PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Wesley Strickland (ranked 4675 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hubert Maximus (ranked 4667 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Strickland
vs
Maximus

203 cm
18
214 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
18
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Wesley Strickland!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Hubert Maximus!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Ivan Kurochkin and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Maximus drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Strickland trying to control the position.

Maximus avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Maximus postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Strickland is trying to hold Maximus in close to prevent damage but Maximus has managed to pass into half guard.
Maximus is trying to control the action in half guard but Strickland is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maximus sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Maximus is looking to advance position but Strickland won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maximus is looking to take a break and control but Strickland is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Maximus is looking to advance position but Strickland won't allow it.
Maximus wants to stand but his hand is trapped. Strickland uses the opportunity to regain full guard.
Maximus must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Strickland working for a triangle but Maximus defends it easily.
Maximus seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Strickland wants to sweep but no luck.
Maximus wants to pass the guard but Strickland is keeping the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Strickland trying to keep a closed guard but Maximus is proving a slippery customer.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Strickland looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strickland looking to control.
Maximus trying to control the position from guard on top but Strickland is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Maximus trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Maximus shoots in and gets a takedown into Strickland's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Maximus stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Strickland swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Maximus avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maximus throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Strickland works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Maximus trying to control the position from guard on top but Strickland is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Strickland pulls Maximus in close to his closed guard and prevents Maximus from doing any damage or advancing position.
Maximus wanted to stand there but Strickland had control of the position.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hubert Maximus dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Maximus clinches with his opponent.
Maximus is struggling to control the position.

Maximus pulls guard.
Maximus looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Maximus is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Strickland sitting in guard here, content to control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maximus not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maximus looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Strickland puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Maximus is trying to stand.
Strickland prevents Maximus from improving his position.

Strickland is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Maximus sees it coming and defends easily.
Strickland controlling the pace.
Strickland will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Strickland passes into side control, despite Maximus's attempt to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Maximus is looking for a sweep.
Strickland controlling from side mount.
Strickland gets to mount! Maximus was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Maximus keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Strickland content just to control the position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strickland landing strikes, looking to finish!

Strickland working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Maximus tries to buck Strickland off but Strickland takes his back!
I really don't envy Maximus right now.
Maximus is breathing heavily.

Strickland has his arm under Maximus's chin here. Game over son! Strickland squeezes tightly and Maximus is forced to tap out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Wesley Strickland!