PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Drago Maximov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Van Der Ley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Van Der Ley has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Maximov
vs
Der Ley

182 cm
19
211 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

193 cm
18
204 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Big right hand

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Drago Maximov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Van Der Ley!
The judges for this bout are Saam Ante, Radbod Blank and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Maximov moves into the clinch.
Maximov working hard to break the clinch.
Der Ley has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Maximov avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Maximov scores with a shot to the side of Der Ley's head.
Der Ley has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Maximov avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Der Ley goes for a takedown attempt but Maximov pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Drago Maximov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Van Der Ley.
Der Ley shoots in but Maximov avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Der Ley looks for a takedown but Maximov sprawls well.

Maximov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Maximov.
Maximov leaning his opponent against the cage.
Der Ley is trying to break the clinch but Maximov is controlling him.
Maximov lands a left hand that snaps the head of Der Ley backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Der Ley wants to break free but Maximov has control.
Come on Maximov - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Maximov could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Maximov lands a hook that snaps the head of Der Ley backwards.
Maximov misses with a punch on the inside.
Der Ley drops down looking for an ankle pick but Maximov pulls his leg out and moves away.
Maximov jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Maximov checks the leg kick nicely there.
Der Ley shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Maximov sprawls well. Maximov wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Der Ley gets slowly back to his feet.
Maximov jabs Der Ley right on the nose. Der Ley blinks but takes it well.
Maximov closes the distance looking to clinch

so Der Ley counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Der Ley won't allow Maximov to get back to his feet.
Der Ley wants to control from the top but Maximov keeps moving.
Der Ley lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Der Ley looking to pass the guard.
Der Ley has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Maximov wants to stand up but Der Ley is controlling him.
Maximov on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Maximov tries to get out of the position.
Maximov wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Der Ley loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Der Ley in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Maximov is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Der Ley is controlling him.
Der Ley scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Maximov looking for a sweep. Not yet Maximov, not yet.
Der Ley trying to control the position from guard on top but Maximov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Maximov is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Der Ley is controlling him.
Der Ley stopping the sweep attempt from Maximov.
Der Ley's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Der Ley's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Maximov wants to get back to his feet but Der Ley passes into half guard.
Maximov looks like he's trying to stand up.
Maximov is staying active underneath Der Ley, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Maximov might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Maximov is pressing down on Der Ley's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Maximov wants to sweep here but Der Ley controlling him for the moment.
Der Ley won't allow Maximov to get back to his feet.
Maximov working a defensive guard here.
Der Ley prevents Maximov from getting back to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Der Ley's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Maximov is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Der Ley is controlling him.
Maximov seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Drago Maximov will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Maximov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Maximov gets through Der Ley's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Der Ley drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Maximov gets the underhooks and prevents it.
A short left from Maximov.
Maximov lands a body punch in the clinch.
Maximov lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Maximov lands a right hand.
Maximov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Der Ley tries to score a body lock takedown but Maximov shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
A short right from Maximov.
Der Ley is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Maximov is defending well.
Drago Maximov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Van Der Ley.
A nice right hand lands inside from Maximov.
Still in the clinch, Maximov scores with a nice short uppercut.
Der Ley blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Der Ley tries to score a body lock takedown but Maximov shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Der Ley is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Maximov gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Maximov lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Maximov lands a nice uppercut.
Maximov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Der Ley tries to stall but Maximov uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Der Ley blocks the elbow strike.
Maximov is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Drago Maximov has scored more points in the clinch so far.

Der Ley breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Maximov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Der Ley paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Maximov moves to clinch but Der Ley breaks away
and Der Ley counters with a two punch combo.
Maximov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Der Ley blocks a head kick by Maximov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Der Ley takes a jab right on the kisser.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Der Ley looking for a takedown.
Der Ley is working for takedown but Maximov is calmly controlling the position for now.
A shot in the inside from Maximov.
Der Ley looking for a takedown.

