PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Thomas Maeda (ranked 2025 p4p, 1644 weight class) and James Smith (ranked 257 p4p, 206 weight class). Maeda comes to the cage accompanied by Submission. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Maeda
vs
Smith

169 cm
33
164
24 - 16 - 0

176 cm
35
164
23 - 16 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 24 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Thomas Maeda!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, James Smith!
The judges for this bout are Ben Watson, John Mangel and Ron Honeybunn.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Smith scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Maeda manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Maeda trying to hold on to Smith's head to control him but Smith postures up.
Smith lands with a punch from half guard.
Maeda avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Smith.
Smith trying to pass the guard but Maeda defending well.
Smith lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Smith has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at UnderGround BJJ & MMA. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Smith thows a huge punch but Maeda dodges it nicely.
Smith is keen to just control but Maeda is a slippery customer.
Smith has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Smith lands a nice shot to the head.
Maeda is trying to escape the mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Smith lands a heavy elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maeda slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

Maeda actively working from the bottom here.
Smith seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Maeda works his way to full guard. Good work.
Maeda is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Maeda is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Smith is aware though and is defending well.
Maeda keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.

Maeda has managed to work for a loose triangle. I think Smith should be able to defend this one pretty easily though. Oh, Maeda has tightened it up now! Smith should have reacted faster there - he's in big trouble and yes, he's tapped out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Thomas Maeda!
Thomas Maeda made sure to mention his sponsor, Kore Fight Nutrition in his post fight interview.