PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Muggsy Malone (ranked 9121 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joel Nielson (ranked 4597 p4p, 444 weight class). Nielson has chosen Enter Sandman as his entrance music. Muggsy Malone has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Malone
vs
Nielson

200 cm
19
275 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

188 cm
25
270 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Annihilation Apparel
KAGED

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 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Muggsy Malone!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Joel Nielson!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nielson fails with a takedown attempt.
Malone stuffs the takedown attempt from Nielson. Nielson gets slowly back to his feet.
Malone shoots in but no luck this time.
A punch combination from Nielson misses.

Nielson darts in and clinches Malone up against the cage.
Nielson tries to land knees in the clinch but Malone avoids the damage to the body.
Malone tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Nielson smiles and moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Malone gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Nielson drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Malone dives on top into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malone trying to control but Nielson is working from the bottom.
Malone being controlled here momentarily.
Malone postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Nielson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Malone tries to free his leg and advance position but Nielson is retaining full guard.

Nielson has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Malone off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Nielson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Malone defends it nicely.
Muggsy Malone has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joel Nielson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nielson has his takedown stuffed
and Malone counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Malone throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Nielson.
Nielson shoots in for a takedown but Malone shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Nielson misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Nielson throws a series of punches but Malone moves out of range.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Malone checks a leg kick.
Nielson lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Nielson.
Malone is breathing heavily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Nielson throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Malone was covering up waiting for the punch and Nielson finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Nielson won't allow Malone to sweep him here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nielson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Malone works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Nielson controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
We've been hearing good reports from Malone's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Nielson chips away with some ground and pound.
Nielson wants to control from the top but Malone keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Nielson decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Malone, up you get!

Nielson has closed the distance and engaged Malone in a clinch.
Malone is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Nielson pulls him back up using the underhooks.
The referee is keeping an eye on Nielson - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Malone jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Nielson walks away with a smile on his face. Malone gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Nielson gets a clinch.

Malone's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nielson misses with a series of wild punches.

Nielson closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Malone to the mat! Malone manages to get full guard.
Nielson wants to control from the top but Malone keeps moving.
Nielson is pushing down on Malone's leg trying to pass to half guard. Malone is fighting to maintain full guard but Nielson has managed to sneak the leg through.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joel Nielson dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Nielson has a takedown stuffed.
Malone appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Nielson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Malone slaps away a takedown attempt from Nielson, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Muggsy Malone has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joel Nielson.

Nielson moves into range and clinches up with Malone.
Nielson works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Nielson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nielson misses with a double jab.
Malone drops down looking for a counter takedown but Nielson sprawls and moves away.

Nielson closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Malone's guard.

Nielson stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nielson fails with a takedown attempt.
Malone half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Nielson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Malone as he avoids it easily.
Malone keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Nielson dives in for a single leg takedown but Malone sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Malone tries to counter by clinching up but Nielson breaks away and moves out of range.
Nielson tries to clinch there but Malone circles away.
Nielson misses with a takedown attempt - Malone sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Malone is looking to clinch.
Joel Nielson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nielson darts in trying to clinch
and Malone counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Nielson lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Malone slaps away a takedown attempt from Nielson, before circling back to the center of the mat.
No joy there for Nielson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Muggsy Malone is winning the standup battle so far.
Nielson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Malone as he jumps to the side.
It looked like Malone was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Nielson.
Malone slaps away a takedown attempt from Nielson, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malone goes for a double leg but Nielson avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Nielson continues to drive forward.
Malone shoots and misses

and Nielson counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Malone breaks the clinch.
Malone tries to close the distance and clinch but Nielson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Muggsy Malone is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Malone dodges the punch combination from Nielson.
Nielson shoots for a double leg takedown but Malone sprawls well. He's pushed Nielson's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Nielson with a jab.

Nielson moves into the clinch.

Malone gets control of Nielson's arms and successfully pulls guard. Malone will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Nielson must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nielson drops back looking for a leg! Malone is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Malone manages to kick Nielson off! Nielson jumps back into Malone's guard.
Nielson stopping the sweep attempt from Malone.
Nielson landing with the ground and pound.

Nielson stands up from Malone's guard - Nielson perhaps looking for a knockout.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nielson throws a low kick but Malone avoids it.
Nielson has a takedown stuffed.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joel Nielson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Nielson misses with a low kick.
Malone half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Nielson fails with a takedown attempt.
Malone attempts a counter takedown but Nielson avoids it well and moves away.

Nielson drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Malone has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Nielson is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Malone is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

Nielson gets control of Malone's arms and successfully pulls guard. Nielson will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Nielson holds on and takes a little breather.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malone trying to control but Nielson is working from the bottom.
Joel Nielson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Malone pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Nielson is keeping the position for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nielson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Nielson is pulling down on Malone's head to control his posture.
Malone stops Nielson from standing up.
Nielson pulls Malone in close to prevent any damage.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Malone looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Malone tries to sprawl but Nielson drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Nielson stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Malone to get to his feet.

Nielson has taken the fight to the clinch.
Malone misses with a punch to the body.
Nielson lands an elbow that stopped Malone in his tracks for a moment.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malone trying to control the position here.
Nielson wants to control from the top but Malone keeps moving.

Nielson has gone for a leg lock! Malone slips out almost immediately though and dives into Nielson's guard.

Malone tries to free his leg and advance position but Nielson is retaining full guard.
Nielson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Malone will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Nielson has Malone pulled in close to control his posture.
Muggsy Malone has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Nielson kicks Malone off and gets to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nielson will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Nielson drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Malone is trying to control the position but Nielson postures up.
Nielson is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Nielson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nielson is working Malone over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nielson works over Malone with some ground and pound from guard.
Joel Nielson is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Nielson seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joel Nielson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Nielson winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joel Nielson!