PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rasheed Al Malik (ranked 6046 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alvaro Marroquin (ranked 3728 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Al Malik
vs
Marroquin

177 cm
25
157 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

175 cm
25
157 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rasheed Al Malik!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Alvaro Marroquin!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Jonathan Paton and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Al Malik throws a head kick but Marroquin moves out of range.
Despite the aggression on Marroquin's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Marroquin looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
Marroquin pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Al Malik seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Al Malik shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Marroquin as he avoids it easily.
Al Malik shoots in but Marroquin avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Al Malik is looking to chop away at Marroquin's legs.
Nice takedown defense from Marroquin. No joy for Al Malik on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rasheed Al Malik. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Al Malik shoots in and drives through. Marroquin sprawls well.
Marroquin misses with a series of wild punches.
Marroquin defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Al Malik.
Marroquin tries to bum rush Al Malik with a series of wild strikes but Al Malik uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Al Malik tries to clinch there but Marroquin circles away.
Al Malik misses with a few strikes there.
Al Malik throws a low kick, looking for Marroquin's leg but Marroquin calmly moves out of range.
Marroquin leaves Al Malik with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marroquin looks to land a combination but Al Malik avoids it well.
Marroquin connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Al Malik momentarily.
Marroquin stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Marroquin wants it to stay on the feet.
Alvaro Marroquin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Al Malik shoots for a double leg takedown but Marroquin sprawls well. He's pushed Al Malik's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Al Malik defending well as Marroquin loads up on a big left hand.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Al Malik.
Marroquin tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Al Malik attempts a counter takedown but Marroquin avoids it well and moves away.
Al Malik tries to clinch up.
Al Malik is looking to land body kicks.
Al Malik dives in and grabs Marroquin's left leg, looking for a takedown. Marroquin pushes down on Al Malik's head and hops out.
Al Malik fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
It seemed like Marroquin was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Marroquin throws a sloppy head kick and Al Malik moves out of range easily.
Marroquin keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marroquin throws a right and a left that both miss.
Al Malik throws a wild body kick that Marroquin sees coming a mile off.
Al Malik shoots in for a takedown but Marroquin shows good takedown defense.
Marroquin scores with a crisp jab that stopped Al Malik in his tracks.
Marroquin has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
A punch combination from Marroquin misses.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Marroquin defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Al Malik.
Al Malik shoots in for a takedown but Marroquin shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Al Malik fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Al Malik shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Marroquin defends it nicely.
Marroquin swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Marroquin misses with a two punch combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al Malik lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Al Malik.
Marroquin tries to bum rush Al Malik with a series of wild strikes but Al Malik uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Al Malik shoots in looking for a takedown but Marroquin manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Al Malik's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Marroquin misses with a looping left.
As Marroquin tries to get set, Al Malik tries to push him back and clinch up but Marroquin manages to avoid the attempt.
Al Malik shoots in and drives through. Marroquin sprawls well.
Marroquin's corner calls for a 1-2. Marroquin obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Al Malik closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Marroquin slaps away a takedown attempt from Al Malik, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Marroquin unleashes a big counter combination but Al Malik bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Marroquin throws a right and a left that both miss.
Marroquin lands a jab to the nose.
Al Malik throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Al Malik tries to close the distance and clinch up but Marroquin swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Nice defenses there by Al Malik.
Marroquin pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Al Malik throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Al Malik shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Al Malik changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Marroquin tries to avoid it but Al Malik manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Marroquin to the ground. Marroquin escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Marroquin tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Al Malik pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Al Malik shoots in for a takedown but Marroquin shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Marroquin swinging wildly here.
Al Malik appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Marroquin misses with a jab, cross combination.
Al Malik is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

Al Malik clinches with his opponent.

