PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Davis Mali (ranked 4706 p4p, 5001 weight class) and Kent Gallagher (ranked 257 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Mali
vs
Gallagher

169 cm
18
135
0 - 0 - 0

160 cm
25
130
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Dangerous knees
Self confident

Good takedowns
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Davis Mali!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Kent Gallagher!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, William Peck and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Mali has closed the distance and engaged Gallagher in a clinch.
Mali blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Gallagher leaning his opponent against the cage.
Mali looking to throw knees to the head but Gallagher is blocking nicely.
Gallagher misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Mali.
Mali tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Mali connects with a nasty looking knee right to Gallagher's face.
Mali throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Gallagher blocks it with crossed arms.
Mali connects with a nasty looking knee right to Gallagher's face.
Mali trying to land knees to the body.
The referee calls for Gallagher to work.
Mali misses with a knee strike.
Gallagher lands a body shot in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gallagher has Mali pushed against the cage.
Mali letting Gallagher take a breather here.
Mali with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Gallagher has Mali pushed against the cage.
Gallagher lands with a left to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gallagher taking a breather.
Mali connects with a nasty looking knee right to Gallagher's face.
A knee to the head by Mali.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Gallagher takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Gallagher stalling the fight.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Kent Gallagher.
Mali uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Gallagher.

Gallagher gets tackled into the cage by Mali. Mali maintains the clinch.
Mali managing to block the knees to the body from Gallagher.
Gallagher tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Gallagher slows down the pace here.
Mali throws a knee to the head but misses.
Gallagher stalling against the cage.
Gallagher just leaning against Mali, taking a breather.
Mali throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Gallagher blocks it with crossed arms.
Mali with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mali tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Gallagher avoids it.
Gallagher stalling in the clinch.
Gallagher stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Gallagher continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Mali obliges.
Gallagher is pushing Mali up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Kent Gallagher.
Gallagher scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gallagher thows a left - swing and a miss!

Mali closes the distance and pushes Gallagher back into the cage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Gallagher.
Gallagher avoiding damage as Mali throws knees to the body.
Mali working Gallagher over with knees to the body.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Gallagher is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A bit of stalling here from Gallagher.
Gallagher receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Kent Gallagher.
Nice defenses there by Mali.
Gallagher misses with a hook. Mali ducked under it nicely.
Mali tries to counter by clinching up but Gallagher breaks away and moves out of range.

Mali has taken the fight to the clinch.
Gallagher blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Mali landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Mali tries a knee to the head but Gallagher blocks it.
Mali misses with a knee to the head.
Gallagher is struggling to control the position.
Gallagher stalling in the clinch.
Mali tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Gallagher avoids it.
Gallagher taking a breather.
Mali dodges an elbow strike from Gallagher.
Gallagher is struggling to control the position.
A knee to the head by Mali.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mali connects with a nasty looking knee right to Gallagher's face.
Gallagher leaning his opponent against the cage.
Mali with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Mali lands a knee to the head.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Gallagher.
Gallagher stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Mali is breathing heavily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gallagher wants to stall.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Kent Gallagher.
Gallagher lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Mali circles away quickly and effectively.

Mali closes the distance and pushes Gallagher back into the cage.
Gallagher leaning against his opponent.
Mali scores with a knee to the head.
Gallagher stalling in the clinch but Mali improves position.
Gallagher stalling in the clinch but Mali improves position.
Gallagher is persisting with his attempts to control the action in the clinch, rather than do any real damage.
Mali letting Gallagher take a breather here.
Gallagher managing to block the knees to the body from Mali.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Davis Mali dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Mali moves into range and clinches up with Gallagher.
Davis Mali has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Gallagher stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Gallagher in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Mali with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Mali throws a knee to the head but misses.
Mali connects with a nasty looking knee right to Gallagher's face.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Gallagher manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Kent Gallagher.

Mali closes the distance and clinches.
Gallagher stalling.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gallagher misses with an elbow over the top.
Gallagher lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Mali is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Gallagher is defending well for now.
Mali lands a nice knee to the body.
Mali trying to land knees to the body.
Gallagher stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Gallagher on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee calls for Gallagher to work.
Mali tries a knee to the head but Gallagher blocks it.
Gallagher is looking to control Mali's arms but Mali gets an underhook and turns him. Now Gallagher has his back to the cage.
Gallagher looking to slow down the pace here.
Mali avoids the elbow strike from Gallagher, against the cage.
Mali is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Gallagher can do to turn this around?
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Mali obliges.
Mali missing with knees to the body.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Gallagher is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Kent Gallagher.

