PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Erik Malaska (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Salo Gonalez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Salo Gonalez has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Erik Malaska's chin.

Malaska
vs
Gonalez

180 cm
24
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

177 cm
27
159 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Erik Malaska!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Salo Gonalez!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Roosa Järviläinen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Malaska misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Gonalez.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Gonalez.
And Malaska counters with a quick kick to the body but Gonalez blocks it.
Malaska lands with a nice combination. Gonalez backs away looking to recover.

It looks like Salo Gonalez has been cut.
Malaska slaps away a takedown attempt from Gonalez, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Malaska!

Gonalez is rocked!
Gonalez throws a head kick but Malaska moves out of range.
A head kick misses from Gonalez.
Malaska pushes Gonalez away with a front kick.
Malaska throws a left and a right that both miss

and Gonalez counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Gonalez.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Gonalez is looking for a takedown.
Erik Malaska has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Salo Gonalez.
Gonalez is trying to break the clinch but Malaska has him pressed against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gonalez is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Malaska wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Gonalez breaks the clinch.
Gonalez walks forward, straight into a front kick from Malaska.

Gonalez forces Malaska back against the cage and clinches.
Malaska is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Gonalez tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Malaska smiles and moves away.
Malaska cracks Gonalez with a right hand to the side of the head.
Malaska works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Gonalez looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Malaska is fending him off so far but Gonalez persists. Nope, Malaska circles away and we're back to standing.
Malaska is looking to clinch but Gonalez is avoiding it.
Gonalez is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Both fighters circling a little - Malaska finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Malaska moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Malaska misses with a wild combination.
Erik Malaska is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malaska misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Gonalez wants to counter the offense by Malaska and move into the clinch position.
Gonalez tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Gonalez clinches.

Malaska manages to break the clinch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Malaska pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Gonalez moves into the clinch.

Malaska breaks the clinch.

Gonalez closes the distance and pushes Malaska back into the cage.
Malaska tries to break the clinch but Gonalez is controlling the position.
Malaska working hard to break the clinch.
Gonalez keeps control of Malaska as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malaska wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Malaska can't break the clinch.
Gonalez lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Malaska or not.
Gonalez wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Gonalez tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Malaska just stands there and leans against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Malaska's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Gonalez manages to break the clinch.

Gonalez clinches.
Gonalez tries to score a body lock takedown but Malaska shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Gonalez wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Malaska has him pressed against the cage.
Gonalez changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Malaska fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Malaska fails to land with a series of punches.
Gonalez dives in for a single leg takedown but Malaska sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Malaska throws a sloppy head kick and Gonalez moves out of range easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gonalez shoots in but no luck this time.
Malaska tries to bum rush Gonalez with a series of wild strikes but Gonalez uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Malaska lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Sloppy strikes from Malaska. Those never looked like landing.
Gonalez misses with a body kick.
Gonalez avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Gonalez tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Malaska tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Gonalez paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Gonalez!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Malaska throws a series of punches but Gonalez avoids them all with ease.
Erik Malaska seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Malaska is breathing heavily.
Malaska on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Gonalez. Gonalez obviously looking to wear him down.
Gonalez looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Gonalez fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
A little feinted left hand from Malaska on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Donk. Malaska catches Gonalez right on the button with a cross.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Erik Malaska dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Salo Gonalez's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Malaska throws an overhand right that lands on Gonalez's shoulder, as Gonalez tries to avoid the shot.
Malaska throws a series of punches but Gonalez moves out of range.
Malaska leaves Gonalez with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Malaska changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

Gonalez has Malaska up against the cage in a clinch.
Gonalez tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Malaska avoids it.

Malaska breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Malaska tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Gonalez manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Malaska fails in his attempt to clinch.
Gonalez uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Malaska.

Gonalez closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Gonalez fails to pull guard.

Malaska manages to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gonalez shoots for a takedown but Malaska saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
It looked like Malaska was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Erik Malaska has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Salo Gonalez.
Malaska fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Gonalez misses with a head kick.

Gonalez drives through and clinches with Malaska against the cage.
Gonalez keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Malaska's efforts to push away.
Malaska is looking to break free of the clinch but Gonalez has double underhooks.
Gonalez goes for a takedown attempt but Malaska pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Gonalez will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Erik Malaska is winning the standup battle so far.
A punch combination from Malaska misses.

Gonalez gets a clinch.
Salo Gonalez seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Gonalez keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Malaska's efforts to push away.
Malaska is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Gonalez can do to turn this around?
Gonalez is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Malaska pulls him back up using the underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malaska is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Gonalez is breathing heavily.

