PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Malam Sambu (ranked 3697 p4p, 4211 weight class) and Marc Price (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Marc Price will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Sambu
vs
Price

169 cm
25
153
2 - 3 - 0

172 cm
25
156
1 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Malam Sambu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Marc Price!
The judges for this bout are Michael Johnstone, Daniel Franklin and Santiago Holmes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Price throws a nice outside leg kick.
Price misses with a head kick.

Price tries to sprawl but Sambu drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Sambu is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Sambu is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Sambu stops Price from getting back to his feet.
Sambu throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sambu missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Sambu prevents Price from standing back up.
Price tries to get to full guard but Sambu has control of the leg.

Price is defending against the submission attempts here by Sambu.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Well, if Sambu is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Sambu's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Sambu definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

Price has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Price tries to land knees in the clinch but Sambu avoids the damage to the body.
Price lands a good knee to the midsection. Sambu won't want to take too many of those.
Price avoids a wild elbow strike from Sambu.
Price putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Sambu in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Price is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Sambu is defending well for now.
Sambu blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Price tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Sambu stalling against the cage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Sambu misses with a punch to the body.
Price misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Sambu.
Sambu managing to block the knees to the body from Price.
Sambu throws an elbow but it misses.
Sambu effectively controlling the action here.
Knees to the body from Price.
Price has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Sambu seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Price can turn it around.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sambu is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Price pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Price missing with knees to the body.
Price missing with knees to the body.
Price prevents a takedown attempt there.
Price lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

It looks like Malam Sambu has been cut.

Price breaks the clinch.
Price tries to land a front kick but Sambu steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Sambu sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Sambu takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

Price darts in and clinches Sambu up against the cage.
Sambu tries for a takedown but Price manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Malam Sambu. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sambu takes an elbow to the forehead.

Price breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sambu blocks a head kick by Price.
Sambu attempts a counter takedown but Price avoids it well and moves away.
Price lets loose with a powerful body kick. Sambu will feel that in the morning.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sambu shoots in for a double leg but Price sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Sambu is breathing heavily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sambu tries to clinch up but Price circles away and keeps his distance.

Price has closed the distance and engaged Sambu in a clinch.
Price misses with a knee to the head.
Price is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Sambu blocks a body shot from Price.
Price is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

Price escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A chopping leg kick lands by Price.
Price lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Price throws a sloppy head kick and Sambu moves out of range easily.
As Price tries to get set, Sambu tries to push him back and clinch up but Price manages to avoid the attempt.
Price throws a sloppy head kick and Sambu moves out of range easily.
Price throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
A nice leg kick from Price, right into the meat of the thigh.

Price rushes Sambu and presses him up against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marc Price dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Malam Sambu's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Price pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Price throws a push kick but Sambu slaps the foot to one side.
Sambu seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Sambu blocks a head kick by Price.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Price enables Sambu to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Price manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Price looking for a sweep. Not yet Price, not yet.
Sambu trying to control the position from guard on top but Price is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sambu lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Sambu seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sambu preventing the sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sambu postures up.
Sambu working some strikes from top position.
Sambu pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Price is keeping the position for now.
Sambu is standing up over Price. Price looks to escape but Sambu dives into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Price is looking to reverse the position.

Price throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Price has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Sambu pushes Price up against the cage in a clinch.
Sambu goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Price avoids the elbow strike from Sambu, against the cage.
Price tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Sambu avoids it.
Price misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Sambu.
Marc Price seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Sambu has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Price is trying to keep an underhook but Sambu manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Price tries to get to full guard but Sambu has control of the leg.
Malam Sambu overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Price taking some punishment here, with Sambu in his half guard.
Price scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Sambu manages to mount him!
Sambu lands with some strikes.
Sambu scoring with strikes but Price is staying in there.
Sambu takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Price is trying to escape the mount.
Sambu looking to control and managing it successfully.
Price taking shots to the head.
Sambu controlling his opponent.
Sambu dominating with strikes here.
Sambu landing strikes from the mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Price tries to lock up and control but Sambu gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

Sambu goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Price turns into him and now he's in Sambu's guard.
Sambu pulls Price in to control the position.
Sambu looking for a sweep. Not yet Sambu, not yet.
Sambu lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Sambu scoring with some ground and pound.
Sambu cracks Price with a solid left hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Malam Sambu dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Malam Sambu's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Sambu misses with a double jab.
Price throws a nice head kick!
Sambu tries to clinch there but Price circles away.
Price misses with a kick to the body.
Sambu changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Price throws a head kick that half lands.

Sambu moves into range and clinches up with Price.
Price lands an elbow just above Sambu 's eye.
Price crunches a lovely knee into Sambu's ribcage.
Sambu avoiding damage as Price throws knees to the body.
Sambu managing to block the knees to the body from Price.
Price trying to land knees to the body.
Sambu misses with a hook to the ribs.
Sambu avoiding damage as Price throws knees to the body.
Sambu leaning against his opponent.
Sambu misses with some punches.

Sambu lands a takedown into guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sambu won't allow Price to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sambu throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Sambu trying to control but Price is working from the bottom.
Price trying to keep a closed guard but Sambu is proving a slippery customer.
Sambu content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Sambu engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Sambu trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Price misses with a low kick.
Price takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Some bone on bone action there as Sambu checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Price throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Price gets off balance looking for a body kick

and Sambu counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Price takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Price looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sambu is one step ahead there.
Sambu cracks Price with a solid left hand.
Sambu connects with a couple of short punches.
Sambu works over Price with some ground and pound from guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sambu postures up and lands a big shot to Price's brow.

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

Sambu lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Sambu scoring with punches to the head and body.
Sambu stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Price swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Sambu missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sambu sitting in guard here, content to control.
Price is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Sambu scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Price keeping moving, preventing Sambu from controlling successfully.
Sambu working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sambu accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Sambu cracks Price with a solid left hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Malam Sambu.
I think Sambu has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Michael Johnstone scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Malam Sambu!
During a confident post fight interview, Malam Sambu thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.