PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Thomas Maeda (ranked 1349 p4p, 1722 weight class) and Mateus Gracie (ranked 185 p4p, 229 weight class). Maeda's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Submission. Mateus Gracie has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Maeda
vs
Gracie

169 cm
36
164
28 - 19 - 0

163 cm
33
153
14 - 9 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Very quick

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Urban Fighter
Fenrir Fightgear - Anno 2013

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 28 - 19 - 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 14 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Mateus Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Steven Brown and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gracie throws a jab but it's blocked by Maeda.
Gracie stuffs the takedown.
Gracie will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Gracie swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Maeda counters with a nice uppercut.
Horrible takedown attempt by Maeda or perhaps it was just good defense by Gracie, which made it look bad.
Left hook, right uppercut from Gracie.
Gracie looks winded!

Maeda pushes Gracie up against the cage in a clinch.

Maeda has hold of one of Gracie's legs. Gracie is fighting the takedown attempt but Maeda gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Gracie working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Maeda.
Gracie keeping moving, preventing Maeda from controlling successfully.
Maeda slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie can't keep his opponent in guard - Maeda advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Maeda wants to control but Gracie is keeping him busy.
Maeda throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
We've been hearing that Maeda has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Gracie is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Maeda scores with a couple of nice shots.
Maeda is taking a breather. Gracie 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.
Maeda wants to take a breather but Gracie is having none of it.
Gracie is trying to get back to full guard.

Maeda wants to work for an arm triangle but Gracie is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Maeda is thwarting Gracie's attempts to control the position.
Maeda wants to pass the guard but Gracie is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maeda sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Gracie defending well though.
Maeda is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Maeda seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Gracie does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Maeda in particular looking to stall.
Maeda wants to pass to mount but Gracie is defending the position.
Gracie blocking the ground and pound attempt from Maeda.
Gracie is refusing to be controlled, as Maeda sits in half guard.

Maeda is working for a submission of some sort.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maeda trying to control the action but Gracie is working from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Nice body punch from Maeda.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Gracie enables Maeda to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Gracie manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Maeda scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Maeda slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Maeda wants to control from the top but Gracie keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maeda advances position into side control!
Gracie is looking to reverse the position.
Check out the look on Maeda's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Maeda tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

Maeda tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Maeda controls the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Maeda dominated that round.
That's time! Maeda's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Gracie looks to land a left hand but Maeda moved out of range nicely.
Maeda lands with a hook. Gracie tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Maeda swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Good standup being displayed there by Maeda as he connects with a hook.
A jab from Gracie misses.
A little feinted left hand from Maeda on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Nice defenses there by Maeda.
Maeda goes for a double leg but Gracie avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Gracie continues to drive forward.
Maeda wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Maeda tries for a takedown but Gracie manages to get underhooks.
Maeda working hard to break the clinch.
Maeda is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Gracie can do to turn this around?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maeda lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Maeda lands with a right to the head.
Gracie is breathing heavily.
Gracie is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Maeda is defending well.
Maeda is working Gracie over against the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Maeda just misses with a elbow thrown towards Gracie's brow.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Maeda escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Mateus Gracie seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Maeda misses with a series of wild punches.
Maeda throws a right and a left that both miss.
Gracie on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Maeda fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Gracie avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thomas Maeda. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Horrible takedown attempt by Gracie or perhaps it was just good defense by Maeda, which made it look bad.
Maeda lands a jab-cross combination.
Maeda dives in and grabs Gracie's left leg, looking for a takedown. Gracie pushes down on Maeda's head and hops out.
Gracie fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Gracie closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Gracie lands in his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Maeda is looking for a triangle but Gracie pushes his legs off easily.

Maeda has his foot on Gracie's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Gracie works his way back into a safe position though.
Gracie preventing the sweep.
Gracie throws a big right hand that misses.

Maeda working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Gracie doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Gracie manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Gracie won't allow Maeda to sweep him here.
Maeda working a defensive guard here.
Gracie pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Maeda is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie keeps trying to improve his position.

