PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Balu Themaniac (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Wakefield (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). John Wakefield is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Themaniac
vs
Wakefield

170 cm
22
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

195 cm
22
185 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Prefers ground

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Likes ground

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Balu Themaniac!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, John Wakefield !
The judges for this bout are Paulo Santos, Thiago Cunha and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Themaniac throws a series of punches but Wakefield moves out of range.

Wakefield changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Themaniac looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Themaniac tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Wakefield content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
I looks like Wakefield might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
You can see the frustration on Themaniac's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Themaniac is trying to improve his position.
Themaniac is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Wakefield asserts his dominance and retains side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wakefield trying to control the action but Themaniac is working from the bottom.
Themaniac is looking for a sweep.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Themaniac with a poor takedown

and Wakefield counters with a takedown into side control.
Wakefield tries to advance to mount but Themaniac instead regains half guard.
Wakefield working Themaniac over with strikes.

Wakefield stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Themaniac to get to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Wakefield closes the distance and clinches.

Themaniac breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Themaniac has a takedown stuffed.
Wakefield is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Wakefield has managed to clinch.
Wakefield looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Themaniac drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Balu Themaniac. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Themaniac is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Wakefield can't fight it off and eventually Themaniac manages to take the fight to the floor. Wakefield looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Themaniac is breathing heavily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Wakefield not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Wakefield is looking for a triangle but Themaniac pushes his legs off easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Wakefield looking for a guillotine here but Themaniac defends easily.
Themaniac wants to control from the top but Wakefield keeps moving.
Wakefield wants to stand but Themaniac is controlling the position.
Wakefield looking to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Themaniac preventing the sweep.
Wakefield is pulling down on Themaniac's head to control his posture.
Wakefield controls Themaniac momentarily but Themaniac frees himself.
Themaniac won't allow Wakefield to get back to his feet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Wakefield misses with a two punch combination.
Themaniac wants to clinch

and Wakefield decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Themaniac's guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Wakefield won't allow Themaniac to sweep him here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Wakefield dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Wakefield looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Themaniac is fending him off so far but Wakefield persists. Nope, Themaniac circles away and we're back to standing.
Themaniac throws a head kick but Wakefield moves out of range.
Themaniac walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Wakefield checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Themaniac has his takedown stuffed

and Wakefield moves into the clinch.

Themaniac pulls guard effortlessly.
Wakefield controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Wakefield gets to his feet. Themaniac looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Wakefield gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Themaniac tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Wakefield just stands there and leans against the cage.

Wakefield gets control of Themaniac's arms and successfully pulls guard. Wakefield will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Themaniac controlling from the top position.
Themaniac loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wakefield controlling Themaniac's posture.
Themaniac could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Themaniac wants to stand and escape but instead Wakefield has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Wakefield stands and steps away. Themaniac gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Wakefield moves in looking to clinch but Themaniac pushes him off.
Wakefield moves away from the strike by Themaniac.
Balu Themaniac is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Themaniac misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Wakefield goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

Wakefield rushes Themaniac and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Themaniac has Wakefield pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Wakefield manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Balu Themaniac. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Wakefield pulls guard.
Themaniac wants to control from the top but Wakefield keeps moving.
Wakefield wants to get back to his feet but Themaniac is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Themaniac has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Wakefield is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

Wakefield jumps into guard, dragging Themaniac to the mat.
Themaniac being controlled here momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wakefield looking to control.
Themaniac looking to pass the guard.

Wakefield kicks Themaniac off and gets to his feet.
Wakefield throws a right hand that Themaniac ducks under and follows up with a left that Themaniac also avoids with ease.
Wakefield throws a head kick that misses.
Wakefield ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Themaniac moves away.
Themaniac tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's four 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.
Wakefield shoots for a double leg takedown but Themaniac sprawls well. He's pushed Wakefield 's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Wakefield feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Themaniac is adopting a defensive guard.
Themaniac knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Wakefield on the ground.
Themaniac not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Wakefield throws a big right hand that misses.
Wakefield is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Themaniac might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Themaniac pushes Wakefield off and scrambles back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Wakefield showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Themaniac fails with a takedown attempt.

Themaniac darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Themaniac is thwarting Wakefield 's attempts to control the position.

Wakefield kicks Themaniac off and gets back to his feet.
Wakefield tries to clinch there but Themaniac circles away.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Wakefield shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Themaniac's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wakefield trying to control the position from guard on top but Themaniac is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Themaniac wants to get back to his feet but Wakefield passes into half guard.

Wakefield decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Wakefield fails with a takedown attempt.
Wakefield shoots for a takedown but Themaniac saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Themaniac moves into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wakefield trying to land knees to the body.
Themaniac is looking to break free of the clinch but Wakefield has double underhooks.
Wakefield stops a takedown attempt from Themaniac.

Wakefield has hold of one of Themaniac's legs. Themaniac is fighting the takedown attempt but Wakefield gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Themaniac not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Wakefield not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Themaniac looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Themaniac controls Wakefield momentarily but Wakefield frees himself.
Themaniac looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wakefield slips nicely into half guard.
Wakefield trying to control the pace.
John Wakefield has got the better of the ground game so far.

Wakefield has hold of the far side arm. He's working for the Kimura, can Themaniac defend it? Wakefield steps over the head and cranks it - Themaniac is tapping out! That was textbook stuff right there - nice submission victory for Wakefield !

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:26 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). John Wakefield !