PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Deacon Fries (ranked 1845 p4p, 2165 weight class) and James Clerk Maxwell (ranked 102 p4p, 124 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Fries
vs
Clerk Maxwell

165 cm
22
143
7 - 1 - 0

165 cm
19
136
4 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing
Brooklyn Apothecary

Vegan Gains

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Deacon Fries!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, James Clerk Maxwell!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Valeri Chadov and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fries has his takedown stuffed
and Fries takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Fries takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

It looks like Deacon Fries has been cut.
Fries scores with the left hand. Clerk Maxwell knows he should have avoided that one.
Fries slips under a jab from Clerk Maxwell.
Deacon Fries seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Clerk Maxwell ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Clerk Maxwell doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Clerk Maxwell stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Fries shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Clerk Maxwell counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Fries looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Clerk Maxwell ducks under a wild hook from Fries.
Fries misses with a straight right.
Clerk Maxwell looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Jab, jab by Fries - just one landing.

Fries throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Clerk Maxwell was covering up waiting for the punch and Fries finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Clerk Maxwell pulls Fries in to control the position.
Fries sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Clerk Maxwell's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Clerk Maxwell is refusing to be controlled, as Fries sits in half guard.
Fries thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Clerk Maxwell has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Fries is working away from the top position though.
Clerk Maxwell avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Fries.
Clerk Maxwell is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Fries wants to control but Clerk Maxwell is keeping him busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Clerk Maxwell is trying is best to control the position here.

Fries seems to be working for a kimura but Clerk Maxwell defends the submission attempt.
Fries slows the pace down in half guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Clerk Maxwell connects with a right hand. Fries shakes it off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Fries shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Clerk Maxwell! But no joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Deacon Fries. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A jab from Clerk Maxwell misses.
Clerk Maxwell misses with a straight left.
Fries tries to counter by clinching up but Clerk Maxwell breaks away and moves out of range.
Fries has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Fries there as he acknowledges the shot.
Fries throws a combination that misses
and Clerk Maxwell cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Clerk Maxwell keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Clerk Maxwell fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Fries manages to avoid it.
Fries drops down looking for a counter takedown but Clerk Maxwell sprawls and moves away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

James Clerk Maxwell dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Deacon Fries's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Clerk Maxwell misses with a hook.
Clerk Maxwell throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Fries counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

Fries changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Clerk Maxwell looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Fries is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Clerk Maxwell knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Fries is looking to take a break and control but Clerk Maxwell is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Clerk Maxwell is trying to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Clerk Maxwell felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Fries misses with the ground and pound.
Clerk Maxwell looks to move to half guard but instead Fries has passed into mount! Damn!
Clerk Maxwell is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Fries avoids the attempt from Clerk Maxwell to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Fries prevents Clerk Maxwell from getting the reversal.
Clerk Maxwell tries to hold on but Fries pushes him away.
Deacon Fries overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Fries is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Clerk Maxwell is surviving well by controlling Fries's body position as best he can.

Fries is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Clerk Maxwell has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Clerk Maxwell wants to hold on but Fries pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fries throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Fries punishing his opponent with strikes.
Fries has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Clerk Maxwell's face.
Clerk Maxwell keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Fries avoids the attempt from Clerk Maxwell to control.
Clerk Maxwell avoids a series of strikes thrown by Fries.
Fries lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fries lands a couple of good shots and Clerk Maxwell has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Fries has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Fries thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.
Clerk Maxwell manages to scramble and ends up in full guard, under a barage of strikes . Great composure from Clerk Maxwell.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Clerk Maxwell can do anything to dispel that myth.
Fries working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Clerk Maxwell is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Fries tries to free his leg and advance position but Clerk Maxwell is retaining full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Fries in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Clerk Maxwell is trying to control the position from the bottom.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Deacon Fries dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Deacon Fries'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.

Clerk Maxwell takes a swing at Fries's ribcage but misses.

