PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Anthony Gemelli (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matthew Malians (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Matthew Malians has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Gemelli
vs
Malians

169 cm
22
163 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

173 cm
22
167 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Anthony Gemelli!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Matthew Malians!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, Russell Pearce and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gemelli shoots in but no luck this time.
Matthew Malians seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Malians avoids the body shot from Gemelli.
Gemelli swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Gemelli throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

Malians gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Malians had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Gemelli is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Malians Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Gemelli's back instead.

Gemelli preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Malians.
Gemelli trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.

Malians is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Malians looks gassed!
Gemelli rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.

Malians looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Gemelli is trying to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gemelli slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Malians is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Gemelli throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Gemelli looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Gemelli manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Gemelli lands a nice shot to the head.
Gemelli landing punches.
Gemelli landing strikes from the mount.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Gemelli cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Malians slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

Gemelli is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Malians is just riding it out for now. Gemelli eventually gives up the hold.
Gemelli prevents Malians from improving his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gemelli lands strikes from half guard.
Malians tries to get to full guard but Gemelli has control of the leg.

Malians is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Gemelli pulls his head out easily.
Gemelli takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Malians is pressing down on Gemelli's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Malians looking for a guillotine here but Gemelli defends easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Malians looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Malians has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Gemelli can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Malians escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Gemelli gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gemelli content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Gemelli slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Gemelli cracks Malians with a big right hand but Malians just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Gemelli controlling the position.
Gemelli trying to control the position but Malians is working away.
Gemelli looks up at the clock and then as Malians takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Gemelli smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Malians prevents Gemelli from moving into mount.
Gemelli lands a decent elbow from side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gemelli looks up at the clock and then as Malians takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Gemelli smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Malians is looking for a sweep.
Malians is not in a great position here, taking some shots.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Malians with a poor takedown
and Gemelli counters with a right hand to the body.

Malians gets a takedown into half guard.
Gemelli regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Malians wants to pass the guard but Gemelli is keeping the position.
Malians must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Gemelli is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Gemelli working over Malians with some ground and pound. Malians looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Nice strikes from Gemelli there.
Gemelli looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Malians on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Gemelli is tying to control. Malians wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Gemelli wants to work for an arm triangle but Malians is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Gemelli is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Gemelli seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Malians on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Malians gets back to full guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gemelli cracks Malians with a solid left hand.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Malians has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Gemelli can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Gemelli looking to pass the guard.
Gemelli keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Malians's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anthony Gemelli dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Gemelli misses with a takedown attempt - Malians sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Gemelli throws a big shot that misses.
Gemelli misses the jab.
Gemelli takes a swing at Malians's ribcage but misses.
Gemelli throws a body punch but Malians moves out of range.
Gemelli closes the distance and clinches up with Malians, looking for a takedown. Gemelli pushes Malians against the cage but Malians circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Gemelli misses with an uppercut.

Gemelli gets caught flat footed, as Malians shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Malians wants to pass the guard but Gemelli is keeping the position.
Malians pushing down on Gemelli's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Gemelli is defending against the submission attempts here by Malians.

Malians is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Gemelli striking from half guard on the bottom.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Malians trying to mount his opponent but Gemelli defends it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gemelli is in trouble now - Malians has advanced to mount!

Malians working for a guillotine from mount but Gemelli is in no mood to give up.
Malians avoids the attempt from Gemelli to control.

Malians is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Gemelli can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Gemelli has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Gemelli regains half guard.