Der Ley has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Maximov regains guard immediately.
Der Ley is breathing heavily.
Maximov bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Der Ley's guard.
Maximov has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Der Ley is proving hard to escape from.
Der Ley pulls Maximov in to control the position.
Van Der Ley has got the better of the ground game so far.
Der Ley looking to control.
Der Ley wants to sweep here but Maximov controlling him for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maximov wants to get up but he can't break Der Ley's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Der Ley is pulling down on Maximov's head to control his posture.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Van Der Ley.
Maximov lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Maximov connects with a nice looking jab.
Drago Maximov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Maximov tries to clinch but Der Ley moves away

and Der Ley counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Maximov's guard now.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Maximov trying to control the position here.
Maximov wants to stand but Der Ley is controlling the position.
Der Ley missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maximov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Der Ley trying to control but Maximov is working from the bottom.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Maximov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Maximov gets underhooks to prevent Der Ley's takedown attempt.

Der Ley breaks the clinch.
Der Ley takes a kick to the side of the head.
Drago Maximov is winning the standup battle so far.

Maximov gets a clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Der Ley's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Der Ley blocks an uppercut.
Der Ley tries to circle away but Maximov has him pinned against the cage.
Der Ley has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Maximov after a bit of a struggle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Drago Maximov dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Maximov clinches.
Der Ley wants a takedown.
Maximov lands with a left to the head.
Maximov lands a right hand that snaps the head of Der Ley backwards.
Der Ley is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Maximov pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Der Ley drops down looking for an ankle pick but Maximov pulls his leg out and moves away.
Drago Maximov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Van Der Ley.
Der Ley shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Maximov but Maximov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Maximov stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Maximov with a jab.
Maximov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Der Ley swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Der Ley takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Der Ley goes for a double leg but Maximov avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Maximov continues to drive forward.
Der Ley takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maximov lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Der Ley backwards.
Maximov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Maximov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Maximov tries to stall but Der Ley uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
A head punch on the inside from Maximov fails to land.
Der Ley has Maximov pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Maximov manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Maximov is pressed up against the cage. Der Ley has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Maximov down to the mat. Maximov avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Der Ley blocks a head kick by Maximov.
Der Ley shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Maximov defends it nicely.

Maximov darts in and clinches Der Ley up against the cage.
Maximov has a couple of punches blocked by Der Ley.
Maximov misses with some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maximov tries to land knees in the clinch but Der Ley avoids the damage to the body.
Maximov digs a right hand underneath Der Ley's ribcage. Der Ley let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Maximov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Der Ley's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Maximov takes an elbow to the temple.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A shot in the inside from Maximov.
Maximov misses with a body punch.
Maximov lands a body punch.
Maximov gets through Der Ley's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Maximov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Still in the clinch, Maximov scores with a nice short uppercut.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Maximov.
Maximov prevents the takedown attempt.
Maximov throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Maximov lands a left hand that snaps the head of Der Ley backwards.

Der Ley is rocked!
Maximov lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Der Ley backwards.
Der Ley is still on wobbly legs! Can Maximov finish him?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maximov misses with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Der Ley.
Der Ley seems to have recovered his senses.
Maximov working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Der Ley is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Maximov is defending well.
Maximov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Maximov lands a hook to the side of the head.
Maximov misses with an elbow strike.
Maximov scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Nice elbow from Der Ley.
Maximov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Maximov has a couple of punches blocked by Der Ley.
Maximov tries to work over Der Ley's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Maximov misses with the head strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maximov is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Der Ley is keeping busy.
Der Ley is looking for a takedown.
Maximov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Der Ley has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Maximov is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

Der Ley has clasped his hands together around Maximov's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Maximov wants to get back to his feet but Der Ley drags him back down.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Maximov is looking for a sweep.
Der Ley working the ground and pound but Maximov is defending the strikes.
Der Ley trying to control the position but Maximov is working away.
An elbow from Der Ley crashes against the mat.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Maximov is looking for a sweep.
Van Der Ley has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Maximov is pushing Der Ley's head away, looking to escape. Der Ley manages to hold on to the position though.

And that's the end of the fight!
Drago Maximov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Maximov, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Saam Ante scores the fight 30:27
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Drago Maximov!