PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Michael Jefferson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zoey Malone (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Jefferson might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Gladys Knight - Midnight train to Georgia. Malone has chosen Boy Named Sue - Johnny Cash as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Michael Jefferson is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Jefferson
vs
Malone

195 cm
24
205 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

189 cm
25
218 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

Condemned

Fossington & Blythe: Gentlemen's Fight Attire

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Michael Jefferson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Zoey Malone!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Viktor Lagutenko and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Malone shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Malone tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Jefferson is able to avoid easily.
Malone is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Jefferson.

Jefferson shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Malone napping and manages to drive through into side control!
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Malone tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Jefferson wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Malone manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Malone is looking to improve his position.
Jefferson throwing shots but Malone is blocking nicely.
Malone really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Jefferson. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Jefferson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Malone is looking to control Jefferson's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Malone avoid being mounted?
Jefferson prevents Malone from improving his position.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Malone can do anything to dispel that myth.
Jefferson scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Jefferson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malone trying to control from the bottom.
Jefferson thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Jefferson passes into side control, despite Malone's attempt to control the position.
Jefferson lands a nice forearm strike.
Jefferson wants to control but Malone is keeping him busy.
Jefferson in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Jefferson working the head and body with strikes.
Jefferson looks up at the clock and then as Malone takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Jefferson smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Malone takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Malone gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Jefferson wants to take a breather but Malone is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jefferson slips a nice elbow through Malone's hands, connecting with Malone's forehead.
Jefferson with the ground and pound but Malone uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Jefferson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Malone works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Jefferson preventing the sweep.
Jefferson is looking to work some ground and pound but Malone has wrist control.
Jefferson throws a big elbow that misses.
Jefferson scoring with some ground and pound.
Jefferson throws a big elbow that misses.
Jefferson engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Jefferson wants to pass the guard but Malone is keeping the position.
Jefferson controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Jefferson makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jefferson postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Malone keeping moving, preventing Jefferson from controlling successfully.
Malone working a defensive guard here.

Jefferson avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Jefferson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Jefferson with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Jefferson is looking to work some ground and pound but Malone has wrist control.
Jefferson working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Malone's head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jefferson connects with a couple of short punches.
Jefferson stands up over Malone, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Malone is trying to keep Jefferson in close.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Jefferson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Jefferson throws a big elbow that misses.
Jefferson wants to control from the top but Malone keeps moving.
Malone avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Jefferson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Jefferson sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Malone's guard.
Jefferson is trying to control. Malone wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Jefferson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Jefferson dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Malone tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Jefferson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Malone misses with a right hand
and Jefferson counters with a stiff right hand.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Malone.
Some wild striking there from Jefferson.
Jefferson checks a leg kick.
Malone throws a nice inside leg kick.
Malone swings widly with a right hand
and Jefferson counters with a right hand to the body.
Jefferson checks a leg kick.
Nice sprawl there from Malone as Jefferson shoots in.
Malone fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Jefferson has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Malone throws a poor cross that misses
and Jefferson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jefferson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Malone as he avoids it easily.
Malone connects with a solid leg kick.
Malone defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Jefferson.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michael Jefferson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jefferson keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
A slow jab from Malone misses its intended target.
Malone throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Jefferson counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Zoey Malone seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Malone throws a lazy right hand but Jefferson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Malone defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Jefferson.
Malone tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Malone is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Nice takedown defense from Malone. No joy for Jefferson on that attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malone thows a left - swing and a miss!
Malone throws a hook but Jefferson blocks it.
Malone misses with a low kick.
Jefferson fails with a takedown attempt.
Malone tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Jefferson is able to avoid easily.
Malone throws a leg kick but Jefferson sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Jefferson paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Jefferson tries to close the distance and clinch but Malone swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jefferson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Malone as he jumps to the side.
Jefferson staying out of range there.
Jefferson uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Malone.
Malone throws a leg kick

and Jefferson counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Malone tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Jefferson lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Malone has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Jefferson has passed into side control.
Jefferson tries to advance to mount but can't.
Jefferson controls the position.
Jefferson is chipping away with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Malone manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Jefferson prevents Malone from improving his position.
Michael Jefferson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Jefferson scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Jefferson thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Jefferson scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Malone gets back to full guard.
Jefferson lands a couple of digs.
Jefferson postures up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Jefferson 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.
Jefferson postures up and lands a big shot to Malone's brow.
Malone is trying to control the position from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Michael Jefferson will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Jefferson shoots in but Malone avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Jefferson checks a leg kick.
Jefferson lands with an uppercut that bounces Malone off the cage and back into range.
Malone scores with a leg kick.
Nice uppercut there from Malone.
Malone takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Jefferson fails with a takedown attempt.
Jefferson shoots in looking for a takedown but Malone manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Jefferson's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michael Jefferson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jefferson will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Jefferson throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Malone stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Malone looks to score with a jab to the body but Jefferson is just out of range.
Jefferson blocks a leg kick.
Malone lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

