PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Zoey Malone (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Iosef Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Malone comes to the cage accompanied by Boy Named Sue - Johnny Cash. Dzhugashvili has chosen Gosudarstvenniy Gimn SSSR as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. 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.

Malone
vs
Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili

189 cm
35
218 lbs
17 - 15 - 0

187 cm
33
212 lbs
20 - 18 - 2

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
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 17 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Zoey Malone!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 18 - 2, fighting out of Los Angeles, Iosef Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Jack Bonds and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Dzhugashvili rushes Malone and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Malone misses with a body punch.
Dzhugashvili is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Dzhugashvili misses with a knee strike.

Malone jumps guard.

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

Malone is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Dzhugashvili defends well.
Dzhugashvili preventing the sweep.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Malone pulls Dzhugashvili in to control the position.

Malone has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Dzhugashvili can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Malone throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Malone throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Malone is on top in guard.

Malone loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Malone postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Dzhugashvili is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Malone, into his guard.

Malone 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.
Malone trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Dzhugashvili wants to stand but Malone is controlling his posture from full guard.

Malone working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Dzhugashvili doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Dzhugashvili manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Dzhugashvili wants to stand but Malone has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dzhugashvili won't allow Malone to sweep him here.
Malone controls Dzhugashvili momentarily but Dzhugashvili frees himself.

Malone has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Dzhugashvili is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Malone.
Malone tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Dzhugashvili wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Malone gets back to half guard.
Malone is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Malone is looking to control Dzhugashvili's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Malone avoid being mounted?
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Malone moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Malone looking for a guillotine here but Dzhugashvili defends easily.
Malone 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.
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 Zoey Malone will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Dzhugashvili catches Malone with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Malone throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Dzhugashvili slaps away a takedown attempt from Malone, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Dzhugashvili wants to clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Dzhugashvili looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Malone gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Dzhugashvili.
Dzhugashvili fails with an attempt to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Malone ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Dzhugashvili moves away.
Malone throws a leg kick but Dzhugashvili sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Malone shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Dzhugashvili as he jumps to the side.
Dzhugashvili tries to clinch up but Malone circles away and keeps his distance.
Dzhugashvili comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dzhugashvili tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Malone paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Dzhugashvili tries to close the distance and clinch but Malone swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Dzhugashvili has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
Malone tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Dzhugashvili was well out of range. Poor timing from Malone.

Dzhugashvili forces Malone back against the cage and clinches.
Dzhugashvili just leaning against Malone, taking a breather.
Malone is looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zoey Malone. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dzhugashvili lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Dzhugashvili pushes Malone back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Dzhugashvili prevents the takedown attempt.
Dzhugashvili working some nice short punches in the clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Dzhugashvili creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

It looks like Zoey Malone has been cut.
Malone misses with some punches.
Malone misses with a short punch on the inside.
Dzhugashvili has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Malone fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Dzhugashvili lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Dzhugashvili landing knees to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Dzhugashvili breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Dzhugashvili moves in looking to clinch but Malone pushes him off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dzhugashvili tries to clinch but Malone moves out of range.

Dzhugashvili forces Malone back against the cage and clinches.
Dzhugashvili missing with knees to the body.

Dzhugashvili breaks the clinch.
Malone tries to land a leg kick but Dzhugashvili saw it coming and moves away.
Malone shoots in for a takedown but Dzhugashvili shows good takedown defense.
Dzhugashvili lands with an overhand left.
Malone wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

Malone takes the fight into the clinch.

