PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Chris Maurelli (ranked 4319 p4p, 4327 weight class) and Liam Bactya (ranked 526 p4p, 527 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Maurelli
vs
Bactya

185 cm
18
195
0 - 0 - 0

182 cm
18
188
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Chris Maurelli!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Liam Bactya!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Alan Glass and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice uppercut there from Maurelli.

Bactya throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Maurelli tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Bactya is in Maurelli's guard.
Maurelli is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Bactya is controlling him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maurelli trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bactya stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Bactya with a poor takedown
and Maurelli counters with a nice uppercut.
Bactya tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Maurelli defends well and Bactya ends up having to push Maurelli into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
A little feinted left hand from Maurelli on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Bactya shoots in but no luck this time.
Chris Maurelli has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Liam Bactya.
Bactya shoots and misses
and Maurelli counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Bactya thinking.
Bactya looks winded!
Maurelli fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Maurelli slaps away a takedown attempt from Bactya, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Bactya walks into a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maurelli with a nice cross.
Maurelli smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Maurelli keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Maurelli sizes up Bactya with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nice uppercut there from Maurelli.
Bactya wants to clinch up but Maurelli keeps it at a distance.
Maurelli was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Maurelli connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Bactya's hands.
Liam Bactya seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Maurelli misses with the combination.
Bactya takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maurelli uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Bactya walks into a jab.
Bactya ducks right into an uppercut from Maurelli.

Bactya scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Bactya stops Maurelli from getting back to his feet.
Maurelli knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Bactya on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Bactya moves away from the strike by Maurelli.
Bactya moves out of range as Maurelli strikes.
Maurelli moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Maurelli connects with a jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bactya shoots in looking for a takedown. Maurelli tries to sprawl out of it but Bactya keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Maurelli manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Maurelli is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Maurelli lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Bactya fails with the takedown
and Maurelli counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Maurelli swings for the body but Bactya moves out of range.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Bactya walks into a left hand.
Maurelli throws a looping overhand right but Bactya ducks down to avoid it.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Bactya.

Bactya manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Maurelli on his heels. He'll look to pass Maurelli's guard now, I'm sure.
Maurelli wants to stand up but Bactya is controlling him.

Maurelli is working an open guard so Bactya takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Bactya is breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maurelli leaves Bactya with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Maurelli connects with a nice looking jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bactya misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Chris Maurelli has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Liam Bactya.
Maurelli throws a hook to the side of Bactya's head but Bactya sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Maurelli is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Bactya can do to turn this around?
Maurelli lands a jab.
Maurelli scores with a nice right hand.
Nice uppercut lands for Maurelli. That snapped Bactya's head back.
Bactya gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Maurelli connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Bactya takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
A jab from Maurelli finds it's way through Bactya's defenses.
Maurelli looks to throw the jab but Bactya is out of range.
Bactya defending well as Maurelli loads up on a big left hand.
Good standup being displayed there by Maurelli as he connects with a hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Maurelli misses.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bactya takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Bactya moves out of range as Maurelli strikes.
Maurelli throws the left hand but Bactya avoids the punch easily.
A telegraphed right hand from Maurelli misses the target.
Maurelli throws a hook to the side of Bactya's head but Bactya sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

Bactya shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Maurelli napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Maurelli is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bactya stands up and beckons Maurelli to his feet.
Chris Maurelli is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Maurelli misses with an uppercut. Bactya saw that one coming.
Bactya shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Bactya shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Maurelli defends it nicely.
A jab from Maurelli does it's job there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maurelli misses the jab.
Bactya is trying hard to land a takedown here. Maurelli sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Bactya walks into a jab.
Liam Bactya is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bactya blocks a jab.
Maurelli throws a looping overhand right but Bactya ducks down to avoid it.
Maurelli throws a hook but Bactya avoids it easily.
Nice cross by Maurelli.
Bactya keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Maurelli.
Maurelli keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Maurelli throws a good cross that connects.
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!

Maurelli gets caught flat footed, as Bactya shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Maurelli dominated that second round.
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. This is the final round!

Bactya walks into a straight right hand from Maurelli.
Bactya is looking to clinch but Maurelli is avoiding it.
A lazy left from Maurelli finds it's target.
Maurelli keeps the fight on the outside.

Maurelli tries to sprawl but Bactya drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Maurelli is trying to stand.
Maurelli wants to stand back up but Bactya manages to pass into side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Bactya decides to stand back up. Bactya steps back and let's Maurelli get back to his feet.

Bactya shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Bactya takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
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!
Maurelli wants to stand up but Bactya is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bactya stands up from Maurelli's guard - Bactya perhaps looking for a knockout.
Bactya ducks under a wild hook from Maurelli.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Bactya shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Maurelli as he avoids it easily.
Maurelli throws a jab when Bactya was well out of range.
Bactya fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Bactya bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Bactya takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Maurelli swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Bactya.
Maurelli lands a body shot.
Maurelli scores with a nice strike.
Maurelli throws a hook to the side of Bactya's head but Bactya sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Chris Maurelli is winning the standup battle so far.
Maurelli scores with a jab.
Bactya slips under a jab.
Bactya moves out of range of the strikes.
Bactya doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Maurelli.
Bactya takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Bactya moves out of range of the strikes.
Bactya gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Maurelli counters with a nice body shot.
Bactya takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Chris Maurelli is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Maurelli moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Maurelli displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Bactya.
Chris Maurelli has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Liam Bactya.
Bactya walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Maurelli throws the left hand but Bactya avoids the punch easily.
Bactya steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Bactya takes a shot right to the bread basket.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bactya tries to clinch
and Maurelli cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Maurelli lands a head shot.
Bactya steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Maurelli.
Bactya is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Maurelli takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Maurelli uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Maurelli lands an overhand right.
Bactya doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Bactya fails with a takedown attempt.
Liam Bactya has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Maurelli uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chris Maurelli showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Maurelli, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 George Francis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 30:27
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chris Maurelli!