Malians is looking for a kimura but Gemelli is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Malians to get the leverage.
Gemelli works his way to full guard. Good work.
Gemelli working a defensive guard here.
Gemelli can't keep his opponent in guard - Malians advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Malians is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Gemelli doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Malians.
Malians prevents Gemelli from improving his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malians blocks the strikes from Gemelli.
Gemelli manages to get to full guard.
Gemelli looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Gemelli controls Malians momentarily but Malians frees himself.
Gemelli manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Gemelli with shots to the head and body - Malians looks very uncomfortable down there.
Gemelli landing strikes, looking to finish!
Malians takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Malians really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Gemelli with a couple of short strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gemelli breaks from Malians's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Gemelli lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Malians hang on?
Malians is trying to escape the mount.
Gemelli lands a big shot there that rocks Malians but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Malians is in all sorts of trouble here.
Anthony Gemelli overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Gemelli landing strikes, looking to finish!
Malians is looking to improve his position but Gemelli isn't that keen on the idea.

Gemelli is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Malians has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Gemelli landing strikes, looking to finish!
Malians is trying to escape the mount.
Gemelli scoring with strikes but Malians is staying in there.
Malians is trying to escape the mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Malians regains half guard.
Gemelli wants to lay and pray for a moment but Malians keeps working.
Malians is looking for a sweep. Gemelli is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Gemelli is looking to advance position but Malians won't allow it.
Gemelli thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Malians's head.
Gemelli is looking to take a break and control but Malians is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Gemelli thows a huge punch but Malians dodges it nicely.
Malians works his way to full guard. Good work.
Gemelli postures up and lands a big shot to Malians's brow.
Gemelli content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Gemelli thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Gemelli forces his way into half guard.
Gemelli looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Malians with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Gemelli seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Malians does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anthony Gemelli dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Malians slips a jab from Gemelli.
Malians shoots and misses
and Gemelli makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Gemelli shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Malians has his takedown stuffed

and Gemelli counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Malians is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Malians looking for a sweep. Not yet Malians, not yet.
Gemelli content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Malians is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Malians throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Malians looking for a guillotine here but Gemelli defends easily.

Malians is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gemelli landing with the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gemelli trying to control the position from guard on top but Malians is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gemelli controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Gemelli looking to pass the guard.
Gemelli trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Gemelli working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Gemelli lands a couple of elbows.

Malians looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Malians throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Gemelli distracts Malians with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Gemelli chips away with some ground and pound.
Gemelli is working Malians over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Gemelli wants to control from the top but Malians keeps moving.

Malians is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gemelli cracks Malians with a solid left hand.
Gemelli advances position into side control!
Gemelli has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Malians!
Gemelli landing strikes from the mount and Malians is in trouble!
Gemelli in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Gemelli scoring with strikes but Malians is staying in there.
Malians bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Malians throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Malians postures up.
Malians won't allow Gemelli to sweep him here.

Malians drops back looking for a leg! Gemelli is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Gemelli manages to kick Malians off! Malians jumps back into Gemelli's guard.
Gemelli will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Gemelli lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Malians!
Malians is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gemelli with the ground and pound from mount.
Gemelli landing strikes from the mount and Malians is in trouble!
Gemelli looking to finish Malians with some ground and pound. This is bad for Malians!
Gemelli dominating with strikes here.
Gemelli punishing his opponent with strikes.
Malians is trying to escape the mount.
Gemelli postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Malians looks a forlorn figure.

Malians is rocked!
Gemelli landing strikes from the mount and Malians is in trouble!
Malians is still in real trouble! Can Gemelli finish him?
Gemelli raining down shots from the mount!
Malians can't escape the position.
Malians seems to have recovered his senses.
Gemelli punishing his opponent with strikes.
Gemelli pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Malians taking shots to the head.
Gemelli pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
A nice elbow there by Gemelli.
Gemelli scoring with strikes but Malians is staying in there.
Malians is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gemelli raining down shots from the mount!
Malians tries to reverse the position but Gemelli maintains control.
Malians blocking the ground and pound.
Malians is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Malians manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Matthew Malians has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gemelli is tying to control. Malians wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Malians is looking to improve his position.

Malians looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Malians slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Malians working for a triangle but Gemelli defends it easily.
Gemelli wants to control from the top but Malians keeps moving.

And that's the end of the fight!
Anthony Gemelli showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Gemelli has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Joseph Jones scores the fight 30:27
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 30:27
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Anthony Gemelli!