PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Giuseppe Maldini (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Varg Veide (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Maldini comes into the arena with Just one cornetto blaring out of the sound system. Veide is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Bachman-Turner Overdrive - Taking Care of Business. Varg Veide has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Maldini
vs
Veide

210 cm
34
275 lbs
30 - 19 - 1

195 cm
32
255 lbs
31 - 13 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

BHP Clothing
Sun-Tzu

Museum of Monsters & Madmen
Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 30 - 19 - 1, fighting out of London, Giuseppe Maldini!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 31 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Varg Veide!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Sam Margolis and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maldini moves out of range of the strikes.
Maldini feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Varg Veide seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Veide blocks a head kick by Maldini.
Veide bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Veide dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Maldini. That did some damage!
Maldini slips under a jab.
Maldini moves out of range of the body kick from Veide.

Veide clinches up with Maldini and pushes him back against the cage.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Veide lands a left hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A head punch on the inside from Maldini fails to land.
Maldini digs a right hand underneath Veide's ribcage. Veide let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Veide misses with a body punch.
Veide blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A left hand lands to the body for Veide.
Maldini fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maldini goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Maldini lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
I was talking to Maldini's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Maldini tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Maldini blocking some punches.
Maldini goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Maldini throws a head punch that misses.
Maldini blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
With the fighters up against the cage, Veide throws an elbow but misses.
Veide takes a shot to the head.
Maldini on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Veide.
Maldini lands a shoulder strike.
Good body shot from Maldini.
Veide misses with a body punch.
Veide swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Maldini scores with a shot to the side of Veide's head.
Maldini lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Maldini lands with a light punch inside.
Veide blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Veide digs a right hand underneath Maldini's ribcage. Maldini let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Maldini lands a shoulder strike.
Veide pushes Maldini back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Veide doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Veide fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Veide blocks a body shot from Maldini.
Maldini works on Veide's body with a couple of short punches.
Veide looks winded!
Maldini has Veide pushed against the cage.
Veide blocking some punches.
Maldini misses with a short punch on the inside.
Maldini doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Veide throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Maldinis head.
Veide blocks a body shot from Maldini.
Veide misses with a hook to the ribs.
Maldini controlling the action here for a moment.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Veide.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Maldini fails to land.
A right hook to the body lands for Maldini.
Maldini lands a right hand that snaps the head of Veide backwards.
Maldini digs a right hand underneath Veide's ribcage. Veide let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Maldini lands a shoulder strike.
Maldini lands a nice uppercut.
Maldini misses with a body punch.
Maldini misses with a body punch.
Veide misses with an elbow over the top.
Veide tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Maldini misses with a hook to the ribs.
Veide goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Veide can't find room to land a body shot as Maldini controls the action.
Maldini misses with a body punch.
Maldini fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Maldini misses with a punch to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Maldini fails to land.
A body shot lands from Maldini.
Maldini lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Veide or not.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Veide lands a right hand.
Maldini controlling the action here for a moment.
Maldini goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Veide blocks a body shot from Maldini.
Maldini scores with a shoulder strike.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Veide misses with a short punch on the inside.
A left hand lands to the body for Maldini.
Maldini throws a punch but it's blocked by Veide.
Maldini tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Veide scores with a shoulder strike.
Veide tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A right hook to the body lands for Maldini.
Veide prevents a body shot from Maldini.
Maldini digs a right hand into Veide's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Veide's gas tank.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Maldini doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Veide blocking some punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Maldini looks to score with a jab to the body but Veide is just out of range.
Veide ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Maldini moves away.
Maldini checks a leg kick.

