PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Steve Rowley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Stacey Malouf (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rowley comes into the arena with Sandstorm blaring out of the sound system. 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.

Rowley
vs
Malouf

189 cm
18
170 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

184 cm
20
168 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Tends to cut

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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Steve Rowley!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Stacey Malouf!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Tarja Halkonen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rowley misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Malouf is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Rowley's half guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Malouf is thwarting Rowley's attempts to control the position.

Malouf is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Rowley has managed to free his arm - good work.
Malouf trying to mount his opponent but Rowley defends it.

Malouf is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Malouf is working for a submission of some sort.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malouf thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Rowley's head.
Rowley wants to get back to full guard.
Malouf working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Rowley keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Malouf throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Rowley tries to roll over but Malouf keeps him under control.

Malouf is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Rowley defends it well.
Rowley trying to control but Malouf postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Malouf is looking for a kimura but Rowley is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Malouf to get the leverage.
Malouf looks gassed!

Rowley kicks Malouf off and gets back to his feet.

Rowley is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Malouf's half guard.
Ground and pound from Rowley.
Malouf wants to control but Rowley is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Rowley seems to be working for a kimura but Malouf defends the submission attempt.
Rowley wants to take a breather but Malouf is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malouf is looking to control Rowley's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Malouf avoid being mounted?

Malouf is defending against the submission attempts here by Rowley.
Rowley passes the guard and advances to mount!
Malouf tries to lock up and control but Rowley gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

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.
Malouf gets back to half guard.
Malouf has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Rowley is working away from the top position though.
Rowley wants to pass to mount but Malouf is defending the position.
Rowley missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Malouf looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Rowley works his way into side control.
Malouf dodges the ground and pound from Rowley.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Stacey Malouf will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Rowley shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Rowley takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Malouf tries to close the distance and clinch but Rowley swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Rowley clinches but Malouf breaks the clinch
and Malouf counters with a right hand to the body.
Steve Rowley is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Malouf shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Rowley is trying to defend but Malouf finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Rowley is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Malouf is trying to control. Rowley wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Malouf seems to be looking for submissions.
Malouf looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Malouf is breathing heavily.
Rowley flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Rowley wants to control but Malouf is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Malouf in particular looking to stall.

Malouf trying to work for an americana but Rowley has managed to regain full guard.

Rowley working for a triangle but Malouf defends it easily.

Rowley looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Rowley manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Malouf manages to get himself to full guard.
Malouf controls Rowley momentarily but Rowley frees himself.

Malouf looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Rowley trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Rowley trying to control but Malouf is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Rowley thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Rowley with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Malouf is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Malouf is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Rowley is aware though and is defending well.
Malouf controls Rowley momentarily but Rowley frees himself.
Rowley postures up and lands a big shot to Malouf's brow.

Malouf working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Rowley doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Rowley manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Rowley pushes down on Malouf's leg and manages to get into half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rowley passes into side control, despite Malouf's attempt to control the position.
Malouf is trying to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stacey Malouf showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Malouf tries to keep at a distance but Rowley has taken the fight into the clinch.
Malouf tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Rowley just stands there and leans against the cage.
Malouf avoiding damage as Rowley throws knees to the body.
Rowley looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Rowley with a knee to the head.

It looks like Stacey Malouf has been cut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Malouf is working for takedown but Rowley is calmly controlling the position for now.

Rowley escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Malouf takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Rowley shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Malouf manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Malouf is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Rowley defends well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Malouf throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Stacey Malouf has got the better of the ground game so far.
Rowley trying to control but Malouf is working from the bottom.

Malouf is looking for a triangle but Rowley pushes his legs off easily.
Rowley is looking to work some ground and pound but Malouf has wrist control.

Malouf looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Rowley passes easily into side control. Nice work.

That's two 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.
Rowley scoring with punches and elbows.
Malouf is looking to reverse the position.

Rowley tries for a kimura but Malouf is defending well.

Rowley is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Malouf has escaped the position, nice work there.
Rowley knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Malouf on the ground.
Malouf holds on tight, trying to prevent any damage.
Sloppy strikes there by Rowley.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rowley wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Malouf, who protects the arm well.
Malouf is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Rowley's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

Malouf is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Rowley pulls his head out easily.
Malouf trying to control but Rowley postures up.
Malouf has hold of Rowley's hands but Rowley slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Malouf is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Ground and pound from Rowley.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Malouf looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Rowley is trying to control the action in half guard but Malouf is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Malouf wants to control but Rowley is keeping busy and won't allow it.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Rowley scores with a head kick.

Rowley forces Malouf back against the cage and clinches.
Rowley misses with an elbow over the top.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rowley tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Malouf just stands there and leans against the cage.
Steve Rowley has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Stacey Malouf is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Steve Rowley showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Malouf has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Steve Rowley!