PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mohammad Malik (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Max Rush (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Malik kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Stronger. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Malik
vs
Rush

173 cm
19
185 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

187 cm
20
196 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Mohammad Malik!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Max Rush!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Hogan, John Mangel and Eliza Hachem.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rush moves in looking to clinch but Malik pushes him off.

Rush shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Rush showed some decent athleticism there.
Malik wants to improve his position but Rush is controlling well.
Malik might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Malik wants to sweep but Rush has passed to side control!
Malik is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Rush off and has taken his back!

Rush is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Malik gets his way!
Malik tries to get the hooks in deep but Rush pushed the leg off.
Rush avoids the strikes from Malik.
Rush tries to escape the position.
Rush manages to reverse the position and now he's in Malik's guard. Nice work there by Rush.
Rush pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Malik is keeping the position for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rush preventing the sweep.
Rush wants to control from the top but Malik keeps moving.

Malik is looking for a triangle but Rush pushes his legs off easily.
Malik looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rush is one step ahead there.
Malik thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Rush throwing strikes from guard but Malik blocks nicely.

Malik has his foot on Rush's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Rush works his way back into a safe position though.
Rush stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Malik swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Rush sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Malik's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Rush prevents Malik from improving his position.
Rush wants to pass the guard but Malik is defending well.
Malik is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Rush's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Rush's back!
Malik is breathing heavily.
Rush is trying to break free.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rush tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!

Malik looking to secure an arm triangle but Rush defends it well.
Rush is trying to escape the mount.
Rush manages to regain half guard whilst avoiding the strikes.

Malik is looking for a kimura here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rush is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Rush moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Rush is looking for a triangle but Malik pushes his legs off easily.

Rush has his foot on Malik's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Malik works his way back into a safe position though.
Rush looking to hit a scissor sweep but Malik is one step ahead there.
Malik 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.

Malik seems like he's working for an arm triangle here. He's freed his trapped foot and he's rotating nicely. Rush is in big trouble! He's tapping out! This one is aaaaaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:19 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Mohammad Malik!