PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sam Malik (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexander Kuriliv (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Malik
vs
Kuriliv

195 cm
20
255 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

188 cm
23
245 lbs
3 - 3 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Sam Malik!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Alexander Kuriliv!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Taro Takaoka and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Malik misses with a wild combination.
Malik will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Malik swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kuriliv swings for the body but Malik moves out of range.
A nice combination there by Malik.

It looks like Alexander Kuriliv has been cut.
Kuriliv is looking to clinch but Malik is avoiding it.
Kuriliv tries to clinch up.
Kuriliv looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Malik looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Malik throws a series of punches but Kuriliv moves out of range.
Kuriliv wants to clinch up but Malik keeps it at a distance.
Kuriliv shoots in but no luck this time.
Malik looks to land a combination but Kuriliv avoids it well.
Malik lands a jab-cross combination.
Kuriliv takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Malik misses with a wild combination.
Kuriliv tries a head kick but it misses.
No joy there for Malik, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuriliv tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Malik paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kuriliv throws a head kick that misses.
Malik scores with a three punch combo!
Kuriliv wants to clinch up but Malik keeps it at a distance.
Malik throws out a leg kick but Kuriliv moves out of range and Malik only half commits.
Kuriliv just misses with a punch to the body.

Malik instigates a clinch.
Malik wants to break free but Kuriliv has control.
Kuriliv keeps control of Malik as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Malik tries to break the clinch but Kuriliv is controlling the position.

Malik breaks from the clinch.
A head kick misses from Kuriliv.
Kuriliv tries to clinch up.
Malik throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
A punch combination from Malik misses.
Malik will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Malik misses with a two punch combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuriliv misses with a straight right.
Malik lands a two punch combo.
Malik thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kuriliv fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Kuriliv throws a body kick that misses.
Kuriliv looks gassed!
Malik swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Kuriliv counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Malik misses with a double jab
and Kuriliv counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Malik throws a left and a right that both miss
and Kuriliv counters with a left and a right that stings Malik.
Kuriliv is looking to clinch.
Kuriliv throws a sloppy head kick and Malik moves out of range easily.
Kuriliv misses with a takedown attempt - Malik sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Malik swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Kuriliv counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Kuriliv.
Malik is trying to break free.
Malik tries to break the clinch but Kuriliv is controlling the position.
Kuriliv looking for a takedown.
Sam Malik has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexander Kuriliv.
Malik wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malik wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Malik wants to get back to striking at distance but Kuriliv won't allow it.

Malik pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kuriliv showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Malik.
Kuriliv moves in looking to clinch but Malik pushes him off.
Malik tests Kuriliv's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Malik wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Malik fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Sam Malik is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Malik tries to clinch up.
Malik throws a combination. Kuriliv tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

That has opened up Alexander Kuriliv's cut even more.
Malik swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Malik jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Malik lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Some wild striking there from Malik.
Malik is working the combinations to good effect here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Malik misses with a double jab

and Kuriliv counters with a single leg into guard. Malik didn't expect that.
Kuriliv loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Malik wriggles free and stands up.
Malik changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

Kuriliv moves into the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Malik's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Malik lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Malik attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Kuriliv gets cracked there but stands up to it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Malik digs a good hook to Kuriliv's body.
Malik throws out a powerful jab.
Malik swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Kuriliv counters with a shoot takedown. Malik fights it but they end up in guard.
Malik wants to stand and escape but Kuriliv is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sam Malik dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Alexander Kuriliv's cut.
That's time! Malik's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Kuriliv shoots in and bounces Malik off the ropes to secure the takedown into guard.
Malik is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Malik manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Malik throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kuriliv avoids a punch combination nicely.
Sam Malik is winning the standup battle so far.
Malik wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Malik fails to land with a series of punches.
Malik throws a series of punches but Kuriliv avoids them all with ease.
Malik misses with a wild combination.
Kuriliv throws a chopping leg kick but Malik manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kuriliv is looking to land body kicks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malik misses with a wild combination.
Malik blocks a head kick by Kuriliv.
Malik tries to bum rush Kuriliv with a series of wild strikes but Kuriliv uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Malik fails to land with a series of punches.
Malik scores with a nice right hand.
Kuriliv tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kuriliv needs to keep his hands up - Malik had a free shot at his head there.
Malik swinging wilding here.
Sam Malik seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Malik throws a one two combo.
Malik tries to bum rush Kuriliv with a series of wild strikes but Kuriliv uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Malik throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Kuriliv holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Malik tries to break the clinch but Kuriliv is controlling the position.
Malik wants to get back to striking at distance but Kuriliv won't allow it.

