PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kyro Maia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Elias Al Haddad (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Elias Al Haddad will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Maia
vs
Al Haddad

183 cm
28
165 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

174 cm
23
163 lbs
9 - 8 - 1

Good wrestling
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Vandal Fight Boutique & Laundry

Vandal Fight Boutique & Laundry
Fury Nutrition Inc.

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 3 - 1 - 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 9 - 8 - 1, fighting out of New York, Elias Al Haddad!
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, Eddie Farnsworth and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Al Haddad misses with the combination.
Maia fails with a takedown attempt.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Al Haddad!
Al Haddad tries to clinch but Maia moves out of range.
Maia fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Al Haddad manages to avoid it.
Maia throws a shot from downtown. Al Haddad moves away and avoids it.
Maia looks to throw the jab but Al Haddad is out of range.
Al Haddad cracks Maia with a right hand to the side of the head.
Maia blocks a head kick by Al Haddad.
Maia throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Al Haddad stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
No joy there for Al Haddad, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Al Haddad throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Maia.
Al Haddad tries to clinch up.
Al Haddad slips a straight right by Maia.
Al Haddad throws a series of strikes that have Maia backpedaling.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Maia.
Maia shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Al Haddad but Al Haddad pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kyro Maia. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Maia throws a looping overhand right but Al Haddad ducks down to avoid it.
Maia takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Jab, jab by Al Haddad - just one landing.
Maia has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Al Haddad finds it's way round the side to connect with Maia's head.
Al Haddad lands a lovely overhand right.
Al Haddad connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Maia momentarily.
Maia just misses with a punch to the body.
Maia takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Al Haddad throws a nice looking combination but Maia bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Al Haddad, as that shot connected.
Maia scores with a hook to the body. Al Haddad takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maia looks for a takedown but Al Haddad sprawls well.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Al Haddad lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Maia fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Al Haddad pushes Maia up against the cage in a clinch.
Al Haddad throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Maias head.
Al Haddad told us before the fight that he's been working on his elbows. An under utilised technique these days - let's see if it can sway the outcome of the fight.
Al Haddad throws a punch but it's blocked by Maia.
Al Haddad tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Maia looking for a takedown.
Maia trying to stall but Al Haddad improves his position.

Al Haddad pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Al Haddad throws a hook but Maia blocks it.
Al Haddad throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

Al Haddad clinches up with Maia and pushes him back against the cage.
Maia tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Al Haddad's elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maia digs a right hand into Al Haddad's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Al Haddad's gas tank.
Al Haddad lands a body punch in the clinch.
Al Haddad lands a nice uppercut.
A knee to the head by Al Haddad.
Maia misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Al Haddad lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Maia swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Al Haddad tries a body shot but Maia blocks it.
Nice body punch from Maia - that landed with a thud.
Maia blocks the elbow strike.
Al Haddad softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Al Haddad tries to throw a body punch but Maia avoids it by throwing Al Haddad back against the cage.

Al Haddad's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Al Haddad scores with a body shot.
Maia scores with a crisp jab that stopped Al Haddad in his tracks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maia takes one on the button.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Maia throws a hook but Al Haddad avoids it easily.
Al Haddad bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Al Haddad misses with a two punch combination.
Maia uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Al Haddad.
Al Haddad throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Al Haddad connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Maia momentarily.

Maia scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Maia lands some shots froms side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Al Haddad tries to improve position but can't.
Maia scoring with punches from side control.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Maia working the ground and pound.
Check out the look on Maia's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Maia scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Al Haddad to see if he's OK.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Al Haddad sneaks back into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Elias Al Haddad dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Maia takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
No luck for Maia with that takedown attempt.
Al Haddad fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Al Haddad scores with a shot to the body.
Maia throws a hook to the side of Al Haddad's head but Al Haddad sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Al Haddad!
Al Haddad misses with a wild combination.
Al Haddad throws out a powerful jab.
Elias Al Haddad is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Some wild striking there from Al Haddad.
Maia shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Al Haddad but Al Haddad pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Maia throws an overhand right that lands on Al Haddad's shoulder, as Al Haddad tries to avoid the shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Maia gets a double leg takedown into Al Haddad's guard.
Maia wants to control from the top but Al Haddad keeps moving.
Al Haddad 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.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Maia throws a big elbow that misses.
Al Haddad thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Maia trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Maia lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Al Haddad looking to hit a scissor sweep but Maia is one step ahead there.

