PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jose Carvaleho (ranked 1168 p4p, 1240 weight class) and Thomas Maeda (ranked 154 p4p, 169 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Maeda's choice of entrance music: Submission. Jose Carvaleho has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Carvaleho
vs
Maeda

183 cm
25
159
16 - 8 - 0

169 cm
33
164
25 - 16 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Brooklyn Apothecary
Brooklyn Threads

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 16 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jose Carvaleho!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Thomas Maeda!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, Steve Erwin and Francis DeMontford.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A nice combination there by Carvaleho.
Maeda keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Carvaleho fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A shot to the body from Carvaleho misses
and Maeda counters with a one-two to the body.

Maeda drives through and clinches with Carvaleho against the cage.
Maeda is trying to pull guard but Carvaleho turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Maeda misses with a body punch.
Maeda jumps guard but Carvaleho stands there with Maeda around his waist. Maeda gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Still in the clinch, Carvaleho scores with a nice short uppercut.
Maeda has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Carvaleho is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Jose Carvaleho has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thomas Maeda.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Carvaleho.
Carvaleho goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Carvaleho scores with a shot to the side of Maeda's head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Maeda has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Carvaleho after a bit of a struggle.

Carvaleho breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A combination from Maeda does no damage.
Maeda takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Carvaleho lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Maeda lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Carvaleho connects with a body shot that sends Maeda's belly button to the back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Carvaleho connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Maeda has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Carvaleho misses with a body shot.
Carvaleho throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Maeda fails with a takedown attempt.
Maeda keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Maeda throws a counter combo.

Carvaleho clinches up against the cage.
Nice body punch from Carvaleho.
Carvaleho scores with a shot to the side of Maeda's head.
Carvaleho tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Carvaleho throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Maedas head.

Maeda wants the takedown. Carvaleho is fighting it off but Maeda persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Carvaleho's guard against the cage.
Carvaleho is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Carvaleho tries to strike from the bottom.

Carvaleho looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Carvaleho is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Maeda presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Maeda goes for a takedown in the clinch but Carvaleho prevents it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Carvaleho lands a body shot in the clinch.
Carvaleho lands a hook to the side of the head.
Maeda blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A short right from Carvaleho on the inside.

Carvaleho decides to pull guard.

Maeda got a little sloppy there for a moment and Carvaleho has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Maeda has managed to get both his arms back between Carvaleho's legs - danger averted.
Maeda looking to pass the guard.
Carvaleho trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Maeda trying to control the position from guard on top but Carvaleho is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Carvaleho looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Carvaleho is working hard here to advance position.
Maeda passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Maeda in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Carvaleho regains half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Carvaleho looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Maeda winds up and cracks Carvaleho with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

Maeda is trying to work for a kimura but Carvaleho is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Maeda prevents Carvaleho from improving his position.
Maeda seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Carvaleho does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Maeda is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Maeda missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Maeda landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Maeda wants to free his trapped foot but Carvaleho is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Nice strikes from Maeda there.
Carvaleho is not content to let Maeda control the position.

Carvaleho actively working from the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Carvaleho is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Maeda pulls his head out easily.
Carvaleho is trying to get back to full guard.
Carvaleho has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Maeda is working away from the top position though.

Carvaleho is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Maeda pulls his head out easily.
Carvaleho is trying to stand back up but Maeda is controlling him
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Carvaleho slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Carvaleho is trying to control the position but Maeda postures up.
Carvaleho tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Maeda passes into half guard.
Maeda is trying to control. Carvaleho wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jose Carvaleho dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Maeda fails to land the takedown.
Carvaleho misses with a shot to the body
and Maeda counters with a lovely straight right hand!

It looks like Jose Carvaleho has been cut.
Carvaleho throws a low kick but Maeda avoids it.
We've been told by Carvaleho's head coaches at Kung Pao that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Carvaleho ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Maeda moves away.
Carvaleho will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Carvaleho lands a jab to Maeda's midsection.
Carvaleho lands with a cross.
Maeda takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A looping hook to the body misses from Carvaleho. Maeda does a little dance to reset his feet.
Maeda is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Carvaleho throws a right hand that Maeda ducks under and follows up with a left that Maeda also avoids with ease.
A little jabbing left from Maeda on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Carvaleho throws a series of punches but Maeda avoids them all with ease.
Maeda swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Carvaleho works over Maeda's head and body with a nice combination.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Maeda takes a shot to the body in his stride.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Carvaleho throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Carvaleho gets a double leg takedown into Maeda's guard.
Maeda looking to control.
Carvaleho has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Carvaleho accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Maeda is on top in guard.

