PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Devon Malcolm (ranked 4169 p4p, 371 weight class) and Burke Heimer (ranked 6665 p4p, 438 weight class). 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.

Malcolm
vs
Heimer

170 cm
27
151 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

170 cm
29
146 lbs
6 - 6 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Granite chin

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 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Devon Malcolm!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 6 - 1, fighting out of London, Burke Heimer !
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Alan Glass and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Heimer stuffs the takedown.
A telegraphed right hand from Malcolm misses the target.
Heimer misses with a hook.
Heimer blocks the body kick.
Heimer swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Heimer lands an overhand right.
Heimer wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Some wild striking there from Malcolm.
Heimer lands a slapping body shot.
Burke Heimer seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Malcolm defending well as Heimer loads up on a big left hand.
Heimer dodges the punch combination from Malcolm.
Heimer misses with a straight right.
Malcolm scores with a one two! Heimer had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Heimer takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Heimer slips under a jab.
Heimer throws a leg kick which misses Malcolm's front leg but catches the back leg as Malcolm tries to avoid it.
Heimer misses with a body shot.
It looked like Malcolm was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Malcolm misses with an uppercut. Heimer saw that one coming.
Malcolm fails with a takedown attempt.
Malcolm lands with a hook. Heimer tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Heimer jabs Malcolm right on the nose. Malcolm blinks but takes it well.
Heimer misses with a straight left.
Heimer throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Malcolm on the side of the head.
Malcolm uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Heimer .
Malcolm 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.
Heimer throws a body shot but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malcolm swings widly with a right hand
enabling Heimer to counter with a crisp jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Heimer catches Malcolm with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Malcolm takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Heimer staying out of range there.
Heimer has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Heimer misses with a looping right.
Heimer avoids the body shot from Malcolm.
Malcolm ducks under a wild hook from Heimer .
Malcolm lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Heimer lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Heimer connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Malcolm uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Heimer .
Heimer misses the shot to the body.
Malcolm fails with the takedown.
A countering left hand to the body from Heimer misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Devon Malcolm. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Heimer cracks Malcolm with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malcolm takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

Heimer forces Malcolm back against the cage and clinches.

Malcolm breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Heimer takes a jab right on the kisser.
Nice uppercut lands for Malcolm. That snapped Heimer 's head back.
Heimer moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Malcolm will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
It seemed like Heimer was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Burke Heimer is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Heimer blocks a jab.
Heimer throws a shot to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Heimer moves into the clinch.
Malcolm tries for a takedown but Heimer manages to get underhooks.
Malcolm misses with a hook from the clinch.
Heimer can't find room to land a body shot as Malcolm controls the action.

Heimer has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Malcolm uses from the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Heimer is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Malcolm is aware though and is defending well.
Malcolm trying to control the position from guard on top but Heimer is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Heimer is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Malcolm wants to improve his position but Heimer is controlling well.
Malcolm has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Heimer is working away from the top position though.
Malcolm is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Heimer 's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Heimer 's back!
Heimer trying to control the position but Malcolm manages to sink in the hooks.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Heimer turns into Malcolm and is now in his guard.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Heimer wants to control from the top but Malcolm keeps moving.

Malcolm throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Heimer escapes and throws Malcolm's legs to the side, diving into side control!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Burke Heimer dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Malcolm keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Heimer .
Devon Malcolm has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Heimer walks into a left hand.
Malcolm catches Heimer with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Heimer has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A shot to the liver by Heimer . Beautiful body shot.
Heimer tries to clinch up.
Heimer cracks Malcolm with a right hand to the side of the head.
Malcolm fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Heimer avoids it really well and circles away.
Heimer lands with an overhand left.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Heimer .
A looping hook to the body misses from Heimer . Malcolm does a little dance to reset his feet.
Malcolm tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Heimer was well out of range. Poor timing from Malcolm.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Heimer ducks under a wild hook from Malcolm.
Heimer sizes up Malcolm with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Malcolm looks to score with a jab to the body but Heimer is just out of range.
Heimer feints a counter leg kick.