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.
Malik can't break the clinch.
Malik is trying to break the clinch but Kuriliv has him pressed against the ropes.

Kuriliv has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Malik regains guard immediately.
Kuriliv in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kuriliv accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kuriliv postures up in Malik's guard and throws a big left but Malik blocks it.
Malik wants to stand and escape but Kuriliv is having none of it.
Kuriliv in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Malik is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Kuriliv is controlling him.
Kuriliv lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Malik trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Malik lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Kuriliv takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Malik's corner calls for a 1-2. Malik obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malik throws a combination that misses

so Kuriliv counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Kuriliv won't allow Malik to get back to his feet.
Kuriliv scoring with some ground and pound.
Malik wants to stand up but Kuriliv is controlling him.
Alexander Kuriliv has got the better of the ground game so far.
Malik avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kuriliv throws a strike but Malik rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Malik wants to get up but he can't break Kuriliv's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Malik decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Kuriliv, up you get!
Malik misses with a double jab

and Kuriliv counters by moving into the clinch.
Kuriliv is trying to drag Malik to the mat but Malik just about manages to keep his footing. He used the ropes to his advantage there.
Malik wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Malik escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Left hook, right uppercut from Malik.
Sam Malik is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kuriliv dodges the punch combination from Malik.
Kuriliv fails with an attempt to clinch.
Malik misses with a double jab

so Kuriliv counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Malik is looking to stand up but Kuriliv isn't so interested in that idea.
Malik trying to strike off his back.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Malik wants to stand but Kuriliv is controlling the position.

Malik is edging up against the ropes. He's using the ropes to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Malik has had enough of the clinch but Kuriliv keeps him there for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Kuriliv showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Alexander Kuriliv's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Malik goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

Kuriliv drives through and clinches with Malik against the ropes.
Malik wants to get back to striking at distance but Kuriliv won't allow it.
Kuriliv prevents Malik from breaking the clinch.
Malik tries to break the clinch but Kuriliv is controlling the position.
Malik is looking to break free of the clinch but Kuriliv has double underhooks.
Kuriliv changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Malik fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Malik tests Kuriliv's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kuriliv tries to close the distance and clinch up but Malik swats him away and circles back towards the center.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Malik fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Malik misses with a hook.
Malik throws a head kick that half lands.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Malik closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Kuriliv dodges the punch combination from Malik.

Kuriliv closes the distance and pushes Malik back into the ropes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuriliv wants to break the clinch but can't.
Malik wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kuriliv has him pressed against the ropes.
Malik wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kuriliv has him pressed against the ropes.
Kuriliv is trying to drag Malik to the mat but Malik just about manages to keep his footing. He used the ropes to his advantage there.
Malik wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Malik pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Malik throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Malik lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kuriliv circles away quickly and effectively.
Malik throws a right hand that Kuriliv ducks under and follows up with a left that Kuriliv also avoids with ease.
Malik throws a combination that misses
and Kuriliv counters with a three punch combo that has Malik backing up. Malik nods at Kuriliv to acknowledge the strikes.
Malik misses with a wild combination.
Malik rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kuriliv moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Malik misses with a two punch combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
No joy there for Malik, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Malik wants to clinch.
Kuriliv drops his hands momentarily and Malik takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Malik misses with a hook. Kuriliv ducked under it nicely.
Some wild striking there from Malik.
Malik moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Kuriliv tries to clinch there but Malik circles away.
Malik misses with a two punch combination.

Kuriliv closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Kuriliv lands in his opponent's guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Kuriliv's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malik wants to stand up but Kuriliv is controlling him.

Malik pushes Kuriliv off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Kuriliv tries to clinch up but Malik circles away and keeps his distance.
Malik lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Malik lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Malik throws a series of punches but Kuriliv moves out of range.

Kuriliv closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Kuriliv lands a decent elbow from side control.
Kuriliv tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Malik wants to get back to his feet but Kuriliv drags him back down.
Kuriliv looks up at the clock and then as Malik takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Kuriliv smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Malik wants to get back to his feet but Kuriliv drags him back down.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuriliv in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Malik throws a series of punches but Kuriliv avoids them all with ease.
Malik will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Malik swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Malik misses with a body kick.
Kuriliv takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Some wild striking there from Malik.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kuriliv looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Malik lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kuriliv circles away quickly and effectively.
Kuriliv is looking to clinch.
Malik circles away from the clinch attempt.

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 Sam Malik.
I think Malik 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 Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 28:29
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Sam Malik!