PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Zak Maxwell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jason McNeil (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Maxwell kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is 2pac-When We Ride On Our Enemies remix. Jason McNeil has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Zak Maxwell's chin.

Maxwell
vs
McNeil

175 cm
24
167 lbs
9 - 7 - 0

172 cm
30
157 lbs
14 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very strong

ADCC Champion
Decent boxing
Powerful

Hellbent, Inc.™

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 9 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Zak Maxwell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jason McNeil!
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, Alyssa Summers and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

McNeil closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
McNeil trying to pass the guard but Maxwell defending well.
McNeil throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
McNeil passes to side control.
Maxwell tries to improve position but can't.
Maxwell avoids any damage from the ground and pound of McNeil.
McNeil trying to control the position but Maxwell is working away.

McNeil working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Maxwell sneaks back into half guard.
Maxwell is not content to let McNeil control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maxwell wants to improve his position but McNeil is controlling well.

Maxwell is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but McNeil pulls his head out easily.
McNeil content to control rather than advance.
McNeil working over Maxwell with some ground and pound. Maxwell looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
McNeil wants to pass the guard but Maxwell is defending well.
McNeil is trying to control. Maxwell wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Maxwell is looking for a sweep. McNeil is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's two 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.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Maxwell is trying to maintain the position but McNeil is very close to passing his half guard.
McNeil is pressing down on Maxwell's thigh, looking to free his foot. Maxwell is holding on for now.
McNeil is trying to control the action in half guard but Maxwell is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Maxwell is trying to get back to full guard.
Maxwell is working hard here to advance position.
McNeil trying to control the action but Maxwell is working from the bottom.
Maxwell trying to hold on to McNeil's head to control him but McNeil postures up.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Maxwell with a poor takedown
and McNeil counters with a nice uppercut.

Maxwell 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.
Maxwell is breathing heavily.

Maxwell avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

McNeil has his foot on Maxwell's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Maxwell works his way back into a safe position though.
Maxwell works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Maxwell missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Maxwell is stalling here. McNeil is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Maxwell seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and McNeil has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Maxwell is looking to regain half guard here but McNeil keeps moving and retains side control.

McNeil goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Maxwell has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for McNeil but great work by Maxwell.
McNeil struggling a bit here.

Maxwell wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by McNeil, who protects the arm well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McNeil is looking for a sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Maxwell working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
McNeil is trying to control Maxwell's posture but Maxwell avoids it.
Maxwell fails to land a wild elbow strike.
The strikes coming from Maxwell are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
McNeil manages to work his way to half guard, despite Maxwell's best efforts.
McNeil is looking to improve his position.
McNeil won't allow Maxwell to pass to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jason McNeil dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Maxwell looks to land a left hand but McNeil moved out of range nicely.
Zak Maxwell seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McNeil throws a right and a left that Maxwell avoids nicely.
Maxwell misses with a right hand

and McNeil counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
McNeil trying to pass the guard but Maxwell defending well.
Maxwell is staying active underneath McNeil, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
McNeil lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
McNeil takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
McNeil wants to take a breather but Maxwell is having none of it.
Maxwell is pressing down on McNeil's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
McNeil chips away with some ground and pound.

Maxwell throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! McNeil escapes and throws Maxwell's legs to the side, diving into side control!
McNeil postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Maxwell tries to control but McNeil manages to take his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McNeil tries to keep control of the position but Maxwell is staying busy.

McNeil working for a choke but Maxwell is defending well.

McNeil looking for the choke but no joy.
Maxwell is keeping busy.
Maxwell's corner are yelling at him, telling him to just focus on controlling McNeil's hands.
McNeil tries to get the hooks in deep but Maxwell pushed the leg off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McNeil scores with strikes from the back.

McNeil is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Maxwell knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Maxwell for a finish.

McNeil has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Maxwell has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
You can see the frustration on Maxwell's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
McNeil trying to control.
McNeil connects with a series of strikes and the referee is calling for Maxwell to escape the position.
A lull in the action here.
Maxwell tries to escape the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

McNeil working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Maxwell rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Maxwell has his hands clasped together around McNeil's back. He's all about the action.
McNeil is trying to control. Maxwell wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Maxwell trying to control here.

McNeil is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Maxwell is just riding it out for now. McNeil eventually gives up the hold.
McNeil wants to lay and pray for a moment but Maxwell keeps working.

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.
Maxwell won't allow McNeil to pass to mount.
Maxwell is looking to improve his position.
Maxwell trying to control here.
Maxwell wants to get back to full guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
McNeil takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
McNeil is trying to control the action in half guard but Maxwell is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jason McNeil 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 eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Maxwell doesn't succeed with the takedown

and McNeil counters with a nice double leg into guard.

McNeil drops back looking for a submission - "I'm sorry sir, but I'm gunna break your leg" says McNeil as he cranks on the unfortunate limb! Maxwell screams and taps out before any major damage is done! Don't mess with McNeil! Nice submission victory there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:28 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kneebar). Jason McNeil!