PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Nasir Malikai (ranked 1821 p4p, 2156 weight class) and Jovi Wolf (ranked 242 p4p, 275 weight class). Malikai's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Huka Blues. Wolf comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Shut em up kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Malikai
vs
Wolf

186 cm
19
170
4 - 1 - 0

179 cm
21
170
4 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Honest Apparel ($30 SPECIAL Hoodie!)

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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Nasir Malikai!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jovi Wolf!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Alec Ball and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Malikai scores with a three punch combo!
Wolf's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Wolf duly obliges.
Malikai throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Wolf swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Wolf throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Wolf scores with a hook to the body. Malikai takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Wolf gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Wolf has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Wolf fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Malikai looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Wolf loads up on a big right hand but Malikai slips the punch.
Nice defenses there by Malikai.
Malikai bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Wolf's head backwards.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Malikai blocks a jab.
Wolf tries to clinch up but Malikai circles away and keeps his distance.
A combination from Malikai does no damage.
Wolf feints the counter takedown.
Wolf swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Wolf dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Wolf misses with a hook. Malikai ducked under it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malikai looks to land a right hand but Wolf moved out of range.
Wolf throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
It looked like Malikai wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
A telegraphed right hand from Malikai misses the target.
A nice leg kick lands there from Malikai.
Malikai missing with a left hand there. Wolf was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Wolf feints and as Malikai raises his hands in defense, Wolf changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Malikai has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Malikai avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Wolf with a flurry of punches that miss.
Wolf postures up in Malikai's guard and throws a big left but Malikai blocks it.
Wolf showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Wolf accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Malikai knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Wolf on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wolf stays in close to Malikai's body and controls the position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Wolf misses with the combination.
Malikai takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Wolf swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Wolf showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Malikai.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malikai misses the jab.
Malikai throws a leg kick that is checked
and Wolf connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Wolf on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Wolf misses with a wild combination.
Wolf throws a leg kick that is checked
letting Malikai counter with a right hand.
Malikai throws a hook but Wolf avoids it easily.
Malikai swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Wolf is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

Wolf darts in and clinches Malikai up against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Malikai fails to land.
Malikai working aggressively here.
Malikai blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Malikai breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Malikai connects with a crisp jab.
Wolf looks to land a right hand but Malikai moved out of range.
Malikai swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Wolf misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A quick step to the side and Malikai tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Malikai misses with a body shot.
Malikai misses with a low kick as Wolf jumps back.
Malikai showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Wolf.
Wolf throws a shot to the body.
Nasir Malikai is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Malikai, as that shot connected.
Malikai feints a jab promting Wolf to slip. Malikai then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Wolf slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Malikai keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Wolf.
Malikai appears to be looking for a big counter.
Wolf showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Malikai.
A telegraphed right hand from Malikai misses the target.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jovi Wolf will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Wolf scores with a jab.
Wolf throws a lazy right hand but Malikai sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nasir Malikai is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Wolf throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Wolf is looking to clinch.
Wolf throws a hook but Malikai avoids it easily.
Malikai fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Nasir Malikai is winning the standup battle so far.
Wolf swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nice shot by Malikai.
Nasir Malikai seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Wolf lands a slapping body shot.
Malikai swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Wolf darts in trying to clinch
and Malikai counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Wolf loads up on a big right hand but Malikai slips the punch.
A big left from Malikai misses.

Wolf drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wolf with a flurry of punches that miss.
Wolf is pushing down on Malikai's leg trying to pass to half guard. Malikai is fighting to maintain full guard but Wolf has managed to sneak the leg through.
Wolf thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Malikai's head.
Wolf is controlling the pace.
Ground and pound from Wolf.
Wolf uses his free foot to push down on Malikai's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Malikai.
Wolf with a couple of short strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wolf lands a big elbow.
Wolf scores with a couple of good head shots there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Malikai taking shots to the head.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Wolf cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Wolf has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Wolf controlling the position easily from mount.
The referee warns Malikai that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malikai is wriggling around trying to escape.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Wolf with the ground and pound from mount.
Jovi Wolf has got the better of the ground game so far.
Wolf connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Wolf punishing his opponent with strikes.
Wolf misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Wolf can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Malikai is looking to escape.
Wolf content just to control the position here.
Wolf landing strikes from the mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee warns Malikai that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Wolf landing punches.
Wolf working Malikai over with strikes here.
Wolf tries to control but Malikai wriggling away.
Wolf fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Wolf thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Wolf content just to control the position here.
A nice elbow there by Wolf.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jovi Wolf showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

No joy there for Malikai, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Wolf darts in and clinches Malikai up against the cage.
Wolf goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Wolf misses with the head strike.
Wolf lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Malikai backwards.
A head punch on the inside from Malikai fails to land.
Malikai lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Wolf tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Malikai's elbow.
Wolf tries to work over Malikai's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Malikai is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Malikai swings away with an uppercut that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Malikai working aggressively here.
Wolf fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Malikai lands a left hand that snaps the head of Wolf backwards.
Malikai doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malikai lands with a right to the head.
A short uppercut from Wolf.
Wolf can't find room to land a body shot as Malikai controls the action.
Wolf tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Wolf tries to work over Malikai's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A head punch on the inside from Malikai fails to land.
Malikai swings wildly with an uppercut but Wolf uses good head movement to avoid it.
Malikai tries to break the clinch but Wolf is controlling the position.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Malikai.
Malikai blocking some punches.
Wolf tries a body shot but Malikai blocks it.
Wolf misses with some punches.
Nasir Malikai has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wolf working aggressively here.
Malikai swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Wolf misses with a body punch.
Malikai misses with a hook from the clinch.
Wolf gets through Malikai's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A left hand lands to the body for Wolf.
Malikai blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Malikai blocking some punches.
Wolf goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Wolf tries to throw a body punch but Malikai avoids it by throwing Wolf back against the cage.
Malikai lands a left hand.
Wolf doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Wolf misses with the head strike.
Jovi Wolf is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malikai scores with a shot to the side of Wolf's head.
Malikai can't find room to land a body shot as Wolf controls the action.
Malikai blocking some punches.
Jovi Wolf seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Wolf lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Malikai misses with a punch on the inside.
Wolf blocks an uppercut.
Wolf fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Malikai blocks an uppercut.
Malikai lands a nice uppercut.
Malikai tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A head punch on the inside from Malikai fails to land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Malikai misses with the head strike.
Malikai tries to break free but Wolf pushes him back against the cage.
Malikai doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Malikai throws a punch but it's blocked by Wolf.
Wolf swings wildly with an uppercut but Malikai uses good head movement to avoid it.
Malikai blocks an uppercut.
Wolf tries to throw a body punch but Malikai avoids it by throwing Wolf back against the cage.
Malikai blocks a punch to the side of the head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Malikai throws a head punch that misses.
A shot in the inside from Malikai.
Malikai misses with a punch on the inside.

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 Nasir Malikai.
I think Wolf has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Trevor Gratis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jovi Wolf!
A relieved looking Jovi Wolf thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.