Marroquin breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Marroquin misses with a few strikes there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alvaro Marroquin dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Al Malik looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Al Malik throws out a leg kick but Marroquin moves out of range and Al Malik only half commits.
Marroquin tries a head kick but it misses.
Al Malik is looking to clinch but Marroquin is avoiding it.
Marroquin is looking for the big counter here.
Al Malik shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Marroquin defends it nicely.
Marroquin throws a hook but Al Malik avoids it easily.
Al Malik attempts a counter takedown but Marroquin avoids it well and moves away.
Marroquin avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Al Malik tries to clinch but Marroquin is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice takedown defense from Marroquin. No joy for Al Malik on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rasheed Al Malik. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Marroquin misses with a straight left.
A shot to the liver by Al Malik. Beautiful body shot.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Al Malik shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Marroquin eats them both and turns towards Al Malik to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Al Malik ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marroquin blocks a head kick by Al Malik.
Al Malik connects with a right hand. Marroquin shakes it off.
Al Malik shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Marroquin might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Marroquin looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Marroquin stuffs the takedown attempt from Al Malik. Al Malik gets slowly back to his feet.
Marroquin scores with a punch to the head.
Al Malik tries to clinch but Marroquin is having none of it.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Al Malik.
Al Malik is looking to clinch but Marroquin is avoiding it.
Danga de danga de dang - Marroquin scores with a four punch combination!
Al Malik moves in looking to clinch but Marroquin pushes him off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marroquin misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Al Malik tries to clinch but Marroquin is having none of it.
Al Malik shoots in and drives through. Marroquin sprawls well.
Marroquin is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
No joy there for Marroquin, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Marroquin throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Al Malik counters with a three punch combo that has Marroquin backing up. Marroquin nods at Al Malik to acknowledge the strikes.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Marroquin closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Marroquin throws a jab but it's blocked by Al Malik.
Marroquin defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Al Malik.
Some wild striking there from Al Malik.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Marroquin scores with a jab.
Al Malik goes for a double leg but Marroquin avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Marroquin continues to drive forward.
Al Malik dodges the punch combination from Marroquin.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Al Malik is defended easily by Marroquin.
Al Malik avoids the head kick by Marroquin.
Al Malik fails with an attempt to clinch.
Al Malik scores with a hook to the body. Marroquin takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Al Malik avoids the head kick by Marroquin.
Al Malik staying out of range there.
Al Malik tries for a takedown but Marroquin sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
A head kick misses from Marroquin.
The fighters circling - Marroquin throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Rasheed Al Malik is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Al Malik tries for a takedown but Marroquin sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Marroquin is looking for the big counter here.
Al Malik slips under a jab from Marroquin.
Marroquin throws a big shot that misses.
Alvaro Marroquin seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Al Malik misses with a takedown attempt - Marroquin sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Al Malik slips under a jab from Marroquin.
Al Malik avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Al Malik swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Al Malik tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Marroquin paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Al Malik tries to clinch up but Marroquin circles away and keeps his distance.
Al Malik tries to clinch up.
Marroquin is looking for the big counter here.
Al Malik looks to land a combination. Marroquin sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Marroquin lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Marroquin pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Al Malik fails with a takedown attempt.
Marroquin works over Al Malik's head and body with a nice combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alvaro Marroquin showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Al Malik jabs Marroquin to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Marroquin throws a head kick that misses.
Al Malik tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Marroquin defends well and Al Malik ends up having to push Marroquin into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Al Malik lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Al Malik is looking to clinch but Marroquin is avoiding it.
Al Malik looks for a takedown but Marroquin sprawls well.
Marroquin pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Al Malik back to the cage. Marroquin follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Marroquin defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Al Malik.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rasheed Al Malik. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Marroquin throws a right hand that Al Malik ducks under and follows up with a left that Al Malik also avoids with ease.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Marroquin throws a jab but it's blocked by Al Malik.
Al Malik dives in for a single leg takedown but Marroquin sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Marroquin throws a poor cross that misses
and Al Malik counters with a one-two to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Al Malik takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Malik shoots in for a double leg but Marroquin sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Despite the aggression on Marroquin's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
A big left from Marroquin misses.
Marroquin pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Al Malik will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Al Malik takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Al Malik uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Marroquin.
Marroquin misses with a combination
and Al Malik counters with a three punch combo that has Marroquin backing up. Marroquin nods at Al Malik to acknowledge the strikes.
Al Malik tries to score a power double leg takedown but Marroquin sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Al Malik somewhat.
Al Malik shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Marroquin sprawls well. Marroquin wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Al Malik gets slowly back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jab from Marroquin.
Al Malik shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Marroquin as he jumps to the side.
Marroquin throws a head kick that misses.
Al Malik tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Al Malik looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Al Malik throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Al Malik uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Marroquin.
Al Malik misses with a body kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Al Malik slips under a jab.
Marroquin misses with a hook
and Al Malik counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Marroquin misses with a few strikes there.
Al Malik tries to counter by clinching up but Marroquin breaks away and moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marroquin throws a hook to the side of Al Malik's head but Al Malik sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Marroquin on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Marroquin throws a right hand that Al Malik ducks under and follows up with a left that Al Malik also avoids with ease.
Marroquin on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Marroquin misses with a wild combination.
Al Malik tries to clinch but Marroquin is having none of it.
Alvaro Marroquin is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Al Malik goes for a double leg but Marroquin avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Marroquin continues to drive forward.
Marroquin misses with a head kick.
Al Malik looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Marroquin throws a right hand that misses
and Al Malik counters with a series of strikes. Marroquin will be more careful next time no doubt.
Marroquin connects with a single shot there.
Marroquin throws a series of punches but Al Malik avoids them all with ease.
Al Malik thinks about countering with a body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Al Malik shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Marroquin sprawls well. Marroquin wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Al Malik gets slowly back to his feet.
A bone on bone clash there as Marroquin blocks the leg kick.
Marroquin is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Al Malik is looking to clinch but Marroquin is avoiding it.
Al Malik looks for a takedown but Marroquin sprawls well.
Al Malik tries for a takedown but Marroquin sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Al Malik avoids the head kick by Marroquin.
Al Malik fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Al Malik is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Rasheed Al Malik has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Alvaro Marroquin is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Al Malik fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Marroquin checks it well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alvaro Marroquin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Marroquin 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 Russell Pearce scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alvaro Marroquin!