PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kyro Maia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nikolai Nation (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Maia
vs
Nation

183 cm
26
165 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

180 cm
20
162 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
KO power

Good wrestler
Brawler
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kyro Maia!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Nikolai Nation!
The judges for this bout are Paulo Santos, Seu Braga and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Maia gets the takedown into side control.
Maia working the head with strikes.
Maia cracks Nation with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Nation takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Maia is looking to take a break and control but Nation is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Maia is putting a hurting on Nation here, landing some big shots from side control.
Maia definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Maia working the ground and pound.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maia in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Maia works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Maia working the ground and pound but Nation is defending the strikes.
Nation taking a bit of punishment here - Maia scoring with strikes.
Maia has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Maia throws a strike aimed at the side of Nation's head but Nation avoids it well.
Maia connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Nation some visible discomfort.
Nation is looking to regain half guard here but Maia keeps moving and retains side control.
Nation regains half guard, as Maia was trying to land strikes.
Maia takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nation is concentrating on defense, preventing Maia from advancing position.
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!
Maia working the head and body with strikes.
Nation trying to hold on to Maia's head to control him but Maia postures up.
Maia looks to land a strike but Nation avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Maia trying to control but Nation is working from the bottom.
Nation can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Maia controls the pace.
Maia won't allow Nation to sweep him here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nation is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maia looking to sit in guard and control but Nation gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Maia is trying to keep Nation in close.
My spies in The Sweat Lodge inform me that Nation has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Maia manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Nation manages to get himself to full guard.
Maia lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Maia throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Maia trying to control but Nation is working from the bottom.
Nation is trying to keep Maia in close.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maia wants to control from the top but Nation keeps moving.
Maia throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Nation looking to control.
Nation wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Maia pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Maia misses with a body shot.
Nation throws a jab but it's blocked by Maia.
Nation's corner calls for a 1-2. Nation obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kyro Maia dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Nation's corner calls for a 1-2. Nation obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Nation throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Maia sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Maia throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Nation stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Nation lands with a cross.
Nation connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Nation swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Nation looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Maia closes the distance and clinches up with Nation, looking for a takedown. Maia pushes Nation against the cage but Nation circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Jab, jab by Maia - just one landing.
Nice jab there from Nation.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nation throws a right and a left that Maia avoids nicely.
Nation uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Maia.
Nation pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Maia ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nation moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nation digs a good body shot into Maia's ribs.
Maia misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Nation throws a body punch but Maia moves out of range.
Nation lands a slapping body shot.
Nation moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Maia looks to score with a jab to the body but Nation is just out of range.
Maia shoots in for a double leg but Nation sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kyro Maia. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice shot by Nation.
Nikolai Nation seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Maia keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Nation.
Nation lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
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!
Nation moves out of range as Maia strikes.
Nation throws the left hand but Maia avoids the punch easily.
Maia slips under a jab from Nation.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maia misses the shot to the body.
Nation cracks a nice hook into Maia's ribs.
A big right from Nation misses.
Nation looks to land a right hand but Maia moved out of range.
Maia looks to land a left hand but Nation moved out of range nicely.
Nation throws a series of punches but Maia moves out of range.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Nation, as that shot connected.
Nation uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Maia.
Maia takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Maia avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Nation might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nation. Maia does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nation throws a lazy right hand but Maia sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nation scores with a punch to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maia cracks a nice hook into Nation's ribs.
The crowd cheers as Maia lands an impressive looking overhand right. Nation doesn't seem phased though.
Nice uppercut there from Maia.
Nation lunges at Maia with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Maia's hand.
Maia throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Maia is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Maia is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

Maia is rocked!
Maia connects with a jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Maia misses with a wild body shot.
Nation throws the left hand but Maia avoids the punch easily.
Maia misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Nation.
A big right from Nation misses.
Nation moves into range and connects with a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nation looks to land a left hand but Maia moved out of range nicely.
Nation misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Nation looks to land a left hand but Maia moved out of range nicely.
A jab from Nation finds it's way through Maia's defenses.
Nation swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nation leaves Maia with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Nation getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

Nation cracks Maia with a big right hand that sends him to the floor! Maia looks wobbly but he's sprung back up to his feet straight away… can Nation finish him?
Oh Maia is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Nation slips a jab from Maia.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nation dances in with a quick combination. Maia is being worked over with jabs and crosses. Oooh, a right straight from Nation snaps Maia's head back. Maia stumbles backwards against the cage. Nation steps forward and delivers a right cross that connects with Maia's jaw, simultaneously knocking him out and sending his mouthpiece into the crowd! There's a worthy souvenir for the fans. This one is over folks. Maia just didn't come prepared.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Nikolai Nation!