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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Abraham Safforn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joaquim Maria (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Maria has chosen Kronos - Bloodtower as his entrance music. 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.
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| 205 cm
28
279 lbs
13 - 7 - 0 |
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193 cm
36
231 lbs
34 - 14 - 0 |
Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
13 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Abraham Safforn!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
34 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Joaquim Maria!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Safforn misses with a takedown
and Maria counters with a nice body shot.
Maria looks to land a left hand but Safforn moved out of range nicely.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Safforn.
Maria misses with a looping left.
Safforn misses with a few strikes there.
Maria gets caught flat footed, as Safforn shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Maria keeping moving, preventing Safforn from controlling successfully.
Safforn is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Safforn has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Safforn throws a strike but Maria rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Safforn 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.
Maria is stalling in the full guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Safforn is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Safforn has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Maria controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Let's hope that Maria has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Safforn has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Maria is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Safforn.
Safforn sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Safforn is looking to improve his position.
Safforn is working hard here to advance position.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Safforn is trying to stand up here but Maria is controlling him well.
Maria keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Maria wants to get back to his feet.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Maria throws a right and a left that both miss.
Safforn tries for a takedown but Maria circles away easily
and Maria counters with a straight right hand.
Safforn is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Maria.
Maria misses with a hook.
Safforn swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Maria counters with a lovely straight right hand!
It looks like Abraham Safforn has been cut.
Joaquim Maria is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Safforn misses with a hook.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Safforn shoots in for a double leg but Maria sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Abraham Safforn. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice shot lands for Safforn.
Maria punishes Safforn's body with a nice straight punch.
Safforn shoots in looking for a takedown. Maria tries to sprawl out of it but Safforn keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Maria manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Maria blocks a jab.
Safforn dives in and grabs Maria's left leg, looking for a takedown. Maria pushes down on Safforn's head and hops out.
Nice body kick from Safforn.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Safforn thows a left - swing and a miss!
Maria throws a body shot but no joy.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Maria avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Safforn fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Safforn on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Safforn looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Joaquim Maria dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Abraham Safforn's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.
Safforn drops his hands momentarily and Maria takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Maria has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Maria defending well as Safforn loads up on a big left hand.
Maria lands with a good body shot.
Safforn gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Maria counters with a straight right hand.
Safforn fails with a takedown attempt.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Maria. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Safforn works Maria's body with a nice hook.
Safforn misses with a hook.
Safforn gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Maria.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Safforn rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Maria cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Safforn goes for a double leg but Maria avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Maria continues to drive forward.
Safforn misses the shot to the body.
Nice body punch from Maria.
That's one minute gone in the round.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Maria crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Safforn - the referee stops the clock and Maria gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Safforn. Maria manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Safforn moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Safforn misses with a low kick as Maria jumps back.
Safforn throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Maria connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Maria lands an overhand right.
Safforn moves into range and connects with a jab.
Safforn looks to throw the jab but Maria is out of range.
A little jabbing left from Maria on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Safforn ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Maria moves away.
Safforn misses with a wild combination.
Maria looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Safforn swinging wildly here.
Safforn tries to clinch but Maria is having none of it.
Maria lands a slapping body shot.
Safforn shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Maria sprawls well. Maria wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Safforn gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Abraham Safforn. That's going to take a lot out of him.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Safforn closes the distance and pushes Maria back into the cage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Maria tries to break free but Safforn pushes him back against the cage.
Maria wants to break free but Safforn has control.
Maria breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Maria throws a right and a left that Safforn avoids nicely.
Safforn scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Safforn fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Safforn throws an elbow but Maria slips to the side and avoids it well.
Safforn tries to move to mount but Maria blocks the move with his legs.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maria is looking for a sweep.
Safforn is looking to take a break and control but Maria is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Safforn working the strikes but Maria uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Safforn throws a strike but Maria avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Safforn trying to control but Maria is working from the bottom.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Safforn throws a big elbow that misses.
Safforn working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Safforn controls from within his opponent's guard.
Safforn lands a couple of elbows.