Maeda had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Gracie defends it easily.
Gracie stopping the sweep attempt from Maeda.
Maeda working a defensive guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Maeda is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Gracie defends well.
Gracie passes into half guard.
Maeda trying to control but Gracie postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Maeda looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Maeda actively working from the bottom here.
Maeda moves into full guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Maeda dominated that second round.
That's time! Maeda's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

The crowd cheers as Maeda lands an impressive looking overhand right. Gracie doesn't seem phased though.
Maeda catches Gracie with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Thomas Maeda is winning the standup battle so far.
Gracie walks into a left hand.
A telegraphed right hand from Gracie misses the target.
Maeda throws a lazy right hand but Gracie sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Gracie looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Maeda closes the distance and clinches up with Gracie, looking for a takedown. Maeda pushes Gracie against the cage but Gracie circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Gracie moves out of range of the strikes.
Maeda dives in and grabs Gracie's left leg, looking for a takedown. Gracie pushes down on Maeda's head and hops out.
Gracie appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Gracie slips under a jab.
Gracie feints the counter takedown.
A decent looking cross lands there for Maeda.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maeda connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Gracie momentarily.
Maeda misses with the combination.
Gracie misses with a lunging right hand
and Maeda counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
No joy there for Maeda, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Gracie showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Maeda.
Gracie stuns Maeda with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Maeda swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Gracie.
Maeda displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Gracie.
Maeda fails to land with a series of punches.
A nice combination there by Gracie.
Maeda bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Gracie's head backwards.
Gracie showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Maeda.
Gracie with a nice cross.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Maeda with a hook.
Maeda misses with a wild combination.
Gracie steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Maeda.
Maeda looks to land a combination. Gracie sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

Gracie is rocked!
Maeda connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Gracie is still on wobbly legs! Can Maeda finish him?
Maeda closes this distance looking for a takedown but Gracie circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thomas Maeda. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Maeda swinging wildly here.
Gracie tries to land a front kick but Maeda steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Maeda is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Gracie throws a series of punches but Maeda moves out of range.
Gracie lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Thomas Maeda is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Maeda throws a right hand that Gracie ducks under and follows up with a left that Gracie also avoids with ease.
Gracie throws a head kick that misses.
Maeda throwing a counter right hand but Gracie manages to avoid it.

Maeda fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Gracie to the ground. Maeda is now in Gracie's guard.
Maeda is working Gracie over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Maeda working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Maeda advances position into side control!
Maeda lands a nice forearm strike.
Gracie taking a bit of punishment here - Maeda scoring with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Check out the look on Maeda's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Thomas Maeda overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Gracie is trying to get back to half guard.
Maeda is chipping away with strikes.

Maeda tries for a kimura but Gracie is defending well.
Maeda controlling the position from side mount.
Gracie is looking to regain half guard here but Maeda keeps moving and retains side control.
Gracie takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Maeda has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Gracie!
Maeda connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Maeda landing shots from mount.
Maeda lands a couple of good shots and Gracie has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Maeda is looking to finish with some ground and pound!
Maeda biding his time, looking for the opening.

Maeda looking for the choke from the back.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Gracie covers up after that shot from Maeda.

Maeda looking to break Gracie's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Gracie remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Maeda will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Gracie covers up after that shot from Maeda.
Thomas Maeda is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.
Maeda landing with strikes.
Gracie is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
Maeda scores with strikes from the back.
Gracie tries to break free.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
Maeda seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Gracie for as long as he can get away with.
Gracie grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.
Gracie seems to have recovered his senses.
Maeda has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Gracie's body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Maeda lands a punch that was close to the back of the head but the ref thinks it's OK.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thomas Maeda showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Maeda has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Richard Clark scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 30:27
Judge William Gold scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thomas Maeda!
After the big win, Thomas Maeda made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors Kore Fight Nutrition and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.