PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Joao Paulo Filho (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yancy Malaki Jr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Paulo Filho
vs
Malaki Jr

165 cm
21
146 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

182 cm
20
142 lbs
3 - 1 - 1

Powerful takedowns
Excellent MT
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

KAISER Nutrition (160!/220$)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Joao Paulo Filho!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 1, fighting out of London, Yancy Malaki Jr!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Paul Gruel and Roger Salmon.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Malaki Jr throws a predictable looking body shot

and Filho moves into the clinch.
Malaki Jr stops a takedown attempt from Filho.
Filho scores with a shoulder strike.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Malaki Jr.
Malaki Jr is pushing Filho up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Filho.
Filho changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Malaki Jr fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Filho scores with a decent looking hook.
Malaki Jr throws an overhand right that lands on Filho's shoulder, as Filho tries to avoid the shot.
Filho gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Malaki Jr misses with a hook.
Malaki Jr throws a one two combo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Filho throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Malaki Jr moves out of range of the strikes.

Filho feints and as Malaki Jr raises his hands in defense, Filho changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Malaki Jr keeping moving, preventing Filho from controlling successfully.
Filho has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Malaki Jr tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Malaki Jr is trying to control the position but Filho postures up.
Filho might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Filho passes Malaki Jr's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Malaki Jr is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Filho thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Malaki Jr's head.
Malaki Jr is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Filho jumps into side control!
Filho gets to mount! Malaki Jr was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Malaki Jr tries to hold on but Filho postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malaki Jr bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Filho tries to land a sweep but no joy.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Filho is controlling Malaki Jr's posture.
Filho looking to control.
Malaki Jr trying to stand up but can't free himself from Filho's guard.
Malaki Jr trying to control the position from guard on top but Filho is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Malaki Jr is looking to stand up but Filho won't let him.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Yancy Malaki Jr was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Malaki Jr throws the left hand but Filho avoids the punch easily.
Malaki Jr wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Filho misses with a looping left.
Malaki Jr throws a hook but Filho blocks it.
Malaki Jr lands a nice shot to the body.
Filho throws a head kick that misses.
Malaki Jr throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Filho on the side of the head.
Nice body punch from Malaki Jr.
Filho swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Malaki Jr scores with a nice head shot.
Malaki Jr misses with a wild body shot.
Malaki Jr lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Filho at a distance.
Malaki Jr fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Filho manages to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Malaki Jr.
Malaki Jr sizes up Filho with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Filho needs to keep his hands up - Malaki Jr had a free shot at his head there.
Malaki Jr misses with a left hand

and Filho moves into the clinch.
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!
Filho tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joao Paulo Filho. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Filho prevents Malaki Jr from breaking the clinch.
Filho scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Filho misses with a punch on the inside.
Malaki Jr swings wildly with an uppercut but Filho uses good head movement to avoid it.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Filho can't get the takedown.
Come on Malaki Jr - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Malaki Jr throws a punch but it's blocked by Filho.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yancy Malaki Jr dominated that round.
That's time! Filho's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Filho looks for the body kick but Malaki Jr saw that one coming.
Filho looks to score with a jab to the body but Malaki Jr is just out of range.
Malaki Jr will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Filho blocks a jab.
Malaki Jr tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Filho was well out of range. Poor timing from Malaki Jr.
Malaki Jr swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Filho counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Malaki Jr wants to control but Filho is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Filho wants to pass the guard but Malaki Jr is defending well.
Malaki Jr trying to control here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Yancy Malaki Jr hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Filho jabs at Malaki Jr's body.
Yancy Malaki Jr seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Malaki Jr looks to throw a body kick
and Filho counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Filho moves away from the strike by Malaki Jr.
Malaki Jr misses with a wild body shot.
Malaki Jr throws a body shot but no joy.
Filho keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Filho swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Malaki Jr counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Malaki Jr thows a left - swing and a miss!
Malaki Jr throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Filho counters with a nice low kick that buckles Malaki Jr's knee momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Filho takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Filho scores with a leg kick.
Malaki Jr connects with a body shot that sends Filho's belly button to the back.
Yancy Malaki Jr seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Malaki Jr swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Malaki Jr thuds his right hand into Filho's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Malaki Jr misses with a straight right.
Malaki Jr slaps away a takedown attempt from Filho, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Malaki Jr throws a body punch but Filho moves out of range.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Malaki Jr misses with a right hand
and Filho counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Filho throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Filho slips a straight right by Malaki Jr.
Filho tries for a takedown but Malaki Jr sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Malaki Jr throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Filho throws a left and a right that both miss
and Malaki Jr counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Malaki Jr swings widly with a right hand

and Filho counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Malaki Jr wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Filho has him pressed against the cage.
Filho pushes Malaki Jr back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Filho misses with a body punch.
Filho goes for a takedown attempt but Malaki Jr pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joao Paulo Filho. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Filho swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Malaki Jr is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Malaki Jr scores with a crisp jab that stopped Filho in his tracks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Malaki Jr misses.
Filho looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Filho misses with a low kick.
Malaki Jr moves into range and connects with a jab.
Malaki Jr throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Filho counters with a left to the body.
Filho takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Filho tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Malaki Jr swivels and escapes.
Filho misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Filho pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Malaki Jr throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Filho fails with a takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Yancy Malaki Jr will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

A swing and a miss from Malaki Jr.
Filho pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Malaki Jr swings for the body but Filho moves out of range.
Filho staying out of range there.
Malaki Jr slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Filho slips a jab and a cross from Malaki Jr.
Filho ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Malaki Jr lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Filho circles away quickly and effectively.
Filho fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Malaki Jr manages to avoid it.

Filho shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Malaki Jr napping and manages to drive through into side control!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malaki Jr wants to control but Filho postures up.
Malaki Jr sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Malaki Jr is trying to control but can't.
Malaki Jr is doing well to control the position and prevent Filho from advancing to side control.
Filho tries to pass the half guard into mount. Malaki Jr knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Malaki Jr is looking to improve his position.
Malaki Jr wants to control but Filho is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Filho seems to be looking for submissions.
Malaki Jr wants to control but Filho is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Malaki Jr wants to get back to full guard.
Malaki Jr is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Filho works his way into side control.
Filho throwing strikes but Malaki Jr manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Filho wants to control but Malaki Jr postures up.
Filho being controlled for a moment.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Malaki Jr wants to stand but Filho has his arm trapped.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malaki Jr is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Filho is looking for a sweep.
Malaki Jr tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
You can see the frustration on Filho's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Malaki Jr tries to stand but Filho is controlling his head.
Filho sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Yancy Malaki Jr is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Filho trying to control but Malaki Jr postures up.
Malaki Jr is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Malaki Jr wants to control but Filho is keeping him busy.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Filho keeping control of the position.
Filho wants to improve his position but Malaki Jr is controlling well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yancy Malaki Jr comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Malaki Jr winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Josh West scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 27:30
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yancy Malaki Jr!