PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Razor Houghtinho (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kendall Maivia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 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.

Houghtinho
vs
Maivia

180 cm
19
153 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

175 cm
19
145 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Razor Houghtinho!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Kendall Maivia!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

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

Maivia actively working from the bottom here.
Nice strikes from Houghtinho there.
Maivia misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Maivia is trying to control but can't.
Maivia has hold of Houghtinho's hands but Houghtinho slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Maivia moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Houghtinho working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Maivia's head.

Maivia working for a triangle but Houghtinho defends it easily.
Houghtinho stands up over Maivia, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Houghtinho postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Houghtinho has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Houghtinho is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maivia controls Houghtinho momentarily but Houghtinho frees himself.
Maivia wants to get back to his feet but Houghtinho is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Maivia escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Houghtinho gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Houghtinho loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Maivia has momentary wrist control but Houghtinho slips an elbow through the middle.
Houghtinho thows a big elbow that misses.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Houghtinho stands up over Maivia, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Maivia wants to sweep here but Houghtinho controlling him for the moment.
Maivia looks gassed!

Houghtinho got a little sloppy there for a moment and Maivia has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Houghtinho has managed to get both his arms back between Maivia's legs - danger averted.
Maivia being controlled here, momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Houghtinho postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Houghtinho cracks Maivia with a solid left hand.
Houghtinho working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Maivia's head.
Houghtinho with a nice head shot there.

Maivia working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Houghtinho doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Houghtinho manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Houghtinho with a nice head shot there.
Houghtinho scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Maivia utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Maivia is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Houghtinho lands a couple of digs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Houghtinho wants to stand but Maivia is controlling his posture from full guard.
Houghtinho is working Maivia over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Houghtinho works over Maivia with some ground and pound from guard.
Houghtinho is looking to work some ground and pound but Maivia has wrist control.
Houghtinho with a flurry of punches that miss.
Maivia avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Maivia bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Houghtinho's guard.
Maivia preventing the sweep.
Maivia lands a couple of elbows.
Houghtinho is pulling down on Maivia's head. It's preventing any offense from Maivia, at least for the moment.
Houghtinho trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Maivia wants to control from the top but Houghtinho keeps moving.
Maivia wants to stand but Houghtinho has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Maivia postures up.
Houghtinho knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Maivia on the ground.
Houghtinho has a closed guard, preventing Maivia from standing up.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Houghtinho tries to bum rush Maivia with a series of wild strikes but Maivia uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Maivia shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Houghtinho defends it nicely.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Houghtinho misses with a straight left.
Maivia fails to land the takedown.
Houghtinho stuffs the takedown attempt from Maivia. Maivia gets slowly back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Razor Houghtinho dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Houghtinho lands with a straight right. Maivia didn't see that one coming.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Houghtinho throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Maivia feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Maivia has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Houghtinho is proving hard to escape from.
Razor Houghtinho overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Houghtinho throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Maivia stops Houghtinho from standing up.
Maivia trying to control the position from guard on top but Houghtinho is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Houghtinho has momentary wrist control but Maivia slips an elbow through the middle.

Maivia gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
No luck for Maivia with that takedown attempt.
Houghtinho with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nice sprawl there from Houghtinho as Maivia shoots in.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Houghtinho rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Maivia moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Maivia has a takedown stuffed.
Razor Houghtinho has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kendall Maivia.

Houghtinho has closed the distance and engaged Maivia in a clinch.
Houghtinho is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Maivia manages to break the clinch.
Maivia shoots in but no luck this time.

Maivia throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Houghtinho was covering up waiting for the punch and Maivia finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Maivia trying to control the position from guard on top but Houghtinho is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Houghtinho had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Maivia is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Houghtinho Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Maivia's back instead.
Maivia is trying to escape under a series of strikes and manages to escape from Houghtinho 's hooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maivia wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Houghtinho.
Maivia gets back to half guard.
Maivia is trying to maintain the position but Houghtinho is very close to passing his half guard.

