PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Manol Josifov (ranked 3208 p4p, 365 weight class) and Mickey Maia (ranked 2861 p4p, 326 weight class). Josifov comes to the cage accompanied by Bone Thugs N Harmony - Foe Tha Love of Money. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Josifov
vs
Maia

198 cm
29
241 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

192 cm
22
252 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
World class MT
Good gas tank

Pit Bull Development
RAGS of a RONIN

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 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Manol Josifov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Mickey Maia!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Frank Dennis and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Maia instigates a clinch.
Maia on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Maia misses with a punch to the body.
Josifov prevents a body shot from Maia.
The referee is keeping an eye on Maia - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Maia lands with a short punch from the clinch.

It looks like Manol Josifov has been cut.
Josifov changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Maia fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Josifov gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Maia.

Josifov clinches with his opponent.
Maia throws a punch but it's blocked by Josifov.
Maia has a couple of punches blocked by Josifov.
Maia lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Maia slows down the pace here.
Maia scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Josifov tries a knee to the head but Maia blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maia gets underhooks to prevent Josifov's takedown attempt.
Maia tries to throw a body punch but Josifov avoids it by throwing Maia back against the cage.
Maia lands an uppercut.
Maia tries to throw a body punch but Josifov avoids it by throwing Maia back against the cage.
Josifov tries to land knees in the clinch but Maia avoids the damage to the body.
Josifov looking to throw knees to the head but Maia is blocking nicely.
Josifov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Maia.
Josifov goes for a takedown attempt but Maia pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Manol Josifov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Maia listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Josifov shoots in for a takedown but Maia shows good takedown defense.
Maia doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Josifov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Maia is fending him off so far but Josifov persists. Nope, Maia circles away and we're back to standing.
Mickey Maia is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Maia ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Josifov is breathing heavily.
Josifov takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Josifov on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Maia lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Maia circles away before darting back in with a big straight right hand. It connects beautifully and sends Josifov tumbling to the canvas! He's out cold! Maia wins by KO!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:05 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Mickey Maia!
In his post fight interview, Mickey Maia started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.