PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Matija Maestro (ranked 1718 p4p, 1666 weight class) and Johnny Billabong (ranked 229 p4p, 226 weight class). Maestro comes to the cage accompanied by Shortwire - Reconfig. Billabong has chosen Waltzing Matilda as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Maestro
vs
Billabong

174 cm
19
156
4 - 0 - 0

171 cm
19
155
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Matija Maestro!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Johnny Billabong!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Gwen Towbar and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice shot lands for Maestro.
Maestro has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Billabong moves out of range of the strikes.
Maestro misses with a hook. Billabong ducked under it nicely.
Billabong feints the counter takedown.
Maestro moves into range and connects with a jab.
Maestro lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Billabong slips a straight right by Maestro.
Billabong has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Maestro finds it's way round the side to connect with Billabong's head.
A looping hook to the body misses from Maestro. Billabong does a little dance to reset his feet.
A slow jab from Maestro misses its intended target.
The fighters circling - Maestro throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Billabong uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Maestro.
Billabong feints the counter takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maestro slips under a jab.
Maestro misses with a hook. Billabong ducked under it nicely.
Maestro misses the jab.
And Billabong tries to counter it with a takedown but Maestro pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Maestro just misses with a punch to the body.
Maestro throws a hook but Billabong avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Billabong ducks right into an uppercut from Maestro.
Maestro uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Billabong.
Billabong walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Billabong has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Billabong will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Billabong takes a jab right on the kisser.
Maestro misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Billabong.
Billabong drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Maestro defends it well.
Billabong ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Maestro moves away.
Maestro ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Jab by Maestro.
Maestro is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Billabong looks to throw the jab but Maestro is out of range.
Maestro getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Maestro lands a right hook to the body.
Billabong throws a looping overhand right but Maestro ducks down to avoid it.
Maestro throwing a counter right hand but Billabong manages to avoid it.
Maestro works Billabong's body with a nice hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A jab from Maestro does it's job there.
A shot to the liver by Maestro. Beautiful body shot.
Maestro throws a looping overhand right but Billabong ducks down to avoid it.
Maestro moves out of range of the strikes.
Maestro throws a looping overhand right but Billabong ducks down to avoid it.
Maestro throws a body shot but no joy.
Billabong throws out a counter right but Maestro avoids it with no problem.
Maestro missing with a left hand there. Billabong was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Maestro moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Billabong moves away from the strike by Maestro.
Billabong drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Maestro defends it well.
Maestro ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Billabong moves away.
Billabong uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Maestro.
Billabong changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

Billabong looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Maestro looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Maestro is working hard here to advance position.
Billabong trying to control but Maestro is working from the bottom.
Maestro is trying to control the position but Billabong postures up.
Maestro lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Maestro wants to pass the guard but Billabong is keeping the position.
Billabong looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Billabong is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Billabong keeping full guard, as Maestro tries to pass.
Maestro preventing the sweep.
Maestro is pushing down on Billabong's leg trying to pass to half guard. Billabong is fighting to maintain full guard but Maestro has managed to sneak the leg through.

Maestro looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Maestro throwing shots but Billabong is blocking nicely.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Matija Maestro dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Nice defenses there by Billabong.
Billabong moves out of range as Maestro strikes.
Matija Maestro seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Maestro throws a hook but Billabong blocks it.
Billabong slips a jab from Maestro.
Maestro lands a jab to Billabong's midsection.
Maestro throws out a powerful jab.
Maestro throws the left hand but Billabong avoids the punch easily.
And Billabong tries to counter it with a takedown but Maestro pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Maestro lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Maestro throws out a loose jab but Billabong uses good head movement to avoid it.
Billabong takes a body punch but keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maestro jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Billabong slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Maestro getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Maestro swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Maestro throws the left hand but Billabong avoids the punch easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maestro scores with a hook to the body. Billabong takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Maestro misses the jab.
Maestro misses with a hook.
Maestro misses with a wild body shot.
Maestro throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Billabong on the side of the head.