Jefferson closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Malone quickly recovers to half guard.
Malone taking some punishment here, with Jefferson in his half guard.
Jefferson thows a huge punch but Malone dodges it nicely.
Malone avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Jefferson.
Malone is looking for a sweep. Jefferson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Jefferson is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jefferson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Malone defending well though.
Jefferson prevents Malone from improving his position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Jefferson is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Jefferson landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Malone is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Jefferson scores with a couple of nice shots.
Jefferson is trying to control. Malone wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Malone trying to control but Jefferson postures up.
Malone blocking the ground and pound attempt from Jefferson.
Malone wants to improve his position but Jefferson is controlling well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jefferson working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

Jefferson is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Malone defends it well.
Malone is trying to control but can't.
Jefferson winds up and cracks Malone with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Malone manages to get to full guard.
Jefferson is pushing down on Malone's leg trying to pass to half guard. Malone is fighting to maintain full guard but Jefferson has managed to sneak the leg through.
Malone has hold of Jefferson's hands but Jefferson slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Malone is looking for a sweep. Jefferson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jefferson is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Jefferson is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Jefferson thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Jefferson trying to control from half guard but Malone is working away.
Jefferson trying to pass the guard but Malone defending well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Malone wants to improve his position but Jefferson is controlling well.
Jefferson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Jefferson clearly takes that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Jefferson shoots in and gets a takedown into Malone's guard.
Malone keeping moving, preventing Jefferson from controlling successfully.
Jefferson lands a couple of elbows.
Jefferson trying to control the position from guard on top but Malone is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Jefferson scoring with punches to the head and body.
Malone tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Jefferson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Jefferson working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Malone's head.
Jefferson landing with the ground and pound.
Jefferson slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Malone is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Jefferson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Jefferson is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Malone looking for a sweep. Not yet Malone, not yet.
Malone can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Jefferson controls the pace.
Jefferson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Jefferson is working Malone over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Malone is on top in guard.
Malone throws a big right hand that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malone prevents Jefferson from getting back to his feet.
Jefferson keeping moving, preventing Malone from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Zoey Malone was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Malone tries to clinch up but Jefferson circles away and keeps his distance.
Zoey Malone is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jefferson shoots in looking for a takedown but Malone manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Jefferson's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Malone buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Malone connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Jefferson momentarily.
Jefferson throws a series of punches but Malone moves out of range.
Malone throws a leg kick but Jefferson sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Malone throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Jefferson misses the jab.
Malone throws the left hand but Jefferson avoids the punch easily.
Jefferson works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Malone throws out a leg kick but Jefferson moves out of range and Malone only half commits.
Malone pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Jefferson keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Malone.
Malone fails with an attempt to clinch.

Jefferson changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Malone looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Malone is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Jefferson off and has taken his back!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jefferson is trying to get back to his feet but Malone has full control of the position and if anything, Jefferson has just worked his way into a worse spot.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Malone tries to keep control of the position but Jefferson is staying busy.
Jefferson rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Jefferson had his way with Zoey Malone in that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Malone throws a solid leg kick but Jefferson takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Malone.
Malone misses with a straight right.
Malone throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Jefferson counters with a single leg into guard. Malone didn't expect that.
Jefferson postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Jefferson throwing strikes but missing.
Malone is trying to keep Jefferson in close.
Malone avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Jefferson cracks Malone with a solid left hand.
Jefferson throwing strikes from guard but Malone blocks nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jefferson trying to control but Malone is working from the bottom.
Jefferson connects with a couple of short punches.
Malone utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Jefferson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Malone working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Jefferson.
Jefferson content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Jefferson postures up and lands a big shot to Malone's brow.
Jefferson lands a couple of digs.
Malone is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Jefferson is looking to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malone content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Malone wants to free his trapped foot but Jefferson is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Malone is trying to control the action in half guard but Jefferson is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Malone stalling away here and it's allowed Jefferson to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jefferson wants to stand and escape but Malone is having none of it.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Malone trying to control the position from guard on top but Jefferson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Zoey Malone hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Jefferson checks a leg kick.
Zoey Malone has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jefferson bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Malone is looking to score with low kicks.
Malone misses with a shot to the body

and Jefferson counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Malone's guard now.
Michael Jefferson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Jefferson showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jefferson seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Malone for as long as he can get away with.
Malone tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Jefferson working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Malone's head.
Jefferson lands a couple of decent looking shots.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Jefferson lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Jefferson is working Malone over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Jefferson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Malone is keeping the position for now.

Malone throws his legs up looking for a submission but Jefferson uses it to pass to side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Michael Jefferson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Jefferson, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 50:46
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 50:45
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michael Jefferson!
Michael Jefferson retains his light heavyweight title!
After winning the bout, Michael Jefferson thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.