PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Thomas Maloney (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Twelve Step Step (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Maloney might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Jump Around by House of Pain. Twelve Step Step has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Maloney
vs
Step Step

184 cm
24
145 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

170 cm
18
135 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

Good wrestler
Basic striking
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 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Thomas Maloney!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Twelve Step Step!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Timothy Bukovac and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maloney throws a head kick that misses.
A head kick misses from Maloney.

Maloney clinches with his opponent.
Step is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Step throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Maloney blocks it with crossed arms.
Step leaning his opponent against the cage.
Step tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Step looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Step tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Step tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Maloney smiles and moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
No joy there for Maloney, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Step feints the counter takedown.
Maloney slips a straight right by Step.
Step throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Step throws a body punch but Maloney moves out of range.
Step swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Step. Maloney does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Step swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Maloney really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Maloney uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Step.
It looked like Maloney was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.

Step tries to sprawl but Maloney drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Step tries to get to full guard but Maloney has control of the leg.
Step has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Maloney is working away from the top position though.
Maloney seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Step does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Step looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Step wants to improve his position but Maloney is controlling well.
Maloney is controlling the pace.
Maloney is keen to just control but Step is a slippery customer.
Maloney sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Maloney will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Step is trying to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Maloney passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Step!
Maloney tries to control but Step wriggling away.
Maloney wants to control but instead Step manages to regain half guard.

Step looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Step looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Step tries to get to full guard but Maloney has control of the leg.

Step looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Step wants to improve his position but Maloney is controlling well.

Maloney stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Step to get to his feet.
Step misses with a body kick.
Step throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Maloney sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Maloney keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.

Maloney instigates a clinch.
Step is looking to control Maloney's arms but Maloney gets an underhook and turns him. Now Step has his back to the cage.

Maloney has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Step is trying to keep an underhook but Maloney manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Maloney wants to control but Step is keeping him busy.
Step is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Step is trying to control but can't.
Maloney wants to pass to mount but Step is defending the position.

Step looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maloney trying to control from half guard but Step is working away.
Step is doing well to control the position and prevent Maloney from advancing to side control.
Maloney is looking to take a break and control but Step is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Step tries to roll over but Maloney keeps him under control.
It looks like Maloney is going to stand back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Maloney dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Step avoids the head kick by Maloney.

Maloney darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Step can do anything to dispel that myth.
Step is pressing down on Maloney's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Maloney trying to control but Step is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Step is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Maloney trying to control but Step is working from the bottom.
Step is trying to keep Maloney in close.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Step keeping moving, preventing Maloney from controlling successfully.
Step is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Step being controlled here, momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maloney is looking to stand up but Step won't let him.

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

Step throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

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

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Maloney shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Step eats them both and turns towards Maloney to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
A slow jab from Step misses its intended target.
Step is looking to land body kicks.
Maloney misses with a wild combination.
Maloney throws a right and a left that Step avoids nicely.

Maloney closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Step quickly recovers to half guard.
Step wants to control but Maloney is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Thomas Maloney overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Step works his way to full guard. Good work.

Step has his foot on Maloney's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Maloney works his way back into a safe position though.
Step tries to strike from the bottom.

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

Step looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Step 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.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Maloney got a little sloppy there for a moment and Step has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Maloney has managed to get both his arms back between Step's legs - danger averted.

Maloney gets to his feet - Step follows without any prompting.
Maloney works over Step's head and body with a nice combination.

Maloney closes the distance and pushes Step back into the cage.
Maloney looking to throw knees to the head but Step is blocking nicely.

Maloney has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Step regains guard immediately.

Step is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Step keeping moving, preventing Maloney from controlling successfully.
Maloney is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Step can do to turn this around?

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Step is looking for a triangle but Maloney pushes his legs off easily.

Maloney avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Maloney trying to control the position from guard on top but Step is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Maloney content to stall in guard here.

Step looking for a guillotine here but Maloney defends easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Maloney controlling from the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Maloney dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Step tries to land a leg kick but Maloney saw it coming and moves away.
Maloney takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Step pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
No joy there for Maloney, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A head kick misses from Maloney.
Maloney tries a head kick but it misses.
Maloney misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Maloney misses with a wild combination.
Maloney misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Maloney lands with a nice combination. Step backs away looking to recover.
Step thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Maloney if he has to take too many more of those.
Maloney throws a series of punches but Step moves out of range.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Step goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Thomas Maloney is winning the standup battle so far.
No joy there for Maloney, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Maloney displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Step throws out the jab.
Maloney tries a head kick but it misses.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Maloney fails to land with a series of punches.
Step pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Step throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Maloney avoids a kick to the body.
Maloney moves out of range as Step throws a body kick.

Step gets caught flat footed, as Maloney shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

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

Step working for a triangle but Maloney defends it easily.

Maloney gets to his feet - Step follows without any prompting.
Step fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Maloney is out of range.
Step goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Maloney appears to be looking for a big counter.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Maloney checks a leg kick.
Maloney throws a nice looking combination but Step bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Maloney bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

Maloney fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Step sprawls well initially but Maloney persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Twelve Step Step has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maloney wants to stand but Step has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Step is looking to control Maloney's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Step avoid being mounted?
Step makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Step.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Maloney is stalling in the full guard.
Maloney trying to stand up but can't free himself from Step's guard.
Maloney sitting in guard, not really doing much.

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

Step looking for a guillotine here but Maloney defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Step working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Maloney doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Maloney manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Maloney postures up.
Thomas Maloney is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Step wants to sweep but no luck.
Step working a defensive guard here.

Maloney gets to his feet - Step follows without any prompting.
Maloney avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Some wild striking there from Maloney.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Maloney checks a leg kick.
Maloney lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Step circles away quickly and effectively.
Maloney throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Thomas Maloney is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Maloney swinging wildly here.
Maloney throws a right hand that Step ducks under and follows up with a left that Step also avoids with ease.
Step let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Step blocks a head kick by Maloney.
Step throws a low kick but Maloney avoids it.
Maloney is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Step.
Maloney throws a right and a left that Step avoids nicely.
Step is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Step tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Maloney was well out of range. Poor timing from Step.
Thomas Maloney seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Maloney closes the distance and pushes Step back into the cage.
Maloney avoids the elbow strike from Step, against the cage.
Step trying to land knees to the body.
Step misses with a short punch on the inside.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thomas 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thomas Maloney!
Thomas Maloney took some time post fight to say the following; 'when one of us irish go to war we all go to war'.