PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Brett Keane (ranked 1334 p4p, 1762 weight class) and Aslak Maitonaama (ranked 143 p4p, 192 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Keane
vs
Maitonaama

175 cm
33
155
20 - 23 - 0

185 cm
32
168
14 - 16 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent MT
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Determined

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 20 - 23 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Brett Keane!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Aslak Maitonaama!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and Percy O'Donnell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Decent striking displayed by Maitonaama there.
Maitonaama swings for the body but Keane moves out of range.
Maitonaama tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Maitonaama staying out of range there.
Maitonaama misses with a lunging right hand
and Keane counters with a stiff right hand.
Keane loads up on a big right hand but Maitonaama slips the punch.
Maitonaama drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Keane defends it well.
Keane looks to land a combination but Maitonaama avoids it well.
Maitonaama's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Maitonaama duly obliges.
Keane uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Maitonaama.
Maitonaama has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Maitonaama throws an off balance right hand
and Keane counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Maitonaama swings for the body but Keane moves out of range.
Maitonaama lands a glancing blow to the side of Keane's head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Maitonaama tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Keane was well out of range. Poor timing from Maitonaama.
Keane displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Maitonaama throws out the jab.
Keane was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Maitonaama slips a jab from Keane.

Maitonaama forces Keane back against the cage and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Keane tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Keane lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Maitonaama throws a punch but it's blocked by Keane.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Maitonaama.
Maitonaama throws a punch but it's blocked by Keane.
Maitonaama lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Maitonaama is trying to drag Keane to the mat but Keane just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Maitonaama throws a head punch that misses.
Maitonaama blocks an uppercut.
Keane tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Maitonaama.
Maitonaama is looking for a takedown.
Keane throws a punch but it's blocked by Maitonaama.
Keane blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Keane tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Keane misses with a hook from the clinch.
Keane working aggressively here.
Keane throws a punch but it's blocked by Maitonaama.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maitonaama blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Maitonaama tries for a takedown but Keane manages to get underhooks.
Brett Keane has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aslak Maitonaama.
A short left from Keane.
Maitonaama is looking for a takedown.
Keane blocking some punches.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Maitonaama blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Maitonaama tries to land knees in the clinch but Keane avoids the damage to the body.

Maitonaama wants the takedown. Keane is fighting it off but Maitonaama persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Keane's guard against the cage.

Keane looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Keane keeping full guard, as Maitonaama tries to pass.

Keane is looking for a triangle but Maitonaama pushes his legs off easily.
Maitonaama throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Keane is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Maitonaama defends well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Keane has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Maitonaama can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Maitonaama is looking to advance position but Keane has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Maitonaama gets back to half guard.

Maitonaama looking for submissions off his back.
Maitonaama wants to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Keane content to control rather than advance.
Keane prevents Maitonaama from improving his position.

Keane is looking for a kimura here.

Keane is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Maitonaama defends it well.
Maitonaama is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Brett Keane will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Maitonaama shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Maitonaama postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Maitonaama throws an elbow that misses. Keane uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Maitonaama's guard. Nice move by Keane!

Keane trying to control the position from guard on top but Maitonaama is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Keane passes Maitonaama's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Keane stalling away here and it's allowed Maitonaama to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Keane wants to control from the top but Maitonaama keeps moving.
Keane stopping the sweep attempt from Maitonaama.
Maitonaama looking to control.
Maitonaama 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.
Keane is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Keane wants to control from the top but Maitonaama keeps moving.
Maitonaama wants to sweep here but Keane controlling him for the moment.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Keane passes Maitonaama's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Keane is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Maitonaama has managed to free his arm - good work.
Maitonaama slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Maitonaama is on top in guard.

Keane avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Maitonaama is looking to work some ground and pound but Keane has wrist control.
Maitonaama wants to control from the top but Keane keeps moving.
Maitonaama stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Keane swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Maitonaama missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Keane keeping moving, preventing Maitonaama from controlling successfully.
Maitonaama distracts Keane with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Keane has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Maitonaama can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Maitonaama tries to free his leg and advance position but Keane is retaining full guard.

Keane had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Maitonaama defends it easily.
Maitonaama makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Keane seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Maitonaama advances position into side control!
Aslak Maitonaama has got the better of the ground game so far.

Maitonaama tries for a kimura but Keane is defending well.

Maitonaama swings around for an armbar but Keane sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Maitonaama's guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Aslak Maitonaama showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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. This is the final round!

Decent striking displayed by Maitonaama there.
Maitonaama lands a right hook to the body.
Maitonaama dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Keane lands a slapping body shot.
A slow jab from Keane misses its intended target.
Keane throws a hook but Maitonaama blocks it.
Maitonaama jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Aslak Maitonaama seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Maitonaama tests Keane's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Keane ducks under a wild hook from Maitonaama.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Keane takes a swing at Maitonaama's ribcage but misses.
Maitonaama with the counter takedown but Keane avoids it easily.
Keane is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Maitonaama's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Maitonaama fails with a takedown attempt.
Keane fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Maitonaama manages to avoid it.

Keane gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Keane is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Maitonaama defends well.

Keane has his foot on Maitonaama's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Maitonaama works his way back into a safe position though.
Maitonaama missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Keane utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Maitonaama tries to free his leg and advance position but Keane is retaining full guard.
Maitonaama pushing down on Keane's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Maitonaama not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Maitonaama is nestled in close to Keane, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

Maitonaama is working for a kimura but Keane is defending it quite comfortably.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Keane looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Maitonaama thows a huge punch but Keane dodges it nicely.
Keane on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Keane taking some punishment here, with Maitonaama in his half guard.
Keane is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Maitonaama scores with a couple of nice shots.

Keane looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Maitonaama working Keane over with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Maitonaama is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Maitonaama moves into full mount! Keane won't be happy about that!
Keane gets back to half guard.
Maitonaama looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Keane looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Maitonaama connects with a nice short shot to Keane's temple.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Keane is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Maitonaama pulls his head out easily.
Maitonaama working Keane over with strikes.

Maitonaama is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Keane has managed to free his arm - good work.
Maitonaama is trying to control. Keane wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Maitonaama is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Keane is just riding it out for now. Maitonaama eventually gives up the hold.
Maitonaama has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
Aslak Maitonaama comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Maitonaama 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aslak Maitonaama!
Aslak Maitonaama thanked the fans post fight for their support.