PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Drago Maximov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jonathan Jones (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.

Maximov
vs
Jones

182 cm
20
211 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

193 cm
20
225 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Decent wrestler
Good elbows
Good gas tank

Zombie Nutrition - LOD

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 3 - 1 - 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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jonathan Jones!
The judges for this bout are Albert Achterberg, Paul Aken and Nard Betker.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jones swats away the attempt to clinch by Maximov.
Drago Maximov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Maximov tries to clinch but Jones is having none of it.
Maximov lands a jab to the head.
Jones circles away from the clinch attempt.
Maximov throws a head kick that misses
enabling Jones to counter with a crisp jab.
Maximov looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Jones blocks a jab.
Maximov with a nice cross.
Jones scores with a punch to the head.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Jones has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Maximov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Jones moves out of range of the body kick from Maximov.
Maximov throws a looping overhand right but Jones ducks down to avoid it.

Maximov closes the distance and pushes Jones back into the cage.
Jones lands with a light punch inside.
Maximov throws a head punch that misses.
Jones tries for a takedown. No joy.
Maximov scores with a shot to the side of Jones's head.

It looks like Jonathan Jones has been cut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nice body punch from Maximov.

Maximov breaks the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones tries to close the distance and clinch but Maximov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Maximov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Maximov throws a right hand that Jones ducks under and follows up with a left that Jones also avoids with ease.
Drago Maximov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Maximov has taken the fight to the clinch.
Maximov swings wildly with an uppercut but Jones uses good head movement to avoid it.
Maximov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Maximov is looking to control Jones's arms but Jones gets an underhook and turns him. Now Maximov has his back to the cage.
Maximov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Maximov is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Jones is keeping busy.
Maximov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Jones's elbow.
Jones misses with an elbow over the top.
Jones being controlled against the cage.
Maximov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Maximov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Jones is looking for a takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maximov is trying to maintain a safe position but Jones gets an underhook and turns Maximov into the cage.
Maximov working some nice short punches in the clinch.

Jones turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Jones manages to end up in side control.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Maximov tries to improve position but can't.
Maximov is trying to buck Jones off.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Maximov can't do much from the bottom here.
Maximov is looking for a sweep.
Jones controls the position.
Jones has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Jones prevents Maximov from getting the reversal.
Jones wants to control the pace but Maximov is squirming around nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maximov regains half guard.
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.
Jones wants to pass to mount but Maximov is defending the position.
Maximov is trying to stand up here but Jones is controlling him well.
Jones trying to control the action but Maximov is working from the bottom.
Maximov is trying to stand up here but Jones is controlling him well.
Maximov wants to get back to full guard.
Jones perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Maximov wants to get back to full guard.
Jones moves into full mount! Maximov won't be happy about that!
Jones avoids the attempt from Maximov to control.
Jones scoring with strikes but Maximov is staying in there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jones controlling from mount.
Jones wants to control the pace but Maximov is squirming around nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Maximov trying desperately to get to his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jones connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Maximov is squirming around, avoiding Jones's attempts to control the action.
Jones lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Maximov is working to get back to half guard.
Maximov might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Maximov wants to hold on but Jones pushes him away.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Jones is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Jones avoids the attempt from Maximov to control.
Jones looking to control but Maximov is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
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 cut man is working on Jonathan Jones's cut.
That's time! Maximov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

The fight stays on the outside here - Maximov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Jones drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Jones swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Jones is looking to clinch but Maximov is avoiding it.
Jones swats away the attempt to clinch by Maximov.
Maximov is looking to clinch but Jones is avoiding it.

Jones closes the distance and pushes Maximov back into the cage.
Jones has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Maximov is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Maximov misses with the head strike.
Jones lands a right hand.
Jones lands an elbow just above Maximov 's eye.
Maximov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Maximov lands a hook that snaps the head of Jones backwards.
Jones changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Maximov fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Maximov connects with a leg kick. Jones looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Maximov takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Maximov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Maximov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Jones avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Maximov on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Maximov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Jones paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A looping hook to the body misses from Maximov. Jones does a little dance to reset his feet.
Jones tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Jones avoids a low kick by using good footwork.

