PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ruslan Runblad (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Malhoney (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Ruslan Runblad has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Runblad
vs
Malhoney

225 cm
22
265 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

190 cm
21
280 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ruslan Runblad!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mike Malhoney!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Chris Downing and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Malhoney feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Malhoney stops Runblad from standing up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Malhoney throwing strikes but missing.
Runblad can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Malhoney controls the pace.
Runblad really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Malhoney throws a big right hand that misses.
Runblad wants to stand but Malhoney is controlling the position.
Runblad keeping moving, preventing Malhoney from controlling successfully.
Runblad is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Malhoney is controlling him.
Malhoney throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Runblad works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Runblad tries to clinch up but Malhoney circles away and keeps his distance.
Nice takedown defense from Runblad. No joy for Malhoney on that attempt.
Runblad defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Malhoney.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Runblad takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Malhoney ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Runblad moves away.
Malhoney throws a nice inside leg kick.

Malhoney closes the distance and clinches.
Runblad connects with a knee to the head.
Runblad prevents Malhoney from breaking the clinch.

Malhoney has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Runblad uses from the top position.
Malhoney seems keen to control Runblad's posture.
Runblad trying to control the position from guard on top but Malhoney is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Runblad will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Malhoney tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Runblad wants to control from the top but Malhoney keeps moving.
Runblad is really struggling to control Malhoney but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Runblad wants to stand and escape but instead Malhoney has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malhoney stops Runblad from standing up.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Runblad closes the distance but Malhoney moves to the side

and Malhoney counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Runblad is breathing heavily.
Malhoney wants to pass the guard but Runblad is keeping the position.
Malhoney prevents Runblad from getting back to his feet.
Malhoney slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Malhoney throwing strikes but missing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malhoney's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Runblad wants to get back to his feet but Malhoney is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Runblad closes the distance but Malhoney moves to the side

and Malhoney moves into the clinch.
Malhoney tries to break free but Runblad pushes him back against the cage.

Malhoney's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Runblad clinches but Malhoney breaks the clinch

and Malhoney counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Malhoney.
Malhoney not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Malhoney must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Malhoney stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Malhoney scores a takedown into full mount!
Malhoney connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Runblad is desperately trying to improve his position but Malhoney has a good base and remains in mount.
Malhoney content just to control the position here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Runblad is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Runblad has given up his back, trying to stand up. Not clever.
Runblad can't escape the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Malhoney dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Malhoney closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Runblad did well to prevent Malhoney getting side control.
Runblad tries to kick Malhoney off but Malhoney keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Runblad avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Malhoney.

Runblad manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Runblad tries to clinch

and Malhoney counters by clinching up.
Malhoney landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Malhoney lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Nice body punch from Malhoney.
Runblad misses with a knee to the head.
Malhoney tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Malhoney jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Runblad walks away with a smile on his face. Malhoney gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Malhoney darts in and clinches Runblad up against the cage.
Malhoney is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Runblad tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Malhoney gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Malhoney stands up and beckons Runblad to join him on the feet.
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!

Malhoney clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Runblad looking to throw knees to the head but Malhoney is blocking nicely.
Malhoney stalling in the clinch.

Runblad is fighting off a takedown attempt but Malhoney is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Runblad to the mat. Runblad regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.

Malhoney decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Runblad, up you get!
Runblad looks to clinch

and Malhoney counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Malhoney.
Nice body punch from Malhoney.
Malhoney tries to break the clinch but Runblad is controlling the position.
Runblad connects with a knee to the head.
Malhoney jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Runblad walks away with a smile on his face. Malhoney gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Ruslan Runblad has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Malhoney.
Runblad tries to clinch up

and Malhoney counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Runblad!

Malhoney looking for a guillotine from mount but Runblad is having none of it.
Runblad is trying desperately to improve position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malhoney wants to control the pace but Runblad is squirming around nicely.

Malhoney moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Runblad has worked his arm free - good work by Runblad!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Malhoney trying to control the position but Runblad is working away.
Malhoney throws a strike aimed at the side of Runblad's head but Runblad avoids it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malhoney fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Runblad is looking to reverse the position.

Malhoney tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Malhoney has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Runblad sneaks back into half guard.
Runblad tries to kick Malhoney off but Malhoney keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Runblad closes the distance looking to clinch

and Malhoney counters with a takedown into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Runblad is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Malhoney has just dragged him back down to the mat.

Malhoney decides to stand back up.
Malhoney misses with the combination.
Runblad tries to clinch but Malhoney moves away

and Malhoney counters with a takedown into side control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Runblad is not content to let Malhoney control the position.
Runblad pushes Malhoney away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Malhoney gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Malhoney thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Runblad is trying to buck Malhoney off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Malhoney 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. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Runblad closes the distance but Malhoney moves to the side

and Malhoney counters by moving into the clinch.

Malhoney escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Runblad tries to clinch up

and Malhoney counters with a nice double leg into side control. Runblad won't be happy with that.
Malhoney has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Malhoney is looking to take a break and control but Runblad is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Malhoney creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Runblad sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Runblad is pushing Malhoney's head away, looking to escape. Malhoney manages to hold on to the position though.
Runblad struggling a bit here.
Malhoney just content to control the position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Runblad wants to get back to his feet but Malhoney is dominant here and he's now got Runblad's back!
Malhoney throwing strikes from the back - he gets a warning from the referee for striking the back of the head but all these shots are hurting Runblad!
Malhoney not allowing Runblad to control his hands.
Can Runblad hold on?! Malhoney is landing more strikes to his hapless foe.
Runblad is trying to stand back up.
The referee is taking a good look at Runblad as he is on the wrong end of some big shots from Malhoney!
Runblad is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Malhoney.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Runblad wants to get back to his feet.
Malhoney is working the ground and pound here and the referee is taking a close look at Runblad. He must escape soon or this one will be stopped.
Malhoney is looking to finish with some ground and pound!
Runblad looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
Runblad trying to control but not successfully.
Runblad has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malhoney biding his time, controlling Runblad.
Malhoney scores with strikes from the back.
Runblad holding both Malhoney 's hands and preventing any damage.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
Malhoney gets his hooks in and is throwing strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Malhoney loading up with punches from the back mount - how long can Runblad hold on?
Runblad wants to get back to his feet.
Malhoney is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
Malhoney's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Runblad is trying to get back to his feet but Malhoney has full control of the position and if anything, Runblad has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Malhoney scores with punches from the back.
Runblad is covering up but some of the strikes from Malhoney are getting through and doing damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Malhoney comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Malhoney 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 26:30
Judge George Francis scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Malhoney!