PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Martin Con (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kru Ka Mali (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mali is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by ALL! by Descendents. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Con
vs
Ka Mali

198 cm
25
175 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

194 cm
26
175 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Martin Con!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kru Ka Mali!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Cecil Peabody and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Con shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Con with a nice head shot there.

Con postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Mali is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Con, into his guard.

Con is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Mali is aware though and is defending well.

Mali got a little sloppy there for a moment and Con has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Mali has managed to get both his arms back between Con's legs - danger averted.
Con is looking to sweep but instead, Mali has passed into half guard.

Con is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Mali pulls his head out easily.
Con blocking the ground and pound attempt from Mali.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Con looking for submissions off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Con is breathing heavily.

Con is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Mali pulls his head out easily.
Mali wants to stand up but Con has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Con is refusing to be controlled, as Mali sits in half guard.

Mali stands up out of the half guard.
Martin Con seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Mali closes the distance and clinches.
Mali with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Mali escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Mali gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Mali landing knees to the head.

It looks like Martin Con has been cut.

Mali breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kru Ka Mali is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Mali moves into the clinch.
Mali is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Mali creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Con's defenses.
Mali landing knees to the head.
Con takes an elbow to the forehead.
A nice left hand lands by Mali.
Mali scores with a knee to the head.
Mali lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

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

Mali pushes Con up against the cage in a clinch.
Mali manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Mali scores with a knee to the head.
A short right from Mali.
Mali connects with a nasty looking knee right to Con's face.
Mali lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

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

Mali clinches up against the cage.
Mali lands a right hand that snaps the head of Con backwards.
Mali lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Con drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mali connects with a nasty looking knee right to Con's face.
Con takes a shot to the head.
Mali lands an elbow that stopped Con in his tracks for a moment.

Mali pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Mali gets a clinch.
A short left from Mali.
Con takes a shot to the head.
Mali lands an elbow inside that Con shrugs off.
Mali connects with a knee to the head.
Con takes a knee right on the jaw!
Mali gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Mali lands with a right to the head.
Mali lands a knee to the head.
A nice right hand lands inside from Mali.
Mali lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Mali gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

Mali breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Mali closes the distance and clinches.
Mali lands an elbow just above Con 's eye.
Con really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Mali breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Mali clinches up against the cage.
Mali gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Mali creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Con's defenses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A knee to the head by Mali.
Mali putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Con in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.

Mali pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Mali stuffs the takedown.

Mali has managed to clinch.
Mali lands a knee to the head.

Mali breaks from the clinch.
Con misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Martin Con. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Mali takes the fight into the clinch.
Mali scores with a knee to the head.

Mali escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Mali closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Mali scores with a knee to the head.
Mali with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Con drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Mali gets the underhooks and prevents it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Con is working for takedown but Mali is calmly controlling the position for now.

Mali pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Mali has taken the fight to the clinch.
Mali landing knees to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kru Ka Mali dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Martin Con's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Con looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Mali is fending him off so far but Con persists. Nope, Mali circles away and we're back to standing.

Mali moves into the clinch.
Mali is pressed up against the cage. Con has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Mali down to the mat. Mali avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Mali pushes Con up against the cage in a clinch.
Mali connects with a knee to the head.
Mali lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Mali lands a knee to the head.

Mali breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Mali closes the distance and clinches.
Mali with a knee to the head.
Mali slows down the pace here.

Mali breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Mali has managed to clinch.

Mali's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Mali moves into the clinch.
Mali lands an elbow inside.
Mali manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

Mali pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Mali takes the fight into the clinch.
Mali lands a knee to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mali comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Mali lands with a right to the head.
Mali misses with a knee to the head.
Mali using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Con drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Martin Con. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mali lands an elbow that stopped Con in his tracks for a moment.
A knee to the head by Mali.
Con takes an elbow to the forehead.
Con takes a knee right on the jaw!
Nice elbow from Mali.
Mali misses with a knee to the head.

Mali manages to break the clinch.
Mali is looking to clinch but Con is avoiding it.
Mali throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Mali stalks Con and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Con's face. Con staggers backwards, shaken.
Con shoots in and drives through. Mali sprawls well.

Con tries to keep at a distance but Mali has taken the fight into the clinch.
Mali with a knee to the head.
Con is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Mali gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mali makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
The referee calls for Mali to work.
Mali tries to land a knee to the head but Con blocks with his arms.
Mali tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Nice body punch from Mali.
Mali with a knee to the head.
Mali misses with a knee to the head.
Con takes an elbow to the temple.
Mali lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Con backwards.
Con drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Mali gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Con is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Mali pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Mali lands an elbow inside.
Mali with a knee to the head.
Mali working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Mali lands an elbow inside.

