PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Francesco Skrarez (ranked 4411 p4p, 421 weight class) and Devon Malcolm (ranked 2840 p4p, 294 weight class). Devon Malcolm told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Skrarez
vs
Malcolm

165 cm
27
158 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

170 cm
20
150 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Experienced

Freebok (85% Laundry)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Francesco Skrarez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Devon Malcolm!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Chris Edwards and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Malcolm closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Skrarez quickly recovers to half guard.
Skrarez is looking to improve his position.
Skrarez has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Malcolm is working away from the top position though.
Malcolm scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Skrarez on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Skrarez tries to get out of the position.
Skrarez is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Malcolm's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Malcolm's back!
Malcolm tries to break free.
Watch the back of the head! Comes the shout from the referee towards Skrarez.
Malcolm looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Skrarez throwing sloppy strikes.
Malcolm felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Malcolm is trying to break free.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Skrarez throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Skrarez is trying to stick to Malcolm's back but Malcolm is turning into Skrarez. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Skrarez's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Malcolm.
Skrarez is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Skrarez trying to keep a closed guard but Malcolm is proving a slippery customer.
Skrarez is looking to stand up but Malcolm isn't so interested in that idea.
Malcolm with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Malcolm postures up.
Skrarez knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Malcolm on the ground.
Skrarez seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Malcolm postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malcolm is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Skrarez is looking to stand up but Malcolm isn't so interested in that idea.
Malcolm stopping the sweep attempt from Skrarez.
Malcolm has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Malcolm stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Skrarez swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Skrarez looking for a sweep. Not yet Skrarez, not yet.
Skrarez wants to control the position but Malcolm says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Skrarez wants to get back to his feet.
Skrarez is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at London MMA Club, so we'll see if he gets out of it.
Malcolm wants to take a breather but Skrarez is having none of it.
Malcolm looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Malcolm prevents Skrarez from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malcolm uses his free foot to push down on Skrarez's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Skrarez.
Skrarez is trying to escape the mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Skrarez is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Malcolm with a couple of short strikes.
Malcolm breaks from Skrarez's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Skrarez regains half guard.
Malcolm prevents Skrarez from standing back up.
Malcolm winds up and cracks Skrarez with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Malcolm takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Skrarez wants to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Skrarez makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Skrarez.
Malcolm postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Malcolm won't allow Skrarez to sweep him here.
Skrarez working a defensive guard but Malcolm passes into half guard.
Malcolm scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Skrarez wants to improve his position but Malcolm is controlling well.
Skrarez is not content to let Malcolm control the position.
Skrarez tries to roll over but Malcolm keeps him under control.
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!
Skrarez is looking to escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Devon Malcolm 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.

A punch combination from Malcolm misses.
Skrarez throws a right hand that Malcolm ducks under and follows up with a left that Malcolm also avoids with ease.
Skrarez tries to clinch up.
Skrarez walks into a straight right hand from Malcolm.
Skrarez tries to close the distance and clinch but Malcolm swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Skrarez shoots and misses
and Skrarez takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Skrarez throws a low kick but it's checked well by Malcolm.
Skrarez takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Skrarez tries to clinch up
enabling Malcolm to counter with a crisp jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Malcolm throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Malcolm comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

Skrarez drives through and clinches with Malcolm against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Skrarez throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Skrarez tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Malcolm's elbow.
Skrarez struggles to land a body shot inside as Malcolm controls his hands.
Skrarez blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Malcolm pushes Skrarez back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Skrarez missing with knees to the body.
Skrarez lands with a left to the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Malcolm.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Skrarez just misses with a elbow thrown towards Malcolm's brow.
Skrarez throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Skrarez lands a left hand that snaps the head of Malcolm backwards.
A short right from Malcolm.
Malcolm lands a body punch.
A short left from Malcolm.
Skrarez misses with a short punch on the inside.
A shot in the inside from Malcolm.
Skrarez can't find room to land a body shot as Malcolm controls the action.
Skrarez blocks a body shot from Malcolm.
A short uppercut from Malcolm.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Skrarez throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malcolm lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Malcolm blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Malcolm lands a shot to the body.
Skrarez swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A shot in the inside from Malcolm.
Malcolm throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Malcolm blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Malcolm lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Skrarez backwards.
Malcolm pushes Skrarez back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Skrarez lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Skrarez lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A head punch on the inside from Skrarez fails to land.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Malcolm.
Skrarez tries to work over Malcolm's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Malcolm lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Skrarez throws a head punch that misses.
Skrarez tries a body shot but Malcolm blocks it.
Skrarez prevents a takedown attempt there.