Maldini moves into the clinch.
Maldini misses with a body punch.
Maldini lands with a right to the head.
Maldini lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Maldini tries to work over Veide's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Veide lands a body punch.
Veide can't find room to land a body shot as Maldini controls the action.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Veide creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Maldini.
Maldini lands with a light punch inside.
Maldini lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Maldini misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Maldini blocks an uppercut.
Veide is breathing heavily.
Maldini leaning his opponent against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maldini works on Veide's body with a couple of short punches.
Veide tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Maldini lands a left hand that snaps the head of Veide backwards.
Maldini swings wildly with an uppercut but Veide uses good head movement to avoid it.
Veide throws a head punch that misses.
Maldini tries to work over Veide's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Good body shot from Maldini.
Veide prevents a body shot from Maldini.
Maldini can't find room to land a body shot as Veide controls the action.
Maldini blocks a body shot from Veide.
Maldini scores with a nice hook to the head.
Maldini scores with a nice hook to the head.
Maldini misses with a hook to the ribs.
Veide tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Maldini lands a shot to the body.
Veide's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maldini lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Maldini tries to work over Veide's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Maldini tries a body shot but Veide blocks it.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
A short right from Maldini.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Maldini scores with a shot to the side of Veide's head.
Maldini working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Maldini lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Maldini stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Stalling in the clinch from Maldini.
Maldini has a couple of punches blocked by Veide.
A short uppercut from Maldini.
Maldini cracks Veide with a nice body shot.
Maldini lands a nice uppercut.
Maldini working aggressively here.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Maldini.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maldini can't find room to land a body shot as Veide controls the action.
Maldini avoids the elbow strike from Veide, against the cage.
Maldini tries a body shot but Veide blocks it.
Maldini misses with a punch on the inside.
Maldini misses with a punch on the inside.
Maldini tries to throw a body punch but Veide avoids it by throwing Maldini back against the cage.
Maldini can't find room to land a body shot as Veide controls the action.
Maldini tries a body shot but Veide blocks it.
Come on Maldini - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Maldini stalling in the clinch.
Maldini pushes Veide back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Veide working aggressively here.
Maldini lands a right hand that snaps the head of Veide backwards.
Maldini gets through Veide's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Maldini pushes Veide back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Veide struggles to land a body shot inside as Maldini controls his hands.
Maldini lands a nice shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maldini lands a shoulder strike.
The referee calls for Maldini to work.
A shot in the inside from Maldini.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A quick uppercut on the inside from Maldini.
Maldini misses with a hook to the ribs.
Maldini is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Veide can do to turn this around?
Maldini lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Veide or not.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Maldini creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Maldini is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Veide swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Veide lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Maldini backwards.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Veide.
Maldini lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Veide or not.
Maldini misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Maldini drops Veide onto one knee with a big uppercut from the clinch! Veide is propped up by the cage and works his way back to his feet!
Maldini tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Maldini tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Maldini lands with a shot to the body.
Maldini moves away from the strike by Veide.
Maldini misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Maldini lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Veide at a distance.
Veide takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Maldini swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Veide shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Maldini eats them both and turns towards Veide to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Maldini on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Maldini throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maldini is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Veide takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Veide misses with a straight right.
Veide misses with a wild body shot.

Veide instigates a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maldini tries to work over Veide's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Maldini misses with a hook from the clinch.
Maldini is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Veide is keeping busy.
Maldini pushes Veide back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Maldini lands a hook that snaps the head of Veide backwards.
A left hand lands to the body for Maldini.
Maldini struggles to land a body shot inside as Veide controls his hands.
Maldini misses with a hook to the ribs.
A nice right hand lands inside from Maldini.
Maldini scores with a shoulder strike.
Maldini pushes Veide back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Veide throws a head punch that misses.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Maldini takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Maldini scores with a shot to the side of Veide's head.
A left hand lands to the body for Maldini.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maldini misses with the head strike.
Good body shot from Maldini.
Veide misses with a hook to the ribs.
Maldini gets through Veide's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
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!
Maldini is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
A right hook to the body lands for Maldini.
Maldini is stalling here.
Maldini goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Maldini tries to work over Veide's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A shot in the inside from Maldini.
A short body shot lands from Maldini as the two fighters clinch.
Maldini misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Maldini lands a right hand.
Maldini cracks Veide with a nice body shot.
Maldini scores with a nice hook to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A right hook to the body lands for Maldini.
Maldini blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Maldini lands a left hand that snaps the head of Veide backwards.

Veide is rocked!
Veide blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Maldini tries a body shot but Veide blocks it.
Veide lands a right hand that snaps the head of Maldini backwards.
Maldini tries to throw a body punch but Veide avoids it by throwing Maldini back against the cage.
Maldini presses Veide against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Maldini scores with a shot to the side of Veide's head.
Maldini misses with a body punch.
Maldini misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Veide misses with a body punch.
Maldini can't find room to land a body shot as Veide controls the action.
Maldini tries to work over Veide's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Veide being controlled against the cage.
Maldini struggles to land a body shot inside as Veide controls his hands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Veide tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Maldini's elbow.
Maldini tries to work over Veide's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Maldini goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Maldini blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Maldini.
Maldini lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Maldini works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Maldini.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A head punch on the inside from Maldini fails to land.
Maldini is looking to control Veide's arms but Veide gets an underhook and turns him. Now Maldini has his back to the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Veide fails to land.
Veide throws a head punch that misses.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Maldini.
Maldini struggles to land a body shot inside as Veide controls his hands.
Veide blocks a punch to the side of the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Maldini.
Veide tries to work over Maldini's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Giuseppe Maldini clearly takes that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Veide throws a chopping leg kick but Maldini manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Veide with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Maldini darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Maldini uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Veide.
Veide ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Maldini moves away.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Maldini, right into the meat.
A head kick misses from Veide.