Carvaleho is looking for a triangle but Maeda pushes his legs off easily.
Maeda passes Carvaleho's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Maeda passes to full mount!
Carvaleho is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Maeda can do to turn this around?
Maeda trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Maeda lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Maeda lands a heavy elbow.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Carvaleho tries to lock up and control but Maeda gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Maeda looking to control but Carvaleho is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Carvaleho is looking to improve his position but Maeda isn't that keen on the idea.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Carvaleho throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Maeda lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Carvaleho is trying to escape the mount.
Maeda with the ground and pound from mount.
Maeda has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Carvaleho is in all sorts of trouble here.
Carvaleho gets back to half guard.
Maeda passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Carvaleho!
Carvaleho is in all sorts of trouble here.
Maeda looking to control but Carvaleho is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Maeda lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Maeda putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maeda unloading with bombs!
Maeda prevents Carvaleho from getting the reversal.
Maeda landing strikes from the mount and Carvaleho is in trouble!
Carvaleho tries to reverse the position but Maeda maintains control.
Carvaleho wants to control but Maeda is having none of it.
Carvaleho is looking to improve his position but Maeda isn't that keen on the idea.

Maeda is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Carvaleho can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Carvaleho tries to reverse the position but Maeda maintains control.
Carvaleho regains half guard.
Maeda prevents Carvaleho from improving his position.
Maeda is figuring out what he wants to do next.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Carvaleho tries to roll over but Maeda keeps him under control.
Maeda wants to lay and pray for a moment but Carvaleho keeps working.
Maeda is pressing down on Carvaleho's thigh, looking to free his foot. Carvaleho is holding on for now.
Carvaleho wants to improve his position but Maeda is controlling well.

Carvaleho looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Maeda is keen to just control but Carvaleho is a slippery customer.
Carvaleho punching from the bottom.
Maeda is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Maeda tries to pass to full mount but Carvaleho defends it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Maeda showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Jose Carvaleho's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Carvaleho tries to sprawl but Maeda drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Carvaleho wants to control but Maeda is keeping busy.
Carvaleho tries to roll over but Maeda keeps him under control.
Nice strikes from Maeda there.
Maeda uses his free foot to push down on Carvaleho's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Carvaleho.
Carvaleho is working to get back to half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Maeda cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Carvaleho regains half guard.
Maeda scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Maeda is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Carvaleho wants to get back to full guard.
Maeda frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Carvaleho regains half guard.

Maeda is working for a kimura but Carvaleho is defending it quite comfortably.
Carvaleho makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Carvaleho.
Carvaleho looking to hit a scissor sweep but Maeda is one step ahead there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maeda tries to free his leg and advance position but Carvaleho is retaining full guard.
Carvaleho trying to keep a closed guard but Maeda is proving a slippery customer.
Maeda controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Carvaleho trying to keep a closed guard but Maeda is proving a slippery customer.

Carvaleho looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Carvaleho throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Maeda sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Carvaleho's guard.
Maeda works his foot free and advances to mount.
Maeda working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Maeda trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Carvaleho keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Maeda with good strikes from the mount here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maeda is landing with some decent strikes but Carvaleho is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Maeda wants to control the pace but Carvaleho is squirming around nicely.
Carvaleho wants to control but Maeda is having none of it.
Carvaleho regains half guard.
Carvaleho is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Maeda's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Maeda's back!
Carvaleho is hanging on to Maeda's back as he tries to escape.
Carvaleho is not going to allow Maeda to sit and survive in this position.
Carvaleho keeps control of the position as Maeda tries to break free.

Carvaleho tightening his grip on Maeda, looking for the choke.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Carvaleho is hanging on to Maeda's back as he tries to escape.

Carvaleho tightening his grip on Maeda, looking for the choke.
Carvaleho avoiding Maeda 's attempts to control his hands.
Maeda is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Carvaleho is staying active.

Carvaleho looking for the RNC.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thomas Maeda comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Maeda 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 Donatello Bradman scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Francis DeMontford scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thomas Maeda!
An out of breath and clearly excited Thomas Maeda thanked Kore Fight Nutrition for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).