Fries closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Clerk Maxwell did well to prevent Fries getting side control.
Fries throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fries wants to pass the guard but Clerk Maxwell is defending well.
Clerk Maxwell is positioning himself well to prevent Fries advancing to mount.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fries tries to pass to full mount but Clerk Maxwell defends it.
Clerk Maxwell controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fries has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Clerk Maxwell tries to hold on but Fries pushes him away.
Fries lands a heavy elbow.
Fries throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Fries looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Fries trying to control but Clerk Maxwell is having none of it.
Fries has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Clerk Maxwell's face.
Fries working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Fries landing strikes from the mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Clerk Maxwell doing his best to control the position. Can he escape?
Fries looking to control but Clerk Maxwell is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Fries sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Clerk Maxwell is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

Fries goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Clerk Maxwell turns into him and now he's in Fries's guard.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fries is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Clerk Maxwell looking to sit in guard and control but Fries gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Fries pushing down on Clerk Maxwell's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Deacon Fries clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Deacon Fries'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.

Fries fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Clerk Maxwell manages to avoid it.
Fries drops his hands momentarily and Clerk Maxwell takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

Fries moves into the clinch successfully.
Clerk Maxwell gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Fries.
Clerk Maxwell scores with a hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Clerk Maxwell scores with a shot to the side of Fries's head.
Fries blocks an uppercut.
Clerk Maxwell is leaning against Fries and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Clerk Maxwell gets through Fries's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Clerk Maxwell breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Fries is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Clerk Maxwell fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Fries manages to avoid it.
Fries appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Clerk Maxwell cracks Fries with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Fries moves out of range of the strikes.
Fries misses with a leg kick.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Clerk Maxwell! But no joy.
Fries shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Clerk Maxwell as he avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Clerk Maxwell drops his hands momentarily and Fries takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Fries misses with a left hand
and Fries takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Clerk Maxwell lands a nice hook to Fries's body. Fries takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Fries gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Clerk Maxwell counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Deacon Fries. That's going to take a lot out of him.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Clerk Maxwell connects with a single shot there.

Clerk Maxwell gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Fries to score an easy takedown into full guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Fries postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Clerk Maxwell is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Fries wants to pass the guard but Clerk Maxwell is keeping the position.
Clerk Maxwell has Fries pulled in close to control his posture.
Clerk Maxwell is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Clerk Maxwell is adopting a defensive guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Clerk Maxwell working a defensive guard here.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Fries with a poor takedown
and Clerk Maxwell counters with a lovely straight right hand!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Fries misses with a wild body shot.
Clerk Maxwell scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

James Clerk Maxwell dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Deacon Fries's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Clerk Maxwell misses with a right hand

and Fries counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Clerk Maxwell wants to improve his position but Fries is controlling well.
Clerk Maxwell is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Fries scores with a couple of nice shots.
Fries is looking to take a break and control but Clerk Maxwell is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Fries moves into full mount! Clerk Maxwell won't be happy about that!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Clerk Maxwell is squirming around, avoiding Fries's attempts to control the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Fries has control of Clerk Maxwell's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Clerk Maxwell regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Clerk Maxwell tries to hold on but Fries pushes him away.
Clerk Maxwell is bucking up trying to escape but Fries cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Clerk Maxwell is hanging on here. He's in a desperate position.

That's two 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.
Fries with a couple of short strikes.
Clerk Maxwell is desperately trying to improve his position but Fries has a good base and remains in mount.
Fries throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Fries throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Clerk Maxwell tries to hold on but Fries pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fries thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Clerk Maxwell wants to control but Fries is having none of it.
Clerk Maxwell sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Fries scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Fries lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Fries trying to control the action but Clerk Maxwell is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fries moves into full mount! Clerk Maxwell won't be happy about that!

Fries swings around for an armbar and he's got it! Wow, that came out of nowhere! What a finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:52 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Deacon Fries!
Deacon Fries is the new bantamweight champion!
During a confident post fight interview, Deacon Fries thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.