Al Haddad has his foot on Maia's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Maia works his way back into a safe position though.
Al Haddad is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Haddad seems keen to control Maia's posture.
Maia with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Maia stands and throws Al Haddad's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Al Haddad tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Maia working away.
Al Haddad seems a little lost for a moment, as Maia dominates the positioning.
Al Haddad wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Al Haddad is looking to regain half guard here but Maia keeps moving and retains side control.
Maia advances nicely into full mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maia wants to control the pace but Al Haddad is squirming around nicely.
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.
Al Haddad is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Al Haddad regains half guard.
Al Haddad moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Maia forces his way into half guard.
Al Haddad is trying to maintain the position but Maia is very close to passing his half guard.
Maia looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Al Haddad with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Al Haddad is trying to control but can't.
Maia seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Al Haddad is trying to control but can't.
Maia looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
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 two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Maia connects with a nice short shot to Al Haddad's temple.
Maia is keen to just control but Al Haddad is a slippery customer.
Maia is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Maia winds up and cracks Al Haddad with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Al Haddad pushes Maia off looking to stand but Maia dives back in and keeps control.
Maia lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Al Haddad avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Maia.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kyro Maia dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Al Haddad moves away from the strike by Maia.
Al Haddad throws a nice looking combination but Maia bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Al Haddad misses with a double jab.
A punch combination from Al Haddad misses.
Al Haddad looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Al Haddad keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Al Haddad moves out of range of the strikes.
Maia misses with a hook. Al Haddad ducked under it nicely.
Al Haddad lands with a shot to the body.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Maia is defended easily by Al Haddad.
Maia thows a left - swing and a miss!
Elias Al Haddad seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Al Haddad tries to close the distance and clinch up but Maia swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Maia on the wrong end of a nice jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maia ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Al Haddad moves away.
Maia swings for the body but Al Haddad moves out of range.
Al Haddad swinging wildly here.
Al Haddad blocks a jab.
Al Haddad listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Al Haddad throws a hook but Maia blocks it.
Al Haddad fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Al Haddad just misses with a punch to the body.
Al Haddad's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Maia connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Al Haddad scrambles back to his feet.
Maia is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Al Haddad throws a head kick but Maia moves out of range.
Al Haddad stuffs the takedown.
Maia takes one on the button.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Haddad ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Al Haddad tries to bum rush Maia with a series of wild strikes but Maia uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Maia misses with a looping right.
Elias Al Haddad is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Maia misses with an uppercut. Al Haddad saw that one coming.
Maia shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Al Haddad defends it nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kyro Maia. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Maia misses with a looping left.
Al Haddad slips a straight right by Maia.
Al Haddad throws a hook but Maia blocks it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Maia goes for a double leg but Al Haddad avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Al Haddad continues to drive forward.
Al Haddad lands a body punch in the clinch.
Maia misses with a hook from the clinch.

Al Haddad manages to break the clinch.
Al Haddad misses with a looping left.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maia misses with an uppercut. Al Haddad saw that one coming.
Maia misses the jab.
Decent striking displayed by Al Haddad there.
Al Haddad throws a body punch but Maia moves out of range.
Maia misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Al Haddad.
Maia loads up on a big right hand but Al Haddad slips the punch.
Al Haddad moves into range and connects with a jab.
Al Haddad throws a right hand that Maia ducks under and follows up with a left that Maia also avoids with ease.
Maia tries to move into range but Al Haddad moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Maia throws a jab but it's blocked by Al Haddad.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Maia, as that shot connected.
Maia looks to throw the jab but Al Haddad is out of range.
Al Haddad ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Al Haddad feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Maias jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maia waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Al Haddad.
Maia ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Al Haddad moves away.
Al Haddad throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Al Haddad wants to clinch up but Maia keeps it at a distance.
Al Haddad clobbers Maia with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Maia waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Al Haddad.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Al Haddad throws a right and a left that Maia avoids nicely.
Maia misses with a looping left.
Maia throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Al Haddad misses with a two punch combination.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Al Haddad moves away from the strike by Maia.
Maia throws a looping overhand right but Al Haddad ducks down to avoid it.
A jab from Maia misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Elias Al Haddad comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Al Haddad 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 Lou da Vinci scores the fight 28:29
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 28:29
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Elias Al Haddad!
Elias Al Haddad made sure to mention his sponsor, Vandal Fight Boutique & Laundry in his post fight interview.