PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mohammad Malik (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Daton Everlast (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Malik comes to the cage accompanied by Stronger. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Malik
vs
Everlast

173 cm
23
185 lbs
7 - 9 - 0

194 cm
21
198 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

Good takedowns
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Mohammad Malik!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Daton Everlast!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, Summer Carpenter and Winston Howard.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Everlast leaves Malik with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Malik shoots in for a double leg but Everlast sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
No luck for Malik with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mohammad Malik. That's going to take a lot out of him.
No luck for Malik with that takedown attempt.
Everlast tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Malik paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Malik fails to land the takedown.
Malik avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Everlast moves in looking to clinch but Malik pushes him off.
Malik shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Everlast as he jumps to the side.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Malik shoots in but Everlast avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Malik throws a right and a left that both miss.
Malik closes this distance looking for a takedown but Everlast circles away.
Malik is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malik looks for a takedown but Everlast sprawls well.
The fight stays on the outside here - Everlast looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Malik shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Everlast pinned against the cage. Everlast gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Daton Everlast is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Malik dives in and grabs Everlast's left leg, looking for a takedown. Everlast pushes down on Malik's head and hops out.

Everlast darts in and clinches Malik up against the cage.
Everlast looking to throw knees to the head but Malik is blocking nicely.
Everlast using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Malik has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Everlast misses with a knee strike.
Everlast lands a knee to the head.
Everlast landing knees to the head.
Everlast lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

It looks like Mohammad Malik has been cut.
Everlast misses with a knee to the head.
Everlast using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Malik has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Everlast tries to land a knee to the head but Malik blocks with his arms.
Everlast with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Everlast connects with a knee to the head.
Everlast connects with a knee to the head.
Malik tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malik has Everlast pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Everlast manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Everlast with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Malik decides to pull guard.

Everlast got a little sloppy there for a moment and Malik has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Everlast has managed to get both his arms back between Malik's legs - danger averted.
Everlast is looking to stand up but Malik won't let him.
Everlast preventing the sweep.

Everlast gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Malik shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Everlast but Everlast pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Everlast fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Malik, pushing him back against the cage.
Malik can't get the takedown.
Everlast connects with a knee to the head.
Everlast using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Malik has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Everlast lands a knee to the head.
Everlast gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Malik.
Everlast throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Malik blocks it with crossed arms.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malik takes a knee right on the jaw!
Everlast looking to throw knees to the head but Malik is blocking nicely.
Malik has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Everlast is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Malik drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Everlast throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Malik blocks it with crossed arms.
Everlast misses with a knee strike.
Malik tries for a takedown but Everlast manages to get underhooks.
Malik wants a takedown.
Everlast tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Everlast misses with a knee strike.
Everlast with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Everlast prevents a takedown attempt there.
Everlast tries a knee to the head but Malik blocks it.
Everlast tries to land a knee to the head but Malik blocks with his arms.
Everlast with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Everlast misses with a knee strike.
Everlast with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Everlast is pressed up against the cage. Malik has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Everlast down to the mat. Everlast avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Everlast has closed the distance and engaged Malik in a clinch.
Malik goes for a takedown attempt but Everlast pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Everlast pushes Malik up against the cage in a clinch.
Everlast throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Malik blocks it with crossed arms.
Malik drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Everlast with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Everlast throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Malik blocks it with crossed arms.
Malik goes for a takedown in the clinch but Everlast prevents it.
Malik tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Everlast smiles and moves away.
Malik shoots in and drives through. Everlast sprawls well.
Malik shoots in for a double leg but Everlast sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Everlast is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Daton Everlast dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mohammad Malik's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Malik will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Everlast is looking to clinch but Malik is avoiding it.
Malik tries for a takedown but Everlast sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Everlast avoids a punch combination nicely.

Everlast rushes Malik and presses him up against the cage.
Everlast lands a knee to the head.
Everlast with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Everlast scores with a knee to the head.
Everlast using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Malik has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Everlast using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Malik has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Everlast throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Malik blocks it with crossed arms.
Malik has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Everlast is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mohammad Malik. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Malik has Everlast pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Malik pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Everlast tumbling to the mat - Malik dives into Everlast's guard.

Malik drops back, looking for a kneebar! Everlast looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Everlast looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Everlast!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Everlast working away.
Malik is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Everlast is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Malik is trying to improve his position.

Everlast decides to stand up, so the ref orders Malik to his feet.
Everlast stuffs the takedown.

