PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Matt Black (ranked 1053 p4p, 132 weight class) and Itula Maafala (ranked 1413 p4p, 172 weight class). Black comes to the cage accompanied by La Internacional. Itula Maafala acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Black
vs
Maafala

192 cm
31
275 lbs
19 - 7 - 1

190 cm
36
280 lbs
16 - 12 - 2

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Fast

THE END 32

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Matt Black!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 12 - 2, fighting out of New York, Itula Maafala!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Vladimir Khabensky and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maafala with a jab.

It looks like Matt Black has been cut.
Black misses the shot to the body.

Maafala forces Black back against the cage and clinches.
Black tries to pull guard but Maafala forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
I was talking to Black's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Black tries for a takedown but Maafala manages to get underhooks.
Maafala is pressed up against the cage. Black has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Maafala down to the mat. Maafala 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 Matt Black. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Maafala drives through and clinches with Black against the cage.
Black lands a left hand that snaps the head of Maafala backwards.

Maafala gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.

Black had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Maafala defends it easily.
Black manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Maafala manages to get himself to full guard.

This has been an exciting period of action!
Maafala avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Black throws an elbow that misses. Maafala uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Black's guard. Nice move by Maafala!

Black had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Maafala defends it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maafala throws a big elbow that misses.
Maafala wants to control from the top but Black keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Black has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Maafala can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Maafala throwing strikes but missing.

Black is looking for a triangle here but Maafala uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Maafala scoring with punches and elbows.
Maafala landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Maafala with the ground and pound but Black regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Maafala scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Black tries to roll over but Maafala keeps him under control.

Black actively working from the bottom here.
Maafala is keen to just control but Black is a slippery customer.

Black is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Maafala pulls his head out easily.
Black wants to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Maafala scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

Matt Black's cut is getting worse.
Black is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Black is pressing down on Maafala's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Maafala throws a big right hand that misses.
Black wants to sweep here but Maafala controlling him for the moment.
Maafala must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Maafala connects with a couple of short punches.

Matt Black's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Matt Black's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:23 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Itula Maafala!