PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Stryder Maloney (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ika Pono (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Pono is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Hawaii '78/E Ala E. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Maloney
vs
Pono

180 cm
22
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

176 cm
18
166 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Stryder Maloney!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ika Pono!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice sprawl there from Pono as Maloney shoots in.

Maloney forces Pono back against the cage and clinches.
Pono missing with knees to the body.
Pono works on Maloney's body with a couple of short punches.
Maloney avoiding damage.
Pono lands with a right to the head.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Maloney.

Pono tightens his grip and picks Maloney up, before dumping him to the ground. Maloney manages to land in guard.
Pono wants to control from the top but Maloney keeps moving.

Maloney looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Pono trying to control but Maloney is working from the bottom.

Pono drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Pono jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Maloney is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pono trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Maloney pulls Pono in close to his closed guard and prevents Pono from doing any damage or advancing position.
Maloney wants to sweep but no luck.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Pono.
Pono moves in looking to clinch but Maloney pushes him off.
Pono moves in looking to clinch but Maloney pushes him off.
Maloney throws a nice looking combination but Pono bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Pono tries to clinch but Maloney is having none of it.
Pono tries for a takedown but Maloney circles away easily

and Maloney counters by clinching up.
Maloney goes for a takedown in the clinch but Pono prevents it.
Maloney tries a knee to the head but Pono blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pono wants to get back to striking at distance but Maloney won't allow it.
Pono dodges an elbow strike from Maloney.
Maloney leaning against his opponent.
Pono avoiding damage as Maloney throws knees to the body.
Pono stalling in the clinch but Maloney improves position.
Maloney managing to block the knees to the body from Pono.
Maloney is looking to control Pono's arms but Pono gets an underhook and turns him. Now Maloney has his back to the cage.
Maloney digs a right hand into Pono's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Pono's gas tank.
Pono has Maloney pushed against the cage.

Pono breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Pono fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Pono shoots in for a takedown but Maloney shows good takedown defense.
Stryder Maloney has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ika Pono.
Pono looks gassed!

Maloney moves into the clinch.
Pono leaning his opponent against the cage.
Maloney lands with a short head shot on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maloney fails to pull guard.
Maloney tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Pono just stands there and leans against the cage.
Pono throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Maloney blocks it with crossed arms.
Maloney avoiding damage as Pono throws knees to the body.
Pono misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Maloney.
Maloney gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Pono.

Maloney manages to break the clinch.

Maloney feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Pono is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Maloney drops back looking for a leg! Pono is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Pono manages to kick Maloney off! Maloney jumps back into Pono's guard.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Pono escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Maloney gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Pono is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Pono is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Pono striking off his back, scoring a few points.
Pono looking to hit a scissor sweep but Maloney is one step ahead there.
Pono is trying to control the position but Maloney postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Stryder Maloney will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Maloney just misses with a punch to the body.
Maloney tries to clinch there but Pono circles away.
Pono looks to clinch
and Maloney counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Maloney thows a body shot but no joy.
Stryder Maloney seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Maloney misses with a two punch combination.
Pono throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Maloney's waist but Maloney gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Pono off to one side.
Pono looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Pono does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Pono misses with a combination

and Maloney holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Pono is trying to maintain a safe position but Maloney gets an underhook and turns Pono into the cage.

Maloney has Pono pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Maloney pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Pono tumbling to the mat - Maloney dives into Pono's guard.
Pono working a defensive guard but Maloney passes into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pono is not content to let Maloney control the position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Pono tries to get to full guard but Maloney has control of the leg.

Pono looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Pono is looking for a sweep. Maloney is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Maloney scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Pono on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Pono fails in his attempt to clinch.
Maloney moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Maloney closes the distance and clinches.
Pono tries to break the clinch but Maloney is controlling the position.
Maloney lands a body shot in the clinch.
Maloney tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Pono just stands there and leans against the cage.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Maloney.

Pono breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Pono throws a head kick that misses.

Pono shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Maloney's guard.
Maloney keeping moving, preventing Pono from controlling successfully.
Pono stands and throws Maloney's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Pono is putting a hurting on Maloney here, landing some big shots from side control.
Pono works to advance to full mount. Maloney defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Pono postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Maloney looks a forlorn figure.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pono trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Pono wants to take his opponent's back but Maloney doesn't allow it.
Maloney sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Maloney wants to get back to full guard.
Pono seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Maloney does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Maloney is looking to improve his position.

Pono is looking for a kimura but Maloney is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Pono to get the leverage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Maloney trying to control from the bottom.
Maloney keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
The fighters are battling for position here. Maloney manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Pono throws and elbow that misses. Maloney uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Pono's guard. Nice move by Maloney!

Pono is working an open guard so Maloney takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Maloney wants to clinch.
Pono showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Maloney.
Pono connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stryder Maloney dominated that second round.
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. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Pono pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Pono throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Pono changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Maloney tries to avoid it but Pono manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Maloney to the ground. Maloney escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
A lazy left from Maloney finds it's target.
Pono wants to clinch up but Maloney keeps it at a distance.
Pono fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Maloney manages to avoid it.
Pono looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Maloney has managed to clinch.
Maloney misses with a knee to the head.
The is referee keeping an eye on Maloney - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Maloney can't get the takedown.
Maloney lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Pono using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Maloney has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Maloney successfully pulls guard.
Maloney looking to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Maloney uses the cage to get back to his feet.
A shot to de liver by Maloney. Beautiful body shot.
Pono gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Maloney counters with a good low kick that Pono was not able to check.
Stryder Maloney has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ika Pono.
Maloney rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Pono moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Maloney swings for the body but Pono moves out of range.
Pono is looking to clinch.
Pono throws a sloppy head kick

and Maloney counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Nice strikes from Maloney there.
Maloney tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Pono.

Pono pushes Maloney off and gets back to his feet.
Maloney is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pono throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Maloney throws a right and a left that both miss.
Maloney shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Pono but Pono pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Pono tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Pono has Maloney up against the cage in a clinch.
Maloney has a couple of punches blocked by Pono.
Pono is looking to break free of the clinch but Maloney has double underhooks.
Maloney stalling in the clinch.
Maloney managing to block the knees to the body from Pono.
Nice body punch from Maloney.
Pono has Maloney pushed against the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Pono has had enough of the clinch but Maloney keeps him there for the moment.

Maloney breaks from the clinch.

Pono clinches with his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maloney lands a body punch in the clinch.
Maloney scores with a knee to the head.
Maloney missing with knees to the body.
Pono wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Maloney has him pressed against the cage.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Maloney using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Maloney with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Pono is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Maloney landing knees to the head.
Maloney looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Pono with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Maloney tries to land a knee to the head but Pono blocks with his arms.
Pono wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Maloney can't get the takedown.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Pono prevents a takedown attempt there.
Maloney scores a nice knee to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maloney misses with a knee to the head.
Maloney blocks a body shot from Pono.
Maloney landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Maloney with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
A short right from Maloney.
Pono takes an elbow to the forehead.
Come on Maloney - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Pono tries to land a knee to the head but Maloney blocks with his arms.
Maloney lands a nice elbow.
Knees in the clinch landing for Maloney.
Maloney digs a right hand into Pono's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Pono's gas tank.
Pono using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Pono is looking to control Maloney's arms but Maloney gets an underhook and turns him. Now Pono has his back to the cage.

Pono breaks from the clinch.
Maloney fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Ika Pono has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Maloney closes the distance and clinches.
Knees to the body from Pono.

And that's the end of the fight!
Stryder Maloney showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Maloney 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 30:27
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Stryder Maloney!