Abraham Safforn overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Maria trying to control the position here.
Safforn postures up in Maria's guard and throws a big left but Maria blocks it.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close second round but Joaquim Maria will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Abraham Safforn's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!
Safforn defending well as Maria loads up on a big left hand.
Safforn lands with an overhand left.
Joaquim Maria seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Safforn looks to score with a jab to the body but Maria is just out of range.
Safforn misses the jab.
Maria clobbers Safforn with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Maria lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Safforn drives through and clinches with Maria against the cage.
Maria escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Safforn feints and as Maria raises his hands in defense, Safforn changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Safforn sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Safforn trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Maria working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Safforn.
Safforn with a flurry of punches that miss.
Maria keeping moving, preventing Safforn from controlling successfully.
Maria looking for a sweep. Not yet Maria, not yet.
Safforn postures up and lands a big shot to Maria's brow.
Safforn content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Safforn missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Safforn throwing strikes but missing.
Safforn in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Safforn moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
An inside leg kick lands from Safforn.
Safforn looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Maria avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Maria defending well as Safforn loads up on a big left hand.
Maria cracks Safforn with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Safforn misses with a body kick.
No luck for Safforn with that takedown attempt.
Maria keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Maria cracks Safforn with a right hand to the side of the head.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Safforn misses with an uppercut
and Maria counters with a big head kick but Safforn shrugs it off.
Maria bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Safforn's head backwards.
Maria misses with a wild body shot.
Safforn pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
It seemed like Maria was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Safforn misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Maria.
Maria scores with a nice strike.
Safforn tries for a takedown but Maria circles away easily
enabling Maria to counter with a crisp jab.
Maria tests Safforn's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Safforn tries a head kick but it misses.
A countering left hand to the body from Maria misses.
Safforn scores with a nice right hand.
Safforn shoots and misses
and Maria counters with a nice body shot.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Abraham Safforn. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Maria scores with a nice head shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Safforn closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Safforn shoots in looking for a takedown. Maria tries to sprawl out of it but Safforn keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Maria manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
A jab from Maria finds it's way through Safforn's defenses.
A low kick from Safforn is predictable there
and Maria counters with a left to the body.
Maria connects with a high kick.
Safforn on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Safforn swings widly with a right hand
and Maria counters with a stiff right hand.
Maria swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Safforn.
Safforn looks to throw the jab but Maria is out of range.
Safforn blocks a head kick by Maria.
Safforn closes the distance and clinches up with Maria, looking for a takedown. Safforn pushes Maria against the cage but Maria circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Maria closes the distance and lands a one-two.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Joaquim Maria really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Abraham Safforn's cut.
That's time! Safforn's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.
Maria thuds a left hand into Safforn's body.
Maria looks to land a right hand but Safforn moved out of range.
Safforn throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Maria appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Safforn looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Safforn drops his hands momentarily and Maria takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Maria defending well as Safforn loads up on a big left hand.
A lazy body kick from Safforn
and Maria counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Abraham Safforn is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Maria throws an overhand right that lands on Safforn's shoulder, as Safforn tries to avoid the shot.
Safforn waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Maria.
Maria looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Maria swats away the attempt to clinch by Safforn.
Maria let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maria throws a series of strikes that have Safforn backpedaling.
Safforn dives in and grabs Maria's left leg, looking for a takedown. Maria pushes down on Safforn's head and hops out.
Safforn misses with a few strikes there.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Maria cracks Safforn with a good jab.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Safforn fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Maria is out of range.
Maria with a jab.
Maria works Safforn's body with a nice hook.
Maria scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Abraham Safforn's cut is getting worse.
Maria comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Safforn tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Maria manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Maria lands a nice shot to the body.
A head kick misses from Maria.
Maria fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Safforn looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Maria dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Safforn moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook 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!
Maria fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Safforn throws out a loose jab but Maria uses good head movement to avoid it.
Safforn takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Safforn shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Maria counters with a straight right hand.
A combination from Safforn does no damage.
