PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Malachi Leatherwood (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Roland Begovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Begovic comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Cavoglave kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Malachi Leatherwood has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Leatherwood
vs
Begovic

193 cm
34
245 lbs
15 - 6 - 1

185 cm
30
210 lbs
9 - 7 - 1

Good wrestling
World class MT
Very quick

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Malachi Leatherwood!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Roland Begovic!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Dmitry Maklakov and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Leatherwood slips a straight right by Begovic.
Leatherwood appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
A combination from Leatherwood does no damage.
Leatherwood has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Begovic finds it's way round the side to connect with Leatherwood's head.
Begovic looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Leatherwood throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Begovic thuds his right hand into Leatherwood's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Begovic misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Begovic with a jab.
A decent looking cross lands there for Begovic.
Begovic throws the left hand but Leatherwood avoids the punch easily.
Leatherwood seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Begovic works Leatherwood's body with a nice hook.
Begovic has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Leatherwood is landing a low percentage of strikes.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Begovic pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Leatherwood checks a leg kick.
Begovic lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Begovic lands with an overhand left.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Begovic shoots in and drives through. Leatherwood sprawls well.
Leatherwood displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Begovic throws out the jab.
Begovic lands an overhand right.
Begovic misses with a straight right.
Begovic just misses with a punch to the body.
Leatherwood seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

Leatherwood gets in close and instigates a clinch.
A knee to the head by Leatherwood.
Leatherwood lands an elbow just above Begovic 's eye.

It looks like Roland Begovic has been cut.
Begovic blocks the elbow strike.
Leatherwood with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Leatherwood has Begovic pressed against the cage, preventing Begovic from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Leatherwood with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Leatherwood misses with a knee strike.
A frustrated look appears on Begovic's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Begovic successfully pulls guard.

Begovic is working an open guard so Leatherwood takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Begovic tries to land a front kick but Leatherwood steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
A little feinted left hand from Leatherwood on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Begovic slips a straight right by Leatherwood.
Leatherwood tries to move into range but Begovic moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Nice defenses there by Leatherwood.
Begovic lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Leatherwood throws a hook but Begovic blocks it.
Begovic avoids the head kick by Leatherwood.
Begovic tries to counter by closing the distance.
Begovic lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Begovic throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Begovic is looking to chop away at Leatherwood's legs.
A swing and a miss from Begovic.
Begovic dips to his left and cracks Leatherwood with an uppercut!
Begovic lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Leatherwood throws a sloppy head kick and Begovic moves out of range easily.
Begovic scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Leatherwood doesn't seem bothered though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Begovic takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Leatherwood misses with a head kick.
Roland Begovic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Leatherwood missing with a left hand there. Begovic was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Begovic swinging wildly here.
A telegraphed right hand from Begovic misses the target.
Begovic connects with a good right hand that stumbles Leatherwood. Leatherwood circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Begovic shoots in looking for a takedown but Leatherwood manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Begovic's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Malachi Leatherwood has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Roland Begovic.
That kick from Begovic tenderised Leatherwood's leg. Leatherwood is trying to keep his angry face on.
Leatherwood throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Leatherwood takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Begovic is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Leatherwood had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Begovic avoids a punch combination nicely.
Begovic misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Begovic feints and then cracks Leatherwood's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Leatherwood down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Begovic defending well as Leatherwood loads up on a big left hand.
Begovic jabs at Leatherwood's body.
Leatherwood is breathing heavily.
Begovic lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Nice uppercut there from Begovic.
Begovic lands the left hand.
Leatherwood takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Begovic lands a jab.

Leatherwood is rocked!
Begovic lands with an overhand left.
Oh Leatherwood is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Begovic drops Leatherwood with a big left hand! Leatherwood is injured, injured bad! Begovic jumps in and finished him with strikes! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:48 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Roland Begovic!
An out of breath Roland Begovic thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
The defeated Malachi Leatherwood had this to say: 'I'm best in the world '.