PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Dean Maynard (ranked 4608 p4p, 414 weight class) and KJ Aldo (ranked 5918 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Maynard
vs
Aldo

175 cm
25
161 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

171 cm
18
157 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Counter fighter
Heavy handed

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Dean Maynard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, KJ Aldo!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, Richard Clark and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Aldo moves into range and connects with a jab.
Maynard shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Aldo as he jumps to the side.
Maynard tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Aldo paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Nice sprawl there from Aldo as Maynard shoots in.
Nice takedown defense from Aldo. No joy for Maynard on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dean Maynard. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Maynard lands a front kick.
Maynard fails with the takedown.
Maynard wants to clinch
and Aldo counters with a lovely straight right hand!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maynard missing with a left hand there. Aldo was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Maynard tries to clinch but Aldo is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maynard avoids a punch combination nicely.

Maynard drives through with a takedown into Aldo's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Maynard stays in close to Aldo's body and controls the position.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Aldo can do anything to dispel that myth.
Aldo wants to stand but Maynard is controlling the position.
Aldo seems keen to control Maynard's posture.
Maynard connects with a couple of short punches.
Aldo tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Aldo really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Maynard. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aldo looking to control.
Maynard is pushing down on Aldo's leg trying to pass to half guard. Aldo is fighting to maintain full guard but Maynard has managed to sneak the leg through.

Maynard stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Aldo to get to his feet.
Maynard's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Maynard duly obliges.
Maynard fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Aldo avoids it really well and circles away.
It seemed like Aldo was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Aldo lands a right hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maynard looks for the body kick but Aldo saw that one coming.
Maynard fails with an attempt to clinch.
Nice uppercut there from Aldo.
Aldo scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Aldo lands a jab-cross combination.
Maynard fails with a takedown attempt.

Maynard moves into the clinch successfully.
Maynard is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Aldo pulls him back up using the underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Maynard pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Maynard fails with a takedown attempt.
Aldo is looking for the big counter here.
Aldo lands with an overhand left.
Maynard is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Maynard throws a jab but it's blocked by Aldo.
Aldo lands a jab to the nose.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Maynard takes one on the chin but seems OK.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

KJ Aldo dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Aldo lands a slapping body shot.
Aldo shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Maynard eats them both and turns towards Aldo to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Aldo takes a kick to the side of the head.
Maynard shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Aldo as he avoids it easily.
Maynard tries to score a power double leg takedown but Aldo sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Maynard somewhat.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Aldo! But no joy.
Aldo has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Aldo wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maynard tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Aldo paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Maynard tries to score a power double leg takedown but Aldo sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Maynard somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dean Maynard. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aldo's jab looks to have found its range, popping Maynard under the eye.
Maynard tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Aldo swivels and escapes.

Maynard forces Aldo back against the cage and clinches.
Maynard taking a breather.
Stalling in the clinch from Maynard.
Aldo tries to pull guard but Maynard forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Aldo taking a breather.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Aldo as Maynard tries to tie him up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aldo is trying to force a seperation but Maynard has the dominant position.
We've been informed that Aldo has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
A frustrated look appears on Aldo's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Maynard struggles to land a body shot inside as Aldo controls his hands.
Maynard wants to take the fight to the mat but Aldo manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Aldo tries to break the clinch but Maynard is controlling the position.
Maynard misses with an elbow strike.
Maynard wants a takedown.

Maynard manages to break the clinch.
Dean Maynard is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Maynard shoots in and drives through. Aldo sprawls well.
Aldo connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Maynard has his takedown stuffed
letting Aldo counter with a right hand.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Maynard tries to keep at a distance but Aldo has taken the fight into the clinch.
Maynard tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Aldo smiles and moves away.
Aldo connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Aldo takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Aldo avoids a punch combination nicely.
A decent looking cross lands there for Aldo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maynard misses the shot to the body.
Maynard takes a jab right on the kisser.
Aldo throws a shot to the body.
Maynard doesn't manage to clinch there - Aldo circles away.
It seemed like Aldo was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Maynard throws a front kick aimed at Aldo's knee but Aldo avoids it well.
Nice body punch from Aldo.
Maynard fails to land the takedown.
KJ Aldo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Maynard takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Aldo misses with a two punch combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

KJ Aldo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Aldo jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Aldo scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Maynard tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Aldo counters with a series of strikes. Maynard will be more careful next time no doubt.
Maynard pulls out of a head kick attempt.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Aldo! But no joy.
Maynard looks for a takedown but Aldo sprawls well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aldo connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
A cross from Aldo lands.
Maynard looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Maynard closes this distance looking for a takedown but Aldo circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aldo dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Aldo moves into range and connects with a jab.
Maynard misses with a takedown attempt
and Aldo counters with a stiff right hand.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dean Maynard. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Aldo tries to bum rush Maynard with a series of wild strikes but Maynard uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Nice straight punches there by Aldo. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Aldo.

Maynard shoots in and gets a takedown into Aldo's guard.
Aldo wants to sweep but no luck.
Aldo not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Maynard won't allow Aldo to get back to his feet.
Aldo can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Maynard controls the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aldo looking to hit a scissor sweep but Maynard is one step ahead there.
Maynard trying to control the position from guard on top but Aldo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Maynard is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Aldo jabs at Maynard's body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Aldo keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aldo swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Maynard tries to counter by clinching up but Aldo breaks away and moves out of range.
Aldo lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Maynard throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Aldo's waist but Aldo gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Maynard off to one side.
Maynard with a lazy takedown attempt
and Aldo counters with a nice uppercut.
Maynard fails to land the takedown.
Aldo lunges at Maynard with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Maynard's hand.
Aldo lands an overhand right.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maynard fails to land the takedown.
Maynard takes one to the side of the head.
A shot to the liver by Aldo. Beautiful body shot.
A left lands for Aldo.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Maynard throws a head kick that half lands.
Aldo stalks Maynard and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Maynard's face. Maynard staggers backwards, shaken.

Maynard is rocked!

It looks like Dean Maynard has been cut.
Maynard wants to clinch.
Dean Maynard has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
KJ Aldo is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Oh Maynard is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Aldo stalks Maynard and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Maynard's face. Maynard staggers backwards, shaken.

And that's the end of the fight!
KJ Aldo comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Aldo 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 Andrew Berry scores the fight 27:30
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... KJ Aldo!
After winning the bout, KJ Aldo thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.