PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Lewis Pendragon (ranked 152 p4p, 349 weight class) and Matija Maestro (ranked 16 p4p, 34 weight class). Maestro has chosen Shortwire - Reconfig as his entrance music. 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.

Pendragon
vs
Maestro

173 cm
25
150
12 - 4 - 0

174 cm
27
145
17 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

NARCOS
Shadow Realm Apparel

NARCOS
Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q)

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 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Lewis Pendragon!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Matija Maestro!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Steve Montenegro and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A jab from Maestro finds it's way through Pendragon's defenses.
Pendragon wants to clinch up but Maestro keeps it at a distance.
Pendragon is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Maestro staying out of range there.
Pendragon walks into a stiff left hand from Maestro.
Maestro connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Pendragon's hands.
Maestro checks a low kick from Pendragon.
Pendragon throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Maestro will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Pendragon rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Maestro counters with a nice uppercut.
Maestro slips a straight right by Pendragon.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pendragon scores with a three punch combo!
Pendragon throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Maestro slips under a jab.
Maestro ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Pendragon moves away.
Pendragon displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Maestro.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maestro with a poor takedown
and Pendragon connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Pendragon looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Lewis Pendragon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matija Maestro.
Pendragon tries to clinch up but Maestro circles away and keeps his distance.
Pendragon stuffs the takedown attempt from Maestro. Maestro gets slowly back to his feet.

Pendragon closes the distance and clinches.

Maestro jumps into guard, dragging Pendragon to the mat.
Pendragon has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Maestro is proving hard to escape from.
Pendragon works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Pendragon wants to pass to mount but Maestro is defending the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maestro trying to control here.
Pendragon wants to lay and pray for a moment but Maestro keeps working.
Pendragon slows the pace down in half guard.
Maestro works his way to full guard. Good work.

Maestro is looking for a triangle but Pendragon pushes his legs off easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maestro can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Pendragon controls the pace.
Maestro is pulling down on Pendragon's head to control his posture.
Pendragon preventing the sweep.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Lewis Pendragon seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pendragon throws a right hand that Maestro ducks under and follows up with a left that Maestro also avoids with ease.
Pendragon slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Maestro with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Pendragon to score with a decent uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maestro avoids a punch combination nicely.
Maestro misses the jab.
Pendragon uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Maestro.
Maestro displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Pendragon throws out the jab.
Pendragon displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Maestro.
It looked like Pendragon was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Maestro.
Pendragon swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Pendragon throws a leg kick
and Pendragon takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Maestro closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Pendragon did well to prevent Maestro getting side control.

Pendragon makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Pendragon leaves Maestro with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Maestro slips under a jab.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Lewis Pendragon dominated that 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.

Maestro throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Pendragon sees it coming and avoids it easily.
It looked like Pendragon wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Maestro shoots in for a takedown but Pendragon shows good takedown defense.
Pendragon appears to be looking for a big counter.
Pendragon is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Maestro takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Lewis Pendragon is winning the standup battle so far.

Maestro looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Pendragon pushes Maestro off and gets back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maestro looks to land a right hand but Pendragon moved out of range.
Pendragon is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Pendragon lands with a kick to the temple. Maestro shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

That's one minute gone in the round.
A shot to the liver by Maestro. Beautiful body shot.
Pendragon doesn't manage to clinch there - Maestro circles away.
Pendragon dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Pendragon looks to throw the jab but Maestro is out of range.
Maestro shoots in but no luck this time.
Maestro ducks under a wild hook from Pendragon.
Pendragon tries to clinch but Maestro is having none of it.
Pendragon looks to throw the jab but Maestro is out of range.

Maestro closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Pendragon quickly recovers to half guard.

Maestro is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Pendragon doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Maestro.

Maestro is working for a kimura but Pendragon is defending it quite comfortably.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maestro looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

Maestro seems to be looking for submissions.
Maestro controlling the action here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maestro trying to control from half guard but Pendragon is working away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Maestro stalling.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Pendragon stuffs the takedown.
Lewis Pendragon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matija Maestro.

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.
Good exchange - Pendragon coming out on top.
Pendragon is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Maestro can do to turn this around?
Maestro has his takedown stuffed
and Pendragon cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Pendragon throws an overhand right that lands on Maestro's shoulder, as Maestro tries to avoid the shot.
Pendragon ducks under a wild hook from Maestro.
A low kick lands for Pendragon.
Pendragon throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Maestro misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Pendragon.
Pendragon tries to clinch up but Maestro circles away and keeps his distance.
Pendragon throws a hook to the side of Maestro's head but Maestro sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Lewis Pendragon is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Maestro throws an overhand right that lands on Pendragon's shoulder, as Pendragon tries to avoid the shot.
Pendragon cracks Maestro with a right hand to the side of the head.
A jab from Pendragon misses.
Maestro sizes up Pendragon with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Lewis Pendragon 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.