Safforn fails with the takedown
enabling Maria to counter with a crisp jab.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Abraham Safforn. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Maria throws a head kick but Safforn moves out of range.
Maria uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Safforn.
Nice shot lands for Maria.
Safforn throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Maria! But no joy.
Safforn is looking to clinch but Maria is avoiding it.
Nice takedown defense from Maria. No joy for Safforn on that attempt.
Maria digs a good hook to Safforn's body.
Abraham Safforn seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maria scores with a jab. Safforn acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Safforn moves in looking to clinch but Maria pushes him off.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Maria! But no joy.
Safforn looks to land a body kick but Maria moved away.
Safforn misses with a right hand
and Maria counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A decent looking cross lands there for Maria.
Maria scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Safforn throws a leg kick but Maria checks it.
Safforn tries to clinch there but Maria circles away.
Maria works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Safforn with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Maria to score with a decent uppercut.
Maria misses with a hook.
Safforn slips a jab and a cross from Maria.
Safforn tries to counter with a takedown but Maria is quick to defend against it.
Maria gets tackled into the cage by Safforn. Safforn maintains the clinch.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Safforn is trying to maintain a safe position but Maria gets an underhook and turns Safforn into the cage.
Maria content to slow the pace in the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Safforn lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Safforn makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Maria blocks an uppercut.
Safforn fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Maria looking to stall.
Safforn tries to throw a body punch but Maria avoids it by throwing Safforn back against the cage.
Maria blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Safforn has Maria pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Safforn pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Maria tumbling to the mat - Safforn dives into Maria's guard.
Safforn trying to control the position from guard on top but Maria is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Joaquim Maria dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Abraham Safforn's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!
Safforn shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Maria sprawls well. Maria wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Safforn gets slowly back to his feet.
Safforn tries to score a power double leg takedown but Maria sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Safforn somewhat.
Maria connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
A lazy left from Safforn finds it's target.
Maria thuds his right hand into Safforn's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maria misses with a head kick.
Maria lands with a hook. Safforn tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Safforn misses with an uppercut
and Safforn takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Safforn tries to score a power double leg takedown but Maria sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Safforn somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Abraham Safforn. That's going to take a lot out of him.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Safforn misses with a body punch
letting Maria counter with a right hand.
Maria circles away from the clinch attempt.
Safforn misses with a looping left.
Maria moves away from the strike by Safforn.
Safforn throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Maria waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Safforn.
Left hook, right uppercut from Maria.
Nice defenses there by Maria.
Safforn scores with a jab to the jaw.
Safforn misses with a straight left.
Safforn throws a hook to the side of Maria's head but Maria sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maria closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Safforn tries to close the distance and clinch but Maria swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Maria throws out a counter right but Safforn avoids it with no problem.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Safforn dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Maria thows a left - swing and a miss!
Maria throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Safforn misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Maria.
Maria swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Maria jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Safforn takes one to the chin there.
Safforn falls off balance throwing a combination
and Maria counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Maria paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Safforn swinging wildly here.
Joaquim Maria is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Safforn tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Maria lands a high kick!
A left and a right from Safforn both land. Nice combination.
Maria lands a jab.
Maria listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Horrible takedown attempt by Safforn or perhaps it was just good defense by Maria, which made it look bad.
Maria looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Safforn tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Maria cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Maria lands with a nice body punch.
Safforn throws a lazy right hand but Maria sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Maria looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maria displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Safforn throws out the jab.
Abraham Safforn has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Safforn shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Maria is trying to defend but Safforn finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Safforn with the ground and pound but Maria uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Safforn is in close to Maria's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Safforn sitting in guard here, content to control.
Safforn will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Safforn passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Safforn working the ground and pound but Maria is defending the strikes.
And that's the end of the fight!
Joaquim Maria comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Maria winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.
Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight for Joaquim Maria!
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight for Joaquim Maria!
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight for Joaquim Maria!
Joaquim Maria wins by unanimous decision!
An out of breath Joaquim Maria thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
59% |
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