PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Antonio Malone (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aqilles Hermen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Malone comes to the cage accompanied by Amazing by Kanye West. Aqilles Hermen told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Malone
vs
Hermen

196 cm
18
308 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

180 cm
20
298 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Antonio Malone!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Aqilles Hermen!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Shirou Masuda and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Malone jumps guard but Hermen stands there with Malone around his waist. Malone gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Malone tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Malone fails to pull the fight into his guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Antonio Malone. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Malone tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Hermen just stands there and leans against the cage.
Malone fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Malone jumps guard but Hermen stands there with Malone around his waist. Malone gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Malone tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Hermen lands a knee to the body.

Malone pulls Hermen into guard.
Hermen trying to control but Malone is working from the bottom.

Malone is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Hermen is aware though and is defending well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Malone escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hermen gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Malone had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Hermen is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Malone Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Hermen's back instead.

Malone patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Malone is breathing heavily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hermen trying to control the action but Malone just sinks the hooks in.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Malone looking for the choke but no joy.
Malone gets his hands free as Hermen looks to control.
Hermen can't escape the position.

Malone looking to break Hermen's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Hermen remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Malone will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Hermen wants to control his opponent's hands but Malone gets his hands free.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Hermen has eaten all the pies!
Hermen tries to break free.
Hermen really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Malone. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Hermen just trying to survive but Malone is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Hermen tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!

Malone has control of Hermen's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Hermen regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Hermen working to try and regain half guard.
Malone will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Malone looking for a guillotine from mount but Hermen is having none of it.
Hermen can't escape the position.

Malone jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Hermen is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Hermen and Malone has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Malone tries to advance to mount but Hermen denies him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hermen can't do much from the bottom here.

Malone is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Hermen knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Hermen bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Hermen ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Hermen takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

Hermen darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Malone is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Hermen pulls his head out easily.

Malone looking for submissions off his back.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Hermen connects with a nice short shot to Malone's temple.
Hermen is trying to control. Malone wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Malone gets back to full guard.

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

Malone is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Hermen is aware though and is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Hermen misses with a head kick.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Malone.
Malone circles away from the clinch attempt.
Malone throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Malone is trying hard to land a takedown here. Hermen sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Hermen takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Hermen misses with a jab to the body
enabling Malone to counter with a crisp jab.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hermen looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Malone lands a right hook to the body.
Hermen scores with a push kick.
Aqilles Hermen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malone checks the leg kick nicely there.
Malone throws a body punch but Hermen moves out of range.
Hermen drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Malone throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Malone getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Hermen with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Malone scores with a body shot.
Malone swings for the body but Hermen moves out of range.
Hermen keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hermen drives through and clinches with Malone against the cage.
Malone tries to pull guard but Hermen holds him up against the cage and eventually Malone drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Antonio Malone. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Hermen manages to pull guard.

Malone thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hermen is trying to control the position but Malone postures up.
Malone passes into half guard.

Malone is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Hermen has managed to free his arm - good work.

Malone wants to work for an arm triangle but Hermen is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hermen is defending against the submission attempts here by Malone.
Hermen is trying to get back to full guard.
Hermen trying to hold on to Malone's head to control him but Malone postures up.

Malone is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Hermen is just riding it out for now. Malone eventually gives up the hold.

Malone wants to work for an arm triangle but Hermen is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Hermen looking for submissions off his back.

Malone has hold of the far side arm. He's working for the Kimura, can Hermen defend it? Malone steps over the head and cranks it - Hermen is tapping out! That was textbook stuff right there - nice submission victory for Malone!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:20 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Antonio Malone!