PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between The Sanchez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Damian Maia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sanchez comes to the cage accompanied by On a Boat. Damian Maia is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Sanchez
vs
Maia

170 cm
20
185 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

185 cm
18
185 lbs
0 - 2 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, The Sanchez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 1, fighting out of New York, Damian Maia!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Reed Andrews and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maia shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Sanchez as he jumps to the side.
Maia looks for a takedown but Sanchez sprawls well.
Maia shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Sanchez as he jumps to the side.
The Sanchez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Damian Maia.
Maia shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Sanchez but Sanchez pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Sanchez drives through with a takedown into guard.
Sanchez postures up in Maia's guard and throws a big left but Maia blocks it.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Maia tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Sanchez tries to free his leg and advance position but Maia is retaining full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maia tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Sanchez is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Sanchez could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Maia looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Sanchez pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Maia is keeping the position for now.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Maia is on top in guard.
Maia stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sanchez swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Maia drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Maia jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Sanchez might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Maia advances position into side control!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Maia goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Sanchez rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Maia's guard! Nice work there by Sanchez!
Maia looks gassed!

Maia working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Sanchez doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Sanchez manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Maia looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Sanchez trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Sanchez thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Sanchez looking to pass the guard.
Sanchez stands up over Maia, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Maia is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Maia escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Sanchez gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Maia has momentary wrist control but Sanchez slips an elbow through the middle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maia looking for a sweep. Not yet Maia, not yet.

Maia has an active guard here but Sanchez has managed to pass into half guard.

Sanchez is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Maia is just riding it out for now. Sanchez eventually gives up the hold.
Maia manages to get to full guard.
Sanchez pushes down on Maia's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Maia looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez prevents Maia from improving his position.

Sanchez looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Maia makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Maia.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sanchez accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Sanchez has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

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

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Damian Maia!