Maldini has closed the distance and engaged Veide in a clinch.
Veide gets through Maldini's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maldini working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Veide scores with a shoulder strike.
Maldini content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Veide blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Giuseppe Maldini has scored more points in the clinch so far.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Veide just misses with a elbow thrown towards Maldini's brow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Veide.
Veide lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Maldini or not.
Maldini misses with a body punch.
Maldini struggles to land a body shot inside as Veide controls his hands.
Maldini working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A short left from Veide.
A left hand lands to the body for Veide.
A head punch on the inside from Maldini fails to land.
Maldini tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Veide blocks a body shot from Maldini.
Veide tries to work over Maldini's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Maldini struggles to land a body shot inside as Veide controls his hands.
Maldini misses with the head strike.
Maldini tries to throw a body punch but Veide avoids it by throwing Maldini back against the cage.
Maldini lands with a short shot to the head.
Veide misses with a body punch.
Maldini lands a left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maldini taking a breather.
Veide misses with the head strike.
Veide throws an elbow but it misses.
Maldini blocking some punches.
Maldini tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Veide blocks a punch to the side of the head.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Veide creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Veide.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nice body punch from Maldini.
Maldini blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Maldini.
A short left from Maldini.
Maldini throws a punch but it's blocked by Veide.
Maldini tries a body shot but Veide blocks it.
Maldini has Veide pressed against the cage.
Maldini is trying to maintain a safe position but Veide gets an underhook and turns Maldini into the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maldini stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Veide is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Veide misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Maldini lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Veide tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Maldini throws a head punch that misses.
Maldini lands an uppercut.
Maldini taking a breather.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Veide.
Maldini is trying to stall.
Veide works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Maldini taking a breather.
Veide blocks a body shot from Maldini.
Maldini misses with a punch on the inside.
A nice right hand lands inside from Veide.
A short uppercut from Veide.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maldini trying to stall but Veide improves his position.
Veide working aggressively here.
Maldini tries to work over Veide's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Veide is leaning against Maldini and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Veide swings wildly with an uppercut but Maldini uses good head movement to avoid it.
Veide presses Maldini against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Veide as Maldini tries to tie him up.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Maldini.
Maldini tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Veide fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Veide can't find room to land a body shot as Maldini controls the action.
Maldini tries a body shot but Veide blocks it.
Veide tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Veide.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Veide misses with the head strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Giuseppe Maldini will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

A slapping leg kick lands for Veide.
Veide misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Maldini.
Maldini appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Maldini with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Veide to score with a decent uppercut.
Veide throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Maldini counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Maldini is looking to wear down Veide with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Veide throws a right hand that misses
and Maldini counters with a nice uppercut.
Veide misses with a body kick.
Veide throws a body punch but Maldini moves out of range.
Maldini lands with a thumping leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Veide throws a series of punches but Maldini avoids them all with ease.
Veide throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Veide swings for the body but Maldini moves out of range.

Veide gets tackled into the cage by Maldini. Maldini maintains the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice left hand lands by Maldini.
Veide misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Maldini wants to stall.
Veide fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Maldini struggles to land a body shot inside as Veide controls his hands.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Veide.
Maldini goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Veide as Maldini tries to tie him up.
Maldini is leaning against Veide and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Veide is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Maldini throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Veides head.
Good body shot from Maldini.
Maldini tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Veide blocks a body shot from Maldini.
Maldini misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maldini pressing his opponent against the cage.
Maldini misses with a body punch.
Maldini goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Maldini throws a punch but it's blocked by Veide.
Maldini lands a shot to the body.
With the fighters up against the cage, Veide throws an elbow but misses.
Veide goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Nice body punch from Veide - that landed with a thud.
Maldini tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Veide's elbow.
Veide scores with a hook to the body.
Maldini misses with a short punch on the inside.
Maldini swings wildly with an uppercut but Veide uses good head movement to avoid it.
Veide lands a body punch in the clinch.
A short uppercut from Veide.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maldini misses with a short punch on the inside.
Nice body punch from Veide.
Veide lands a hook that snaps the head of Maldini backwards.
Veide is working Maldini over against the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Veide creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Veide misses with a body punch.
Veide lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Maldini backwards.
Veide misses with some punches.
Veide lands a right hand that snaps the head of Maldini backwards.
Varg Veide has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Veide swings wildly with an uppercut but Maldini uses good head movement to avoid it.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Maldini.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Maldini takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Veide working aggressively here.
A head punch on the inside from Veide fails to land.
Giuseppe Maldini is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Veide can't find room to land a body shot as Maldini controls the action.
Veide tries to throw a body punch but Maldini avoids it by throwing Veide back against the cage.
Maldini tries a body shot but Veide blocks it.
Veide misses with some punches.
Maldini blocks an uppercut.
Veide misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Veide tries a body shot but Maldini blocks it.
Maldini works on Veide's body with a couple of short punches.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Veide goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Maldini avoids the elbow strike from Veide, against the cage.
Veide can't find room to land a body shot as Maldini controls the action.
Veide struggles to land a body shot inside as Maldini controls his hands.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Varg Veide.
I think Maldini has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 48:47
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 50:45
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 49:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Giuseppe Maldini!
After winning the bout, Giuseppe Maldini thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.