PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Eddy Maiden (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kang Xi Jia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Maiden comes to the cage accompanied by Wildfire in the streets. 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.

Maiden
vs
Xi Jia

185 cm
34
170 lbs
22 - 11 - 1

170 cm
28
160 lbs
15 - 7 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 22 - 11 - 1, fighting out of New York, Eddy Maiden!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kang Xi Jia!
The judges for this bout are Paul Aken, Nard Betker and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maiden moves out of range of the strikes.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Xi Jia.
An attempted straight right counter from Maiden misses the target.
Xi Jia misses with a straight right.
Maiden misses with an uppercut.
Xi Jia moves out of range as Maiden strikes.
Xi Jia throws a quick inside leg kick.
Xi Jia thows a leg kick but Maiden checks it
and Maiden counters with a solid body kick.

Xi Jia closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Xi Jia tries to throw a body punch but Maiden avoids it by throwing Xi Jia back against the cage.
Maiden tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maiden lands an uppercut.
Xi Jia working aggressively here.
Xi Jia tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Xi Jia.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Maiden.
Maiden fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Xi Jia letting Maiden take a breather here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Xi Jia misses with a knee strike.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Xi Jia.

It looks like Eddy Maiden has been cut.
Maiden misses with a body punch.
Xi Jia's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Xi Jia tries a knee to the head but Maiden blocks it.
Maiden fails to pull guard.
Maiden tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A nice left hand lands by Maiden.
Maiden prevents a body shot from Xi Jia.
We've been informed that Xi Jia has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Xi Jia blocking some punches.
Still in the clinch, Xi Jia scores with a nice short uppercut.
Xi Jia doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Xi Jia throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Maidens head.
Xi Jia tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Maiden's elbow.
Maiden is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Xi Jia to keep the fight standing.
Maiden leaning his opponent against the cage.
Xi Jia lands a body punch in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maiden looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Maiden throws a punch but it's blocked by Xi Jia.
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!
Maiden working aggressively here.
Xi Jia creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Maiden fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Maiden looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eddy Maiden. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Maiden lands a left hand.
A head punch on the inside from Xi Jia fails to land.
Xi Jia leaning against his opponent.
Maiden working aggressively here.
Xi Jia is pressed up against the cage. Maiden has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Xi Jia down to the mat. Xi Jia avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Xi Jia cracks Maiden with an open hand slap.
Xi Jia throws a looping overhand right but Maiden ducks down to avoid it.
Maiden slips under a jab from Xi Jia.
Xi Jia with a nice cross.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maiden rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Xi Jia holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Xi Jia misses with a hook from the clinch.
Xi Jia tries a body shot but Maiden blocks it.
Maiden throws a punch but it's blocked by Xi Jia.
Xi Jia makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Maiden is trying to drag Xi Jia to the mat but Xi Jia just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Xi Jia blocks a body shot from Maiden.
Maiden is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Xi Jia crunches a lovely knee into Maiden's ribcage.
Xi Jia lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Maiden backwards.
Xi Jia misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Maiden controlling the action here for a moment.
Maiden misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Xi Jia misses with the head strike.
Xi Jia throws a punch but it's blocked by Maiden.
Xi Jia looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Xi Jia blocks a body shot from Maiden.
Maiden is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Xi Jia pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Xi Jia swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Xi Jia lands an uppercut.
Xi Jia working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Xi Jia fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Xi Jia.
Xi Jia can't find room to land a body shot as Maiden controls the action.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Xi Jia tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Xi Jia lands a right hand.
Maiden has a couple of punches blocked by Xi Jia.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kang Xi Jia dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Eddy Maiden's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Maiden misses with a left hand
and Xi Jia counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A leg kick checked by Maiden.
Xi Jia explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
A solid body kick from Maiden.

Xi Jia moves into the clinch successfully.
Xi Jia leaning against his opponent.
Maiden's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Maiden tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Xi Jia's elbow.
Maiden throws a punch but it's blocked by Xi Jia.
Maiden misses with a hook from the clinch.
Maiden misses with a hook from the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maiden misses with a punch on the inside.
Maiden drops down looking for an ankle pick but Xi Jia pulls his leg out and moves away.
Maiden shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Xi Jia tries to clinch up.
A telegraphed right hand from Maiden misses the target.
Maiden looks to land a right hand but Xi Jia moved out of range.
Xi Jia thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Maiden if he has to take too many more of those.
Maiden takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Nice jab there from Maiden.
Maiden misses with a low kick.
Xi Jia throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Maiden misses with a hook. Xi Jia ducked under it nicely.
Maiden misses the shot to the body.
Maiden blocks a jab.
Kang Xi Jia seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Xi Jia moves out of range as Maiden strikes.
Xi Jia misses with a body kick.
Maiden swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Xi Jia blocks a jab.
Xi Jia has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Xi Jia throws a predictable looking body shot
and Maiden counters with a thumping low kick.
Maiden throws a nice outside leg kick.
Xi Jia fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Maiden looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Maiden avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kang Xi Jia seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Maiden takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Xi Jia lands with a shot to the body.
Maiden walks into a left hand.

