Round 1 Tainafi Ioane circles Mateo Maldonado, mixing jabs and leg kicks. Maldonado throws a flurry connecting with the final punch. Ioane is rocked and stumbles to the ground but quickly shakes it off. Tainafi Ioane connects with a sweeping kick at the leg of Mateo. Tainafi connects with 1-2 jab hook combo and quickly steps away. Ioane blocks a tight hook from Maldonado and counters with a shovel punch and cross that has Maldonado stumbling backwards. Ioane stalks him across the canvas. Ioane parries Mateos jab and lands a hook. Tainafi shoots but Mateo stuffs it, eventually using a whizzer to work to side control.Round 1 comes to a close.
Round 2 Tainafi Ioane connects with a hard jab as Mateo attempts a wide outside hook. Both fighters trade glancing shots continuing to find their respective range. Mateo Maldonado connects with a hard punch making Tainafi bring him in to a tight clinch. Tainafi Ioane attempts a takedown from the clinch, but Maldonado pulls a switch on him, ultimately leading to both fighters on their feet. Maldonado stuffs a shot from Tainafi Ioane and hits him with an outside body shot. Tainafi Ioane gives up on the takedown and pulls guard. Mateo sits up in Ioanes open guard and spins to an leg lock. Tainafi Ioane is able to gator-roll out of it and make it to standing. Mateo Maldonado narrowly dodges a cross from Ioane, but falls catching him in his guard. Tainafi Ioane attempts to spin to a kneebar but Maldonado is ready for it. He twists out and scramble to side control. Mateo Maldonado lands a few stiff elbows from side control. Tainafi Ioane sneaks a leg back under the body of Maldonado to achieve a defensive half guard. The bell signals the end of round 2.
Round 3 Mateo Maldonado hits a hard jab but misses with the follow up straight. Mateo narrowly dodges a cross from Tainafi, but falls catching him in his guard. Mateo dodges some ground strikes from Tainafi Ioane, and sends a few back of his own. Ioane attempts to drop bombs while caught in the guard, but Mateo takes the chance to switch Ioane over to mount him. Mateo Maldonado punishes Tainafi Ioane with a series of strikes from the mount. Ioane attempts to escape mount but has no luck. Round 3 comes to a close.
Round 4 Ioane is caught square on the jaw putting him to the canvas, Mateo Maldonado prepares to pounce, but Ioane gets his bearings just in time. Mateo Maldonado stands over Ioane, works his way through his open guard and lands some solid standing punches. Ioane is able to grab an arm and pull Mateo Maldonado into his guard. Tainafi is pummeled by some well timed bombs from Maldonado. Maldonado takes advantage of a mental laps from Tainafi Ioane and moves into full mount. Tainafi attempts to escape mount but has no luck. Tainafi gives his back up trying to escape the mount. Ioane eats a few stiff shots from Maldonado, and rolls giving mount to stop the ref from ending the fight. Mateo Maldonado begins to lose position so switches back to side control. The bell signals the end of round 4.
Round 5 Maldonado catches a leg kick and fires a hard punch to the head dropping Ioane. Mateo Maldonado attempts to drop a fist on Tainafi Ioane, but misses and lands in his guard. Maldonado takes advantage of a mental laps from Tainafi Ioane and moves into full mount. Ioane gives his back up trying to escape the mount. Maldonado peppers shot to the head of Ioane looking for an opening to apply a rear naked choke but Ioane is hand playing well. Giving up his back, Ioane panics and gives up mount instead. The bell signals the end of round 5.
