PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Paul Maul (ranked 1342 p4p, 188 weight class) and Adrik Vasilev (ranked 2030 p4p, 262 weight class). Vasilev has chosen Mr. Probz - Waves (Robin Schulz Remix Radio Edit) as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Maul
vs
Vasilev

180 cm
34
182 lbs
25 - 20 - 0

175 cm
34
170 lbs
27 - 16 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Dauntless

Zenith Nutrition (160q/225$)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 25 - 20 - 0, fighting out of New York, Paul Maul!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 16 - 0, fighting out of New York, Adrik Vasilev!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Alyssa Summers and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vasilev misses with a body shot.
Vasilev moves away from the strike by Maul.
Vasilev throws a sloppy head kick and Maul moves out of range easily.
Vasilev cracks the inside of Maul's front leg.
Maul misses with an uppercut.
A countering left hand to the body from Vasilev misses.
Maul misses the jab.
Vasilev is looking to score with low kicks.
Maul takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Maul swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Vasilev tries to clinch but Maul is having none of it.
Vasilev keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Maul misses with an uppercut. Vasilev saw that one coming.
Vasilev's coach down at Midnight MMA was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Vasilev's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Vasilev lands a glancing blow to the side of Maul's head.
Vasilev throws a body kick that misses.
Vasilev throws a shot from downtown. Maul moves away and avoids it.
Paul Maul seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Maul doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Maul takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Vasilev lands a nice shot to the body.
Vasilev keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Maul.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Vasilev will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Maul looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Maul throws a looping overhand right but Vasilev ducks down to avoid it.
Vasilev swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
A cross from Maul lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maul tried to score with a low kick but Vasilev checks it.
Maul keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Vasilev.
A swing and a miss from Maul.
Maul throws a front kick aimed at Vasilev's knee but Vasilev avoids it well.
Maul throws a lazy right hand but Vasilev sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Maul ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Vasilev moves away.
Vasilev tries to clinch but Maul is having none of it.
Maul half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Maul scores with a punch to the head.
Maul swings for the body but Vasilev moves out of range.

Maul tries to keep at a distance but Vasilev has taken the fight into the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Maul.
Vasilev blocking some punches.
Vasilev with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Maul can't find room to land a body shot as Vasilev controls the action.
Vasilev can't find room to land a body shot as Maul controls the action.
Maul gets through Vasilev's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Vasilev lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Vasilev is working Maul over against the cage.
Maul misses with the head strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vasilev with a knee to the head.
Maul tries to work over Vasilev's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A short right from Maul.
Vasilev misses with a body punch.
Vasilev lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Vasilev.
Vasilev lands a right hand.
Vasilev's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

Maul manages to break the clinch.
Vasilev loads up on a big right hand but Maul slips the punch.
Maul misses with a double jab.
Maul misses the shot to the body.
Maul throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Maul throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Maul uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Vasilev.
Maul swings widly with a right hand
and Vasilev counters with a head kick. That will keep Maul thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Maul fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Vasilev looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Maul avoids a kick to the body.
Vasilev throws a quick inside leg kick.
Maul throws a nice looking combination but Vasilev bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maul swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Maul misses the jab.
Maul missing with a left hand there. Vasilev was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Vasilev steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Maul.
Vasilev throws a body punch but Maul moves out of range.
Maul tries to score with a low kick but Vasilev moves his leg out of the way.
Maul lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Vasilev loads up on a big right hand but Maul slips the punch.
Maul swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Maul looks for a takedown but Vasilev sprawls well.
Vasilev lands a body shot.
Maul just misses with a punch to the body.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Vasilev! But no joy.
Some wild striking there from Maul.
Maul misses with a straight left.
Maul throws a right hand that Vasilev ducks under and follows up with a left that Vasilev also avoids with ease.
Maul throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Vasilev sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Vasilev throws a body punch but Maul moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vasilev lands with a nice body punch.
Vasilev blocks a leg kick.
Vasilev tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Maul paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Maul bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Vasilev's head backwards.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Vasilev lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Vasilev avoids the body shot from Maul.
Maul stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Vasilev.

