PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Zoey Malone (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zlatan Ibrahimovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Malone comes to the cage accompanied by Boy Named Sue - Johnny Cash. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Malone
vs
Ibrahimovic

189 cm
22
218 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

191 cm
21
211 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Zoey Malone!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Zlatan Ibrahimovic!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Yukihiro Shimada and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Malone gets tackled into the cage by Ibrahimovic. Ibrahimovic maintains the clinch.
Malone lands an elbow inside that Ibrahimovic shrugs off.
Malone stalls.
Malone wants to take the fight to the mat but Ibrahimovic manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Ibrahimovic's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Malone changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Ibrahimovic fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Zoey Malone seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ibrahimovic keeps the fight on the outside.
Malone fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zoey Malone. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Malone tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Ibrahimovic manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Malone shoots in for a double leg but Ibrahimovic sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Malone has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Malone there as he acknowledges the shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Malone clinches up with Ibrahimovic and pushes him back against the cage.

Ibrahimovic breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Malone blocks a head kick by Ibrahimovic.
Malone shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Ibrahimovic as he jumps to the side.

Ibrahimovic closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Ibrahimovic working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Ibrahimovic leaning against his opponent.
Malone lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Malone.
Malone pushes off an throws an elbow but Ibrahimovic leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Malone putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Ibrahimovic in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Malone has Ibrahimovic pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Ibrahimovic manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Malone tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Malone lands a nice knee to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malone tries to stall but Ibrahimovic uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
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!
Ibrahimovic is trying to push Malone away but Malone has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Ibrahimovic has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Malone is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Ibrahimovic has Malone pushed against the cage.

Ibrahimovic's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Malone lands a nice looking body kick.

Malone has managed to clinch.
Malone is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Ibrahimovic to keep the fight standing.
Ibrahimovic can't break the clinch.

Ibrahimovic's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Malone cracks the inside of Ibrahimovic's front leg.
Nice sprawl there from Ibrahimovic as Malone shoots in.
Ibrahimovic throws a head kick that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malone throws a right hand that Ibrahimovic ducks under and follows up with a left that Ibrahimovic also avoids with ease.
Malone avoids a kick to the body.
Malone stalks Ibrahimovic and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Ibrahimovic's face. Ibrahimovic staggers backwards, shaken.
Ibrahimovic tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ibrahimovic lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Malone swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Ibrahimovic counters with a head kick. That will keep Malone thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!

Malone has closed the distance and engaged Ibrahimovic in a clinch.
Malone using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Malone.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Malone missing with knees to the body.
Malone lands a damaging elbow.
Malone tries to score a body lock takedown but Ibrahimovic shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Malone wants a takedown.
Malone is breathing heavily.
Ibrahimovic looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Malone crunches a lovely knee into Ibrahimovic's ribcage.
Malone is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Malone lands an elbow that stopped Ibrahimovic in his tracks for a moment.
Ibrahimovic tries to circle away but Malone has him pinned against the cage.
Ibrahimovic is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Malone is keeping busy.
Ibrahimovic blocks the elbow strike.
Ibrahimovic looking to slow down the pace here.
Malone landing knees to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ibrahimovic wants to get back to striking at distance but Malone won't allow it.
Malone lands a good knee to the midsection. Ibrahimovic won't want to take too many of those.
A knee to the head by Malone.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zoey Malone dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Malone gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Malone has Ibrahimovic pressed against the cage, preventing Ibrahimovic from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Ibrahimovic wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Ibrahimovic is trying to push Malone away but Malone has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Malone throws an elbow that misses.
Ibrahimovic is trying to force a seperation but Malone has the dominant position.
Malone is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Ibrahimovic gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Ibrahimovic working hard to break the clinch.
Ibrahimovic wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Malone just misses with a elbow thrown towards Ibrahimovic's brow.
Malone keeps control of Ibrahimovic as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Ibrahimovic is trying to break free.
Malone is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Ibrahimovic gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Malone keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Ibrahimovic's efforts to push away.
Ibrahimovic has had enough of the clinch but Malone keeps him there for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malone pushes off an throws an elbow but Ibrahimovic leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Ibrahimovic gets underhooks to prevent Malone's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zoey Malone. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Malone lands an elbow that stopped Ibrahimovic in his tracks for a moment.
With the fighters up against the cage, Malone throws an elbow but misses.
Ibrahimovic takes a knee to the side of the body.
Ibrahimovic is trying to stall.
Ibrahimovic tries to break free but Malone pushes him back against the cage.
Malone wants a takedown.
Malone prevents Ibrahimovic from breaking the clinch.