Maestro moves into range and clinches up with Billabong.

Maestro breaks the clinch.
Maestro fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Billabong manages to avoid it.
Billabong ducks right into an uppercut from Maestro.
Maestro throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Billabong sees it coming and avoids it easily.
And Billabong tries to counter it with a takedown but Maestro pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Nice jab there from Maestro.
A telegraphed right hand from Maestro misses the target.
Maestro swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Billabong let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Maestro scores with a jab to the jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maestro throws a good cross that connects.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Billabong scores with a jab to the jaw.
Billabong shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Maestro as he avoids it easily.
Maestro looks to land a right hand but Billabong moved out of range.
Maestro lands with a cross.
A jab from Maestro misses.
Maestro connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Billabong moves out of range of the strikes.
Matija Maestro is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Maestro misses with an uppercut. Billabong saw that one coming.
Billabong has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Maestro moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Maestro jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Matija Maestro is winning the standup battle so far.
Maestro swings for the body but Billabong moves out of range.

Maestro tries to sprawl but Billabong drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Maestro looking for subs from the bottom but Billabong mounts him!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Billabong wants to control the pace but Maestro is squirming around nicely.
Billabong might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Maestro haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Billabong lands a big elbow.
Billabong landing strikes, looking to finish!
Billabong tries to control but Maestro wriggling away.
A nice elbow there by Billabong.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Billabong prevents Maestro from getting the reversal.
Billabong has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Maestro's face.
Billabong is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Billabong lands a couple of good shots and Maestro has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Maestro trying to control but not successfully.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Maestro can't escape the position.

Billabong is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Maestro defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Billabong has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Maestro is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Matija Maestro dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Maestro thows a left - swing and a miss!
Maestro throws a hook to the side of Billabong's head but Billabong sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Billabong throws out a loose jab but Maestro uses good head movement to avoid it.
Donk. Maestro catches Billabong right on the button with a cross.
Billabong drops his hands momentarily and Maestro takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
A shot to the body from Maestro misses
and Billabong counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Billabong steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Maestro.
Billabong changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Maestro swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Billabong staying out of range there.
Billabong lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maestro stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Billabong takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Maestro's jab looks to have found its range, popping Billabong under the eye.
A swing and a miss from Billabong.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Billabong throws a hook to the side of Maestro's head but Maestro sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Billabong throws a lazy right hand but Maestro sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Billabong tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Maestro paws at him with a jab and circles away.
It looked like Maestro was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Billabong.
Maestro lands a right hook to the body.
Maestro throws a hook but Billabong blocks it.
Maestro misses with a lunging right hand
and Billabong counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Maestro misses with an uppercut.
And Billabong tries to counter it with a takedown but Maestro pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Billabong ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Maestro moves away.
Maestro lands a jab to the nose.
Billabong is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Maestro misses with a body shot.
Maestro takes a swing at Billabong's ribcage but misses.
Billabong tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Maestro throws a jab but it's blocked by Billabong.
Maestro thuds a left hand into Billabong's body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maestro throws an off balance right hand
and Billabong counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Billabong uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Maestro.
Maestro throws a hook but Billabong blocks it.
Maestro misses with an uppercut. Billabong saw that one coming.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Maestro gets caught napping as Billabong dives in and scores a takedown. Maestro manages to retain guard.
Billabong is working Maestro over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Maestro looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Billabong passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Billabong tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Billabong has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Johnny Billabong has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maestro regains half guard.
Billabong is nestled in close to Maestro, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Maestro is looking to improve his position.
Billabong trying to mount his opponent but Maestro defends it.
Maestro tries to get to full guard but Billabong has control of the leg.
Billabong is taking a breather. Maestro says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Billabong wants to lay and pray for a moment but Maestro keeps working.
Maestro is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Billabong's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Billabong's back!
Maestro wants to control but Billabong manages to buck him off and is now in Maestro's guard! Nice work there by Billabong!
Billabong preventing the sweep.