Everlast rushes Malik and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Malik is working for takedown but Everlast is calmly controlling the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Everlast misses with a knee strike.
Everlast looking to throw knees to the head but Malik is blocking nicely.
Everlast connects with a nasty looking knee right to Malik's face.
Everlast misses with a knee strike.
Malik is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Everlast tries to land a knee to the head but Malik blocks with his arms.
Everlast throws a knee to the head but misses.
Everlast tries to land a knee to the head but Malik blocks with his arms.
Malik changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Everlast fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Malik tries to keep at a distance but Everlast has taken the fight into the clinch.
Everlast looking to throw knees to the head but Malik is blocking nicely.
Malik wants to stall.
Malik wants a takedown.
Malik drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Everlast gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Everlast lands a knee to the head.
Malik wants a takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Everlast gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Malik.
Everlast with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Everlast with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Everlast blocks an uppercut.
Everlast throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Malik blocks it with crossed arms.
Malik drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Everlast gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Everlast tries to land a knee to the head but Malik blocks with his arms.
Everlast gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Malik.
Everlast scores with a knee to the head.

Malik turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Malik manages to end up in side control.

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

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Everlast wanted to stand there but Malik had control of the position.
Malik looking to control.
Everlast has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Malik is proving hard to escape from.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Malik is on top in guard.
Everlast keeping moving, preventing Malik from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Daton Everlast showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Mohammad Malik's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Malik fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Everlast avoids it really well and circles away.
Malik fails with a takedown attempt.
Malik will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mohammad Malik. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Malik looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Everlast is looking to clinch but Malik is avoiding it.
Mohammad Malik is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Everlast moves into range and clinches up with Malik.
Everlast throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Malik blocks it with crossed arms.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Malik wants a takedown.
Everlast tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Malik goes for a takedown in the clinch but Everlast prevents it.
Everlast throws a knee to the head but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Everlast lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Everlast misses with a knee to the head.
Everlast prevents the takedown attempt.
Malik tries to score a body lock takedown but Everlast shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Everlast tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Malik drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Everlast throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Malik blocks it with crossed arms.
Everlast tries a knee to the head but Malik blocks it.
Everlast scores with a knee to the head.

Malik successfully pulls guard.
Everlast postures up.

Malik is working an open guard so Everlast takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Malik closes the distance and clinches up with Everlast, looking for a takedown. Malik pushes Everlast against the cage but Everlast circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Malik fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Everlast has managed to clinch.
Everlast lands a knee to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malik tries for a takedown but Everlast manages to get underhooks.
Everlast misses with a knee to the head.
Malik tries to score a body lock takedown but Everlast shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Everlast misses with a knee strike.
Everlast tries to land a knee to the head but Malik blocks with his arms.
Everlast is pressed up against the cage. Malik has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Everlast down to the mat. Everlast avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Malik changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Everlast tries to avoid it but Malik manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Everlast to the ground. Everlast escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Malik shoots in for a takedown but Everlast shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Everlast defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Malik.

Everlast moves into range and clinches up with Malik.
Everlast is pressed up against the cage. Malik has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Everlast down to the mat. Everlast avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Malik closes the distance and clinches up with Everlast, looking for a takedown. Malik pushes Everlast against the cage but Everlast circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Everlast gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Malik is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Everlast gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Everlast using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Malik has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Everlast using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Malik has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Everlast misses with a knee to the head.
Malik tries to stall but Everlast uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Everlast throws a knee to the head but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malik has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Everlast avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Everlast misses with a knee strike.
Malik takes a knee right on the jaw!
Everlast using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Malik has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Everlast tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Everlast stops a takedown attempt from Malik.
Everlast tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Everlast lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Mohammad Malik has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Malik drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Everlast gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Malik has Everlast pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Everlast manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Everlast misses with a knee strike.
Everlast misses with a knee strike.
Malik looking for a takedown.
Everlast with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Everlast with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Malik is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Everlast gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Malik tightens his grip and picks Everlast up, before dumping him to the ground. Everlast manages to land in guard.
Malik stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Everlast swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Malik in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Malik won't allow Everlast to get back to his feet.
Malik is looking to work some ground and pound but Everlast has wrist control.
Everlast wants to stand and escape but Malik is having none of it.

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

Malik drops back for a leg here. A bit of a high risk move... He's looking for a kneebar by the looks of things. Now both of them are looking for submissions. Malik seems to have locked his on tight now - Everlast screams in pain and taps out furiously! It certainly was a high risk move but it's paid off for Malik, as he picks up the win!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kneebar). Mohammad Malik!