Malone breaks from the clinch.
Malone shoots in but no luck this time.
Ibrahimovic avoids the head kick by Malone.
Ibrahimovic tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ibrahimovic checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ibrahimovic connects with a solid leg kick.
Ibrahimovic misses with a series of wild punches.
Malone fails with a takedown attempt.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Malone thuds his shin into the meat of Ibrahimovic's side.
Zoey Malone is winning the standup battle so far.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ibrahimovic pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ibrahimovic tries a head kick but it misses.
No joy there for Malone, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Malone gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Malone looking for a takedown.
Ibrahimovic wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Malone has him pressed against the cage.
Ibrahimovic wants to break the clinch but can't.

Malone escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Zoey Malone is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ibrahimovic lands a high kick!
Malone misses with a leg kick
and Ibrahimovic counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Ibrahimovic scores with a body shot.
Decent striking displayed by Ibrahimovic there.
Ibrahimovic lands with an overhand left.
Ibrahimovic chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Malone can pounce on him.
Malone shoots in but Ibrahimovic avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ibrahimovic throws a right hand that Malone ducks under and follows up with a left that Malone also avoids with ease.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ibrahimovic stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Ibrahimovic wants it to stay on the feet.
A punch combination from Malone misses.
A head kick by Ibrahimovic misses
and Malone counters with a three punch combo that has Ibrahimovic backing up. Ibrahimovic nods at Malone to acknowledge the strikes.

Malone instigates a clinch.
Malone has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Ibrahimovic avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Malone leaning against his opponent.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Malone is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Ibrahimovic on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Malone lands an elbow inside.
Malone goes for a takedown in the clinch but Ibrahimovic prevents it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Zoey Malone 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. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Malone dodges the punch combination from Ibrahimovic.
The fight stays on the outside here - Malone looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ibrahimovic will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Malone tries to land a front kick but Ibrahimovic steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Malone looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Ibrahimovic closes the distance and clinches.
Malone lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ibrahimovic wants to break free but Malone has control.
Ibrahimovic is trying to push Malone away but Malone has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Ibrahimovic pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Malone throws a head kick but Ibrahimovic moves out of range.
Malone will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ibrahimovic uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

Malone moves into range and clinches up with Ibrahimovic.
Malone creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Ibrahimovic blocks an elbow strike from Malone.
Malone has Ibrahimovic pressed against the cage, preventing Ibrahimovic from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Malone breaks the clinch.
Malone tries to close the distance and clinch but Ibrahimovic swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Ibrahimovic jabs at Malone's body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Donk. Ibrahimovic catches Malone right on the button with a cross.

Malone closes the distance and clinches.
Ibrahimovic has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Malone lands with a right to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A nice glancing elbow lands by Malone.
Ibrahimovic is trying to push Malone away but Malone has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Ibrahimovic has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Ibrahimovic wants to get back to striking at distance but Malone won't allow it.
Ibrahimovic is trying to break free.
Malone lands an elbow just above Ibrahimovic 's eye.

It looks like Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been cut.
Ibrahimovic wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Malone has him pressed against the cage.
Ibrahimovic is trying to break the clinch but Malone has him pressed against the cage.
Ibrahimovic takes an elbow to the temple.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Malone just misses with a elbow thrown towards Ibrahimovic's brow.
Malone lands an elbow inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ibrahimovic working hard to break the clinch.
Ibrahimovic takes an elbow to the forehead.

Malone manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Ibrahimovic throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Malone works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Malone seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Malone utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Malone pulls Ibrahimovic in close to his closed guard and prevents Ibrahimovic from doing any damage or advancing position.

Malone working for a triangle but Ibrahimovic defends it easily.
Zoey Malone is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Malone keeping moving, preventing Ibrahimovic from controlling successfully.
Malone manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Ibrahimovic working to try and regain half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Malone looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Malone landing strikes from the mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zoey Malone showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Malone, 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 Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 30:27
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zoey Malone!
After the fight, Zoey Malone was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.