PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between keka malu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Howlett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). James Howlett has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with keka malu's chin.

malu
vs
Howlett

219 cm
25
150 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

180 cm
22
144 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, keka malu!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, James Howlett!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Alan Glass and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
malu pulls out of a head kick attempt.
malu tries a head kick but it misses.
Howlett blocks a head kick by malu.
malu throws a right and a left that both miss.
Howlett changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
malu really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Howlett dodges the punch combination from malu.

Howlett has closed the distance and engaged malu in a clinch.

malu pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A punch combination from malu misses.
malu tries a head kick but it misses.
malu looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Howlett motions for malu to come forward. Howlett throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Howlett dives in and grabs malu's left leg, looking for a takedown. malu pushes down on Howlett's head and hops out.
Howlett fails with the takedown.
malu displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Howlett.
keka malu has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Howlett.
malu scores with a one two! Howlett had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick misses from malu.
malu is breathing heavily.
malu leaves Howlett with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Howlett is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Howlett blocks a head kick by malu.

Howlett closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
malu wants to get back to his feet.
Howlett lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Howlett lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
malu is trying to stand up here but Howlett is controlling him well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Howlett looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks malu with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Howlett sitting and controlling from the half guard.

Howlett decides to return to a standing position.
keka malu is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

malu gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Howlett to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Howlett prevents malu from getting back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Howlett is stalling in the full guard.
malu is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Howlett dives into side control.
Howlett trying to control the position but malu is working away.

Howlett tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Howlett has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's four 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.
Howlett trying to control the position but malu is working away.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
malu is not content to let Howlett control the position.

Howlett in side control, working for a kimura. He's got hold of an arm and he's torquing it... malu is tapping! That's the end of the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). James Howlett!
James Howlett is the new featherweight champion!