Mali closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Mali lands a knee to the head.
Mali scores with a knee to the head.
Mali putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Gallagher in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Gallagher is trying to maintain a safe position but Mali gets an underhook and turns Gallagher into the cage.
A shot in the inside from Gallagher.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mali misses with a knee to the head.
Gallagher looking to stall.
Gallagher stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Mali trying to land knees to the body.
Mali lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Gallagher is trying to maintain a safe position but Mali gets an underhook and turns Gallagher into the cage.
Mali with a knee to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gallagher is looking to control Mali's arms but Mali gets an underhook and turns him. Now Gallagher has his back to the cage.
Mali with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Mali unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Gallagher manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Mali misses with a knee strike.
Gallagher has Mali pushed against the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Kent Gallagher.
Gallagher looks to land a right hand but Mali moved out of range.
No joy there for Gallagher, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mali staying out of range there.
Mali seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Gallagher is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Mali blocks a head kick by Gallagher.

Mali has Gallagher up against the cage in a clinch.
Mali using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Mali using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Mali throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Gallagher blocks it with crossed arms.
Gallagher takes a knee to the side of the body.
Stalling in the clinch from Gallagher.
Gallagher takes a knee to the side of the body.
Mali tries to land a knee to the head but Gallagher blocks with his arms.
Mali tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Gallagher misses with a knee strike.
Mali blocks an elbow strike from Gallagher.
Gallagher lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Mali backwards.
Gallagher leaning against his opponent.
Gallagher tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mali tries a knee to the head but Gallagher blocks it.
Gallagher is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A bit of stalling here from Gallagher.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Gallagher.
Mali with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Gallagher is stalling here.
Mali tries a knee to the head but Gallagher blocks it.
Gallagher taking a breather.
Mali landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Stalling in the clinch from Gallagher.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Kent Gallagher.

Mali pushes Gallagher up against the cage in a clinch.
Gallagher blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Gallagher taking a breather.
Mali tries to land a knee to the head but Gallagher blocks with his arms.
Gallagher managing to block the knees to the body from Mali.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Davis Mali dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Gallagher throws a jab when Mali was well out of range.
Mali moves out of range of the body kick.

Mali gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Gallagher wants to stall.
Gallagher displaying some good clinch control by pressing Mali up against the cage.
Mali misses with a knee strike.
Mali missing with knees to the body.
Mali tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Mali with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mali misses with a knee to the head.
Mali is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Gallagher is defending well for now.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gallagher slows down the pace here.
Gallagher avoiding damage.
Mali with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mali tries a knee to the head but Gallagher blocks it.
Gallagher scores with an uppercut up the middle.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Gallagher misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Mali.
Gallagher pressing his opponent against the cage.
Gallagher pressing his opponent against the cage.
Mali using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Gallagher has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Gallagher is struggling to control the position.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Kent Gallagher.

Gallagher tries to keep at a distance but Mali has taken the fight into the clinch.
Gallagher blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Davis Mali is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gallagher managing to block the knees to the body from Mali.
Gallagher controlling the action here for a moment.
Mali landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Gallagher taking a breather.
Mali throws a knee to the head but misses.
Mali missing with knees to the body.
Gallagher pressing his opponent against the cage.
Mali throws a knee to the head but misses.
Gallagher content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Gallagher stalling.
Mali looking to throw knees to the head but Gallagher is blocking nicely.
Gallagher stalling.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Kent Gallagher.

Gallagher clinches up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mali on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Mali unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Mali using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Gallagher has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Mali dodges an elbow strike from Gallagher.
Gallagher manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
A knee to the head by Mali.
Gallagher is stalling here.
Gallagher holding his opponent close, against the cage.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Gallagher displaying some good clinch control by pressing Mali up against the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Kent Gallagher.

Mali clinches up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gallagher pressing his opponent against the cage.
Come on Gallagher - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Gallagher holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Mali landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Gallagher lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Gallagher tries to stall but Mali uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Mali connects with a knee to the head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mali is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Gallagher is defending well for now.
Gallagher dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Mali lands a good knee to the midsection. Gallagher won't want to take too many of those.
Kent Gallagher has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mali with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

And that's the end of the fight!
Davis Mali showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Mali, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Alec Ball scores the fight 30:27
Judge William Peck scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Davis Mali!
After winning the bout, Davis Mali thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.