Pendragon lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Pendragon misses with an attempted mid kick.
Maestro feints the counter takedown.
Pendragon ducks under a wild hook from Maestro.
Pendragon throws a sloppy head kick and Maestro moves out of range easily.
Pendragon throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Maestro decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Pendragon's guard.
Pendragon is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Maestro trying to control but Pendragon is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pendragon wants to stand but Maestro is controlling the position.
Pendragon wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Matija Maestro has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maestro looking to pass the guard.
Pendragon is looking to stand up but Maestro isn't so interested in that idea.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Maestro advances to half guard.
Maestro passes into side control, despite Pendragon's attempt to control the position.
Maestro controlling the position from side mount.

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.
Let's hope that Maestro has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Pendragon is not content to let Maestro control the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Pendragon lets loose with a powerful body kick. Maestro will feel that in the morning.
Sloppy strikes from Pendragon. Those never looked like landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maestro bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Pendragon scores with a hook.
Maestro just misses with a punch to the body.
Maestro lands with a right hand.
Pendragon takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Maestro ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Pendragon moves away.
Maestro tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Maestro stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Pendragon.
Maestro scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Pendragon doesn't seem bothered though.
Pendragon misses the jab.
Nice body punch from Maestro.
A low kick from Pendragon misses
and Maestro cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Maestro stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Pendragon.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Pendragon.
Maestro looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Pendragon uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Maestro.
Pendragon appears to be looking for a big counter.
Maestro fails with a takedown attempt.
Maestro keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Pendragon.
Maestro will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
An inside leg kick lands from Pendragon.
Pendragon plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Pendragon throws a nice inside leg kick.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Lewis Pendragon did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
That's time! Pendragon's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Pendragon lands with an overhand left.
Maestro swats away the attempt to clinch by Pendragon.
And Maestro tries to counter it with a takedown but Pendragon pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Pendragon moves in looking to clinch but Maestro pushes him off.
Pendragon swings widly with a right hand
and Maestro counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Maestro keeps the fight on the outside.
Pendragon steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Maestro.
Maestro dives in and grabs Pendragon's left leg, looking for a takedown. Pendragon pushes down on Maestro's head and hops out.
Pendragon throws a hook but Maestro avoids it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maestro fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Maestro tries to score a power double leg takedown but Pendragon sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Maestro somewhat.
Lewis Pendragon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matija Maestro.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pendragon lands with a straight right. Maestro didn't see that one coming.
Maestro misses with a wild body shot.
Pendragon misses the body punch

and Maestro counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Pendragon!
Maestro working away.
Pendragon is trying to buck Maestro off.
Pendragon stops Maestro from passing to mount.
Maestro has knee on belly and moves into mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maestro tries to control but Pendragon wriggling away.
Pendragon has worked his way to half guard, taking advantage of Maestro's lack of action.
Maestro prevents Pendragon from standing back up.
Maestro passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Pendragon!
Maestro looking to control but Pendragon is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maestro moves to the back position.

Maestro working for a choke but Pendragon is defending well.
Maestro tries to keep control of the position but Pendragon is staying busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
I really don't envy Pendragon right now.

Maestro tightening his grip on Pendragon, looking for the choke.

Maestro is persistently looking for the submission but Pendragon is defending it well.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
I really don't envy Pendragon right now.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Matija Maestro dominated that fourth round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Maestro scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Pendragon is looking to escape.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Pendragon works his way to full guard. Good work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maestro won't allow Pendragon to get back to his feet.
Maestro stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Pendragon swivels though and keeps the full guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Maestro showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Pendragon.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Maestro. Those never looked like landing.
Maestro throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Maestro cracks Pendragon with a good jab.
Pendragon throws a hook to the side of Maestro's head but Maestro sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Maestro with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Maestro pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Maestro throws a body punch but Pendragon moves out of range.
Maestro scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Pendragon doesn't seem bothered though.
Maestro swats away the attempt to clinch by Pendragon.
Maestro avoids the head kick by Pendragon.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pendragon doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Pendragon enables Maestro to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Pendragon manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Maestro forces his way into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Pendragon is refusing to be controlled, as Maestro sits in half guard.

Maestro looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Pendragon wants to improve his position but Maestro is controlling well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Maestro is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Matija Maestro has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Maestro trying to control the pace.

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.
Maestro's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
The fighters are battling for position here. Pendragon manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Maestro passes Pendragon's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Maestro controlling the action here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matija Maestro comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Pendragon 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 John Kavanagh scores the fight 48:47
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 47:48
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Lewis Pendragon!
Lewis Pendragon retains his featherweight title!