Vasilev clinches.
Maul lands with a short shot to the head.

Maul manages to break the clinch.
Vasilev keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Maul.
Vasilev works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Vasilev uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Maul.
Maul ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Vasilev moves away.
Maul throws a looping overhand right but Vasilev ducks down to avoid it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Vasilev tries to clinch but Maul is having none of it.
Maul fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Maul throws a sloppy head kick and Vasilev moves out of range easily.
Vasilev bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Nice body punch from Vasilev.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Paul Maul will probably get the nod.
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.

Maul throws a body shot but no joy.

Vasilev closes the distance and clinches.
Vasilev lands a knee to the body.
Maul misses with a punch on the inside.
Maul has a couple of punches blocked by Vasilev.

Vasilev breaks from the clinch.
Maul swings for the body but Vasilev moves out of range.
Vasilev lands with a good body shot.
Maul throws an overhand right that lands on Vasilev's shoulder, as Vasilev tries to avoid the shot.
Nice cross by Vasilev.
Maul ducks under a wild hook from Vasilev.
Vasilev moves in looking to clinch but Maul pushes him off.
Vasilev lands with a right hand.
Vasilev fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Vasilev ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Maul throws a nice looking combination but Vasilev bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A punch combination from Maul misses.
Maul misses with a jab, cross combination.
Maul misses with a hook.
Vasilev throws a sloppy head kick and Maul moves out of range easily.
An attempted straight right counter from Maul misses the target.
Maul just misses with a punch to the body.
Paul Maul is winning the standup battle so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jab, jab by Maul - just one landing.
Vasilev feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Maul's calf.
Maul smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Vasilev tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Maul stuns Vasilev with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Maul swings widly with a right hand
enabling Vasilev to counter with a crisp jab.
Maul has a takedown stuffed.
Maul throws a jab but it's blocked by Vasilev.
Vasilev appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Vasilev staying out of range there.
Maul jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Vasilev wants to counter the offense by Maul and move into the clinch position.

Vasilev clinches.
Vasilev doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Maul swings wildly with an uppercut but Vasilev uses good head movement to avoid it.
Maul misses with a hook to the ribs.
Vasilev has Maul pressed against the cage, preventing Maul from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Maul softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Maul working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A head punch blocked on the inside by Vasilev.
Maul throws a head punch that misses.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Maul can't find room to land a body shot as Vasilev controls the action.
Maul lands a shot to the body.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Vasilev in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Vasilev.
Maul goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Maul fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Maul misses with a hook from the clinch.
Vasilev lands a right hand.
Maul doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Vasilev lands a right hand that snaps the head of Maul backwards.
Maul swings wildly with an uppercut but Vasilev uses good head movement to avoid it.

Vasilev breaks from the clinch.
Maul throws a poor cross that misses
and Vasilev finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Maul doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Some bone on bone action there as Maul checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maul takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Maul cracks Vasilev with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Vasilev waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Maul.
Maul swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Maul thows a left - swing and a miss!
Maul motions for Vasilev to come forward. Maul throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Maul lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Vasilev circles away quickly and effectively.
Vasilev lands a nice hook to Maul's body. Maul takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Vasilev keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Maul.
Vasilev displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Maul throws out the jab.
A swing and a miss from Maul.
Vasilev stuns Maul with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Good shot there by Vasilev.
Maul missing with a left hand there. Vasilev was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Vasilev scores with a spinning back kick!
Maul misses with a straight left.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Maul misses with a wild body shot.
No joy there for Maul, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Maul looks to land a right hand but Vasilev moved out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maul throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Maul tries to bum rush Vasilev with a series of wild strikes but Vasilev uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Vasilev lands a nice looking body shot.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Maul ducks under a wild hook from Vasilev.
Maul avoids the body shot from Vasilev.
Maul walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Maul throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Vasilev throws a lazy right hand but Maul sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Vasilev misses with a straight left.
It looked like Maul wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

