PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ronny Rush (ranked 25294 p4p, 0 weight class) and Muggsy Malone (ranked 9571 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Rush
vs
Malone

191 cm
19
278 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

200 cm
19
275 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Prefers standup

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ronny Rush!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Muggsy Malone!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rush throws a leg kick that is checked
and Malone counters with a left and a right that stings Rush.
Malone looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

Malone instigates a clinch.
Malone tries for a takedown. No joy.
Malone lands a hook to the side of the head.
Malone will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Rush up against the cage.
Rush could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Malone jumps guard but Rush stands there with Malone around his waist. Malone gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Malone wants to take the fight to the mat but Rush manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Ronny Rush has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Muggsy Malone.

Malone ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Malone no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rush looking to pass the guard.
Rush controlling from the top position.
Malone is looking to stand up but Rush isn't so interested in that idea.
Malone avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Malone looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Rush has picked Malone up and slammed him! Malone can't keep hold of the triangle and Rush manages to pass to side control!
Malone is not content to let Rush control the position.
Malone is trying to escape the position but Rush is controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Malone is not content to let Rush control the position.
Rush working the ground and pound but Malone is defending the strikes.
Malone manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Rush controlling the action here.
Malone tries to roll over but Rush keeps him under control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rush wants to lay and pray for a moment but Malone keeps working.
Malone is concentrating on defense, preventing Rush from advancing position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malone is looking to escape.
Rush wants to control but Malone is keeping him busy.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Rush takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Rush tries to close the distance and clinch up but Malone swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Malone fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Malone clinches with his opponent.

Malone breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rush wants to clinch.
Malone feints the counter takedown.
Malone scores with a head kick. Rush tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Malone tries to score a power double leg takedown but Rush sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Malone somewhat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Muggsy Malone dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Rush is looking to score with low kicks.
And Malone tries to counter it with a takedown but Rush pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Rush finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Rush throws a low kick but it's checked well by Malone.

Rush clinches.

Malone pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Malone throws the kick towards the body but Rush avoids it.
Rush is looking to counter the offense by Malone and move into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rush tries to clinch up.
Rush throws a low kick but Malone avoids it.

Malone drives through and clinches with Rush against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malone misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Malone successfully pulls guard.
Malone is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Malone keeping moving, preventing Rush from controlling successfully.
Malone seems keen to control Rush's posture.
Rush trying to control but Malone is working from the bottom.
Rush has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Malone is on top in guard.

Malone looking to pass the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rush throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Rush throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Malone looking to pass the guard.

Rush has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Malone has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Knees to the body from Malone.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Malone has Rush pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Rush manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Malone decides to pull guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malone pulls Rush in close to prevent any damage.
Rush stopping the sweep attempt from Malone.

Malone escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Rush gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Malone is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Rush defends well.
Malone manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Rush manages to get himself to full guard.

Malone pushing down on Rush's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rush is striking from the bottom but he's now found himself mounted! Oh dear - not enough focus on defense there.
Rush tries to hold on but Malone postures up.

Malone goes for an armbar but Rush turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Rush.
Malone not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Malone controlling Rush's posture.
Rush looking to sit in guard and control but Malone gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Muggsy Malone showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Rush keeps the fight on the outside.
Rush throws a sloppy head kick
and Malone counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Rush will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.

Malone fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Rush, pushing him back against the cage.
Malone fails to pull guard.
Rush wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Rush breaks the clinch.
Malone fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Rush.
Malone wants to clinch.
Rush jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
Malone has his takedown stuffed
and Rush counters with a low kick, right behind Malone 's knee.
Ronny Rush has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Muggsy Malone.
Rush wants to clinch up but Malone keeps it at a distance.
Muggsy Malone is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rush tries to clinch up
and Malone counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Rush thinking.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malone circles away from the clinch attempt.
Malone now looks to counter with a shot at the body.

Rush moves into the clinch successfully.
Rush wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Malone breaks the clinch.
Rush doesn't manage to clinch there - Malone circles away.
Rush misses with the body kick
and Malone counters with a two punch combo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rush tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Malone counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Malone swats away the attempt to clinch by Rush.
Rush takes one to the side of the head.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Malone is defended easily by Rush.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Malone throws a body shot but no joy.
Rush jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
Rush tries a head kick but it misses.
Malone wants to counter the offense by Rush and move into the clinch position.
Malone takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Rush wants to clinch up but Malone keeps it at a distance.
Malone shoots in for a takedown but Rush shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Rush was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Rush throws a chopping leg kick but Malone manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Rush throws a body kick that misses.
Ronny Rush has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Muggsy Malone is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Malone drives through and clinches with Rush against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Muggsy Malone comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Malone 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Muggsy Malone!