PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between bj Ferguson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Will Malkowsky (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). bj Ferguson had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Ferguson
vs
Malkowsky

164 cm
29
135 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

168 cm
24
136 lbs
5 - 8 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, bj Ferguson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Will Malkowsky!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ferguson is looking to clinch but Malkowsky is avoiding it.

Ferguson shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Ferguson controlling the position easily from mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Malkowsky wants to control but Ferguson is having none of it.
Ferguson controlling the position easily from mount.
Ferguson lands a big elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malkowsky is working to get back to half guard.
Ferguson controlling the pace for now.
Malkowsky in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Malkowsky tries to reverse the position but Ferguson maintains control.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Ferguson cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Ferguson tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Malkowsky really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Ferguson putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malkowsky really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Ferguson looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Ferguson is standing up, even though he is in mount.

Malkowsky darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Ferguson is refusing to be controlled, as Malkowsky sits in half guard.

Malkowsky is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Ferguson doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Malkowsky.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Ferguson manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Ferguson wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Ferguson trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Ferguson trying to control the position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ferguson is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Malkowsky defends well.
Ferguson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Malkowsky is one step ahead there.
Malkowsky trying to control but Ferguson is working from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ferguson controlling Malkowsky's posture.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

bj Ferguson dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Ferguson shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Malkowsky is looking to improve his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Malkowsky trying to control here.
Malkowsky wants to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ferguson not doing much here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of bj Ferguson.
Ferguson looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Ferguson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Malkowsky.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Ferguson is defended easily by Malkowsky.
Ferguson avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malkowsky fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Ferguson tries to close the distance and clinch but Malkowsky swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Ferguson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ferguson scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Ferguson tries a head kick but it misses.
Malkowsky tries to clinch but Ferguson moves out of range.
Malkowsky fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ferguson manages to avoid it.
Ferguson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Malkowsky is fending him off so far but Ferguson persists. Nope, Malkowsky circles away and we're back to standing.
Malkowsky wants to clinch.
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!
Malkowsky displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Ferguson.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for bj Ferguson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Ferguson.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Malkowsky changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Ferguson tries to avoid it but Malkowsky manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Ferguson to the ground. Ferguson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Malkowsky walks into a straight right hand from Ferguson.

Ferguson dives in and scores a takedown into Malkowsky's guard.
Malkowsky is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Malkowsky looking for a guillotine here but Ferguson defends easily.
Malkowsky looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson is pushing down on Malkowsky's leg trying to pass to half guard. Malkowsky is fighting to maintain full guard but Ferguson has managed to sneak the leg through.
Ferguson lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Ferguson stands up and beckons Malkowsky to join him on the feet.
Malkowsky lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ferguson circles away quickly and effectively.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Malkowsky closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
bj Ferguson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Ferguson pushes Malkowsky off and gets back to his feet.
Ferguson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Malkowsky defends it nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

bj Ferguson dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Ferguson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Malkowsky sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Ferguson somewhat.
Malkowsky throws a leg kick but Ferguson checks it.

Malkowsky gets tackled into the cage by Ferguson. Ferguson maintains the clinch.

Ferguson jumps into guard, dragging Malkowsky to the mat.
Malkowsky trying to control the position from guard on top but Ferguson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Ferguson is looking for a triangle but Malkowsky pushes his legs off easily.
Malkowsky trying to control the position from guard on top but Ferguson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ferguson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Malkowsky.
Ferguson wants to stand up but Malkowsky is controlling him.
Malkowsky stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ferguson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Ferguson wants to sweep but no luck.
Malkowsky pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ferguson is keeping the position for now.
Ferguson wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Malkowsky trying to control but Ferguson is working from the bottom.

Will Malkowsky has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Malkowsky decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ferguson makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Ferguson.

Ferguson is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Malkowsky defends well.

Ferguson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Ferguson wants to sweep here but Malkowsky controlling him for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson controlling the position.
Malkowsky passes Ferguson's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Ferguson looking for submissions off his back.
Malkowsky wants to take a breather but Ferguson is having none of it.
Malkowsky stalling.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Malkowsky wants to take a breather but Ferguson is having none of it.
Malkowsky passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Ferguson!
Malkowsky trying to control but Ferguson is having none of it.
Malkowsky avoids the attempt from Ferguson to control.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Will Malkowsky.
Well Ferguson 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... bj Ferguson!
bj Ferguson looked relieved post fight as he said the following; 'Im now (8-3) in my pro career. Im very blessed to be where I am. I will be the XFC Bantamweight Champion! I want the title!'.