PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Evgeniy Malkin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Apollo Jackson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jackson has chosen LIVING IN AMERICA BY JAMES BROWN as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Malkin
vs
Jackson

191 cm
26
210 lbs
17 - 6 - 1

179 cm
27
217 lbs
17 - 3 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Milwaukee's Best Nutrition

Bloodlust Horde Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Evgeniy Malkin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Apollo Jackson!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Don Winkell and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Malkin feints and then cracks Jackson's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Jackson down.
Malkin misses the shot to the body.
Malkin wants to slow Jackson down by chopping away at his legs.
Malkin has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Gym Beam in the buildup to the fight.
Malkin moves out of range of the body kick from Jackson.
Jackson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Malkin manages to avoid it.
Malkin connects with the punch.
Malkin throws the left hand but Jackson avoids the punch easily.
Malkin fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Jackson has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Jackson misses with a series of wild punches.
Jackson avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Jackson thows a left - swing and a miss!
Malkin lands a head shot.
Malkin takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Jackson throws a body kick that misses

and Malkin decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Jackson's guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Malkin wants to control from the top but Jackson keeps moving.
Malkin stopping the sweep attempt from Jackson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson pulls Malkin in close to his closed guard and prevents Malkin from doing any damage or advancing position.
Jackson keeping moving, preventing Malkin from controlling successfully.
Malkin looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Evgeniy Malkin wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Malkin with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A nice combination there by Jackson.
Jackson fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Malkin checks it well.
Malkin just misses with a punch to the body.
Jackson walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Jackson takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Jackson throws a leg kick but Malkin sees it coming and moves out of range.
Malkin throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Malkin scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Jackson has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Malkin moves away from the strike by Jackson.
Malkin lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Malkin throws a nice head kick!
Jackson throws a shot to the body.
Malkin dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Malkin tries a head kick but it misses.
Jackson misses with a hook.
Jackson cracks Malkin with a right hand to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malkin stuns Jackson with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Jackson throws the kick towards the body but Malkin avoids it.
Jackson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Malkin.
Jackson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Jackson is looking to slow Malkin down with leg kicks.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Malkin checks a leg kick.

Jackson rushes Malkin and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Malkin blocks a body shot from Jackson.
Jackson misses with the head strike.

Jackson breaks from the clinch.
Malkin pushes Jackson away with a front kick.
Jackson avoids the head kick by Malkin.
Jackson avoids the head kick by Malkin.
Malkin fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Jackson lands a nice looking body kick.
Malkin darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jackson steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Malkin. That one must have hurt.
Jackson throws a body kick that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jackson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Malkin lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
A big left from Malkin misses.
Malkin fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Malkin is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Jackson tries to move into range but Malkin moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Good shot there by Malkin.
Jackson moves out of range of the leg kick from Malkin.
Jackson throws a body punch but Malkin moves out of range.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Jackson crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Malkin - the referee stops the clock and Jackson gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Malkin. Jackson manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Both fighters circling a little - Malkin finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Jackson fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Malkin looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Malkin thows a body kick. Jackson tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Jackson tries a head kick but it misses.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Jackson darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
A slapping body kick lands there for Malkin.
Malkin tries to land a front kick but Jackson steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Jackson tries to clinch up but Malkin circles away and keeps his distance.
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 Evgeniy Malkin will probably get the nod.
That's time! Malkin's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Jackson throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Jackson misses with an uppercut.
Jackson tries to move into range but Malkin moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Malkin looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Jackson misses with a hook to the body

so Malkin counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Jackson is trying to keep Malkin in close.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jackson being controlled here, momentarily.

Jackson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Malkin doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Malkin manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malkin looking to pass the guard.
Malkin won't allow Jackson to sweep him here.
Malkin will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Malkin passes Jackson's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Malkin is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Jackson defends it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Malkin seems to be looking for submissions.
Jackson slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Malkin works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Jackson works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malkin wants to pass the guard but Jackson is keeping the position.
Malkin is looking to advance position but Jackson has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Evgeniy Malkin overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Jackson lands a big shot there that rocks Malkin but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Jackson looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Jackson pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Malkin is squirming around, avoiding Jackson's attempts to control the action.

Jackson is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Malkin is surviving well by controlling Jackson's body position as best he can.
Jackson landing strikes from the mount.
Malkin is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Malkin sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The fighters are battling for position here. Malkin manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Apollo Jackson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

An inside leg kick from Jackson misses.
Malkin cracks a nice hook into Jackson's ribs.
Malkin is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Malkin.
Malkin lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Malkin swings for the body but Jackson moves out of range.
Malkin connects with a solid leg kick.
A head kick misses from Malkin.
Jackson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Malkin.
Jackson sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Malkin lands a nice looking body kick.
Malkin throws a right hand that Jackson ducks under and follows up with a left that Jackson also avoids with ease.
Malkin ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Jackson takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Jackson checks the leg kick.
Jackson has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Malkin.
Malkin tries to work over Jackson's front leg with a kick but Jackson checks it.
Jackson avoids a kick to the body.
Evgeniy Malkin is winning the standup battle so far.
Jackson swinging wildly here.
Malkin goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson misses with a body kick.
Malkin blocks a head kick by Jackson.
Jackson checks the leg kick.
Malkin lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Jackson feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Malkin's calf.
Malkin lands a nice leg kick that just misses Jackson's sensitive parts.
Jackson tries to land a leg kick but Malkin saw it coming and moves away.
Jackson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Malkin feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Jackson's calf.
Malkin avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Jackson tests Malkin's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A bone on bone clash there as Jackson blocks the leg kick.
Malkin avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Jackson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Malkin checks a low kick from Jackson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Jackson instigates a clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Jackson lands with a right to the head.
Malkin lands a shoulder strike.
Malkin blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Jackson swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Jackson tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Malkin is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Jackson to keep the fight standing.
Malkin's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Jackson tries a body shot but Malkin blocks it.
A right handed body shot lands from Malkin.
Malkin has a couple of punches blocked by Jackson.
Malkin is trying to push Jackson away but Jackson has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Jackson working aggressively here.
Malkin misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Malkin swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Jackson can't find room to land a body shot as Malkin controls the action.
Jackson can't find room to land a body shot as Malkin controls the action.
Malkin is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Jackson swings wildly with an uppercut but Malkin uses good head movement to avoid it.
Malkin misses with the head strike.
Malkin is trying to push Jackson away but Jackson has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Jackson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Jackson misses with a body punch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Malkin.
Jackson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Jackson tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Jackson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Malkin blocking some punches.
Malkin misses with a hook to the ribs.
Malkin working aggressively here.
Malkin tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Jackson prevents a body shot from Malkin.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Malkin.
Jackson swings wildly with an uppercut but Malkin uses good head movement to avoid it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Malkin.
Malkin jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Jackson walks away with a smile on his face. Malkin gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Evgeniy Malkin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Jackson stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Malkin.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jackson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Jackson throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Malkin throws a leg kick but Jackson sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Malkin connects with a looping right hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Evgeniy Malkin.
I think Malkin has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:29
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28

The fight is ruled a draw!