PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Fabio Maldonado (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matsumae Sukeyuki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Maldonado
vs
Sukeyuki

190 cm
25
189 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

185 cm
38
185 lbs
6 - 10 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Good chin

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Fabio Maldonado!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Matsumae Sukeyuki !
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Emerson Jorge and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sukeyuki connects with a single shot there.
Maldonado looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
Nice body punch from Sukeyuki .
Sukeyuki moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Maldonado shoots in and drives through. Sukeyuki sprawls well.

Sukeyuki shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Maldonado has momentary wrist control but Sukeyuki slips an elbow through the middle.
Sukeyuki postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Sukeyuki is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Sukeyuki trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Sukeyuki landing with the ground and pound.
Maldonado avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Sukeyuki trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sukeyuki landing with the ground and pound.
Sukeyuki trying to control the position from guard on top but Maldonado is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maldonado avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Sukeyuki stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Maldonado on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Sukeyuki scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Sukeyuki throws a nice looking combination but Maldonado bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Sukeyuki dips to his left and cracks Maldonado with an uppercut!
Nice shot by Sukeyuki .
Sukeyuki scores with a hook.
Sukeyuki scores with a body shot.
Maldonado takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Maldonado avoids a punch combination nicely.
Sukeyuki swats away the attempt to clinch by Maldonado.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sukeyuki takes the fight into the clinch.
Sukeyuki lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Maldonado has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Sukeyuki is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Sukeyuki has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Maldonado uses from the top position.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Sukeyuki holds on and takes a little breather.
Sukeyuki is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Maldonado is controlling him.
Maldonado trying to control the position from guard on top but Sukeyuki is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Sukeyuki throws a shot to the body.
Sukeyuki swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Maldonado walks forward, straight into a front kick from Sukeyuki .
Maldonado looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Maldonado walks into a straight right hand from Sukeyuki .
Sukeyuki lands a head shot.
Sukeyuki has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.

Sukeyuki shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Sukeyuki working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Sukeyuki preventing the sweep.
Sukeyuki wanted to stand there but Maldonado had control of the position.
Sukeyuki missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sukeyuki is looking to work some ground and pound but Maldonado has wrist control.

Sukeyuki gets to his feet. Maldonado looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Sukeyuki clinches with his opponent.

Sukeyuki escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A punch lands to the side of Maldonado 's head but he takes it in his stride.

Sukeyuki changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Maldonado looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Sukeyuki working the ground and pound from side control.

Sukeyuki decides to stand back up.
Maldonado gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Sukeyuki .

Sukeyuki shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Sukeyuki was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Sukeyuki scores with punches from side control.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sukeyuki landing a few strikes.

Sukeyuki stands up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Sukeyuki fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Sukeyuki misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Sukeyuki closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Sukeyuki gets a trip takedown into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sukeyuki not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Sukeyuki seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Sukeyuki working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Sukeyuki has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Sukeyuki trying to control from Maldonado's half guard. Maldonado has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Sukeyuki throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Maldonado works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Sukeyuki lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Sukeyuki scoring with some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maldonado can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Sukeyuki controls the pace.
Sukeyuki throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Maldonado works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Sukeyuki is stalling in the full guard.
Maldonado working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sukeyuki .
Sukeyuki working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Maldonado's head.
Sukeyuki showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Maldonado looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sukeyuki stands and steps away. Maldonado gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Sukeyuki darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Ground and pound from Sukeyuki .
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sukeyuki thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Maldonado's head.
Sukeyuki slips a nice elbow through Maldonado's hands, connecting with Maldonado's forehead.
Sukeyuki stops Maldonado from getting back to his feet.
Maldonado on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Sukeyuki stands up from half guard.
Sukeyuki with a jab.

Sukeyuki fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Maldonado, pushing him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sukeyuki pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Sukeyuki throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Maldonado stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

Sukeyuki feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Sukeyuki wants to stand but Maldonado is controlling his posture from full guard.
Sukeyuki throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Sukeyuki trying to control but Maldonado is working from the bottom.
Sukeyuki trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Sukeyuki is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Sukeyuki decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Maldonado, up you get!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sukeyuki lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Sukeyuki .
Sloppy strikes from Sukeyuki . Those never looked like landing.
Sukeyuki with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sukeyuki throws a series of strikes that have Maldonado backpedaling.
Sukeyuki lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Maldonado backs up against the cage.
Sloppy strikes from Sukeyuki . Those never looked like landing.
Sukeyuki scores with a three punch combo!

Sukeyuki drives through with a takedown into Maldonado's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Sukeyuki has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Maldonado is proving hard to escape from.
Maldonado avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Maldonado wants to stand up but Sukeyuki is controlling him.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Maldonado not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matsumae Sukeyuki showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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. This is the final round!

Sukeyuki lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Maldonado blocks the body kick.
Sukeyuki moves into range and connects with a jab.
Fabio Maldonado is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sukeyuki throws a nice looking combination but Maldonado bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Sukeyuki gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Sukeyuki breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Maldonado tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Sukeyuki counters with a left and a right that stings Maldonado.
Maldonado shoots in looking for a takedown but Sukeyuki manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Maldonado's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Sukeyuki ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sukeyuki looks to land a combination but Maldonado avoids it well.

Maldonado tries to sprawl but Sukeyuki drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Sukeyuki blocks the strikes from Maldonado.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maldonado trying to hold on to Sukeyuki 's head to control him but Sukeyuki postures up.
Sukeyuki tries to stand but can't do so whilst Maldonado controls his leg.
Sukeyuki thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Maldonado's head.
Maldonado is trying to get back to full guard.

Sukeyuki gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Matsumae Sukeyuki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Maldonado takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Maldonado's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Sukeyuki connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Maldonado scrambles back to his feet.

Sukeyuki closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Sukeyuki lands in his opponent's guard.
Sukeyuki throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Maldonado works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sukeyuki throwing strikes but missing.
Sukeyuki chips away with some ground and pound.
Sukeyuki with a nice head shot there.
Sukeyuki throws a big right hand that misses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sukeyuki content to stall in guard here.
Sukeyuki with a flurry of punches that miss.

Sukeyuki gets to his feet. Maldonado looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Sukeyuki drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maldonado is looking to reverse the position.
Maldonado taking punishment in the form of punches.

Sukeyuki decides to stand back up. Sukeyuki steps back and let's Maldonado get back to his feet.

Sukeyuki closes the distance and clinches.

Sukeyuki breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Matsumae Sukeyuki is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
A jab from Sukeyuki finds it's way through Maldonado's defenses.
Matsumae Sukeyuki seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Sukeyuki throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Maldonado was covering up waiting for the punch and Sukeyuki finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Maldonado avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Sukeyuki with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Sukeyuki controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sukeyuki with a nice head shot there.
Sukeyuki showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Let's hope that Sukeyuki has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Sukeyuki with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Sukeyuki cracks Maldonado with a solid left hand.
Maldonado preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Maldonado is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Sukeyuki wants to stand but Maldonado is controlling his posture from full guard.
Fabio Maldonado has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Sukeyuki gets to his feet - Maldonado follows without any prompting.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matsumae Sukeyuki comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Sukeyuki has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 25:30
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 25:30
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matsumae Sukeyuki !
Matsumae Sukeyuki decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.