PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Johnny Malone (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ralf Rustus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Malone
vs
Rustus

180 cm
22
175 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
21
173 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Johnny Malone!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ralf Rustus!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Emerson Jorge and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rustus circles away from the clinch attempt.
Malone tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Malone rushes Rustus and presses him up against the cage.
Rustus blocks an uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Malone fails to land.
Rustus blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rustus.
Rustus changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Malone fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Rustus shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Malone pinned against the cage. Malone gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Rustus.
Johnny Malone has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ralf Rustus.
Malone doesn't manage to clinch there - Rustus circles away.
Rustus throws a lazy right hand but Malone sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rustus closes the distance and clinches up with Malone, looking for a takedown. Rustus pushes Malone against the cage but Malone circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Malone tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rustus paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Rustus throws a right and a left that Malone avoids nicely.
Nice takedown defense from Malone. No joy for Rustus on that attempt.
Malone tries to clinch but Rustus is having none of it.
Rustus explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Rustus shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rustus has Malone up against the cage in a clinch.
Malone doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Rustus jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Malone walks away with a smile on his face. Rustus gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Malone looks to clinch

and Rustus counters with a single leg into guard. Malone didn't expect that.
Rustus looks gassed!

Malone is looking for a triangle here but Rustus uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Malone is looking for a sweep.
Malone is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Malone makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Malone.
Rustus must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

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

Malone looking for a guillotine here but Rustus defends easily.
Rustus pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Malone is keeping the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rustus stands and throws Malone's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Rustus controls the position from side control.

Rustus thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
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!
Rustus wants to control but Malone is keeping him busy.

Rustus tries for a kimura but Malone is defending well.
Rustus trying to control the position but Malone is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rustus throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Malone tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Malone wants to control but Rustus postures up.
Rustus scoring with punches from side control.
Rustus trying to control the position but Malone is working away.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Malone stuffs the takedown attempt from Rustus. Rustus gets slowly back to his feet.
Malone closes the distance looking to clinch

and Rustus decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Malone's guard.

Malone looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Malone looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Rustus passes into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rustus wants to lay and pray for a moment but Malone keeps working.
Malone manages to work his way to half guard, despite Rustus's best efforts.
Rustus seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Malone does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Rustus is trying to work for a kimura but Malone is defending well.

Malone looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Malone looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ralf Rustus dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Rustus tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Malone tries to close the distance and clinch but Rustus swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Malone scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Rustus wants to get back to his feet.
Malone working away.

Malone looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Malone is trying to get an arm triangle but Rustus is defending well.
Rustus sneaks back into half guard.
Rustus trying to control from the bottom.
Ralf Rustus has got the better of the ground game so far.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Malone is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Rustus defends it well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Malone is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Rustus defends it well.
Rustus has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Malone is working away from the top position though.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Rustus looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Malone shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rustus is looking for a sweep. Malone is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Malone is looking for a kimura but Rustus is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Malone to get the leverage.
Rustus is trying to control but can't.
Malone thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Rustus's head.
Rustus blocking the ground and pound attempt from Malone.
Rustus regains full guard. Nicely done.

Rustus has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Malone can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Rustus tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Rustus looking for a guillotine here but Malone defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malone lands a couple of digs.
Rustus is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Rustus wants to sweep here but Malone controlling him for the moment.

Malone drops back looking for a leg! Rustus is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Rustus manages to kick Malone off! Malone jumps back into Rustus's guard.
Malone trying to control but Rustus is working from the bottom.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Rustus closes the distance and clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Malone doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Malone has a couple of punches blocked by Rustus.

Rustus wants the takedown. Malone is fighting it off but Rustus persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Malone's guard against the cage.
Rustus works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Rustus is looking to take a break and control but Malone is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Rustus is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Malone has managed to free his arm - good work.
Malone throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ralf Rustus will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Malone forces Rustus back against the cage and clinches.
A head punch on the inside from Malone fails to land.

Rustus turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Rustus manages to end up in side control.
Malone is looking to regain half guard here but Rustus keeps moving and retains side control.
Malone is trying to control Rustus's posture but Rustus avoids it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Malone is not content to let Rustus control the position.

Rustus decides to stand back up.
Malone tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Rustus counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Johnny Malone seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Malone defending well as Rustus loads up on a big left hand.
Rustus throws a head kick that misses.
Malone tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Rustus counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rustus tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Malone lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Rustus backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malone lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

Rustus breaks from the clinch.
Malone tries to clinch but Rustus moves out of range.

Malone closes the distance and clinches.
Malone goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Rustus is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Malone gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Rustus fails to pull guard.
Johnny Malone has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ralf Rustus.
Rustus fails to pull guard.
Malone doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Rustus manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Malone misses with a hook from the clinch.
Rustus is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Malone pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Malone misses with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Malone.
Rustus jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Malone walks away with a smile on his face. Rustus gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Rustus has a takedown stuffed.
Malone closes the distance looking to clinch

and Rustus counters with a shoot takedown. Malone fights it but they end up in guard.
Johnny Malone has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malone has a closed guard, preventing Rustus from standing up.

Malone has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Rustus can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Rustus preventing the sweep.
Rustus landing some decent shots from guard.
Rustus postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Rustus trying to control the position from guard on top but Malone is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Rustus drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Rustus jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Malone is striking off his back. Rustus thinks nothing of it though and passes easily into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Malone looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Malone looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Malone tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Rustus counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Malone's guard now.

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

Malone looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Rustus passes into side control.
Malone tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Rustus wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Malone tries to control the position but he's not in luck - Rustus easily slips into full mount!
Malone tries to reverse the position but Rustus maintains control.
Rustus looking to control and managing it successfully.

Rustus is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!

Malone rushes Rustus and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Malone swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Rustus fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Rustus escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Rustus shoots for a takedown but Malone saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Rustus looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Rustus is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Ralf Rustus is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rustus seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Malone does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ralf Rustus comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Rustus 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 Thiago Cunha scores the fight 27:30
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 27:30
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ralf Rustus!