PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Paul Maul (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Buvaisar Hamidovich Saitiev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Maul
vs
Hamidovich Saitiev

180 cm
25
182 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

183 cm
29
185 lbs
11 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Powerful

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 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Paul Maul!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Buvaisar Hamidovich Saitiev!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, James Glass and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maul digs a good body shot into Hamidovich Saitiev's ribs.
Hamidovich Saitiev keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Maul.
Hamidovich Saitiev tries to move into range but Maul moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Maul connects with a good right hand that stumbles Hamidovich Saitiev. Hamidovich Saitiev circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Good shot there by Maul.
Nice body punch from Maul.
Hamidovich Saitiev looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

Maul closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Maul gets through Hamidovich Saitiev's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Maul digs a right hand into Hamidovich Saitiev's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Hamidovich Saitiev's gas tank.
Maul lands on the inside with an uppercut.
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!
Maul lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Hamidovich Saitiev backwards.
Hamidovich Saitiev is looking to take this one to the mat.
Maul scores with a shoulder strike.
Maul working some nice short punches in the clinch.

Hamidovich Saitiev has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Maul is trying to keep an underhook but Hamidovich Saitiev manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Maul wants to control but Hamidovich Saitiev is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Maul is trying is best to control the position here.
Hamidovich Saitiev scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Maul definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Hamidovich Saitiev is looking to take a break and control but Maul is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maul works his way to full guard. Good work.
Maul looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Maul on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Maul tries to get out of the position.
Maul trying to control the position.
Maul looking for a sweep. Not yet Maul, not yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Maul is controlling Hamidovich Saitiev's posture.
Maul wants to stand but Hamidovich Saitiev is controlling the position.
Hamidovich Saitiev throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Maul works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Hamidovich Saitiev wants to pass the guard but Maul is keeping the position.
Hamidovich Saitiev scoring with punches to the head and body.
Maul has his hands on Hamidovich Saitiev's head, controlling the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hamidovich Saitiev stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Maul swivels though and keeps the full guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Maul's corner calls for a 1-2. Maul obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Hamidovich Saitiev.
Maul throws a jab but it's blocked by Hamidovich Saitiev.
Maul works Hamidovich Saitiev's body with a nice hook.

Hamidovich Saitiev closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Maul did well to prevent Hamidovich Saitiev getting side control.
Maul is trying is best to control the position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maul wants to get back to full guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Maul manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Hamidovich Saitiev trying to control but Maul is working from the bottom.
Maul avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Maul is pulling down on Hamidovich Saitiev's head. It's preventing any offense from Hamidovich Saitiev, at least for the moment.
Hamidovich Saitiev throws an elbow that misses. Maul uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Hamidovich Saitiev's guard. Nice move by Maul!

Maul won't allow Hamidovich Saitiev to sweep him here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maul controls from within his opponent's guard.
Hamidovich Saitiev is trying to keep Maul in close.
Maul sitting in guard here, content to control.
Maul continues to stall.
Hamidovich Saitiev seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

Hamidovich Saitiev is working an open guard so Maul takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Maul stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Maul wants it to stay on the feet.
It looked like Maul was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Paul Maul has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Buvaisar Hamidovich Saitiev.
Hamidovich Saitiev fails with a takedown attempt.
Maul lands the left hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Maul dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Maul lands a nice shot to the body.
A big right from Maul misses.
Maul tries a head kick but it misses.
Maul defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Hamidovich Saitiev.

Maul pushes Hamidovich Saitiev up against the cage in a clinch.
Maul throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Maul makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

Maul escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Maul clobbers Hamidovich Saitiev with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Maul is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hamidovich Saitiev can do to turn this around?
Maul scores with a jab.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hamidovich Saitiev is defended easily by Maul.
Maul tests Hamidovich Saitiev's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Hamidovich Saitiev shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Maul but Maul pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Paul Maul has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Buvaisar Hamidovich Saitiev.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No luck for Hamidovich Saitiev with that takedown attempt.

