PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rasheed Al Malik (ranked 25203 p4p, 0 weight class) and Arturo Gallo (ranked 4739 p4p, 0 weight class). Rasheed Al Malik has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Al Malik
vs
Gallo

177 cm
25
157 lbs
0 - 5 - 0

180 cm
25
157 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Tends to cut

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 - 5 - 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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Arturo Gallo!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, David Schapiro and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Al Malik misses with a head kick.

Gallo instigates a clinch.
The referee calls for Gallo to work.
Gallo keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Al Malik's efforts to push away.
Gallo tries for a takedown but Al Malik manages to get underhooks.
Gallo has Al Malik pressed against the cage.

Gallo escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
No joy there for Gallo, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Gallo showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Al Malik.
Gallo circles away from the clinch attempt.
Gallo 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.
Al Malik misses with a takedown attempt - Gallo sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Gallo throws a counter combo.
Al Malik tries to clinch up.
Al Malik sets himself, and Gallo steps forward looking for the clinch! Al Malik avoids it this time.
Gallo shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Al Malik as he jumps to the side.
Gallo shoots in but Al Malik avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Rasheed Al Malik has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Arturo Gallo.
Al Malik shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Gallo counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Gallo.

Gallo pulls guard successfully.
Gallo controlling the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Al Malik gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Gallo dives in for a single leg takedown but Al Malik sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Gallo has a takedown stuffed.
Gallo avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Al Malik fails with the takedown.
Al Malik doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Gallo counters by moving into the clinch.
Al Malik managing to block the knees to the body from Gallo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gallo has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Al Malik after a bit of a struggle.
Gallo tries to pull guard but Al Malik forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Al Malik tries to break the clinch but Gallo is controlling the position.
Gallo fails to pull guard.
Al Malik lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Gallo backwards.
Al Malik wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

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

Gallo is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Al Malik trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Gallo working for a triangle but Al Malik defends it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Al Malik pushes down on Gallo's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Gallo is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Gallo is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Al Malik scores with a couple of nice shots.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gallo avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Al Malik.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gallo is looking to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Arturo Gallo will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Al Malik has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Al Malik there as he acknowledges the shot.
Al Malik changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Gallo tries to avoid it but Al Malik manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Gallo to the ground. Gallo escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Al Malik misses with a takedown

and Gallo counters by clinching up.
Gallo tries for a takedown but Al Malik manages to get underhooks.
Al Malik looking to slow down the pace here.
Gallo misses with a punch to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Gallo decides to pull guard.
Al Malik trying to control but Gallo is working from the bottom.
Gallo looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gallo looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Al Malik trying to control the position from guard on top but Gallo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Al Malik passes Gallo's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Gallo desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Gallo wants to improve his position but Al Malik is controlling well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Al Malik missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Gallo is looking to improve his position.
Gallo is trying to control but can't.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Gallo can do anything to dispel that myth.

Gallo actively working from the bottom here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Gallo stuffs the takedown attempt from Al Malik. Al Malik gets slowly back to his feet.
Gallo is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rasheed Al Malik. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gallo closes the distance and clinches.

Al Malik manages to pull guard.
Gallo stays in close to Al Malik's body and controls the position.

Gallo decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Al Malik, up you get!
Gallo misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Gallo is trying hard to land a takedown here. Al Malik sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Al Malik shoots for a takedown but Gallo saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Al Malik is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Gallo gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Gallo tries to score a body lock takedown but Al Malik shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Gallo manages to pull guard.

Al Malik gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Gallo moves into the clinch successfully.

Gallo has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Al Malik uses from the top position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Al Malik trying to control but Gallo is working from the bottom.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Al Malik stands and throws Gallo's legs to the side, diving into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arturo Gallo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Gallo shoots in but Al Malik avoids the takedown attempt easily.
The fight stays on the outside here - Al Malik looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Gallo drives through and clinches with Al Malik against the cage.

Gallo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Al Malik tries to close the distance and clinch up but Gallo swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Al Malik is defended easily by Gallo.
Gallo has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Al Malik is trying hard to land a takedown here. Gallo sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Al Malik is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Malik misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rasheed Al Malik. That's going to take a lot out of him.
No luck for Al Malik with that takedown attempt.
As Al Malik backs off Gallo throws a huge counter combo but Al Malik manages to avoid it all.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gallo tries to score a power double leg takedown but Al Malik sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Gallo somewhat.
Al Malik throws a nice looking combination but Gallo bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Gallo goes for a double leg but Al Malik avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Al Malik continues to drive forward.

Al Malik tries to keep at a distance but Gallo has taken the fight into the clinch.

Gallo jumps into guard, dragging Al Malik to the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Malik passes into half guard.
Al Malik missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Gallo is staying active underneath Al Malik, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Gallo is looking to escape.
Gallo trying to control from the bottom.
Al Malik prevents Gallo from improving his position.
Gallo pushes Al Malik off looking to stand but Al Malik dives back in and keeps control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gallo is holding on to half guard well.
Al Malik is keen to just control but Gallo is a slippery customer.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Al Malik fails with a takedown attempt.
Gallo steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Al Malik.
Gallo throws a sloppy head kick
letting Al Malik counter with a right hand.

Gallo closes the distance and clinches.
Gallo is trying to pull guard but Al Malik turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Al Malik tries to pull guard but Gallo forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Al Malik throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Gallos head.

Gallo manages to break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Al Malik misses with a low kick.
Gallo shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Al Malik as he avoids it easily.
Al Malik throwing a counter right hand but Gallo manages to avoid it.

Gallo has managed to clinch.
Al Malik tries for a takedown but Gallo manages to get underhooks.

Gallo drags the fight down to the ground.
Al Malik with a flurry of punches that miss.
Al Malik being controlled here momentarily.
Al Malik throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Gallo works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Arturo Gallo comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Gallo 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 Joseph Jones scores the fight 27:30
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Arturo Gallo!