A shot in the inside from Bird.
Maximus tries to break the clinch but Bird is controlling the position.
Maximus using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bird scores a nice knee to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bird lands a hook that snaps the head of Maximus backwards.
Bird tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Bird landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Maximus works on Bird's body with a couple of short punches.
Maximus tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Bird avoids it.
Maximus misses with a hook to the ribs.
Bird lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Maximus backwards.
Maximus dodges an elbow strike from Bird.
Bird lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

It looks like Naughtius Maximus has been cut.
Bird gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
A nice left hand lands by Bird.
Bird digs a right hand underneath Maximus's ribcage. Maximus let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Maximus is breathing heavily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Maximus working hard to break the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Bird.
Maximus has a couple of punches blocked by Bird.
Maximus tries to land knees in the clinch but Bird avoids the damage to the body.
Knees to the body from Bird.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Bird here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Bird lands a body shot.
Bird lands an elbow just above Maximus 's eye.
Bird lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maximus tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Bird presses Maximus against the ropes and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Bird lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Bird misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Maximus.
Bird tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Maximus avoids it.
A short body shot lands from Bird as the two fighters clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Maximus as Bird tries to tie him up.
Bird managing to block the knees to the body from Maximus.
Maximus wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Bird has him pressed against the ropes.
Bird creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Bird lands an elbow just above Maximus 's eye.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Bird using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Bird lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Maximus blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Bird lands an elbow just above Maximus 's eye.
Bird pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the ropes.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Bird obliges.
Bird tries a knee to the head but Maximus blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bird misses with a body punch.
Bird is leaning against Maximus and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
William Bird has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Bird unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Bird doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Maximus tries a body shot but Bird blocks it.
Bird misses with an elbow over the top.
Bird blocking some punches.
Bird pushes off an throws an elbow but Maximus leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the ropes.
Bird working Maximus over with knees to the body.
A right handed body shot lands from Bird.
A short left from Bird.
Bird lands an elbow that stopped Maximus in his tracks for a moment.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bird lands a nice elbow.
Bird misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Bird unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Bird scores with a nice hook to the head.

Maximus escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Bird buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bird throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Bird thumps Maximus with a low kick.
Bird tries to work over Maximus's front leg with a kick but Maximus checks it.
Bird lands a nice leg kick that just misses Maximus's sensitive parts.
Maximus lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Bird swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bird throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Maximus stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
A chopping leg kick lands by Bird.
Maximus on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
William Bird is winning the standup battle so far.
A low kick from Maximus is predictable there
and Bird counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Bird connects with a solid leg kick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Maximus on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Maximus tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Bird dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

William Bird dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Naughtius Maximus's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

