PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Konstantin Dimakov (ranked 3924 p4p, 1743 weight class) and Akira Maeda (ranked 499 p4p, 250 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Dimakov
vs
Maeda

175 cm
26
220
5 - 5 - 0

192 cm
28
209
12 - 11 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Heavy handed

Shadow Realm Apparel
Brooklyn Threads

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Konstantin Dimakov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 11 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Akira Maeda!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Fedor Mirinova and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A swing and a miss from Dimakov.
Maeda takes one on the button.
A big left from Dimakov misses.
Maeda swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Dimakov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Dimakov looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Maeda swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Dimakov closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Maeda moves out of range of the strikes.
Maeda connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Dimakov's hands.
Dimakov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Maeda was well out of range. Poor timing from Dimakov.
Maeda lands with an uppercut that bounces Dimakov off the cage and back into range.
Maeda uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Dimakov.
Maeda lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Maeda pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Dimakov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Maeda sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Dimakov throws a hook but Maeda avoids it easily.
Dimakov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Maeda moves out of range of the strikes.
Dimakov throws a hook but Maeda avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Dimakov has managed to clinch.
Maeda lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Maeda misses with the head strike.
Maeda misses with the head strike.
Maeda misses with some punches.
A short uppercut from Maeda.
Dimakov struggles to land a body shot inside as Maeda controls his hands.
Dimakov tries to throw a body punch but Maeda avoids it by throwing Dimakov back against the cage.
Maeda misses with a hook from the clinch.
Dimakov lands a body shot.
Maeda softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Maeda misses with a hook to the ribs.
Maeda lands with a right to the head.
Dimakov is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Maeda's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Dimakov lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Maeda misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Maeda misses with some punches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Dimakov.
Dimakov wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Maeda has him pressed against the cage.
A short right from Dimakov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Dimakov misses with some punches.
Dimakov misses with the head strike.
Dimakov gets through Maeda's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Maeda swings wildly with an uppercut but Dimakov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Maeda is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Maeda tries to stall but Dimakov uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Dimakov working aggressively here.
Maeda swings wildly with an uppercut but Dimakov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Dimakov stalling in the clinch but Maeda improves position.
Dimakov misses with a short punch on the inside.
A right hook to the body lands for Dimakov.
Maeda can't find room to land a body shot as Dimakov controls the action.
A hook to the body from Dimakov.

Dimakov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Maeda fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Dimakov manages to avoid it.
Maeda slips a straight right by Dimakov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maeda takes a swing at Dimakov's ribcage but misses.

Dimakov takes the fight into the clinch.
Dimakov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A short left from Dimakov.
Dimakov stalling in the clinch but Maeda improves position.
Maeda throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Maeda misses with the head strike.
Maeda blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Dimakov throws a head punch that misses.
Dimakov lands a body punch.
A head punch on the inside from Maeda fails to land.
Maeda lands with a left to the head.
Dimakov digs a right hand underneath Maeda's ribcage. Maeda let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Dimakov lands with a left to the head.
Maeda working aggressively here.

Dimakov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Dimakov throws a hook but Maeda blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maeda lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Maeda shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Dimakov but Dimakov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Dimakov scores with a crisp jab that stopped Maeda in his tracks.
Maeda lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Dimakov misses with a wild body shot.
Dimakov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Dimakov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Maeda.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Maeda swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Maeda throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Maeda creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Maeda lands with a short punch from the clinch.

Dimakov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Maeda gets a clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Akira Maeda will probably get the nod.
That's time! Dimakov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Maeda tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Dimakov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
It looked like Dimakov was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Maeda.
Maeda misses with a straight left.
Dimakov is looking to counter punch.
Maeda goes for a double leg but Dimakov avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Dimakov continues to drive forward.
Maeda is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.

Dimakov has managed to clinch.
Dimakov lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Maeda lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Maeda tries to throw a body punch but Dimakov avoids it by throwing Maeda back against the cage.
Maeda is trying to stall.

Maeda is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Dimakov can't fight it off and eventually Maeda manages to take the fight to the floor. Dimakov looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Dimakov wants to sweep here but Maeda controlling him for the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maeda throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Dimakov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maeda controls from within his opponent's guard.
Dimakov 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.
Dimakov has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Dimakov being controlled here, momentarily.
Maeda works over Dimakov with some ground and pound from guard.