Maestro had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Billabong defends it easily.
Billabong with a flurry of punches that miss.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Matija Maestro did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Billabong shoots for a takedown but Maestro saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Maestro cracks Billabong with a good jab.
Billabong moves away from the strike by Maestro.
Billabong throws out a counter right but Maestro avoids it with no problem.
Maestro misses with a wild body shot.
Billabong tries to clinch but Maestro moves out of range.
Billabong slips under a jab from Maestro.
Billabong doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Billabong.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maestro misses with a hook. Billabong ducked under it nicely.
A little jabbing left from Billabong on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Billabong uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Maestro.
Billabong drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Maestro defends it well.
Billabong avoids the body shot from Maestro.
Billabong steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Maestro.
Maestro throws a hook to the side of Billabong's head but Billabong sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maestro looks to land a left hand but Billabong moved out of range nicely.
Billabong moves out of range of the strikes.
Maestro misses with a hook to the body

so Billabong counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Maestro is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Maestro is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Billabong defends well.
Maestro trying to control the position.

Billabong got a little sloppy there for a moment and Maestro has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Billabong has managed to get both his arms back between Maestro's legs - danger averted.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Billabong controls from within his opponent's guard.
Billabong pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Maestro is keeping the position for now.
Billabong works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Billabong looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Maestro wants to get back to full guard.
Billabong sitting and controlling from the half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Billabong sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Maestro defending well though.
Maestro is looking to improve his position.
Maestro is in trouble now - Billabong has advanced to mount!
Maestro can't escape the position.
Maestro wants to control but Billabong is having none of it.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Billabong cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Billabong with the ground and pound from mount.
Maestro slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Billabong wants to pass the guard but Maestro is defending well.
Maestro is staying active underneath Billabong, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Maestro on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Billabong slows the pace down in half guard.
Maestro is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Johnny Billabong will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Maestro's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. And we move into the final round!

Maestro misses with a looping right.
Billabong with the counter takedown but Maestro avoids it easily.
Billabong fails with a takedown attempt.
Billabong on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Billabong uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Maestro.
Maestro throws an overhand right that lands on Billabong's shoulder, as Billabong tries to avoid the shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Billabong moves out of range of the strikes.
A looping hook to the body misses from Maestro. Billabong does a little dance to reset his feet.

Billabong has closed the distance and engaged Maestro in a clinch.
A hook to the body from Maestro.
Billabong blocking some punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Billabong escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Billabong jabs Maestro right on the nose. Maestro blinks but takes it well.
Billabong scores with a jab. Maestro acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

Billabong has closed the distance and engaged Maestro in a clinch.
Billabong keeps control of Maestro as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Maestro breaks from the clinch.
Maestro keeps the fight on the outside.
Billabong doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Maestro with a hook.
Billabong uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Maestro.
Billabong closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Billabong throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Maestro on the side of the head.
Maestro throws an overhand right that lands on Billabong's shoulder, as Billabong tries to avoid the shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Maestro. Billabong does a little dance to reset his feet.
Billabong throws a shot to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A slow jab from Billabong misses its intended target.
Billabong will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Johnny Billabong has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Billabong throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Maestro tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Billabong is in Maestro's guard.
Maestro is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Maestro wants to sweep here but Billabong controlling him for the moment.

Maestro working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Billabong doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Billabong manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Billabong wants to control from the top but Maestro keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Billabong pushes down on Maestro's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Billabong passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Maestro!
Matija Maestro is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Maestro is in all sorts of trouble here.
Poor strikes thrown by Billabong there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Billabong lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Maestro holds on, trying desperately to control.
Maestro tries to lock up and control but Billabong gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Maestro in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Maestro wants to hold on but Billabong pushes him away.
Maestro is trying desperately to improve position.
Billabong with the ground and pound from mount.
Maestro wants to hold on but Billabong pushes him away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Johnny Billabong comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Maestro has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 48:47
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 48:47
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matija Maestro!
Matija Maestro is the new lightweight champion!
A victorious Matija Maestro thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.