A nice inside leg kick there by Bird. That's going to slow Maximus down.
Maximus misses with a head kick.
Maximus tries a head kick but it misses.
Bird throws a lazy body kick
and Maximus makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Bird really felt that one!
Maximus is looking to clinch.
Bird is looking to wear down Maximus with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Bird thows a leg kick but Maximus checks it
and Maximus counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Maximus throws a hook to the side of Bird's head but Bird sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Bird getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Bird scores with a hook.
Bird scoring well with a low kick there.
Bird throws a front kick aimed at Maximus's knee but Maximus avoids it well.
Maximus takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Maximus tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Maximus takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Bird misses with a body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bird with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Bird throws a front kick that sends Maximus stumbling back into the ropes.
Maximus tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Bird is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Maximus can do to turn this around?
Maximus defending well as Bird loads up on a big left hand.
Bird thuds a left hand into Maximus's body.
Bird checks a low kick from Maximus.
Maximus sizes up Bird with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Bird bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Maximus's head.
Maximus swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Maximus moves out of range of the strikes.
Bird moves into range and connects with a jab.
Maximus ducks under a wild hook from Bird.
Bird works Maximus's body with a nice hook.
Maximus takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A bone on bone clash there as Bird blocks the leg kick.
Maximus stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Bird.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bird throws a low kick but Maximus avoids it.
Maximus scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Maximus on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Bird fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Maximus.
Bird takes a swing at Maximus's ribcage but misses.
Maximus throws a sloppy head kick
and Bird counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Bird takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Maximus needs to keep his hands up - Bird had a free shot at his head there.
Maximus keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Bird ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Bird checks a leg kick nicely.
Bird throws a shot from downtown. Maximus moves away and avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bird fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Maximus has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Maximus stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Bird.
Bird feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Maximus's calf.
Maximus goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Jab by Bird.
Bird throws a half hearted mid kick.
Maximus waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Bird.
Bird avoids a kick to the body.
Maximus doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Bird throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Maximus walks forward, straight into a front kick from Bird.
Maximus has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Bird finds it's way round the side to connect with Maximus's head.
Bird ducks right into an uppercut from Maximus.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bird throws a head kick that Maximus semi-blocks.
Bird turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Maximus has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Bird.
A slow jab from Maximus misses its intended target.
Decent striking displayed by Bird there.
Maximus takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Nice defenses there by Maximus.
Bird fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Maximus is out of range.
Maximus steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Bird.
Maximus avoids a kick to the body.
Maximus throws a head kick but Bird moves out of range.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Maximus takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
A cross from Bird lands.
Bird wants to land a leg kick but Maximus is out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

William Bird clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Naughtius Maximus's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Bird thows a leg kick but Maximus checks it
and Maximus counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Maximus takes a swing at Bird's ribcage but misses.
Bird throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Maximus throws a body punch but Bird moves out of range.
Maximus moves out of range of the strikes.
Maximus swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Maximus throws a head kick that half lands.
Bird fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Maximus has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Maximus fails in his attempt to clinch.
Bird misses the shot to the body.
Maximus steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Bird. That one must have hurt.
Bird blocks a head kick by Maximus.
Bird misses with a straight right.
Maximus tries to clinch but Bird moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab from Bird finds it's way through Maximus's defenses.
Maximus takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.

Maximus rushes Bird and presses him up against the ropes.
Bird comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Maximus working hard to break the clinch.
Maximus misses with a knee to the head.
Bird tries to land knees in the clinch but Maximus avoids the damage to the body.
Bird on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
Knees in the clinch landing for Bird.
Maximus is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Bird with a knee to the head.
Bird lands with a right to the head.
Bird stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Maximus blocks a body shot from Bird.
Maximus tries a body shot but Bird blocks it.
Bird lands a right hand that snaps the head of Maximus backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maximus misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Maximus trying to land knees to the body.
Maximus trying to land knees to the body.
Maximus misses with a hook to the ribs.
Bird lands a left hand.
Bird comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Maximus throws a punch but it's blocked by Bird.
Maximus looking to throw knees to the head but Bird is blocking nicely.
Nice elbow from Bird.

That has opened up Naughtius Maximus's cut even more.
Bird looking to throw knees to the head but Maximus is blocking nicely.
Maximus's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Maximus tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Bird lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Bird scores a nice knee to the body.
Bird on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Maximus lands a nice elbow.
Bird using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Bird lands a right hand.
Maximus takes a knee to the side of the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Bird creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Maximus.
Bird is struggling to control the position.
Nice body punch from Bird - that landed with a thud.
Maximus stalls.
Bird lands with a short shot to the head.
Maximus tries to throw a body punch but Bird avoids it by throwing Maximus back against the ropes.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Maximus as Bird tries to tie him up.
Bird putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Maximus in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Maximus tries to break free but Bird pushes him back against the ropes.
A short left from Bird.
Bird looking to stall.
Bird on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bird managing to block the knees to the body from Maximus.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Maximus obliges.
Maximus blocks a body shot from Bird.
Bird misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Maximus missing with knees to the body.
Bird prevents a body shot from Maximus.
Bird works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Maximus takes an elbow to the forehead.
Bird lands an elbow that stopped Maximus in his tracks for a moment.