Jones takes the fight into the clinch.
Jones misses with the head strike.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Maximov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maximov struggles to land a body shot inside as Jones controls his hands.
Maximov blocking some punches.
Maximov misses with the head strike.
Maximov lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Maximov misses with a punch to the body.
Jones 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 Jonathan Jones.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Maximov has a couple of punches blocked by Jones.
Maximov misses with some punches.
Jones scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Jones makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Maximov has Jones pushed against the cage.
Maximov misses with the head strike.
Jones blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Maximov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Jones.
Maximov tries to break the clinch but Jones is controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones blocking some punches.
Still in the clinch, Maximov scores with a nice short uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Maximov fails to land.
Maximov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Maximov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Jones blocking some punches.
Jones tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Jones tries to work over Maximov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Maximov blocking some punches.

Jones manages to break the clinch.
Maximov tries to clinch up but Jones circles away and keeps his distance.
Jones is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Jones avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Maximov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Jones drives through with a takedown into guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Maximov keeping moving, preventing Jones from controlling successfully.
Jones preventing the sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jones is standing up over Maximov. Maximov looks to escape but Jones dives into side control.
Maximov is trying to get back to his feet.
Maximov is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Maximov prevents Jones from improving position.
Jones working the head with strikes.
Maximov is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Maximov is working hard here to advance position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Maximov is trying to control Jones's posture but Jones avoids it.
Maximov stuck in half guard on the bottom here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Drago Maximov dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Jonathan Jones's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Jones tries a low kick but Maximov avoids it.
Maximov is looking to clinch.
Maximov is looking to clinch but Jones is avoiding it.
A jab from Maximov finds it's way through Jones's defenses.
Maximov tries to clinch up but Jones circles away and keeps his distance.
Jones on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Jones tries a low kick but Maximov avoids it.
Jones keeps the fight on the outside.
Jones throws a looping overhand right but Maximov ducks down to avoid it.
Maximov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Jones paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Jones misses the jab.
Maximov tries to close the distance and clinch but Jones swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A head kick misses from Maximov.
Maximov fails to land with a series of punches.
Maximov checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Jones will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Maximov takes one to the side of the head.
A nice leg kick lands there from Jones.
Maximov throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Jones tries to clinch up.
The fighters circling - Maximov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Maximov misses with a body shot.
Maximov tries to clinch but Jones is having none of it.
Maximov tries to clinch there but Jones circles away.
Jones keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Jones tries to close the distance and clinch up but Maximov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A leg kick checked by Maximov.
Jones displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Maximov throws out the jab.
Maximov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Maximov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jones is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Jones waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Maximov.

Maximov has managed to clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Maximov is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

Jones turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Jones manages to end up in side control.
Maximov prevents Jones from improving position.
Maximov is trying to improve his position.
Maximov is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Maximov is trying to escape the position but Jones is controlling the position.
Jones is looking to take a break and control but Maximov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Maximov is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones is looking to take a break and control but Maximov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Maximov tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Jones wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Maximov wants to control but Jones postures up.
Maximov is pushing Jones's head away, looking to escape. Jones manages to hold on to the position though.
Maximov struggling a bit here.
Maximov looking for a sweep but Jones has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Maximov is squirming around, avoiding Jones's attempts to control the action.
Maximov tries to reverse the position but Jones maintains control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jones controlling from mount.
Maximov sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Maximov is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Jones's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Jones's back!
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Maximov's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Maximov controls the position.
Jones looking very determined here, making life difficult for Maximov.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
I would not like to be Jones right now.
Jonathan Jones has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jones can't escape the position.

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 Albert Achterberg scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 30:27
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 30:27

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