PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Paulo Fernando (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fabio Maldonado (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Fernando
vs
Maldonado

225 cm
21
185 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

190 cm
26
189 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid 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 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Paulo Fernando!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Fabio Maldonado!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Luis Engracia and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Fernando moves into range and clinches up with Maldonado.
Fernando wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Maldonado has him pressed against the cage.
Fernando can't get the takedown.
Fernando tries to pull guard but Maldonado won't allow it.

Fernando breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Fernando swinging wildly here.
No joy there for Maldonado, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Maldonado is trying hard to land a takedown here. Fernando sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Fernando shoots in for a takedown but Maldonado shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Paulo Fernando. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Maldonado looks to land a combination but Fernando avoids it well.
Maldonado pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Maldonado tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Maldonado takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Maldonado gets a takedown into half guard.
Fernando is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fernando is not content to let Maldonado control the position.
Maldonado thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Fernando's head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fernando pushes Maldonado off looking to stand but Maldonado dives back in and keeps control.
Fernando gets back to full guard.
Fernando will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Maldonado in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Maldonado wants to control from the top but Fernando keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Fernando is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Maldonado really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Fernando. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Fernando looking to control.
Fernando preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Maldonado is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Fernando not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maldonado wants to control from the top but Fernando keeps moving.

Paulo Fernando has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Maldonado shoots in and drives through. Fernando sprawls well.
Fernando looks to land a combination but Maldonado avoids it well.
Maldonado fails with the takedown.
Fernando throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Fernando misses with a double jab.
Maldonado with a poor takedown

and Fernando counters by clinching up.
Maldonado is trying to push Fernando away but Fernando has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fernando softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Fernando wants to take the fight to the mat but Maldonado manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Maldonado stops a takedown attempt from Fernando.
Fernando has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Maldonado avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Fernando has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Maldonado is trying to keep an underhook but Fernando manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Maldonado wants to get back to full guard.
Fernando is keen to just control but Maldonado is a slippery customer.
Maldonado felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Maldonado trying to control but Fernando postures up.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Maldonado tries to get to full guard but Fernando has control of the leg.
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 Paulo Fernando will probably get the nod.
That's time! Fernando's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Fernando is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Fernando looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Fernando fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Fernando really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Maldonado darts in looking for a takedown but Fernando gets double underhooks and turns Maldonado into the cage.
Maldonado goes for a takedown attempt but Fernando pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Fernando takes a swing at Maldonado's ribcage but misses.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Fernando fails in his attempt to clinch.
Maldonado is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Maldonado decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Fernando slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Fernando is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Fernando looking for a guillotine here but Maldonado defends easily.
Fernando has a closed guard, preventing Maldonado from standing up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fernando is trying to keep Maldonado in close.
Maldonado showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Maldonado must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Fernando not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Maldonado won't allow Fernando to get back to his feet.

Maldonado has a momentary lapse of concentration, allowing Fernando to throw up a leg and lock on what appears to be a pretty tight triangle! Maldonado is fighting it off but it's all too little too late - Fernando pulls down on the head and he's put Maldonado to sleep! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:56 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Paulo Fernando!