PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Armand Malone (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Khg Jbjj (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Malone
vs
Jbjj

166 cm
24
140 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

225 cm
23
135 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Armand Malone!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Khg Jbjj!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Roosa Järviläinen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jbjj throws a lazy head kick
and Malone counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Malone is defended easily by Jbjj.
Malone stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Malone wants it to stay on the feet.
Jbjj avoids a punch combination nicely.
Malone swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Jbjj shoots in and drives through. Malone sprawls well.
Jbjj shoots in but Malone avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Armand Malone has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Khg Jbjj.
Malone throws a series of punches but Jbjj avoids them all with ease.
Malone throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Malone's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Malone duly obliges.
Jbjj is trying hard to land a takedown here. Malone sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Jbjj shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Malone but Malone pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Malone avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malone tries a head kick but it misses.
Jbjj moves in looking to clinch but Malone pushes him off.
Malone misses with a wild combination.
Malone lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Jbjj backs up against the cage.
Jbjj is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Malone fails to land with a series of punches.
Jbjj avoids a punch combination nicely.
Malone fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Malone misses with a few strikes there.
Nice sprawl there from Malone as Jbjj shoots in.
A punch combination from Malone misses.
Malone is breathing heavily.
Malone throws a right and a left that both miss.
Jbjj fails to land the takedown.
Malone fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jbjj tries to clinch but Malone moves out of range.
Malone moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Malone swats away the attempt to clinch by Jbjj.
Malone throws a lazy right hand but Jbjj sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Jbjj throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Malone's waist but Malone gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Jbjj off to one side.

Jbjj closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Malone prevents the takedown attempt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Malone breaks from the clinch.

Malone closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Jbjj's guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Jbjj pulls Malone in close to prevent any damage.
Malone might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jbjj wants to sweep but no luck.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Khg Jbjj was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Malone changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Jbjj tries to avoid it but Malone manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Jbjj to the ground. Jbjj escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Jbjj shoots in for a takedown but Malone shows good takedown defense.
Malone misses with a wild combination.
A punch combination from Malone misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jbjj moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Malone shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Jbjj changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Malone tries to avoid it but Jbjj manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Malone to the ground. Malone escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Jbjj is trying hard to land a takedown here. Malone sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Malone throws a jab but it's blocked by Jbjj.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Jbjj.

Malone gets tackled into the cage by Jbjj. Jbjj maintains the clinch.

Jbjj breaks from the clinch.

Malone shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Jbjj manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Malone throws a big right hand that misses.
Malone stopping the sweep attempt from Jbjj.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Armand Malone dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Malone throws a series of punches but Jbjj moves out of range.
Jbjj will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Armand Malone seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Malone defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Jbjj.
Jbjj wants to clinch up but Malone keeps it at a distance.
Jbjj throws a head kick but Malone moves out of range.
Armand Malone is winning the standup battle so far.
Jbjj bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Malone moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Malone swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Malone swinging wildly here.
Jbjj displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Malone.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Malone scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Jbjj looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Malone throws a nice looking combination but Jbjj bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Jbjj closes the distance and clinches up with Malone, looking for a takedown. Jbjj pushes Malone against the cage but Malone circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Armand Malone has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Khg Jbjj.
Malone stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Malone wants it to stay on the feet.
Jbjj uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Malone.
Malone blocks a head kick by Jbjj.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Jbjj.
Malone tries to close the distance and clinch but Jbjj swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Malone tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Malone darts in looking for a takedown but Jbjj gets double underhooks and turns Malone into the cage.
Jbjj works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Malone stops a takedown attempt from Jbjj.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malone is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Jbjj gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Jbjj pulls Malone into guard.
Malone has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Jbjj avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Malone got a little sloppy there for a moment and Jbjj has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Malone has managed to get both his arms back between Jbjj's legs - danger averted.
Jbjj is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Jbjj escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Malone gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Malone throwing strikes from guard but Jbjj blocks nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jbjj has a closed guard, preventing Malone from standing up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Jbjj had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Malone defends it easily.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jbjj controls Malone momentarily but Malone frees himself.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Jbjj has his foot on Malone's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Malone works his way back into a safe position though.
Malone working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Malone postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Malone wants to stand but Jbjj is controlling his posture from full guard.

Jbjj pushes Malone off and gets back to his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
No joy there for Malone, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Khg Jbjj will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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. This is the final round!

Jbjj throws a sloppy head kick and Malone moves out of range easily.
Jbjj has a takedown stuffed.
Jbjj with a lazy takedown attempt
and Malone counters with a big head kick but Jbjj shrugs it off.
Malone misses with a few strikes there.
Jbjj tries to clinch but Malone moves out of range.
Jbjj stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Jbjj wants it to stay on the feet.
Malone tries a head kick but it misses.
Malone is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Jbjj's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Malone slaps away a takedown attempt from Jbjj, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Armand Malone has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Khg Jbjj.
Jbjj closes this distance looking for a takedown but Malone circles away.
Malone misses with a two punch combination.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Malone.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Malone misses with a series of wild punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malone misses with a double jab.
Jbjj fails with the takedown.
Malone throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Jbjj shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Malone as he jumps to the side.
Malone looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Armand Malone is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Jbjj moves into the clinch.
Malone is trying to push Jbjj away but Jbjj has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Jbjj breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Jbjj throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Malone instigates a clinch.

Malone's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malone throws a series of punches but Jbjj avoids them all with ease.
Malone scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Jbjj shoots in but Malone avoids the takedown attempt easily.
The fight stays on the outside here - Jbjj looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Sloppy strikes from Malone. Those never looked like landing.
Jbjj will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Jbjj lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Malone circles away quickly and effectively.
Malone with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Malone stuffs the takedown attempt from Jbjj. Jbjj gets slowly back to his feet.
Malone tries to clinch but Jbjj moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Malone gets caught napping as Jbjj dives in and scores a takedown. Malone manages to retain guard.
Jbjj trying to control the position from guard on top but Malone is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Jbjj prevents Malone from getting back to his feet.
Jbjj looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Khg Jbjj wasn't active enough on the ground.
Jbjj tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Malone defends well and Jbjj ends up having to push Malone into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Malone breaks from the clinch.
Malone throws a head kick that misses.
Jbjj shoots in but no luck this time.
Jbjj slips a jab and a cross from Malone.
Malone misses with a two punch combination.

Jbjj moves into range and clinches up with Malone.
Malone tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Jbjj jumps guard and drags Malone to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Khg Jbjj has got the better of the ground game so far.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Jbjj working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Malone doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Malone manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Malone stopping the sweep attempt from Jbjj.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Malone throwing strikes but missing.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Khg Jbjj.
I think Jbjj has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight for Khg Jbjj!
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight for Armand Malone!
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight for Armand Malone!

Armand Malone wins by split decision!
After the fight, Armand Malone was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.