Dzhugashvili's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Dzhugashvili clinches with his opponent.
Malone managing to block the knees to the body from Dzhugashvili.
Malone misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Malone has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Dzhugashvili after a bit of a struggle.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Dzhugashvili takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Malone tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dzhugashvili struggles to land a body shot inside as Malone controls his hands.
Dzhugashvili throws an elbow that misses.
Malone tries to pull guard but Dzhugashvili won't allow it.
Malone is trying to pull guard but Dzhugashvili turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Dzhugashvili trying to control the position but instead, Malone has worked for underhooks and has pushed Dzhugashvili into the cage.
Malone misses with a hook to the ribs.
Malone lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Dzhugashvili misses with a punch to the body.
Malone tries for a takedown. No joy.
Malone is looking to control Dzhugashvili's arms but Dzhugashvili gets an underhook and turns him. Now Malone has his back to the cage.
Malone avoids a wild elbow strike from Dzhugashvili.
Dzhugashvili lands a knee to the head.
Dzhugashvili creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Malone's defenses.
Malone is looking to control Dzhugashvili's arms but Dzhugashvili gets an underhook and turns him. Now Malone has his back to the cage.
Dzhugashvili lands a hook that snaps the head of Malone backwards.
Dzhugashvili misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dzhugashvili works on Malone's body with a couple of short punches.
Dzhugashvili looking to throw knees to the head but Malone is blocking nicely.

Dzhugashvili breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Malone avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Dzhugashvili tries to clinch but Malone moves away
and Malone counters with a good, hard body kick but Dzhugashvili shrugs it off.
Dzhugashvili tries to clinch up but Malone circles away and keeps his distance.
Dzhugashvili connects with a jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Dzhugashvili scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Dzhugashvili wants to clinch up but Malone keeps it at a distance.
Malone keeps the fight on the outside.

Malone throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Dzhugashvili tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Malone is in Dzhugashvili's guard.
Malone content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Malone stops Dzhugashvili from standing up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Malone is looking to advance position but Dzhugashvili has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Iosef Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Zoey Malone's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Nice jab there from Malone.
Dzhugashvili tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Malone paws at him with a jab and circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Dzhugashvili looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Malone changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Dzhugashvili tries to avoid it but Malone manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Dzhugashvili to the ground. Dzhugashvili escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
A head kick misses from Malone.

Dzhugashvili moves into the clinch.
Dzhugashvili scores with a shoulder strike.
Malone tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Dzhugashvili smiles and moves away.
Dzhugashvili wants to clinch up but Malone keeps it at a distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Malone gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Dzhugashvili is looking to clinch but Malone is avoiding it.
Iosef Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Malone fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zoey Malone. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malone looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Dzhugashvili wants to clinch up but Malone keeps it at a distance.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Dzhugashvili is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Dzhugashvili tries to clinch there but Malone circles away.
Malone moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

Dzhugashvili has Malone up against the cage in a clinch.
Malone blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Malone swings wildly with an uppercut but Dzhugashvili uses good head movement to avoid it.
Malone swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Dzhugashvili as Malone tries to tie him up.
Malone is trying to pull guard but Dzhugashvili has him pressed against the cage.

Dzhugashvili breaks the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dzhugashvili tries to clinch up but Malone circles away and keeps his distance.
Iosef Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Malone forces Dzhugashvili back against the cage and clinches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Dzhugashvili.
Dzhugashvili connects with a nasty looking knee right to Malone's face.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

Malone has clasped his hands together around Dzhugashvili's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Malone wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Dzhugashvili, who protects the arm well.

Malone working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Malone remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Zoey Malone has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malone wants to control but Dzhugashvili is keeping him busy.

Malone thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Zoey Malone overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Dzhugashvili manages to work his way to half guard, despite Malone's best efforts.
Iosef Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four 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.
Dzhugashvili wants to get back to his feet.
Malone lands with a punch from half guard.

Malone is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Dzhugashvili is just riding it out for now. Malone eventually gives up the hold.
Malone wants to free his trapped foot but Dzhugashvili is holding on for dear life with his legs.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Zoey Malone.
I think Malone 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 Don Winkell scores the fight for Iosef Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili!
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight for Iosef Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili!
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight for Iosef Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili!

Iosef Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili wins by unanimous decision!
Iosef Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
Zoey Malone spoke after the fight, saying 'Damn! That sucked!'.