Maul pushes Hamidovich Saitiev up against the cage in a clinch.
Hamidovich Saitiev jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Maul walks away with a smile on his face. Hamidovich Saitiev gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Hamidovich Saitiev takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Maul cracks Hamidovich Saitiev with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Maul lands a nice shot to the body.
Hamidovich Saitiev walks into a jab.
Paul Maul is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Maul fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Hamidovich Saitiev is breathing heavily.
Maul dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Hamidovich Saitiev's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Maul connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Hamidovich Saitiev scrambles back to his feet.
Paul Maul is winning the standup battle so far.
Hamidovich Saitiev takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Paul Maul seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Maul tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hamidovich Saitiev paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Maul tests Hamidovich Saitiev's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Maul connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Hamidovich Saitiev momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hamidovich Saitiev looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

Hamidovich Saitiev is rocked!
Maul tries to bum rush Hamidovich Saitiev with a series of wild strikes but Hamidovich Saitiev uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Hamidovich Saitiev changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Hamidovich Saitiev shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Maul darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Hamidovich Saitiev moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Hamidovich Saitiev is still on wobbly legs! Can Maul finish him?
Maul tries to clinch up.
Maul lunges at Hamidovich Saitiev with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Hamidovich Saitiev's hand.
Maul thuds his right hand into Hamidovich Saitiev's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Hamidovich Saitiev takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Maul lands a body shot.
Maul ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

Maul has closed the distance and engaged Hamidovich Saitiev in a clinch.

Maul breaks from the clinch.
Hamidovich Saitiev on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Maul connects with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hamidovich Saitiev shoots in for a takedown but Maul shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Hamidovich Saitiev seems to have recovered his senses.
Maul wants to clinch.
Hamidovich Saitiev drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Maul defends it well.
Maul jabs Hamidovich Saitiev right on the nose. Hamidovich Saitiev blinks but takes it well.
Hamidovich Saitiev on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Maul tries to clinch but Hamidovich Saitiev is having none of it.
Hamidovich Saitiev shoots in and drives through. Maul sprawls well.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hamidovich Saitiev is defended easily by Maul.
Maul fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Maul connects with a single shot there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maul sizes up Hamidovich Saitiev with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Jab by Maul.
Hamidovich Saitiev shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Maul digs a good body shot into Hamidovich Saitiev's ribs.
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!
Hamidovich Saitiev misses with a takedown attempt
and Maul counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
A jab lands there for Maul.
Maul fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hamidovich Saitiev manages to avoid it.
Hamidovich Saitiev takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Maul cracks Hamidovich Saitiev with a good jab.
Maul lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Hamidovich Saitiev avoids a punch combination nicely.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Maul is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Maul closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Maul dominated that second round.
That's time! Maul's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Hamidovich Saitiev takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Hamidovich Saitiev throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Maul's waist but Maul gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Hamidovich Saitiev off to one side.
Jab from Maul.

Hamidovich Saitiev gets tackled into the cage by Maul. Maul maintains the clinch.
Maul throws a punch but it's blocked by Hamidovich Saitiev.
Maul digs a right hand underneath Hamidovich Saitiev's ribcage. Hamidovich Saitiev let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Maul lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Maul scores with a hook to the body.
Maul scores with a hook to the body.
A nice right hand lands inside from Maul.
A nice right hand lands inside from Maul.
Maul lands a right hand that snaps the head of Hamidovich Saitiev backwards.
Maul lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Hamidovich Saitiev or not.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Maul lands an uppercut.
Hamidovich Saitiev takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Maul pushes Hamidovich Saitiev back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Maul lands a left hand that snaps the head of Hamidovich Saitiev backwards.
Maul throws a big uppercut that drops Hamidovich Saitiev! More strikes from Maul and the referee jumps in to stop the fight! Hamidovich Saitiev lies dazed against the cage as Maul celebrates with his cornermen!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:59 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Paul Maul!
An out of breath Paul Maul thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.