Heimer rushes Malcolm and presses him up against the cage.
Heimer prevents a body shot from Malcolm.
Malcolm misses with some punches.
Heimer is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
A short body shot lands from Malcolm as the two fighters clinch.
Heimer makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Heimer lands with a short shot to the head.
Malcolm goes for a takedown attempt but Heimer pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Nice uppercut there from Heimer .
A cross from Heimer lands.
Malcolm pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Heimer throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malcolm connects with a crisp jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Malcolm missing with a left hand there. Heimer was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Heimer slips a jab from Malcolm.
Malcolm throws a poor cross that misses
and Heimer cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Heimer throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Malcolm on the side of the head.
Malcolm misses with a straight right.
Malcolm lands an overhand right.
Malcolm shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Devon Malcolm. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Malcolm takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Malcolm throws a big shot that misses.
Malcolm gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Heimer .
Malcolm is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Heimer wants to clinch.
Burke Heimer seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Heimer moves out of range as Malcolm strikes.
The fighters circling - Heimer throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A little feinted left hand from Malcolm on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Malcolm bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Malcolm changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
A jab from Malcolm does it's job there.

Heimer has Malcolm up against the cage in a clinch.

Heimer escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Heimer uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Malcolm has time to react.
A swing and a miss from Malcolm.
Malcolm ducks right into an uppercut from Heimer .

Heimer instigates a clinch.
Malcolm blocks a body shot from Heimer .

Heimer manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Malcolm working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Heimer being controlled here, momentarily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Heimer trying to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Malcolm tries to free his leg and advance position but Heimer is retaining full guard.
Malcolm has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Heimer working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Malcolm.
Malcolm stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Heimer swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Heimer throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Heimer is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Malcolm defends well.
Heimer is trying to control the position but Malcolm postures up.
Malcolm cracks Heimer with a solid left hand.
Heimer is trying to control the position from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Burke Heimer showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Heimer misses with a hook. Malcolm ducked under it nicely.
Heimer throws the left hand but Malcolm avoids the punch easily.
Malcolm throws a head kick but Heimer moves out of range.
Heimer lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Heimer lands with a nice body punch.
Malcolm throws a body punch but Heimer moves out of range.
Malcolm doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Malcolm doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Malcolm takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Heimer throws a hook but Malcolm avoids it easily.
Heimer tries to close the distance and clinch but Malcolm swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Heimer lands with a cross.
Heimer 's jab looks to have found its range, popping Malcolm under the eye.
Heimer looks to land a left hand but Malcolm moved out of range nicely.
Malcolm takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Heimer slips a jab and a cross from Malcolm.
Heimer feints the counter takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Heimer scores with a body shot.
Heimer throws a body punch but Malcolm moves out of range.
Malcolm drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Malcolm takes one to the chin there.
Heimer throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
It looked like Malcolm was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Heimer .
Nice body punch from Heimer .
Malcolm misses with a hook
and Malcolm takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Malcolm misses with an uppercut.
Malcolm throws a right hand that Heimer ducks under and follows up with a left that Heimer also avoids with ease.
Heimer looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Heimer tries to clinch but Malcolm moves out of range.
Heimer changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

Heimer fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Malcolm, pushing him back against the cage.
Malcolm doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
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!
Malcolm blocking some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malcolm lands a right hand.

Heimer 's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Heimer changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Heimer looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Heimer lands a right hook to the body.
A swing and a miss from Malcolm.
A looping hook to the body misses from Heimer . Malcolm does a little dance to reset his feet.
Heimer punishes Malcolm's body with a nice straight punch.
Malcolm throws a shot to the body.
Heimer misses the jab.
Jab from Heimer .
Heimer tries to bum rush Malcolm with a series of wild strikes but Malcolm uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
The fighters circle momentarily. Heimer darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Heimer showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Malcolm.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malcolm takes a swing at Heimer 's ribcage but misses.
Malcolm swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Heimer avoids a punch combination nicely.
Heimer moves into range and connects with a jab.
A swing and a miss from Malcolm.
Malcolm throws a combination. Heimer tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Malcolm throws a right hand that misses
and Heimer counters with a right hand to the body.
A nice combination there by Heimer .
A decent looking cross lands there for Malcolm.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A head kick misses from Malcolm.
Heimer lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Heimer fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Malcolm looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Malcolm uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Heimer .
Malcolm tries to move into range but Heimer moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Malcolm misses with an uppercut. Heimer saw that one coming.
Heimer fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Malcolm has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Heimer blocks a head kick by Malcolm.
Heimer lands a two punch combo.
Malcolm looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Heimer lands with a nice body punch.
Heimer works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Burke Heimer is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Heimer scores with a jab. Malcolm acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Heimer works Malcolm's body with a nice hook.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Heimer feints and then cracks Malcolm's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Malcolm down.
Malcolm on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Heimer fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Malcolm looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

And that's the end of the fight!
Burke Heimer comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Heimer has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Burke Heimer !
During a confident post fight interview, Burke Heimer thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.