PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Reuben Malsawmkima (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Honorius Trajan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Honorius Trajan has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Reuben Malsawmkima's chin.

Malsawmkima
vs
Trajan

174 cm
24
153 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

175 cm
21
155 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Reuben Malsawmkima!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Honorius Trajan!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Fedor Mirinova and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Malsawmkima scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Malsawmkima trying to control the action but Trajan is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Malsawmkima wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Trajan, who protects the arm well.
Trajan is working to avoid the ground and pound but Malsawmkima connects with a decent elbow.
Malsawmkima throws an elbow but Trajan slips to the side and avoids it well.
Trajan really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Malsawmkima. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Malsawmkima decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Malsawmkima doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Trajan counters with a lovely straight right hand!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A combination from Trajan does no damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Trajan.
Malsawmkima moves out of range of the strikes.

Trajan decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Well, if Trajan is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Malsawmkima makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Malsawmkima.

Malsawmkima working for a triangle but Trajan defends it easily.

Malsawmkima looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Trajan stopping the sweep attempt from Malsawmkima.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Malsawmkima looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Trajan controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Malsawmkima is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Malsawmkima has his foot on Trajan's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Trajan works his way back into a safe position though.
Malsawmkima is breathing heavily.
Trajan engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
It looks like Trajan might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Trajan trying to control but Malsawmkima is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Malsawmkima has his feet on Trajan's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Malsawmkima has his takedown stuffed
and Trajan counters with an outside leg kick.
Trajan rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Malsawmkima moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Some wild striking there from Trajan.
Trajan throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Trajan misses with a straight right.
Trajan tries a head kick but it misses.

Trajan feints and as Malsawmkima raises his hands in defense, Trajan changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Trajan trying to control but Malsawmkima is working from the bottom.
Trajan is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Trajan sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Malsawmkima has his foot on Trajan's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Trajan works his way back into a safe position though.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Malsawmkima throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Trajan escapes and throws Malsawmkima's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Malsawmkima is trying to improve his position.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Trajan in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Trajan takes a little break here. Malsawmkima wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Trajan wants to control but Malsawmkima is keeping him busy.
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 Reuben Malsawmkima will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Trajan tries to clinch but Malsawmkima is having none of it.
Trajan lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Trajan throws a low kick but it's checked well by Malsawmkima.
Trajan leaves Malsawmkima with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Malsawmkima tries for a takedown but Trajan sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Trajan lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Malsawmkima circles away quickly and effectively.

Malsawmkima shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Trajan napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Trajan is looking to reverse the position.

Malsawmkima is trying to get an arm triangle but Trajan is defending well.
Malsawmkima trying to control the action but Trajan is working from the bottom.

Malsawmkima is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Trajan has escaped the position, nice work there.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Malsawmkima thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Trajan tries to buck Malsawmkima off but Malsawmkima is having none of it.

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.
Malsawmkima misses with the ground and pound.

Malsawmkima tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Trajan is trying to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malsawmkima tries to score with some ground and pound. Trajan controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Trajan is in a bad spot here and he knows it... just holding on for now.
Trajan is trying to get back to half guard.

Malsawmkima is trying to get an arm triangle but Trajan is defending well.
Malsawmkima working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Malsawmkima is trying to get an arm triangle but Trajan is defending well.

Malsawmkima goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Trajan rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Malsawmkima's guard! Nice work there by Trajan!
Trajan trying to control the position from guard on top but Malsawmkima is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Malsawmkima wants to stand and escape but Trajan is having none of it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Malsawmkima working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Trajan doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Trajan manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Trajan seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Reuben Malsawmkima dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Trajan tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Malsawmkima paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Malsawmkima drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Malsawmkima avoids the head kick by Trajan.
Malsawmkima slips a jab and a cross from Trajan.
Malsawmkima tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Trajan throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Malsawmkima.
Malsawmkima shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Trajan as he avoids it easily.

Trajan moves into the clinch successfully.
Malsawmkima stalls.
Malsawmkima is looking to take this one to the mat.
Malsawmkima letting Trajan take a breather here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Trajan prevents a body shot from Malsawmkima.
Malsawmkima avoiding damage as Trajan throws knees to the body.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Trajan.
Malsawmkima has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Trajan 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 Reuben Malsawmkima. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Malsawmkima fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Malsawmkima is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Trajan throws an elbow but it misses.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Trajan creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malsawmkima wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Malsawmkima drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Trajan looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Malsawmkima misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Trajan breaks from the clinch.
Malsawmkima avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Malsawmkima fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Trajan is out of range.

Malsawmkima pushes Trajan up against the cage in a clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Trajan creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Trajan pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Trajan scores with a jab to the head.

Trajan has taken the fight to the clinch.
Trajan throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Malsawmkima avoiding damage as Trajan throws knees to the body.
Malsawmkima wants to take the fight to the mat but Trajan manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Trajan with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Trajan gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Malsawmkima.
With the fighters up against the cage, Trajan throws an elbow but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Trajan misses with an elbow strike.
Trajan is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Malsawmkima is defending well for now.
Malsawmkima is trying to push Trajan away but Trajan has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Malsawmkima is looking for a takedown.

Trajan breaks the clinch.
A big left from Trajan misses.
Trajan moves in looking to clinch but Malsawmkima pushes him off.
Trajan thows a body shot but no joy.
Trajan lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Trajan lands a jab-cross combination.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Trajan feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Malsawmkimas jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Trajan misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Malsawmkima gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Trajan to score an easy takedown into full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Honorius Trajan comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Malsawmkima has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight for Honorius Trajan!
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight for Honorius Trajan!
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight for Honorius Trajan!

Honorius Trajan wins by unanimous decision!