PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Abdulmuslim Malikov (ranked 7224 p4p, 560 weight class) and Lokee Hyde (ranked 24284 p4p, 594 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Malikov
vs
Hyde

178 cm
25
158 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

166 cm
19
160 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Cuts easily

Good wrestler
Brawler
Very confident

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 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Abdulmuslim Malikov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Lokee Hyde!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Frank Dennis and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Malikov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Malikov misses with a takedown attempt

and Hyde counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Hyde.
Hyde has Malikov pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Malikov manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Hyde has picked Malikov up - he's going for a ride! Hyde dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Hyde content to control rather than advance.
Hyde is trying to control the action in half guard but Malikov is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Hyde is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Hyde moves nicely into side control.
Hyde controlling from side mount.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Malikov on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Malikov tries to get out of the position.
Hyde wants to control but Malikov is keeping him busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hyde is trying to get an arm triangle but Malikov is defending well.
Hyde trying to control the position but Malikov is working away.
Malikov tries to bench press Hyde off him but Hyde keeps the position.
Hyde creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Malikov sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Hyde wants to control but Malikov is keeping him busy.
Malikov tries to improve position but can't.
Malikov trying to remain calm as Hyde controls from the top position.
Hyde trying to control the action but Malikov is working from the bottom.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Hyde wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Malikov, who protects the arm well.
Malikov is looking for a sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hyde trying to control the position but Malikov is working away.
Hyde lands a few punches from side control.
Malikov is looking for a sweep.
Hyde wants to control but Malikov is keeping him busy.
Malikov tries to buck Hyde off but Hyde is having none of it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hyde advances to full mount.
Hyde controlling the position easily from mount.
The referee warns Malikov that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Malikov is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hyde is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Malikov has managed to escape the submission attempt.
My spies in Touch Of Death Combat Academy inform me that Hyde has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Hyde controlling the position easily from mount.
Malikov tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Hyde trying to control but Malikov is having none of it.
Malikov is bucking up trying to escape but Hyde cracks him with another couple of good strikes.

Malikov defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Hyde.
Malikov working to try and regain half guard.
Hyde working Malikov over with strikes here.
Hyde with the ground and pound from mount.

Hyde working for a submission here. He's tucked his head under his opponent's arm, looking for an arm triangle. He's hopped off into side control, looking to tighten the submission... is it going to work? He's given up a good position looking for it. Malikov looks OK. Oh, I spoke too soon, he's out! That must have been tighter than I thought! Excellent work there by Hyde! Submission of the night perhaps?

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Lokee Hyde!