Maivia looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Houghtinho scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Maivia on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Maivia kicks Houghtinho off and gets back to his feet.
Houghtinho throws a series of punches but Maivia avoids them all with ease.

Houghtinho gets a takedown into half guard.
Houghtinho is figuring out what he wants to do next.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Houghtinho scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Houghtinho thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Maivia is trying to stand up here but Houghtinho is controlling him well.

Maivia looking for submissions off his back.
Maivia trying to control from the bottom.

Maivia 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. Houghtinho connects with a nice short shot to Maivia's temple.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Nice takedown defense from Houghtinho. No joy for Maivia on that attempt.

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.
Houghtinho throws a half hearted mid kick.
Houghtinho lunges at Maivia with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Maivia's hand.
Maivia tries to close the distance and clinch up but Houghtinho swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Maivia throws a series of punches but Houghtinho avoids them all with ease.
Houghtinho uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Maivia has time to react.

Maivia moves into the clinch.
Maivia tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Houghtinho takes a knee right on the jaw!
Maivia has Houghtinho pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Houghtinho manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Maivia fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Maivia is trying to break the clinch but Houghtinho is controlling him.
Houghtinho has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Maivia is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Houghtinho is trying to drag Maivia to the mat but Maivia just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Maivia changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Houghtinho fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Houghtinho misses with a body kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Kendall Maivia will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Houghtinho throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Maivia counters with a slapping leg kick.

Maivia clinches up with Houghtinho and pushes him back against the cage.
Maivia is trying to break the clinch but Houghtinho is controlling him.
Maivia wants to break the clinch but can't.
Maivia has had enough of the clinch but Houghtinho keeps him there for the moment.
Houghtinho has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Maivia avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Houghtinho has Maivia pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Maivia manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Houghtinho is pressed up against the cage. Maivia has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Houghtinho down to the mat. Houghtinho avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Maivia stalks Houghtinho and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Houghtinho's face. Houghtinho staggers backwards, shaken.
Maivia will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Houghtinho throws a looping overhand right but Maivia ducks down to avoid it.
Razor Houghtinho seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Houghtinho misses with an uppercut.

Maivia moves into the clinch.
Maivia tries for a takedown but Houghtinho manages to get underhooks.
Razor Houghtinho has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kendall Maivia.
Maivia wants a takedown but no success here.
Houghtinho has Maivia pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Maivia manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Houghtinho throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Maivia keeps control of Houghtinho as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Maivia drags the fight down to the ground.
Houghtinho won't allow Maivia to sweep him here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Houghtinho throwing strikes from guard but Maivia blocks nicely.

Houghtinho avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Houghtinho wanted to stand there but Maivia had control of the position.

Maivia throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Houghtinho trying to control but Maivia is working from the bottom.
Houghtinho lands a couple of elbows.
Houghtinho postures up in Maivia's guard and throws a big left but Maivia blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maivia is trying to control the position but Houghtinho postures up.
Houghtinho scoring with punches to the head and body.

Maivia is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Houghtinho postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Maivia had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Houghtinho is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Maivia Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Houghtinho's back instead.
Houghtinho looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.

Maivia is persistently looking for the submission but Houghtinho is defending it well.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Houghtinho tries to break free.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Houghtinho fending off the submission attempt from Maivia.
Houghtinho holding both Maivia 's hands and preventing any damage.

Houghtinho showing good submission defense here.
You can see the frustration on Houghtinho's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Houghtinho trying to control the action but Maivia just sinks the hooks in.
Maivia has the hooks in. Houghtinho is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Maivia looking for the choke from the back.

Maivia looking for the RNC.
Houghtinho looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.

Maivia working for the choke.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Houghtinho wants to get back to his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Houghtinho is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Maivia is not going to allow Houghtinho to sit and survive in this position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kendall Maivia comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Maivia 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kendall Maivia!