PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight kickboxing rules bout between Tang Maul (ranked 23308 p4p, 23659 weight class) and Jason Skillz (ranked 507 p4p, 495 weight class). Maul comes into the arena with Somewhere I Belong blaring out of the sound system. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Maul
vs
Skillz

165 cm
23
135
12 - 2 - 1

172 cm
22
146
5 - 4 - 1

World class boxer
Cardio machine

World class MT
Good gas tank

KOMBAT KLOTHING

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tang Maul!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Jason Skillz!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, John Roberts and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maul fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Maul misses with a looping left.
Maul throws out a loose jab but Skillz uses good head movement to avoid it.
Maul with the inside leg kick.
Skillz bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Skillz throws a sloppy head kick and Maul moves out of range easily.
Skillz keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Maul.
Skillz lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Maul backs up against the ropes.
Skillz tries to land a front kick but Maul steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Skillz moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Skillz needs to keep his hands up - Maul had a free shot at his head there.
Skillz throws a wild body kick that Maul sees coming a mile off.
Skillz blocks the body kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Maul drives through and clinches with Skillz against the ropes.
Maul swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Skillz blocks an uppercut.
Maul letting Skillz take a breather here.
Skillz lands a knee to the body.
Skillz misses with a body punch.
Skillz takes an elbow to the temple.

It looks like Jason Skillz has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maul looking to throw knees to the head but Skillz is blocking nicely.
Skillz lands with a right to the head.
Maul looks to throw an elbow but misses.
A nice left hand lands by Skillz.
A head punch on the inside from Skillz fails to land.
A short right from Skillz.
Skillz scores with a nice hook to the head.
Skillz lands a left hand.
Maul tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Skillz's elbow.
Maul creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Maul misses with a hook to the ribs.
A shot in the inside from Maul.
Skillz working aggressively here.
Maul misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Maul creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Skillz's defenses.
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!
Skillz misses with a short punch on the inside.
Maul missing with knees to the body.
Skillz misses with a short punch on the inside.
Skillz misses with a punch to the body.
Skillz misses with a punch on the inside.
Skillz with a knee to the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Skillz.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maul putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Skillz in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Maul missing with knees to the body.
Skillz looking to throw knees to the head but Maul is blocking nicely.
Maul blocks an uppercut.
Maul tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Maul comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Skillz misses with a hook to the ribs.
Skillz is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Maul is keeping busy.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Skillz.
Skillz is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Maul is defending well for now.
Maul creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Skillz's defenses.
Maul scores with a nice hook to the head.
Maul using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Skillz has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
I was talking to Maul's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
A right hand to the body from Maul.
Maul lands a shot to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Maul throws an elbow that misses.

Skillz breaks from the clinch.
Skillz takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Skillz looks to land a body kick but Maul moved away.
Skillz will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Tang Maul will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Jason Skillz's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Maul tried to score with a low kick but Skillz checks it.
Skillz connects with a solid leg kick.
Skillz fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Maul manages to avoid it.
Maul moves into range and connects with a jab.
Skillz cracks Maul with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Maul moves out of range of the body kick from Skillz.
Maul was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Skillz delivers a nice body kick.
Skillz lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Maul at a distance.
Skillz throws a head kick that misses.
Skillz avoids the body shot from Maul.
Maul looks to land a right hand but Skillz moved out of range.
Maul lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Skillz throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Maul is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Maul throws a hook to the side of Skillz's head but Skillz sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Maul scores with a leg kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Maul takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
A leg kick checked by Maul.
Maul seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Maul ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Skillz moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maul displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Skillz throws out the jab.
Maul looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Jason Skillz seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Skillz moves out of range as Maul strikes.
Maul lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Skillz checks a leg kick.
Maul avoids a kick to the body.
Maul with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Some wild striking there from Skillz.
Maul shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Skillz eats them both and turns towards Maul to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Skillz looks for the body kick but Maul saw that one coming.
Skillz throws a half hearted mid kick.
Maul was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Skillz takes a swing at Maul's ribcage but misses.
Skillz avoids the body shot from Maul.
Maul turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Maul takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Skillz just misses with a punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Skillz moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Skillz throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Skillz misses with a body shot.
Maul missing with a left hand there. Skillz was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Skillz uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Maul.
Maul moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Skillz throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
It appears Maul was looking to counter with a kick there.
Maul lands with an uppercut that bounces Skillz off the ropes and back into range.
A head kick misses from Skillz.
Maul is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Skillz.
Maul walks into a straight right hand from Skillz.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Maul fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Skillz checks it well.
Skillz looks to score with a jab to the body but Maul is just out of range.
Maul throws a body kick that misses.
Maul connects with a body shot that sends Skillz's belly button to the back.
Skillz throws a body shot but no joy.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Maul looks to land a body kick but Skillz moved away.
Maul looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Tang Maul will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Jason Skillz's cut.
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.

