PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between matt riddle (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matt Malians (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Malians comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Right Now - Van Halen kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Matt Malians is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

riddle
vs
Malians

151 cm
20
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

173 cm
23
164 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Intelligent

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, matt riddle!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Matt Malians!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Eddie Farnsworth and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
riddle throws a nice looking combination but Malians bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

riddle gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
riddle might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Malians advances to half guard.
riddle throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Malians wants to lay and pray for a moment but riddle keeps working.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

riddle is defending against the submission attempts here by Malians.
Malians is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.

Malians is trying to work for a kimura but riddle is defending well.
Malians works his way into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
riddle wants to control but Malians postures up.
Malians tries to move to mount but riddle blocks the move with his legs.
Malians throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

Malians is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but riddle is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
riddle could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

Malians decides to stand back up.
Malians looks gassed!
riddle tries to clinch there but Malians circles away.
riddle doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Malians counters with a shoot takedown. riddle fights it but they end up in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
riddle is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
riddle really is built like a bowling ball. I wonder if he'd roll if you pushed him down a hill...
Malians throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as riddle works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
riddle trying to control the position.

riddle escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Malians gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Malians trying to move into half guard but instead riddle has managed to sweep!
Malians is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Malians is on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malians tries to free his leg and advance position but riddle is retaining full guard.
riddle utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Malians missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
riddle is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Malians is controlling him.
Malians trying to control the position from guard on top but riddle is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Malians sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Malians stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. riddle swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
riddle is looking to stand up but Malians isn't so interested in that idea.
riddle knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Malians on the ground.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Malians shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts riddle as he jumps to the side.

riddle closes the distance and clinches.
riddle stops a takedown attempt from Malians.
Malians looking for a takedown.
matt riddle has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matt Malians.
riddle tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Malians smiles and moves away.

riddle scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

riddle wants to clinch

and Malians counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Malians moves into full mount! riddle won't be happy about that!
Malians moves to the back.
Malians not allowing riddle to control his hands.

Malians has his arm under riddle's chin here. Game over son! Malians squeezes tightly and riddle is forced to tap out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:58 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Matt Malians!