The cut above Naughtius Maximus's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Bird lands a knee to the body.
Bird lands a nice elbow.
Bird lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Bird misses with a punch to the body.
Nice elbow from Bird.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Bird is working Maximus over against the ropes.
Bird managing to block the knees to the body from Maximus.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Bird.
Maximus misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Bird.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

William Bird had his way with Naughtius Maximus in that round.
The cut man is working on Naughtius Maximus's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Decent striking displayed by Bird there.
Bird connects with a jab.
Maximus throws a low kick but it's checked well by Bird.
Maximus cracks Bird with an open hand slap.
Maximus clobbers Bird with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Maximus avoids a kick to the body.
Maximus tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Bird manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Bird thows a body shot but no joy.
Nice shot by Bird.
Maximus is looking to score with low kicks.
Maximus throws a front kick aimed at Bird's knee but Bird avoids it well.
Maximus is looking to clinch but Bird is avoiding it.
Bird just misses with a punch to the body.
Bird throws a half hearted mid kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bird fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Maximus has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Maximus keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A head kick from Bird lands but Maximus takes it in his stride.
Bird misses with a hook. Maximus ducked under it nicely.
Maximus moves out of range as Bird throws a body kick.
Bird takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Maximus tries to clinch up.
Maximus throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A jab from Maximus misses.
Bird lands a nice shot to the body.
Maximus connects with a body shot that sends Bird's belly button to the back.
Bird throws a big shot that misses.
Maximus avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bird thows a left - swing and a miss!
Bird fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Maximus manages to avoid it.
A clash of legs there as Maximus blocks the low kick.
Maximus tried to score with a low kick but Bird checks it.
Maximus takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Bird - that will leave a mark!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Maximus lands with a kick to the ribs.
Maximus stuns Bird with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Bird throws a body kick that misses

and Maximus counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Maximus takes an elbow to the temple.
Bird blocks a body shot from Maximus.
Maximus connects with a nasty looking knee right to Bird's face.
Maximus lands a nice knee to the body.
A body shot lands from Maximus.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bird landing knees to the head.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Bird can't find room to land a body shot as Maximus controls the action.
Bird lands a left hand.
Bird misses with a hook to the ribs.
Bird stalling in the clinch but Maximus improves position.
Maximus utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Maximus misses with a knee strike.
Maximus on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Maximus prevents a body shot from Bird.
Maximus throws an elbow that misses.
Bird misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Maximus lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Bird lands an elbow inside.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Bird.
Bird trying to land knees to the body.
Maximus blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Bird blocks a body shot from Maximus.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maximus misses with a punch to the body.
Maximus avoids the elbow strike from Bird, against the ropes.
Maximus tries a knee to the head but Bird blocks it.
Bird connects with a nasty looking knee right to Maximus's face.

Naughtius Maximus's cut is absolute horrible now. This looks like something out of a horror film with blood covering both fighters.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Bird is working Maximus over against the ropes.
Bird lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the ropes.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Maximus throws an elbow but misses.
Maximus trying to stall but Bird improves his position.
Bird lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Maximus backwards.
Bird lands a shoulder strike.
Bird lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Knees to the body from Bird.
Bird managing to block the knees to the body from Maximus.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Bird putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Maximus in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Maximus is looking to control Bird's arms but Bird gets an underhook and turns him. Now Maximus has his back to the ropes.
Naughtius Maximus has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bird lands an elbow inside.
Bird lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Naughtius Maximus's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 5, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). William Bird!
William Bird retains his lightweight title!
Post fight, William Bird took to the microphone: 'I am the greatest KT fighter of all time! There is noone in 135 lbs or 145 lbs that even come close to my level. If you disagree, I welcome you into the ring where you will receive a fistful of pain!'.