PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Itula Maafala (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Conor Brazier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Brazier has chosen Decisions as his entrance music. Conor Brazier will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Maafala
vs
Brazier

190 cm
33
280 lbs
13 - 9 - 2

195 cm
28
265 lbs
13 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

King of Clothes

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 9 - 2, fighting out of New York, Itula Maafala!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Conor Brazier!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, James Ackerman and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Maafala tries to keep at a distance but Brazier has taken the fight into the clinch.
Maafala definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Maafala is trying to drag Brazier to the mat but Brazier just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Brazier tries to break free but Maafala pushes him back against the cage.
Maafala working aggressively here.
Maafala lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Maafala has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Brazier is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Brazier on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Maafala is pushing Brazier up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Maafala leaning his opponent against the cage.
Maafala gets a warning from the ref for wasting time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maafala can't find room to land a body shot as Brazier controls the action.
Maafala throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brazier blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Brazier prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Itula Maafala. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Brazier managing to block the knees to the body from Maafala.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Maafala just misses with a elbow thrown towards Brazier's brow.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Maafala.
Maafala is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Brazier is defending well for now.
Brazier pressing his opponent against the cage.
Brazier managing to block the knees to the body from Maafala.
Maafala struggles to land a body shot inside as Brazier controls his hands.
With the fighters up against the cage, Maafala throws an elbow but misses.
Brazier is trying to push Maafala away but Maafala has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Brazier will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Maafala up against the cage.
Maafala comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

It looks like Conor Brazier has been cut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maafala lands with a right to the head.
Maafala has Brazier pressed against the cage.
A shot in the inside from Maafala.
Maafala being controlled against the cage.
Brazier managing to block the knees to the body from Maafala.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Maafala lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Maafala lands a right hand.
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!
Brazier avoiding damage as Maafala throws knees to the body.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brazier trying to control the position but instead, Maafala has worked for underhooks and has pushed Brazier into the cage.
Maafala misses with a knee strike.
Maafala is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Brazier gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Maafala leaning against his opponent.
Maafala being controlled against the cage.
A short uppercut from Maafala.
Brazier avoids the elbow strike from Maafala, against the cage.
Maafala misses with a hook from the clinch.
Brazier's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Maafala unloads a knee to the mid-section. Brazier lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Brazier looks winded!
Maafala with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maafala is leaning against Brazier and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Maafala with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Maafala.
Maafala stalling against the cage.
Brazier is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Brazier is trying to stall.
Maafala misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Maafala slows down the pace here.
Maafala with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Maafala misses with a punch on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Itula Maafala dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Conor Brazier's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

A jab lands there for Brazier.
Maafala throws a nice looking combination but Brazier bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Brazier throws a nice outside leg kick.

Maafala gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Maafala looking for a takedown.
Maafala slows down the pace here.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Maafala tries to stall but Brazier uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maafala working aggressively here.
Brazier stops a takedown attempt from Maafala.
Brazier swings wildly with an uppercut but Maafala uses good head movement to avoid it.
Brazier blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maafala tries to throw a body punch but Brazier avoids it by throwing Maafala back against the cage.
Maafala is stalling here.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Knees in the clinch landing for Maafala.
Brazier trying to stall but Maafala improves his position.
Maafala throws an elbow that misses.
Brazier avoiding damage as Maafala throws knees to the body.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Brazier blocks an elbow strike.
Maafala tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Maafala is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Brazier can do to turn this around?
Maafala dodges an elbow strike from Brazier.
Maafala misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brazier is pressed up against the cage. Maafala has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Brazier down to the mat. Brazier avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Itula Maafala. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A telegraphed right hand from Brazier misses the target.

Maafala clinches up with Brazier and pushes him back against the cage.
Maafala missing with knees to the body.
Maafala using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Brazier has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Brazier wants to break the clinch but can't.
The referee is keeping an eye on Brazier - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
The referee is keeping an eye on Maafala - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Maafala is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Brazier is defending well for now.
Brazier tries to work over Maafala's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Brazier as Maafala tries to tie him up.
Maafala can't find room to land a body shot as Brazier controls the action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maafala tries to work over Brazier's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Brazier wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Maafala has him pressed against the cage.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Maafala takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Brazier letting Maafala take a breather here.
Maafala working aggressively here.
Maafala can't find room to land a body shot as Brazier controls the action.
Maafala tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Maafala tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Brazier avoids it.
A head punch on the inside from Brazier fails to land.
Brazier throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Maafala misses with a knee to the head.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Maafala managing to block the knees to the body from Brazier.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Brazier effectively controlling the action here.
Brazier stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Brazier blocks an uppercut.
Brazier blocking some punches.
Maafala has Brazier pressed against the cage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Maafala.
Brazier is trying to stall.
Maafala unloads a knee to the mid-section.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Brazier's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Maafala forces Brazier back against the cage and clinches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Itula Maafala dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Conor Brazier's cut.
That's time! Maafala's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Brazier ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Maafala moves away.
Brazier keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Maafala fails with an attempt to clinch.
A little jabbing left from Brazier on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Brazier misses with a looping right.
Brazier throws the left hand but Maafala avoids the punch easily.
The fight stays on the outside here - Maafala looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Brazier misses with a body shot.
Maafala moves in looking to clinch but Brazier pushes him off.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Brazier fails to land with a series of punches.
Maafala tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Brazier throws a leg kick but Maafala sees it coming and moves out of range.
Maafala tries to clinch but Brazier moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brazier lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Maafala at a distance.
Maafala tries to clinch but Brazier moves out of range.
Maafala looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

Maafala moves into the clinch successfully.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Maafala will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Brazier up against the cage.
Brazier blocks an elbow strike from Maafala.
Brazier lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Brazier tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Maafala avoids it.
Conor Brazier has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brazier using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Maafala has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Brazier takes an elbow to the temple.
Maafala keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Brazier's efforts to push away.
Maafala lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Brazier is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Brazier avoiding damage as Maafala throws knees to the body.
Brazier blocks an uppercut.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Maafala takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Brazier.
Maafala pushes off an throws an elbow but Brazier leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Brazier throws a punch but it's blocked by Maafala.
Maafala with a knee to the head.
Brazier blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maafala misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Maafala lands a hook that snaps the head of Brazier backwards.
Brazier looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Brazier tries to break the clinch but Maafala is controlling the position.
Maafala is struggling to control the position.
Maafala tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Brazier avoids it.
Itula Maafala is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Maafala just misses with a elbow thrown towards Brazier's brow.
Maafala has Brazier pressed against the cage, preventing Brazier from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Brazier.
Maafala misses with a short punch on the inside.
Maafala comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Brazier looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Maafala with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Brazier fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Brazier lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Maafala tries a knee to the head but Brazier blocks it.
Brazier misses with some punches.

Brazier manages to break the clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Brazier clinches.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Maafala creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

That has opened up Conor Brazier's cut even more.
Come on Maafala - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Itula Maafala.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Maafala, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 30:27
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Itula Maafala!