PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Lucas Maidana (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kwazi Mbtuno (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Maidana
vs
Mbtuno

181 cm
25
162 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

180 cm
25
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Lucas Maidana!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Kwazi Mbtuno!
The judges for this bout are Peter Branson, Michael Johnstone and Dirk Anderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mbtuno misses with a head kick.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Mbtuno displaying some good clinch control by pressing Maidana up against the cage.
Mbtuno dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Mbtuno tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mbtuno can't break the clinch.
Mbtuno is trying to pull guard but Maidana turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maidana gets underhooks to prevent Mbtuno's takedown attempt.
Lucas Maidana has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kwazi Mbtuno.
Mbtuno manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Maidana gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Mbtuno.
Mbtuno throws a punch but it's blocked by Maidana.
The referee calls for Mbtuno to work.
A frustrated look appears on Maidana's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Mbtuno scores with a shot to the side of Maidana's head.
Mbtuno is trying to pull guard but Maidana has him pressed against the cage.
Mbtuno has Maidana pressed against the cage.
Mbtuno is struggling to control the position.

Mbtuno manages to break the clinch.

Mbtuno closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Maidana to the mat! Maidana manages to get full guard.

Maidana working for a triangle but Mbtuno defends it easily.
Mbtuno passes Maidana's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mbtuno is looking for a kimura here.
Maidana is trying to control but can't.

Mbtuno escapes and gets back to his feet.
Mbtuno takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

It looks like Kwazi Mbtuno has been cut.
Jab by Maidana.

Mbtuno moves into the clinch successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maidana is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Maidana misses with a punch on the inside.

Mbtuno jumps guard and drags Maidana to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Maidana is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Mbtuno looking to control.
Maidana scoring with some ground and pound.

Mbtuno working for a triangle but Maidana defends it easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Maidana makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mbtuno wants to sweep but no luck.
Maidana trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kwazi Mbtuno dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Kwazi Mbtuno's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Mbtuno drives through and clinches with Maidana against the cage.

Mbtuno escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Maidana tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kwazi Mbtuno seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mbtuno changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Maidana tries to avoid it but Mbtuno manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Maidana to the ground. Maidana escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Maidana throwing a counter right hand but Mbtuno manages to avoid it.

Mbtuno throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Maidana tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Mbtuno is in Maidana's guard.

Mbtuno drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Maidana dives on top into guard.

Maidana keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Mbtuno's head.
Mbtuno striking off his back but it's not causing Maidana any problems.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maidana working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Maidana lands a couple of digs.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Mbtuno can do anything to dispel that myth.
Mbtuno preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Mbtuno has momentary wrist control but Maidana slips an elbow through the middle.
Kwazi Mbtuno has got the better of the ground game so far.
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!
Maidana works over Mbtuno with some ground and pound from guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mbtuno manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Maidana manages to get himself to full guard.

Maidana had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Mbtuno defends it easily.
Maidana lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Maidana stands up over Mbtuno, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Mbtuno looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Mbtuno is trying to control the position but Maidana postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maidana landing some decent shots from guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Maidana accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Mbtuno wants to sweep but no luck.
Maidana throws an elbow that misses. Mbtuno uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Maidana's guard. Nice move by Mbtuno!

Mbtuno controls from within his opponent's guard.

Mbtuno gets to his feet. Maidana looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Maidana moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Maidana scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jab from Maidana.
Maidana throws a sloppy head kick and Mbtuno moves out of range easily.
Maidana looks to throw the jab but Mbtuno is out of range.
Maidana throws a half hearted mid kick.
Mbtuno tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Lucas Maidana is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Mbtuno has taken the fight to the clinch.
Maidana throws a punch but it's blocked by Mbtuno.
Mbtuno is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Maidana to keep the fight standing.

Mbtuno gets a trip takedown into half guard.

Mbtuno stands up from half guard.
Maidana misses with a double jab
and Mbtuno counters with a one-two to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maidana showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Mbtuno.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Maidana gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Mbtuno to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Mbtuno gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Mbtuno throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
An attempted straight right counter from Maidana misses the target.
Maidana throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Mbtuno on the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Kwazi Mbtuno will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Kwazi Mbtuno's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Mbtuno fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Maidana to the ground. Mbtuno is now in Maidana's guard.
Maidana trying to keep a closed guard but Mbtuno is proving a slippery customer.
Mbtuno trying to control the position from guard on top but Maidana is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Maidana keeping full guard, as Mbtuno tries to pass.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Maidana is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Mbtuno is aware though and is defending well.
Mbtuno with a nice head shot there.
Mbtuno won't allow Maidana to sweep him here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mbtuno thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Mbtuno throwing strikes but missing.

Maidana is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A left and a right from Mbtuno both land. Nice combination.

Mbtuno closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Maidana's guard.
Mbtuno controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mbtuno pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Maidana is keeping the position for now.

Maidana looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Mbtuno stays in close to Maidana's body and controls the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Maidana trying to keep a closed guard but Mbtuno is proving a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mbtuno throwing strikes from guard but Maidana blocks nicely.
Mbtuno is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Mbtuno lands with a nice body punch.

Mbtuno looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Mbtuno working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Mbtuno moves nicely into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mbtuno just content to control the position.

Mbtuno is working for what looks like an arm triangle here. Maidana is trying to escape and Mbtuno transitions quickly into an armbar! He's slapped it on tight and Maidana is forced to tap! Nice work there by Mbtuno! Very nice indeed!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:32 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Kwazi Mbtuno!