Xi Jia clinches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Maiden.
Maiden misses with a punch on the inside.
Maiden fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Xi Jia is struggling to control the position.
Maiden can't find room to land a body shot as Xi Jia controls the action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maiden tries to stall but Xi Jia uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Xi Jia tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Maiden's elbow.
Xi Jia lands a shoulder strike.
Maiden softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Xi Jia misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Maiden.
Xi Jia throws a head punch that misses.
Maiden goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Still in the clinch, Xi Jia scores with a nice short uppercut.
Xi Jia tries a body shot but Maiden blocks it.
Xi Jia presses Maiden against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Maiden swings wildly with an uppercut but Xi Jia uses good head movement to avoid it.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Xi Jia just misses with a elbow thrown towards Maiden's brow.
Maiden trying to control the position but instead, Xi Jia has worked for underhooks and has pushed Maiden into the cage.
Maiden swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maiden tries a body shot but Xi Jia blocks it.
Kang Xi Jia seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Xi Jia connects with a knee to the head.
Maiden lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Xi Jia misses with the head strike.
Maiden misses with a punch on the inside.
Xi Jia blocks a body shot from Maiden.
Xi Jia lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Xi Jia working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Xi Jia comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Xi Jia goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Maiden struggles to land a body shot inside as Xi Jia controls his hands.
Xi Jia tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Xi Jia lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Maiden backwards.

Maiden jumps guard and drags Xi Jia to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Xi Jia looking to pass the guard.
Xi Jia trying to control the position from guard on top but Maiden is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kang Xi Jia showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Eddy Maiden's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Maiden tests Xi Jia's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Xi Jia ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Maiden tries a low kick but Xi Jia avoids it.
Xi Jia connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Xi Jia misses with a lunging right hand
and Xi Jia takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Maiden moves away from the strike by Xi Jia.
Maiden scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Xi Jia throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Maiden stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Xi Jia misses with an uppercut.
Xi Jia throws a leg kick but Maiden sees it coming and moves out of range.
Xi Jia slips under a jab from Maiden.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maiden misses with a lunging right hand
and Xi Jia counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kang Xi Jia is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Xi Jia uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Maiden.
Xi Jia is looking to chop away at Maiden's legs.
Maiden swings for the body but Xi Jia moves out of range.
It seemed like Xi Jia was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Xi Jia walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Xi Jia looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Xi Jia jabs at Maiden's body.
Maiden on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Xi Jia. Xi Jia obviously looking to wear him down.
Xi Jia misses with a low kick.
Maiden missing with a left hand there. Xi Jia was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Xi Jia wants to slow Maiden down by chopping away at his legs.
An attempted straight right counter from Maiden misses the target.
Xi Jia swings widly with a right hand
and Maiden counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Xi Jia thinking.
Xi Jia misses with a hook
enabling Maiden to counter with a crisp jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maiden scores with a leg kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Xi Jia feints and then cracks Maiden's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Maiden down.
Xi Jia fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Maiden ducks under a wild hook from Xi Jia.
Maiden tried to counter with a leg kick but Xi Jia avoided it.
Xi Jia fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
A solid body kick from Xi Jia.
Xi Jia walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Xi Jia avoids the body shot from Maiden.
Xi Jia tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Xi Jia staying out of range there.
Maiden tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Xi Jia takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
A slow jab from Xi Jia misses its intended target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maiden on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Maiden fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Xi Jia checks it well.
Xi Jia tries to counter with a clinch but Maiden shakes him off and moves away.
Maiden dives in and grabs Xi Jia's left leg, looking for a takedown. Xi Jia pushes down on Maiden's head and hops out.
Xi Jia throws a half hearted mid kick.
Kang Xi Jia is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Xi Jia lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Maiden takes a swing at Xi Jia's ribcage but misses.
Xi Jia misses with a lunging right hand
and Maiden counters with a nice uppercut.
Maiden takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Maiden looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Maiden ducks under a wild hook from Xi Jia.
Xi Jia throws a solid leg kick but Maiden takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Xi Jia.
An attempted straight right counter from Maiden misses the target.
Maiden misses with a straight left.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Xi Jia misses with a hook.
Xi Jia clobbers Maiden with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Xi Jia rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Maiden counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Maiden shoots for a double leg takedown but Xi Jia sprawls well. He's pushed Maiden's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Xi Jia tries to counter with a clinch but Maiden shakes him off and moves away.
Xi Jia lands a nice leg kick that just misses Maiden's sensitive parts.
Xi Jia scores with a push kick.
Eddy Maiden has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Xi Jia swings widly with a right hand
letting Maiden counter with a right hand.
Xi Jia lands a jab to Maiden's midsection.
Xi Jia looks to land a combination. Maiden sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Maiden crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Xi Jia - the referee stops the clock and Maiden gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Xi Jia. Maiden manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Maiden throws a lazy right hand but Xi Jia sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Xi Jia is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Xi Jia delivers a nice body kick.
Xi Jia thuds his shin into the meat of Maiden's side.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kang Xi Jia comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Xi Jia 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 27:30
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 27:30
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kang Xi Jia!
Our winner, Kang Xi Jia, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.