PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Zoe Washburn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mitsuyo Maeda (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Washburn
vs
Maeda

180 cm
35
177 lbs
28 - 23 - 0

177 cm
36
178 lbs
20 - 14 - 2

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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 28 - 23 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Zoe Washburn!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 14 - 2, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Mitsuyo Maeda!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Daniel Cesar and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maeda looks to throw the jab but Washburn is out of range.
Washburn seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.

Maeda scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Washburn is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Washburn tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Maeda is thwarting Washburn's attempts to control the position.
My spies in Brazilian Elite Team inform me that Maeda has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maeda missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Washburn wants to get back to full guard.
Maeda works his way into full mount!
Maeda breaks from Washburn's wrist control and lands an elbow.

It looks like Zoe Washburn has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maeda content just to control the position here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Washburn is trying desperately to improve position.
Maeda controlling his opponent.
Maeda working away from the top, dropping strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maeda trying to control but Washburn is having none of it.
Washburn tries to reverse the position but Maeda maintains control.
Maeda scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Washburn?
Washburn wants to hold on but Maeda pushes him away.
Washburn is desperately trying to improve his position but Maeda has a good base and remains in mount.
Maeda lands a big elbow - Washburn is in trouble! More strikes from the mount and Washburn is forced to tap out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:52 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Strikes). Mitsuyo Maeda!
During a confident post fight interview, Mitsuyo Maeda thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.