PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Drago Maximov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Leon Virginie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Maximov
vs
Virginie

182 cm
19
211 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

190 cm
26
210 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Big right hand

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
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 2 - 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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Leon Virginie!
The judges for this bout are Albert Achterberg, Radbod Blank and Daniel Blasius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Virginie tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Maximov is able to avoid easily.
Virginie throws a low kick, looking for Maximov's leg but Maximov calmly moves out of range.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Virginie - that will leave a mark!
Virginie tries a head kick but it misses.
Virginie throws a head kick but Maximov moves out of range.
Maximov on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Virginie. Virginie obviously looking to wear him down.
Maximov throws a series of punches but Virginie moves out of range.
Virginie thumps Maximov with a low kick.
Virginie throws the kick towards the body but Maximov avoids it.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Maximov!
Maximov pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Maximov takes the fight into the clinch.
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!
Maximov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Maximov lands a right hand that snaps the head of Virginie backwards.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Virginie obliges.
Maximov can't break the clinch.
Maximov managing to block the knees to the body from Virginie.
Virginie trying to land knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maximov struggles to land a body shot inside as Virginie controls his hands.
Maximov tries a body shot but Virginie blocks it.
Maximov pushes Virginie back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Maximov makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Virginie blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Maximov avoiding damage as Virginie throws knees to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Maximov.
Virginie is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Maximov is defending well for now.
The referee calls for Virginie to work.
Maximov working aggressively here.
Maximov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Maximov avoiding damage as Virginie throws knees to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Maximov.
Virginie tries to land knees in the clinch but Maximov avoids the damage to the body.
Maximov misses with a punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Virginie is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Maximov is defending well for now.
A head punch on the inside from Maximov fails to land.
Maximov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Maximov can't find room to land a body shot as Virginie controls the action.
Maximov lands an uppercut.
Maximov trying to land knees to the body.
Virginie misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Maximov.

Maximov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Maximov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Virginie ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Virginie throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Maximov wants to clinch.
Virginie throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Virginie slips under a jab from Maximov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Crunch! Virginie slams his shin into Maximov's torso.
Virginie uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Maximov.

Virginie tries to keep at a distance but Maximov has taken the fight into the clinch.
Virginie tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Maximov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Virginie is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Maximov is defending well for now.
Maximov lands a body shot.
Maximov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Maximov lands a shot to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Virginie.
Virginie looking to throw knees to the head but Maximov is blocking nicely.
Maximov misses with a punch to the body.
Virginie blocks an elbow strike.
Maximov can't find room to land a body shot as Virginie controls the action.
Maximov definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Maximov creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maximov tries to land a knee to the head but Virginie blocks with his arms.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Maximov lands with a right to the head.
Maximov avoiding damage as Virginie throws knees to the body.
Virginie blocks an uppercut.
Maximov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Stalling in the clinch from Virginie.
Maximov throws a punch but it's blocked by Virginie.
Virginie tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Maximov avoids it.
Maximov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Maximov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Maximov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Maximov lands a body punch in the clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Maximov lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Virginie backwards.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Maximov creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Maximov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Maximov misses with a short punch on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Drago Maximov dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Virginie showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Maximov.
A slow jab from Maximov misses its intended target.
Virginie defending well as Maximov loads up on a big left hand.
Maximov tries a head kick but it misses.
Virginie throws a body kick that misses.
Virginie lands a nice leg kick that just misses Maximov's sensitive parts.
Maximov is looking to clinch.
Virginie throws a body kick that misses.
Maximov moves out of range as Virginie throws a body kick.
A right-left combo lands from Maximov.
Maximov misses with a head kick.
Maximov checks the leg kick.
Maximov is looking to clinch but Virginie is avoiding it.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Virginie.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Virginie lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Maximov has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Maximov and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Virginie looks to land a body kick but Maximov moved away.
A chopping leg kick lands by Virginie.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maximov blocks a head kick by Virginie.
Leon Virginie seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Maximov looks to score with a jab to the body but Virginie is just out of range.
Virginie avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Virginie thows a body kick. Maximov tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Maximov avoids a kick to the body.
A head kick from Virginie lands but Maximov takes it in his stride.
Maximov misses with a body shot.
Maximov checks a low kick from Virginie.
Maximov doesn't manage to clinch there - Virginie circles away.
A head kick from Maximov lands but Virginie takes it in his stride.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Virginie ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Maximov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Virginie paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Maximov connects with a jab.
Virginie tries a head kick but it misses.
Maximov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Maximov closes the distance and lands a one-two.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Virginie attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Virginie throws a half hearted mid kick.
Virginie misses with a low kick.
Virginie throws the kick towards the body but Maximov avoids it.
Virginie shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Virginie lands a head kick!
Maximov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Maximov avoids the head kick by Virginie.
Virginie tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Virginie keeps the fight on the outside.
Maximov moves out of range of the leg kick from Virginie.
Virginie throws a sloppy head kick and Maximov moves out of range easily.
Maximov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Virginie goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head kick from Virginie lands but Maximov takes it in his stride.
Virginie is looking to land body kicks.
Maximov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Virginie was well out of range. Poor timing from Maximov.
A nice inside leg kick there by Maximov. That's going to slow Virginie down.
Maximov misses with a head kick.
Virginie thows a leg kick but Maximov checks it
and Maximov counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