Malcolm is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Skrarez can't fight it off and eventually Malcolm manages to take the fight to the floor. Skrarez looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malcolm content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Malcolm with a nice head shot there.
Malcolm working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Malcolm with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Skrarez wants to stand up but Malcolm is controlling him.
Malcolm has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Malcolm passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Malcolm landing a few strikes.
Malcolm lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Skrarez down.
Skrarez is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Malcolm is controlling him well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Skrarez is looking for a sweep.
Skrarez is working hard here to advance position.
Skrarez sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Malcolm seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Skrarez missing with punches from the bottom.
Malcolm is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Malcolm lands a big elbow.
Skrarez is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Devon Malcolm showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Skrarez wants to clinch but Malcolm slips to the side
and Malcolm counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Skrarez tries to clinch
and Malcolm counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Skrarez staying out of range there.
Skrarez scores with a jab to the body.

Skrarez moves into range and clinches up with Malcolm.
Malcolm scores with a nice hook to the head.
Skrarez tries to throw a body punch but Malcolm avoids it by throwing Skrarez back against the cage.
Skrarez lands a hook to the side of the head.
Malcolm tries for a takedown but Skrarez manages to get underhooks.
Skrarez cracks Malcolm with a nice body shot.
A left hand lands to the body for Malcolm.
Malcolm on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Malcolm.
Skrarez goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Skrarez tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Malcolm prevents a body shot from Skrarez.
Skrarez has a couple of punches blocked by Malcolm.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Skrarez throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Malcolm blocks it with crossed arms.
Francesco Skrarez has scored more points in the clinch so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malcolm lands with a right to the head.
Malcolm lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Skrarez tries to land knees in the clinch but Malcolm avoids the damage to the body.
Skrarez misses with a punch on the inside.
Malcolm lands with a short shot to the head.
Skrarez tries a body shot but Malcolm blocks it.
Skrarez makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Skrarez lands with a short shot to the head.
Skrarez throws a punch but it's blocked by Malcolm.
Skrarez with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Malcolm.
Malcolm prevents a body shot from Skrarez.
Malcolm lands a right hand that snaps the head of Skrarez backwards.

Malcolm tightens his grip and picks Skrarez up, before dumping him to the ground. Skrarez manages to land in guard.

Skrarez scrambles and gets back to his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Skrarez wants to clinch
and Malcolm counters with a stiff right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malcolm scores with a hook to the body. Skrarez takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Malcolm tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Skrarez swivels and escapes.

Malcolm gets tackled into the cage by Skrarez. Skrarez maintains the clinch.
Skrarez misses with a punch to the body.
Malcolm on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Skrarez struggles to land a body shot inside as Malcolm controls his hands.
Skrarez blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Skrarez misses with a short punch on the inside.
Malcolm blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Skrarez misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Still in the clinch, Malcolm scores with a nice short uppercut.
Malcolm lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Skrarez backwards.
Skrarez swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Malcolm tries a body shot but Skrarez blocks it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Malcolm.
Malcolm lands a hook that snaps the head of Skrarez backwards.
Skrarez misses with a hook to the ribs.
Skrarez swings wildly with an uppercut but Malcolm uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malcolm blocks a body shot from Skrarez.
Malcolm lands a shoulder strike.
Malcolm misses with a body punch.
Skrarez tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Malcolm lands a left hand that snaps the head of Skrarez backwards.
Skrarez lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Skrarez throws a punch but it's blocked by Malcolm.
A head punch on the inside from Malcolm fails to land.
Malcolm blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A nice left hand lands by Malcolm.
Malcolm lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Skrarez backwards.
Skrarez tries a body shot but Malcolm blocks it.
Malcolm lands with a right to the head.
Malcolm lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Skrarez or not.
Skrarez tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Malcolm's elbow.
Malcolm working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Skrarez scores with a hook to the body.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Skrarez just misses with a elbow thrown towards Malcolm's brow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Malcolm swings wildly with an uppercut but Skrarez uses good head movement to avoid it.
Skrarez misses with the head strike.
Devon Malcolm is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Malcolm on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Skrarez throws a head punch that misses.
Skrarez misses with some punches.
Malcolm pushes Skrarez back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Malcolm throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Skrarezs head.
Malcolm cracks Skrarez with a nice body shot.
Skrarez misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Malcolm.
Skrarez struggles to land a body shot inside as Malcolm controls his hands.
Malcolm prevents a body shot from Skrarez.
Skrarez throws a knee to the head but misses.
Skrarez tries a knee to the head but Malcolm blocks it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Malcolm lands a nice shot to the body.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Malcolm creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Francesco Skrarez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Malcolm lands with a short punch from the clinch.

Skrarez is rocked!

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Devon Malcolm.
Well Malcolm has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 James Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 27:30
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Devon Malcolm!
A less than humble Devon Malcolm misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.