PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Malam Sambu (ranked 2841 p4p, 4883 weight class) and Mikey Jacobs (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Malam Sambu has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Sambu
vs
Jacobs

169 cm
25
153
1 - 0 - 0

185 cm
25
154
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Big heart

Good takedowns
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Malam Sambu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Mikey Jacobs!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, Michael Johnstone and Santiago Holmes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sambu stuffs the takedown.
Sambu definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Jacobs looks to land a combination but Sambu avoids it well.
Jacobs throws a lazy head kick

and Sambu counters with a single leg into guard. Jacobs didn't expect that.
Sambu scoring with punches to the head and body.
Sambu might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Jacobs is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Jacobs is trying to control the position but Sambu postures up.

Jacobs looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sambu loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Sambu postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Sambu throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Sambu works over Jacobs with some ground and pound from guard.

Jacobs working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Sambu doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Sambu manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
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!

Jacobs throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sambu postures up.
Sambu trying to control but Jacobs is working from the bottom.
Sambu passes Jacobs's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Jacobs misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Jacobs is staying active underneath Sambu, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Jacobs on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Jacobs wants to control but Sambu passes into side.
Jacobs striking from the bottom but nothing landed.
Sambu in side control, throwing shots but Jacobs defends.
Jacobs struggling a bit here.
Jacobs is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Sambu is staying active.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sambu landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Sambu landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Jacobs tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Sambu wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Jacobs wants to get back to his feet.
Jacobs is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Sambu's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Jacobs is concentrating on defense, preventing Sambu from advancing position.
Sambu missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Sambu lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Jacobs is staying active underneath Sambu, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sambu lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Jacobs is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Jacobs trying to control from the bottom.

Jacobs is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Sambu pulls his head out easily.
Jacobs looks like he's trying to stand up.
Jacobs trying to control from the bottom.
Jacobs gets full guard.

Jacobs working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Sambu doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Sambu manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Sambu postures up and lands a big shot to Jacobs's brow.
Sambu landing with the ground and pound.

Jacobs had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Sambu defends it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jacobs looking for a sweep. Not yet Jacobs, not yet.
Sambu makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Jacobs has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Sambu is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Jacobs.
You can see the frustration on Jacobs's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Jacobs looks winded!
Jacobs is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Malam Sambu dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

A telegraphed takedown attempt from Jacobs is defended easily by Sambu.
Sambu scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

Sambu gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Jacobs is trying to pull guard but Sambu turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Stalling in the clinch from Jacobs.

Sambu wants the takedown. Jacobs is fighting it off but Sambu persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Jacobs's guard against the cage.
Sambu is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Jacobs can do to turn this around?
Jacobs has momentary wrist control but Sambu slips an elbow through the middle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Jacobs working for a triangle but Sambu defends it easily.

Jacobs looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sambu lands a couple of digs.

Jacobs is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Jacobs looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Jacobs is breathing heavily.

Sambu avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Sambu is working Jacobs over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Jacobs is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Sambu is aware though and is defending well.
Jacobs lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Sambu pushes Jacobs off and scrambles back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sambu lands an overhand right.
Jacobs doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Sambu counters with a series of strikes. Jacobs will be more careful next time no doubt.
Malam Sambu has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mikey Jacobs.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sambu throws a quick inside leg kick.

Sambu darts in and clinches Jacobs up against the cage.
Sambu stalling in the clinch.
Sambu lands with a right to the head.
Sambu lands with a light punch inside.
A left hand lands to the body for Sambu.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Sambu.

Sambu gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Sambu missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Jacobs is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Sambu pulls his head out easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Jacobs looking for submissions off his back.

Jacobs looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Sambu is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Sambu takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Jacobs is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The fighters are battling for position here. Jacobs manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Sambu chips away with some ground and pound.
Sambu landing with the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Jacobs is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Sambu defends well.
Sambu lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Sambu working some strikes from top position.
Sambu has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Jacobs had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Sambu defends it easily.
Sambu stands up over Jacobs, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Sambu not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Sambu knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Jacobs on the ground.
Jacobs is trying to control the position but Sambu postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Malam Sambu dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Jacobs shoots and misses
and Sambu counters with a right hand to the body.
Mikey Jacobs seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Sambu decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Jacobs is trying to control but can't.
Sambu scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Sambu is looking to take a break and control but Jacobs is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Jacobs tries to roll over but Sambu keeps him under control.
Sambu seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Jacobs does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Sambu winds up and cracks Jacobs with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sambu slips a nice elbow through Jacobs's hands, connecting with Jacobs's forehead.
Jacobs regains full guard. Nicely done.

Jacobs working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Sambu doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Oh but Jacobs is tightening it up a little... Sambu has to be careful here... He's got his foot tucked under now, this looks tight! Sambu reacted too slowly and this one could be over in a matter of seconds! YES! Sambu taps out! Nice BJJ there by Jacobs!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:56 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Mikey Jacobs!