PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jim Miller (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Demian Maia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jim Miller has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Miller
vs
Maia

173 cm
25
170 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

183 cm
20
180 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

Good takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

Hilo Nutrition (video proof)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jim Miller!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Demian Maia!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Don Winkell and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Maia rushes Miller and presses him up against the cage.
Miller is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Miller stops a takedown attempt from Maia.

Maia gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Miller regains guard.

Maia drops back, looking for a kneebar! Miller looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Miller looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Miller!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Miller slows the pace down.

Miller is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Maia has escaped the position, nice work there.

Miller looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Maia manages to get back to half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Maia looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Maia manages to get to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maia utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Miller slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Miller has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Maia working for a triangle but Miller defends it easily.

Maia is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Miller stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Maia swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Miller with a nice head shot there.
Miller trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Maia wriggles free and stands up.
Miller gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Maia moves into the clinch.
Maia is looking to take this one to the mat.
Jim Miller has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Demian Maia.

Maia has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Miller regains guard immediately.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Maia passes into half guard.

Maia is looking for a kimura but Miller is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Maia to get the leverage.

Maia is working for a submission of some sort.
Maia looks gassed!

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maia stops Miller from getting back to his feet.

Maia is working for a submission of some sort.
Miller is trying to stand.

Maia is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Miller kicks off Maia and gets to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Maia tries to sprawl but Miller drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Miller controlling the action here.
Maia is staying active underneath Miller, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Maia works his way to full guard. Good work.
Miller is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Miller wants to control from the top but Maia keeps moving.
Miller passes easily into side control. Nice work.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Maia manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Maia is working for a kimura but Miller is defending it quite comfortably.
Miller looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's five minutes gone in the round.

Maia is working for a submission of some sort.

Miller is defending against the submission attempts here by Maia.

Maia is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's six 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.

Maia seems to be working for a kimura but Miller defends the submission attempt.

Maia is working for a kimura but Miller is defending it quite comfortably.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Miller kicks Maia off and gets back to his feet.
Maia with a poor takedown

and Miller counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Maia!
Miller scoring with strikes but Maia is staying in there.
Maia manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Maia is looking for a sweep. Miller is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
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. Miller connects with a nice short shot to Maia's temple.

Miller is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Maia defends it well.

Maia looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and Miller pushes past his half guard into mount!
Maia is desperately trying to improve his position but Miller has a good base and remains in mount.
Miller wants to take his opponent's back but Maia doesn't allow it.
Miller breaks from Maia's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Miller tries to control but Maia wriggling away.
Maia is trying desperately to improve position.
Miller postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Maia looks a forlorn figure.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Miller scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Miller landing strikes from the mount.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Maia is trying to reverse the position but instead Miller has taken his back - oops!

Miller 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, Maia has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Miller lands with a nice looking elbow that stuns Maia.

Miller has his arm under Maia's chin here. Game over son! Miller squeezes tightly and Maia is forced to tap out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 8:53 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Jim Miller!
Jim Miller is the new welterweight champion!