Maximov rushes Virginie and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Virginie is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Maximov is defending well for now.
Maximov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Virginie avoids it.
Maximov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Maximov is trying to stall.
Virginie has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Maximov seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Virginie can turn it around.
Virginie tries to land a knee to the head but Maximov blocks with his arms.
Maximov is trying to force a seperation but Virginie has the dominant position.
Virginie blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Virginie takes a shot to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Maximov struggles to land a body shot inside as Virginie controls his hands.
Maximov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Maximov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Maximov leaning against his opponent.

Maximov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Virginie throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Virginie shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Virginie pivots, looking for a leg kick but Maximov is out of range and Virginie settles back down.
Drago Maximov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Maximov checks a leg kick.
Maximov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Maximov throws a sloppy head kick
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Maximov pushes Virginie up against the cage in a clinch.
The referee calls for Virginie to work.
Virginie misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Maximov.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Leon Virginie will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Virginie pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Virginie misses with a low kick.
Virginie throws a head kick but Maximov moves out of range.
Virginie thumps Maximov with a low kick.
Maximov doesn't manage to clinch there - Virginie circles away.
Virginie tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Maximov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Virginie throws a wild body kick that Maximov sees coming a mile off.
Virginie throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

Maximov drives through and clinches with Virginie against the cage.
Maximov pushes Virginie back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Maximov wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Virginie blocks an uppercut.
Maximov has a couple of punches blocked by Virginie.
Virginie tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Maximov avoids it.
Maximov lands a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Virginie tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Maximov avoids it.
Virginie misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Maximov.
Maximov is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Virginie's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
A nice left hand lands by Maximov.
Virginie tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Maximov avoids it.
Maximov throws a head punch that misses.
Maximov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Maximov throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Virginies head.
Maximov has a couple of punches blocked by Virginie.
Virginie prevents a body shot from Maximov.
Drago Maximov has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Virginie blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Virginie being controlled against the cage.
Maximov has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Maximov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maximov taking a breather.
Maximov has a couple of punches blocked by Virginie.
Virginie is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Maximov is defending well for now.

Maximov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Maximov misses with an uppercut
and Virginie counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Maximov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Virginie swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Virginie keeps the fight on the outside.
Maximov moves out of range of the body kick.
Virginie feints and then cracks Maximov's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Maximov down.
Maximov checks a leg kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - Maximov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Maximov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Maximov has a couple of punches blocked by Virginie.
Virginie landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Virginie blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maximov misses with a punch on the inside.
Maximov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Maximov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Maximov trying to control the position but instead, Virginie has worked for underhooks and has pushed Maximov into the cage.
Maximov lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Maximov lands a hook to the side of the head.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Virginie.
Maximov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Virginie missing with knees to the body.
Virginie tries to land a knee to the head but Maximov blocks with his arms.
Maximov can't find room to land a body shot as Virginie controls the action.
Maximov scores with a nice hook to the head.
Maximov lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Virginie stalls.
Virginie missing with knees to the body.
Maximov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Virginie avoids it.
Maximov is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Maximov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A short left from Maximov.
Virginie throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Maximov blocks it with crossed arms.
Maximov misses with a punch on the inside.
Virginie trying to land knees to the body.
Maximov lands a shoulder strike.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Maximov avoiding damage as Virginie throws knees to the body.
Virginie working Maximov over with knees to the body.
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!
Maximov tries to work over Virginie's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Drago Maximov.
I think Maximov has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Albert Achterberg scores the fight 29:28
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 29:28

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