PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Renato Ibanez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Demian Maia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Demian Maia struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 157.4lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Demian Maia will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Ibanez
vs
Maia

173 cm
19
168 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

185 cm
21
172 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Sydney Fight Gear

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 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Renato Ibanez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Demian Maia!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, James Atkins and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ibanez feints and as Maia raises his hands in defense, Ibanez changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Ibanez pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Maia is keeping the position for now.
Maia doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Ibanez is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Ibanez stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Maia swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Maia throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ibanez stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Maia swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Maia had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Ibanez defends it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ibanez is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Maia looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Ibanez's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Ibanez tries to free his leg and advance position but Maia is retaining full guard.
Maia being controlled here, momentarily.
Ibanez might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Maia has his foot on Ibanez's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Ibanez works his way back into a safe position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Ibanez looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Maia misses with the combination.
Ibanez leaves Maia with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Maia scores with a nice strike.
Ibanez throws a body shot but no joy.

Ibanez gets the takedown into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ibanez slows the pace down.
Ibanez has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ibanez working the ground and pound.
Ibanez advances nicely into full mount.
Ibanez looking to control and managing it successfully.
Ibanez wants to take his opponent's back but Maia doesn't allow it.
Ibanez landing shots from mount.
Ibanez controlling from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ibanez lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
We've been informed that Maia has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Ibanez takes his opponent's back. Perhaps a chance to lock up a rear naked choke here.
Ibanez seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.

Ibanez is working for the choke. He's slipped one arm under the chin. Maia has to defend the other arm for all he's worth... but Ibanez has managed to get that arm free too and he's tightening the choke! Maia taps out and looks absolutely disgusted with himself. Ibanez doesn't care though - he's delighted!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:37 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Renato Ibanez!
Renato Ibanez was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.