Malaska's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Malaska scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Malaska throws a right hand that Gonalez ducks under and follows up with a left that Gonalez also avoids with ease.
Malaska takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sloppy strikes from Malaska. Those never looked like landing.
Gonalez feints the counter takedown.
Malaska throws a nice looking combination but Gonalez bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Malaska misses with a two punch combination.
Gonalez is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Malaska tries to bum rush Gonalez with a series of wild strikes but Gonalez uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Gonalez steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Malaska.
Gonalez misses with a takedown attempt - Malaska sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Gonalez stuns Malaska with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malaska lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Malaska.
Gonalez changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Malaska tries to avoid it but Gonalez manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Malaska to the ground. Malaska escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Gonalez shoots in and drives through. Malaska sprawls well.
Malaska takes one to the chin there.
Danga de danga de dang - Gonalez scores with a four punch combination!

Gonalez pushes Malaska up against the cage in a clinch.

Gonalez breaks the clinch.
Erik Malaska is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Malaska tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Gonalez counters with a two punch combo.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Malaska tries to clinch
letting Gonalez counter with a right hand.
Malaska lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Malaska misses with a wild body shot.

Gonalez has Malaska up against the cage in a clinch.
Malaska tries to circle away but Gonalez has him pinned against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Malaska looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Gonalez drags the fight down to the ground.

Gonalez pushes Malaska off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Malaska moves in looking to clinch but Gonalez pushes him off.
Malaska tries to clinch there but Gonalez circles away.
Gonalez fails with a takedown attempt.
Gonalez looks for a takedown but Malaska sprawls well.
Malaska lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Salo Gonalez will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Salo Gonalez's cut.
That's time! Malaska's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Malaska bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Gonalez's head.
Gonalez dives in for a single leg takedown but Malaska sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Gonalez moves out of range of the body kick from Malaska.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Gonalez is defended easily by Malaska.
Gonalez fails with a takedown attempt.
Erik Malaska has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Salo Gonalez.
Malaska throws a series of punches but Gonalez avoids them all with ease.
Malaska rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Gonalez moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Malaska misses with a low kick.
Gonalez tries for a takedown but Malaska sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Malaska throws a right hand that Gonalez ducks under and follows up with a left that Gonalez also avoids with ease.
Gonalez looks to land a combination but Malaska avoids it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A punch combination from Malaska misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Gonalez gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Malaska wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Malaska wants to break the clinch but can't.
Gonalez tries to break free but Malaska pushes him back against the cage.
Malaska is trying to break the clinch but Gonalez is controlling him.
Malaska being controlled against the cage.
Malaska tries to circle away but Gonalez has him pinned against the cage.
Malaska wants to break the clinch but can't.
Gonalez has Malaska pressed against the cage, preventing Malaska from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Gonalez has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Malaska is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Gonalez wants a takedown but no success here.
Gonalez has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Malaska is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Malaska tries to break free but Gonalez pushes him back against the cage.
Malaska wants to get back to striking at distance but Gonalez won't allow it.
Malaska is trying to break free.
Malaska has Gonalez pressed against the cage, preventing Gonalez from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Malaska wants to break free but Gonalez has control.
Malaska working hard to break the clinch.
Gonalez drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Malaska gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Gonalez is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Malaska letting Gonalez take a breather here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gonalez tries to land knees in the clinch but Malaska avoids the damage to the body.
Gonalez is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Gonalez throws an elbow that misses.
Gonalez fails to pull guard.

Malaska breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Gonalez slips a jab and a cross from Malaska.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Gonalez! But no joy.
A punch combination from Malaska misses.
Gonalez avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Malaska looks to score with a jab to the body but Gonalez is just out of range.
Malaska leaves Gonalez with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Malaska avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Gonalez displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Malaska throws out the jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gonalez shoots in for a takedown but Malaska shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Malaska lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
An inside leg kick lands from Malaska.
Malaska swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Gonalez counters with a nice uppercut.
Malaska jabs Gonalez right on the nose. Gonalez blinks but takes it well.
Gonalez shoots in but no luck this time.
Gonalez shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Malaska as he jumps to the side.
Malaska is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Gonalez.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Malaska throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gonalez lands a jab to Malaska's midsection.
A punch combination from Malaska misses.
Gonalez moves out of range as Malaska strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Erik Malaska showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Malaska 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Erik Malaska!