Mali escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Con fails with a takedown attempt.

Mali gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Mali lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Mali creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Con's defenses.
Mali lands on the inside with an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mali lands a damaging elbow.
Con goes for a takedown in the clinch but Mali prevents it.
Mali connects with a knee to the head.

Mali's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Mali clinches up with Con and pushes him back against the cage.
Mali throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Con blocks it with crossed arms.
Mali tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Con goes for a takedown in the clinch but Mali prevents it.
Con drops down looking for an ankle pick but Mali pulls his leg out and moves away.
Mali displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

Mali gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Come on Mali - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Mali lands a nice elbow.
Con tries to score a body lock takedown but Mali shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Mali softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Mali has Con pressed against the cage.
Mali with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Con goes for a takedown in the clinch but Mali prevents it.
Mali scores with a nice hook to the head.
Mali with a knee to the head.
Con changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Mali fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Con shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Mali sprawls well. Mali wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Con gets slowly back to his feet.

Mali closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Mali tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

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

Mali instigates a clinch.

Mali breaks from the clinch.
Con looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Mali fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Con, pushing him back against the cage.
Mali connects with a nasty looking knee right to Con's face.
Mali prevents the takedown attempt.

Mali pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kru Ka Mali showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Martin Con's cut.
That's time! Con's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Mali takes the fight into the clinch.
Mali lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Mali with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Mali holding his opponent close, against the cage.
The crowd are getting on Mali's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
Con changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Mali fights it off and pushes away nicely.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Kru Ka Mali seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Mali tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Mali pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Mali lands an elbow inside.
Con looking for a takedown.
Con being controlled against the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Mali pushes Con back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Mali creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Con is trying to drag Mali to the mat but Mali just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Martin Con. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A short uppercut from Mali.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mali scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Mali taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Mali tries to land a knee to the head but Con blocks with his arms.
Con is trying to drag Mali to the mat but Mali just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Con takes a shot to the head.
Mali lands a nice elbow.
Mali lands a nice elbow.

Mali escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Mali gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Mali lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Mali lands an elbow just above Con 's eye.
Mali landing knees to the head.
Con tries for a takedown but Mali manages to get underhooks.

Mali pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kru Ka Mali is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
No luck for Con with that takedown attempt.

Mali clinches with his opponent.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Mali misses with a knee strike.
Mali misses with a knee strike.
Martin Con has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mali landing knees to the head.
Mali tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Con is working for takedown but Mali is calmly controlling the position for now.
Mali lands an elbow that stopped Con in his tracks for a moment.
Mali looking to throw knees to the head but Con is blocking nicely.
Con looking for a takedown.

Mali breaks the clinch.
Con looks for a takedown but Mali sprawls well.
Mali throws a sloppy head kick and Con moves out of range easily.

Mali darts in and clinches Con up against the cage.
Mali lands a hook that snaps the head of Con backwards.
Mali tries to land a knee to the head but Con blocks with his arms.
Con can't get the takedown.
Mali lands a knee to the head.
Mali connects with a knee to the head.

Mali manages to break the clinch.

Mali instigates a clinch.
Mali lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Con drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Mali lands a shoulder strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mali scores with a knee to the head.
Mali lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
A short right from Mali.
Con takes an elbow to the temple.
Mali gets underhooks to prevent Con's takedown attempt.
Mali stops a takedown attempt from Con.
Mali lands an elbow inside.
Nice elbow from Mali.
Con is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Mali pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Con drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Mali leaning his opponent against the cage.
Still in the clinch, Mali scores with a nice short uppercut.
Con wants a takedown but no success here.
Mali with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Mali lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Mali is pressed up against the cage. Con has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Mali down to the mat. Mali avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Mali drives through and clinches with Con against the cage.
Mali stops a takedown attempt from Con.
Mali scores with a knee to the head.
Con tries for a takedown. No joy.
Mali with an attempt at a knee that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mali trying to land knees to the body.
Mali landing knees to the head.

Mali breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Con closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Con lands in his opponent's guard.
Con advances to half guard.
Kru Ka Mali is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Mali avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Con.
Mali blocking the ground and pound attempt from Con.
Con misses with a head shot. Mali uses the momentum to regain guard.
Mali utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kru Ka Mali comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Mali 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 George Francis scores the fight 26:30
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 26:30
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kru Ka Mali!