Vasilev darts in and clinches Maul up against the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Maul just misses with a elbow thrown towards Vasilev's brow.
Maul tries a body shot but Vasilev blocks it.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Maul.
Vasilev lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Maul misses with a hook to the ribs.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Maul misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Maul swings wildly with an uppercut but Vasilev uses good head movement to avoid it.
A left hand lands to the body for Maul.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Adrik Vasilev will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Vasilev tries to land a front kick but Maul steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Vasilev tries to move into range but Maul moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Vasilev lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Vasilev wants to slow Maul down by chopping away at his legs.
Vasilev keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Vasilev throws a hook but Maul avoids it easily.
Some wild striking there from Maul.
Maul looks to land a right hand but Vasilev moved out of range.
Maul tried to score with a low kick but Vasilev checks it.
Maul misses with a looping right.
A punch lands to the side of Vasilev 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Vasilev uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Maul.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vasilev tries to work over Maul's front leg with a kick but Maul checks it.
Maul misses with a wild body shot.
The fighters circling - Maul throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Maul moves forwards but Vasilev connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Maul throws a leg kick but Vasilev sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Maul needs to keep his hands up - Vasilev had a free shot at his head there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Vasilev uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Maul.
Vasilev looks like he wants to counter punch here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maul circles away from the clinch attempt.
Maul moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Maul misses with a double jab.
Vasilev feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Maul's calf.

Vasilev fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Maul, pushing him back against the cage.
Vasilev lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Vasilev blocks an uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Maul.
Vasilev scores with a shoulder strike.
A nice right hand lands inside from Vasilev.
Vasilev lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Vasilev goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Maul misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Vasilev tries to land a knee to the head but Maul blocks with his arms.
Maul misses with the head strike.
Maul working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Vasilev prevents a body shot from Maul.
A head punch on the inside from Maul fails to land.
Maul lands a right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maul misses with some punches.
Vasilev blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Vasilev lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A short uppercut from Vasilev.
Maul working aggressively here.
Vasilev lands a nice knee to the body.
Vasilev lands a body punch.

Vasilev escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Vasilev tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
It looked like Maul wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Maul misses with a hook
and Vasilev counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Vasilev closes the distance and pushes Maul back into the cage.

Maul escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Maul's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Vasilev connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Maul scrambles back to his feet.
Vasilev tries to clinch but Maul moves out of range.
Vasilev is looking to clinch but Maul is avoiding it.
Maul half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Maul swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Nice jab there from Vasilev.
Maul stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Vasilev is looking to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maul misses the shot to the body.
Vasilev feints and then cracks Maul's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Maul down.
Maul throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Vasilev clinches up with Maul and pushes him back against the cage.
Vasilev lands a hook to the side of the head.
Maul taking a breather.
Maul changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Vasilev fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A big right from Maul misses.
Vasilev lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Vasilev looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A big right from Maul misses.

Vasilev instigates a clinch.
Maul lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Vasilev or not.

Vasilev breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Jab by Vasilev.

Vasilev pushes Maul up against the cage in a clinch.
Maul misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vasilev swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Vasilev breaks the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Vasilev is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Maul.
Vasilev moves out of range of the strikes.
Maul misses the shot to the body.
Despite the aggression on Vasilev's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Maul connects with a nice looking jab.
Maul misses with a straight left.
Maul throws the left hand but Vasilev avoids the punch easily.
Vasilev misses with a looping right.
Maul throws a nice looking combination but Vasilev bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Vasilev uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Maul.
Maul is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Vasilev connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Vasilev lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Vasilev avoids the body shot from Maul.
Maul throws a jab but it's blocked by Vasilev.
Vasilev slips a jab from Maul.
Maul takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

And that's the end of the fight!
Adrik Vasilev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Vasilev has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Reed Andrews scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 27:30
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Adrik Vasilev!
An out of breath Adrik Vasilev thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.