PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Malvin Maldi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Danny Tatum (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Maldi comes to the cage accompanied by Loituma TECHNO!. I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Maldi
vs
Tatum

170 cm
35
161 lbs
43 - 22 - 3

165 cm
35
148 lbs
26 - 14 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Red Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

KAISER
Merciless Gladiators

Ultra Fight Gear
Merciless Gladiators

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 43 - 22 - 3, fighting out of Helsinki, Malvin Maldi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 14 - 0, fighting out of London, Danny Tatum!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tatum throws a body punch but Maldi moves out of range.
Tatum throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tatum misses the shot to the body.
Maldi looks to land a left hand but Tatum moved out of range nicely.
Tatum scores with a hook.
Maldi throws a head kick but Tatum moves out of range.
Malvin Maldi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Maldi misses with a looping left.
Tatum misses with a hook.
Maldi misses with a left hand

and Tatum counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Maldi's guard now.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Maldi looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Tatum is fighting to break Maldi's control of his arms but Maldi is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Maldi working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Tatum.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Maldi wants to sweep but no luck.
Tatum trying to control but Maldi is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tatum wants to pass the guard but Maldi is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maldi avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Tatum scoring with punches to the head and body.
Maldi wants to sweep but no luck.

Maldi is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Tatum has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Tatum content to stall in guard here.
Maldi preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Maldi keeping moving, preventing Tatum from controlling successfully.
Maldi wants to sweep but no luck.
Maldi trying to control the position here.
Tatum in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maldi working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Tatum.

Tatum drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Maldi manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Tatum has Maldi in his guard.
Maldi throws a big elbow that misses.

Tatum is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Maldi trying to control the position from guard on top but Tatum is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Tatum escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Maldi gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Maldi postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Maldi avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Maldi accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Tatum keeping full guard, as Maldi tries to pass.
Maldi throws a strike but Tatum rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Tatum is fighting to break Maldi's control of his arms but Maldi is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Maldi is trying to control the position but Tatum postures up.
Tatum landing some decent shots from guard.
Maldi wants to sweep here but Tatum controlling him for the moment.
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.
Maldi keeping moving, preventing Tatum from controlling successfully.
Tatum postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Tatum slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Maldi is looking to regain half guard here but Tatum keeps moving and retains side control.
Maldi is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Tatum's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tatum thows a huge punch but Maldi dodges it nicely.
Maldi is concentrating on defense, preventing Tatum from advancing position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tatum missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Tatum tries to pass the half guard into mount. Maldi knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Maldi wants to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Danny Tatum dominated that round.
That's time! Maldi's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

A slow jab from Maldi misses its intended target.

Maldi moves into range and clinches up with Tatum.
A short body shot lands from Tatum as the two fighters clinch.
Maldi tries to throw a body punch but Tatum avoids it by throwing Maldi back against the cage.
Maldi working aggressively here.
Tatum blocks a body shot from Maldi.
Maldi misses with a punch on the inside.
Maldi throws a punch but it's blocked by Tatum.
Maldi fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A shot in the inside from Maldi.
Maldi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Maldi misses with the head strike.
Maldi is struggling to control the position.
Maldi throws a head punch that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maldi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Maldi lands a nice uppercut.
Tatum lands a body punch in the clinch.
A right hand to the body from Maldi.
Maldi throws a head punch that misses.
Maldi is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Maldi lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Maldi misses with a punch to the body.
Maldi stalling in the clinch but Tatum improves position.
Tatum tries for a takedown but Maldi manages to get underhooks.
Maldi swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maldi is leaning against Tatum and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Maldi misses with some punches.
Maldi prevents a body shot from Tatum.
Maldi cracks Tatum with a nice body shot.
Maldi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Maldi blocking some punches.
Tatum is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Maldi is defending well.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tatum stalling against the cage.
Maldi misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Maldi misses with a punch to the body.
Tatum misses with a punch to the body.
Maldi misses with a punch on the inside.
Maldi holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Maldi working aggressively here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tatum lands a left hand that snaps the head of Maldi backwards.
Tatum tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Malvin Maldi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Danny Tatum.
Maldi is leaning against Tatum and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Nice body punch from Maldi.
Maldi doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Maldi misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Good body shot from Maldi.
Maldi misses with a punch to the body.

Tatum ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Tatum no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Danny Tatum has got the better of the ground game so far.
Maldi trying to control the position from guard on top but Tatum is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tatum scores with a nice shot.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maldi trying to control but Tatum is working from the bottom.

Tatum looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Tatum has his foot on Maldi's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Maldi works his way back into a safe position though.

Tatum is working for submissions here. He's thrown up his legs looking for a triangle but Maldi frees his head nicely. Oh but Tatum has switched to an armbar! Maldi is tapping furiously! Lovely submission there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:47 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Armbar). Danny Tatum!
An out of breath and clearly excited Danny Tatum thanked Ultra Fight Gear for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).