Skillz throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Maul stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Maul moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Maul throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A punch lands to the side of Skillz 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Skillz, as that shot connected.
Skillz keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Skillz slips a jab from Maul.
Maul tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Skillz was well out of range. Poor timing from Maul.
Skillz throws a series of punches but Maul avoids them all with ease.
Skillz circles away from the clinch attempt.
Skillz scores with a punch to the head.
Maul tests Skillz's chin there with a solid looking shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Maul scores with a push kick.
Maul dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Skillz. That did some damage!
Skillz throws a half hearted mid kick.
Maul takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Maul defending well as Skillz loads up on a big left hand.
An attempted straight right counter from Maul misses the target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maul with a nice calf kick.
Maul throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Skillz appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Skillz misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Skillz's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Maul connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Skillz scrambles back to his feet.
Maul dodges the punch combination from Skillz.
Skillz jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Maul lands an overhand right.
Skillz checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Skillz tries a quick counter leg kick but Maul is wise to it.
Skillz misses with a hook.
Maul connects with an inside leg kick.
Skillz misses with a looping left.
Maul takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Maul misses with a body shot.
Skillz misses with an attempted mid kick.
Maul bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Skillz tries to bum rush Maul with a series of wild strikes but Maul uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Skillz.
Skillz throws a combination. Maul tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Skillz throws an overhand right that lands on Maul's shoulder, as Maul tries to avoid the shot.
Skillz keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Maul.
A nice leg kick lands there from Maul.
Maul avoids a kick to the body.
Maul uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Skillz.
Skillz moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Maul throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Skillz lands a front kick.
Maul misses with a straight left.
Maul throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Danga de danga de dang - Skillz scores with a four punch combination!
Maul scores with a sloppy right hand. Skillz should have avoided that one.
Skillz takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Maul takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Jason Skillz just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on Jason Skillz's cut.
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.

Skillz misses with a body kick.
Skillz swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Maul is looking to counter punch.
Skillz blocks a leg kick.
Maul looks to score with a jab to the body but Skillz is just out of range.
Maul dodges the punch combination from Skillz.
Skillz steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Maul.
Skillz avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Maul moves into range and connects with a jab.
Maul cracks Skillz with a right hand to the side of the head.
Some wild striking there from Skillz.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Skillz uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Maul.
Skillz is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.

Maul gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Maul can't find room to land a body shot as Skillz controls the action.
Good body shot from Maul.
Maul tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Skillz's elbow.
Maul misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Skillz looking to throw knees to the head but Maul is blocking nicely.
Skillz misses with a punch on the inside.
Skillz's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Maul is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Skillz swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Nice body punch from Maul.
Maul scores with a nice hook to the head.
A hook to the body from Maul.
Maul lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Maul scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Skillz has thrown a lot of knees so far in this fight and we're lead to believe that's something he's been working on the gym prior to this fight.

Skillz escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Skillz keeps the fight on the outside.
Maul digs a good hook to Skillz's body.
Maul loads up on a big right hand but Skillz slips the punch.
Skillz throws a body punch but Maul moves out of range.
Skillz takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Maul stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Skillz.
A solid body kick from Skillz.
Skillz connects with a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Skillz blocks the body kick.
Maul swings for the body but Skillz moves out of range.
Maul uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Skillz.
Maul just misses with a punch to the body.
Skillz fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Maul throws a shot from downtown. Skillz moves away and avoids it.
Skillz is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Maul rather than just go for the knockout.
Skillz checks a leg kick nicely.
Skillz is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Maul here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Skillz scores with a push kick.
Maul misses with an attempted mid kick.
Maul misses with a hook. Skillz ducked under it nicely.
Skillz lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Maul at a distance.
Maul uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Skillz.
Maul buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Maul throws a body kick that misses.
Skillz takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Skillz keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tang Maul had his way with Jason Skillz in that round.
The cut man is working on Jason Skillz's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Maul lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Maul misses with a straight right.
Despite the aggression on Skillz's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Skillz defending well as Maul loads up on a big left hand.
Skillz goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Maul lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Nice shot by Skillz.
Maul tries to land a front kick but Skillz steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Skillz misses the shot to the body.
Some wild striking there from Skillz.
Skillz keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Maul.
Skillz feints a counter leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maul lands with a straight right. Skillz didn't see that one coming.
Maul bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Skillz.
Skillz is looking to land body kicks.

Maul has Skillz up against the ropes in a clinch.
Maul misses with an elbow over the top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maul lands an elbow inside that Skillz shrugs off.
Skillz prevents a body shot from Maul.
Maul doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Still in the clinch, Maul scores with a nice short uppercut.
Skillz tries to stall but Maul uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Maul tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Skillz's elbow.
Skillz tries a body shot but Maul blocks it.
Skillz doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Skillz is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Skillz misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Maul.
Maul goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Maul lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Still in the clinch, Maul scores with a nice short uppercut.
Skillz tries to throw a body punch but Maul avoids it by throwing Skillz back against the ropes.
Maul blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A head punch on the inside from Skillz fails to land.
Skillz takes an elbow to the temple.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maul comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Skillz managing to block the knees to the body from Maul.
Skillz wants to break the clinch but can't.
Maul pushes Skillz back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Jason Skillz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Skillz wants to get back to striking at distance but Maul won't allow it.
Maul creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Skillz's defenses.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Skillz swings wildly with an uppercut but Maul uses good head movement to avoid it.
Maul using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Maul tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Skillz avoids it.
Skillz swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A knee to the head by Maul.
Maul's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Tang Maul has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Skillz tries to throw a body punch but Maul avoids it by throwing Skillz back against the ropes.
Maul lands a knee to the body.
Skillz is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Maul lands an elbow that stopped Skillz in his tracks for a moment.
Maul lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Maul lands a nice uppercut.
A knee to the head by Maul.
Tang Maul is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Skillz fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tang Maul showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Maul 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 Dean Styles scores the fight for Tang Maul!
Judge John Roberts scores the fight for Tang Maul!
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight for Tang Maul!

Tang Maul wins by unanimous decision!
Tang Maul retains his featherweight title!
During a confident post fight interview, Tang Maul thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.