That's two 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.
Maeda trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Maeda has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Maeda wants to control from the top but Dimakov keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Dimakov takes a swing at Maeda's ribcage but misses.
Maeda wants to counter the offense by Dimakov and move into the clinch position.
Dimakov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Maeda.
Dimakov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Maeda tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Dimakov was well out of range. Poor timing from Maeda.
Konstantin Dimakov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Dimakov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A jab from Maeda does it's job there.
Dimakov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Maeda circles away quickly and effectively.
Dimakov throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Maeda stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Maeda missing with a left hand there. Dimakov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Maeda throws a body shot but no joy.
Dimakov swings for the body but Maeda moves out of range.
Dimakov throws a shot from downtown. Maeda moves away and avoids it.
Maeda scores with a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maeda displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Dimakov throws out the jab.
Maeda has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Maeda takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Dimakov moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Maeda throws a body shot but no joy.
Maeda is looking to clinch.
Maeda gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Dimakov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Maeda misses with a straight right.
Maeda misses with an uppercut.

Dimakov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Dimakov tries to throw a body punch but Maeda avoids it by throwing Dimakov back against the cage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Good body shot from Maeda.
A head punch on the inside from Maeda fails to land.
Dimakov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Maeda swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Maeda's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Konstantin Dimakov has scored more points in the clinch so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dimakov lands an uppercut.
Maeda lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Dimakov.
This has been an exciting period of action!
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Dimakov.
Maeda swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Dimakov blocks an uppercut.

Dimakov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Dimakov gets a clinch.
Maeda wants to stall.

Dimakov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Dimakov throws a shot from downtown. Maeda moves away and avoids it.
Dimakov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Maeda lands with an uppercut that bounces Dimakov off the cage and back into range.
Dimakov misses with a wild combination.
Dimakov throws an ugly left hook that misses

so Maeda counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Dimakov wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Maeda manages to pass to side control.
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 Konstantin Dimakov will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

A big right from Dimakov misses.
Maeda looks to throw the jab but Dimakov is out of range.
Dimakov misses with an uppercut. Maeda saw that one coming.
Maeda wants to counter the offense by Dimakov and move into the clinch position.
Dimakov throws a lazy right hand but Maeda sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Maeda looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Maeda scores with a sloppy right hand. Dimakov should have avoided that one.
Dimakov throws a jab when Maeda was well out of range.

Dimakov has closed the distance and engaged Maeda in a clinch.
Maeda lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Dimakov or not.
Maeda misses with a hook to the ribs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maeda tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Maeda has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Dimakov scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Dimakov is trying to break the clinch but Maeda is controlling him.
Dimakov scores with a shoulder strike.
Dimakov lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Maeda backwards.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Dimakov lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Maeda.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maeda keeps control of Dimakov as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Maeda blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Dimakov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Dimakov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Maeda.
Maeda staying out of range there.

Maeda instigates a clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Dimakov creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Maeda lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Maeda lands a body punch in the clinch.
Maeda blocks a body shot from Dimakov.
Maeda lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Dimakov backwards.
Maeda misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Dimakov misses with the head strike.
Maeda misses with a hook to the ribs.
Dimakov scores with a hook to the body.
Maeda doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dimakov takes a shot to the head.
Dimakov prevents a takedown attempt there.
Dimakov tries to throw a body punch but Maeda avoids it by throwing Dimakov back against the cage.
Dimakov throws a head punch that misses.
Dimakov lands a left hand that snaps the head of Maeda backwards.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Maeda prevents a body shot from Dimakov.
A body shot lands from Dimakov.
Maeda lands a hook that snaps the head of Dimakov backwards.
A hook to the body from Maeda.
Dimakov tries to work over Maeda's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Maeda gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Maeda thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Dimakov's head.
Dimakov is staying active underneath Maeda, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maeda working Dimakov over with strikes.
Dimakov tries to roll over but Maeda keeps him under control.
Dimakov might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Ground and pound from Maeda.
Dimakov tries to get to full guard but Maeda has control of the leg.
Dimakov is looking to control Maeda's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Dimakov avoid being mounted?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Maeda landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Dimakov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Maeda winds up and cracks Dimakov with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nice strikes from Maeda there.
Maeda has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Maeda scores with a couple of good head shots there.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Akira Maeda.
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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 28:29
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 29:29
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Akira Maeda!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Akira Maeda waved his t-shirt featuring Brooklyn Threads's logo in front of the cameras.