PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mick Maurizio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Arkemis Ferris (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Maurizio
vs
Ferris

172 cm
20
210 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
19
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Mick Maurizio!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Arkemis Ferris!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Emerson Jorge and Matheus Silva.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Maurizio gets the takedown into side control.
Maurizio really is a fat lump.

Maurizio looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Maurizio decides to stand up, so the ref orders Ferris to his feet.
Maurizio throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ferris looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A head kick misses from Maurizio.

Maurizio scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Maurizio trying to control the pace.
Ferris pushes Maurizio off looking to stand but Maurizio dives back in and keeps control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maurizio with the ground and pound but Ferris uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Maurizio is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Maurizio throws a strike but Ferris rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Ferris wants to control from the top but Maurizio keeps moving.
Maurizio looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ferris is one step ahead there.
Maurizio controls Ferris momentarily but Ferris frees himself.

That's two 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.
Maurizio tries to strike from the bottom.
Maurizio wants to stand but Ferris is controlling the position.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Maurizio tries for a takedown but Ferris sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Maurizio is breathing heavily.
Maurizio tries to bum rush Ferris with a series of wild strikes but Ferris uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Ferris misses with a takedown

and Maurizio counters with a shoot takedown. Ferris fights it but they end up in guard.
Maurizio wants to control from the top but Ferris keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ferris working a defensive guard here.
Ferris is pulling down on Maurizio's head to control his posture.
Ferris looking to control.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Ferris is on top in guard.

Ferris gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ferris closes this distance looking for a takedown but Maurizio circles away.
Maurizio throws a quick inside leg kick.

Maurizio clinches up with Ferris and pushes him back against the cage.
Ferris is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Maurizio pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Mick Maurizio has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Arkemis Ferris.
Ferris wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Maurizio throws a punch but it's blocked by Ferris.
Ferris tries for a takedown but Maurizio manages to get underhooks.
Maurizio trying to land knees to the body.

Ferris jumps into guard, dragging Maurizio to the mat.
Ferris utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Maurizio postures up.
Maurizio looking to pass the guard.

Ferris pushes Maurizio off and scrambles back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mick Maurizio dominated that round.
That's time! Maurizio's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Ferris fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Maurizio sprawls well initially but Ferris persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Maurizio is trying to get back to full guard.
Maurizio is working hard here to advance position.
Maurizio is looking to escape.
Maurizio is looking to improve his position.
Ferris is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maurizio is squirming around, avoiding Ferris's attempts to control the action.

Ferris is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Maurizio has managed to escape the submission attempt.

Ferris looking for a guillotine from mount but Maurizio is having none of it.

That's two 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.
Maurizio can't escape the position.
Maurizio might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Ferris controlling the position easily from mount.
Maurizio can't escape the position.
Ferris trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maurizio is trying to escape the mount.
Ferris controlling from the full mount.
Ferris manages to capitalize on a mistake by Maurizio to take his back!
Ferris is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.

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.

Despite being in the dominant position, Arkemis Ferris just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Maurizio closes the distance looking to clinch

and Ferris counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Ferris is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Ferris prevents Maurizio from improving his position.
Maurizio pushes Ferris off looking to stand but Ferris dives back in and keeps control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ferris trying to control from half guard but Maurizio is working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arkemis Ferris showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Maurizio shoots in and bounces Ferris off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Maurizio wants to control from the top but Ferris keeps moving.
Maurizio throwing strikes from guard but Ferris blocks nicely.
Maurizio thows a big elbow that misses.

Maurizio decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Ferris, up you get!
Maurizio fails to land the takedown.
Ferris tries to clinch up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maurizio swats away the attempt to clinch by Ferris.
Maurizio misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Maurizio throws a left and a right that both miss

and Ferris counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Maurizio's guard now.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Maurizio has a closed guard, preventing Ferris from standing up.
Maurizio not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Ferris trying to control but Maurizio is working from the bottom.
Ferris wanted to stand there but Maurizio had control of the position.

Maurizio scrambles and gets back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ferris looks frusrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Maurizio moves in looking to clinch but Ferris pushes him off.
Ferris shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Maurizio counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Maurizio wants to control from the top but Ferris keeps moving.
Ferris pulls Maurizio in close to prevent any damage.
Maurizio postures up.
Maurizio has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Ferris pushes Maurizio off and scrambles back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ferris shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Ferris with a flurry of punches that miss.
Maurizio wants to control the position but Ferris says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Maurizio wants to improve his position but Ferris is controlling well.
Maurizio has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Ferris is working away from the top position though.
Maurizio is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Ferris jumps into side control!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ferris wants to lay and pray for a moment but Maurizio keeps working.

Maurizio throws Ferris to one side and escapes!
Maurizio throws a head kick but Ferris moves out of range.
Mick Maurizio seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Ferris gets the takedown into side control.
Ferris is looking to take a break and control but Maurizio is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Ferris takes advantage of some sloppy striking from Maurizio to pass into mount.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Maurizio can't escape the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Arkemis Ferris.
I think Ferris has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 29:28
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 29:28
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Mick Maurizio!