PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Borislav Shopov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Justin Maxwell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Shopov
vs
Maxwell

185 cm
25
177 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
180 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Borislav Shopov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Justin Maxwell!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Don Winkell and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maxwell attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Shopov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Maxwell ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

Maxwell moves into the clinch.

Maxwell manages to break the clinch.
Maxwell jabs Shopov to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Maxwell tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Shopov defends well and Maxwell ends up having to push Shopov into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Shopov is fighting off a takedown attempt but Maxwell is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Shopov to the mat. Shopov regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
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!
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

Maxwell got a little sloppy there for a moment and Shopov has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Maxwell has managed to get both his arms back between Shopov's legs - danger averted.
Shopov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Maxwell wants to pass the guard but Shopov is keeping the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Shopov has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Maxwell can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Maxwell working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maxwell tries to free his leg and advance position but Shopov is retaining full guard.
Shopov keeping moving, preventing Maxwell from controlling successfully.
Shopov seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

Maxwell drops back looking for a leg! Shopov is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Shopov manages to kick Maxwell off! Maxwell jumps back into Shopov's guard.
Maxwell trying to control the position from guard on top but Shopov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Maxwell avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Shopov looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Maxwell is looking to work some ground and pound but Shopov has wrist control.
Shopov tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Shopov is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Maxwell throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Maxwell trying to control the position from guard on top but Shopov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Shopov looking for a guillotine here but Maxwell defends easily.
Shopov is breathing heavily.
Shopov keeping full guard, as Maxwell tries to pass.
Shopov keeping moving, preventing Maxwell from controlling successfully.
Maxwell looking to pass the guard.
Maxwell postures up in Shopov's guard and throws a big left but Shopov blocks it.
Maxwell passes Shopov's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Maxwell wants to work for an arm triangle but Shopov is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Shopov slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maxwell works over Shopov with some ground and pound from guard.
Maxwell pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Shopov is keeping the position for now.
Shopov controlling Maxwell's posture.

Shopov working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Maxwell doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Maxwell manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Maxwell avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Shopov keeping moving, preventing Maxwell from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Maxwell slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Shopov escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Maxwell 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!

Shopov had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Maxwell defends it easily.
Shopov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Shopov has his foot on Maxwell's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Maxwell works his way back into a safe position though.
Maxwell sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Shopov's guard.

Shopov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Maxwell is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Shopov has managed to free his arm - good work.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Shopov wants to control but Maxwell is keeping busy.
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 Borislav Shopov will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Maxwell connects with a body shot.
The fighters circling - Maxwell throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Shopov walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Maxwell throws the left hand but Shopov avoids the punch easily.
Maxwell dives in for a single leg takedown but Shopov sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Shopov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Maxwell lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Shopov backwards.

Maxwell wants the takedown. Shopov is fighting it off but Maxwell persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Shopov's guard against the cage.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Maxwell advances to half guard.
Maxwell thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Shopov's head.

Shopov is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Maxwell pulls his head out easily.
Shopov makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Shopov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maxwell postures up.
Maxwell wants to pass the guard but Shopov is keeping the position.

Shopov has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Maxwell can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Maxwell passes Shopov's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Maxwell is thwarting Shopov's attempts to control the position.

Maxwell is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Shopov actively working from the bottom here.
Maxwell wants to free his trapped foot but Shopov is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Shopov looking for submissions off his back.
Shopov has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Maxwell is working away from the top position though.

Maxwell is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Maxwell is working for a submission of some sort.

Shopov looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Shopov moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Borislav Shopov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Maxwell drops back looking for a leg! Shopov is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Shopov manages to kick Maxwell off! Maxwell jumps back into Shopov's guard.
Shopov tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Shopov has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Maxwell can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Maxwell gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Maxwell swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Shopov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Maxwell closes the distance and clinches.

Maxwell manages to break the clinch.
A punch combination from Maxwell misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Maxwell does no damage.
Maxwell misses with a double jab

so Shopov counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Maxwell can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Shopov controls the pace.
Shopov stands and throws Maxwell's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Shopov trying to control the action but Maxwell is working from the bottom.
Maxwell wants to control but Shopov postures up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Shopov thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Borislav Shopov will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Shopov misses with a hook. Maxwell ducked under it nicely.
Maxwell looks for the body kick but Shopov saw that one coming.
Justin Maxwell seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Maxwell shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Shopov eats them both and turns towards Maxwell to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.

It looks like Borislav Shopov has been cut.

Maxwell forces Shopov back against the cage and clinches.

Maxwell breaks from the clinch.
Justin Maxwell seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Shopov has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Shopov there as he acknowledges the shot.
Shopov moves away from the strike by Maxwell.
A big left from Maxwell misses.
Maxwell misses with a hook.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Maxwell lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Shopov circles away quickly and effectively.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maxwell throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Maxwell takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Jab, jab by Shopov - just one landing.
Shopov takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

Shopov tries to keep at a distance but Maxwell has taken the fight into the clinch.
Maxwell lands a left hand that snaps the head of Shopov backwards.
Maxwell makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

Maxwell manages to break the clinch.
Maxwell shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Shopov as he avoids it easily.
Justin Maxwell is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Shopov misses the jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maxwell lands a nice hook to Shopov's body. Shopov takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
A jab from Maxwell does it's job there.
Maxwell connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
A leg kick checked by Shopov.
Maxwell is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Shopov.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Maxwell closes the distance and clinches.
Shopov blocks a body shot from Maxwell.
Shopov stops a takedown attempt from Maxwell.
Maxwell wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Maxwell wants to break the clinch but can't.

Shopov manages to pull guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shopov looking for a guillotine here but Maxwell defends easily.
Shopov is trying to keep Maxwell in close.
Shopov 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.
Shopov is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Maxwell wants to control but Shopov is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Maxwell looking for submissions off his back.
Shopov trying to control the action but Maxwell is working from the bottom.
Maxwell is trying to stand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Shopov seems to be working for a kimura but Maxwell defends the submission attempt.
Shopov prevents Maxwell from improving his position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Shopov seems to be working for a kimura but Maxwell defends the submission attempt.

Shopov maintaining the dominant position here and is working for a kimura. He's locked it up! Maxwell could be in real trouble here! He's trying to wriggle out but Shopov has cracked it and Maxwell is screaming in pain - he's tapped out! Great finish by Shopov!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:46 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Borislav Shopov!