PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Waqas Malik (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and tommy gunn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Malik's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, The Final Countdown. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Malik
vs
gunn

190 cm
24
270 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

190 cm
20
265 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

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 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Waqas Malik!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, tommy gunn!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Steve Montenegro and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Malik looks for a takedown but gunn sprawls well.

gunn shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
gunn trying to control the position from guard on top but Malik is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Malik is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and gunn defends well.
gunn controls from within his opponent's guard.

gunn got a little sloppy there for a moment and Malik has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, gunn has managed to get both his arms back between Malik's legs - danger averted.
Malik looking for a sweep. Not yet Malik, not yet.

gunn thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
gunn trying to control but Malik is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Malik escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. gunn gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
gunn sitting in guard, not really doing much.

gunn drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and gunn jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
gunn stopping the sweep attempt from Malik.

Malik throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
gunn trying to control but Malik is working from the bottom.
gunn tries to free his leg and advance position but Malik is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Malik is on top in guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Malik trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
gunn looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Malik pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. gunn is keeping the position for now.

Malik avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

gunn working for a triangle but Malik defends it easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Malik stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. gunn swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

gunn has his foot on Malik's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Malik works his way back into a safe position though.
gunn tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Malik thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Malik got a little sloppy there for a moment and gunn has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Malik has managed to get both his arms back between gunn's legs - danger averted.
gunn looks gassed!
gunn is trying to keep Malik in close.
Malik trying to control but gunn is working from the bottom.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
gunn swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
The fight stays on the outside here - Malik looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Malik throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Malik tries to clinch but gunn is having none of it.
Malik wants to clinch.
Malik tries to clinch but gunn moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Waqas Malik will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Malik tries for a takedown but gunn circles away easily
letting gunn counter with a right hand.
Malik throws a sloppy head kick

and gunn decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Malik's guard.

gunn drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and gunn jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Malik keeping moving, preventing gunn from controlling successfully.

Malik is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and gunn defends well.
gunn looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
gunn sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Malik's guard.
Malik is trying to get back to full guard.
gunn is trying to control. Malik wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Malik looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

gunn is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Malik has managed to free his arm - good work.

gunn seems to be working for a kimura but Malik defends the submission attempt.
gunn is breathing heavily.

Malik looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

gunn is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

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.

gunn is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Malik wants to clinch but gunn slips to the side

and gunn counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by gunn.
gunn must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
gunn trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Malik looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Malik keeping moving, preventing gunn from controlling successfully.
gunn sitting in guard, not really doing much.
gunn wants to control from the top but Malik keeps moving.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
gunn wants to control from the top but Malik keeps moving.
gunn is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
gunn trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
gunn is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Malik keeping full guard, as gunn tries to pass.
gunn trying to control but Malik is working from the bottom.
tommy gunn has got the better of the ground game so far.

Despite being in the dominant position, tommy gunn just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Malik tries to clinch

and gunn counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Malik's guard now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
gunn trying to control the position from guard on top but Malik is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Malik is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
gunn content to stall in guard here.

Malik working for a triangle but gunn defends it easily.

Malik has his foot on gunn's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. gunn works his way back into a safe position though.

Malik throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
gunn wants to pass the guard but Malik is keeping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

tommy gunn showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Malik needs to keep his hands up - gunn had a free shot at his head there.
gunn misses with a wild body shot.
Waqas Malik is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

gunn looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
gunn controls from within his opponent's guard.
Malik keeping moving, preventing gunn from controlling successfully.
gunn stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Malik swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Malik is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. gunn is aware though and is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Malik throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
gunn sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Malik keeping moving, preventing gunn from controlling successfully.
gunn is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
gunn stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Malik swivels though and keeps the full guard.

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.

Malik has his foot on gunn's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. gunn works his way back into a safe position though.
gunn not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

gunn is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

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

Malik is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
gunn wants to pass the guard but Malik is keeping the position.

Malik is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. gunn is aware though and is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

gunn is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Malik throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

gunn gets the takedown into side control.

gunn is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Malik has escaped the position, nice work there.

gunn goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Malik rolls with the submission and now he's on top in gunn's guard! Nice work there by Malik!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
gunn is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Malik is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Malik postures up in gunn's guard and throws a big left but gunn blocks it.

gunn had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Malik defends it easily.
Malik forces his way into half guard.
Malik seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but gunn does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Malik wants to work for an arm triangle but gunn is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
gunn works his way to full guard. Good work.

And that's the end of the fight!
tommy gunn comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think gunn has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Chad Campbell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 28:29
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... tommy gunn!