PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Paulao Maluko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Victor Bitancourt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Victor Bitancourt has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Maluko
vs
Bitancourt

183 cm
25
185 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

175 cm
18
180 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Decent elbows
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Paulao Maluko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Victor Bitancourt!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Daniel Cesar and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maluko doesn't manage to clinch there - Bitancourt circles away.
Good leg kick by Maluko there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Maluko lands a front kick.
Maluko wants to clinch.
Paulao Maluko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Bitancourt looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Maluko!
Maluko is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Bitancourt working Maluko over with strikes here.
Bitancourt looks gassed!
Maluko tries to buck Bitancourt off but he can't manage it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bitancourt lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Bitancourt postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Maluko looks a forlorn figure.
Bitancourt connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Maluko is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Maluko knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Bitancourt on the ground.
Bitancourt lands a big shot there that rocks Maluko but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Maluko trying desperately to get to his feet.

Bitancourt is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Maluko can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Maluko wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bitancourt fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Maluko is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Bitancourt pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Maluko is trying to stand.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Bitancourt cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Bitancourt has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Bitancourt lands with some strikes.
Bitancourt with a couple of short strikes.
Maluko is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bitancourt with good strikes from the mount here!
BOOM! Bitancourt connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Bitancourt landing punches.
Bitancourt landing shots from mount.
Bitancourt throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Maluko's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Maluko taking shots to the head.
Bitancourt content just to control the position here.
Maluko wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Bitancourt lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Maluko hang on?
Maluko wants to try and get back to his feet.
Bitancourt landing shots from mount.
Maluko really wants to buck Bitancourt off and get back to his feet.
Bitancourt looking to control but Maluko is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
The referee warns Maluko that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Maluko really wants to buck Bitancourt off and get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Victor Bitancourt will probably get the nod.
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.

No luck with that takedown attempt from Bitancourt.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Maluko.
Maluko lands a nice leg kick that just misses Bitancourt's sensitive parts.

Maluko clinches up with Bitancourt and pushes him back against the cage.
Maluko connects with a nasty looking knee right to Bitancourt's face.

Maluko escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Bitancourt avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Maluko, right into the meat.
Maluko lands a head kick. Bitancourt smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

Maluko pushes Bitancourt up against the cage in a clinch.
Maluko lands an elbow inside that Bitancourt shrugs off.

Maluko pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
The fight stays on the outside here - Maluko looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Maluko connects with a solid leg kick.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Maluko pushes Bitancourt up against the cage in a clinch.
Maluko lands an elbow just above Bitancourt 's eye.
Maluko crunches a lovely knee into Bitancourt's ribcage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maluko lands a nice elbow.

Maluko breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Maluko keeps Bitancourt at a distance using the push kick.
Maluko scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

Maluko rushes Bitancourt and presses him up against the cage.

Maluko escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Maluko tries to clinch but Bitancourt is having none of it.

Maluko clinches.
Maluko unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Maluko prevents a takedown attempt there.

Maluko pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Maluko instigates a clinch.
Maluko lands a damaging elbow.
Maluko lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

Maluko manages to break the clinch.
Bitancourt circles away from the clinch attempt.
Paulao Maluko is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Maluko lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

Maluko instigates a clinch.
Nice elbow from Maluko.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maluko lands a good knee to the midsection. Bitancourt won't want to take too many of those.
Maluko working Bitancourt over with knees to the body.
Bitancourt tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Paulao Maluko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Victor Bitancourt.

Maluko breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Maluko moves into range and clinches up with Bitancourt.
Nice elbow from Maluko.
Bitancourt is trying to maintain a safe position but Maluko gets an underhook and turns Bitancourt into the cage.
Bitancourt tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Maluko smiles and moves away.
Maluko avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Maluko throws a leg kick which misses Bitancourt's front leg but catches the back leg as Bitancourt tries to avoid it.
Maluko throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Bitancourt shoots in but no luck this time.
Bitancourt takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Maluko breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Maluko moves into range and lands a nice body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maluko looks to land a combination but Bitancourt avoids it well.
Maluko is looking to clinch.
A chopping leg kick lands by Maluko.
A solid leg kick lands there for Maluko.
A punch combination from Maluko misses.
Maluko goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
No joy there for Maluko, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Bitancourt is trying hard to land a takedown here. Maluko sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Maluko lets loose with a powerful body kick. Bitancourt will feel that in the morning.
Maluko looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Maluko is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Maluko wants to clinch.
Maluko pushes Bitancourt away with a front kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maluko tries to clinch but Bitancourt is having none of it.
Maluko throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Bitancourt avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Maluko misses with a series of wild punches.
Maluko tries to bum rush Bitancourt with a series of wild strikes but Bitancourt uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Bitancourt has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Maluko.
Maluko closes the distance looking to clinch

and Bitancourt counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Bitancourt.
Maluko using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

Maluko breaks from the clinch.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Maluko, right into the meat.
Maluko bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Maluko scores with a nice body kick.

Maluko takes the fight into the clinch.
Maluko lands an elbow that stopped Bitancourt in his tracks for a moment.
Maluko lands a nice elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paulao Maluko dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Maluko throws a leg kick which misses Bitancourt's front leg but catches the back leg as Bitancourt tries to avoid it.
Maluko throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Bitancourt throws a right hand that Maluko ducks under and follows up with a left that Maluko also avoids with ease.
Maluko lands with a slapping head kick.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Maluko with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Bitancourt fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Nice elbow from Maluko.

Maluko breaks the clinch.
Bitancourt changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Maluko tries to avoid it but Bitancourt manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Maluko to the ground. Maluko escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
A solid leg kick lands there for Maluko.
Maluko tries to clinch up

and Bitancourt counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Bitancourt stops Maluko from standing up.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bitancourt keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Maluko's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bitancourt stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Maluko swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Maluko is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Bitancourt is controlling him.

Maluko scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Bitancourt shoots in but no luck this time.
Paulao Maluko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Victor Bitancourt.
A thudding body kick lands there by Maluko!
Bitancourt slips a jab and a cross from Maluko.
Maluko throws a head kick that misses.
Maluko lands with a kick to the temple. Bitancourt shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

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.
Maluko dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Bitancourt. That did some damage!

Maluko moves into the clinch successfully.
Maluko using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Bitancourt has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Maluko tries a knee to the head but Bitancourt blocks it.
Maluko managing to block the knees to the body from Bitancourt.
Bitancourt takes an elbow to the temple.
Maluko with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Maluko scores with a knee to the head.
Bitancourt trying to land knees to the body.
Bitancourt tries for a takedown but Maluko manages to get underhooks.
Bitancourt takes an elbow to the temple.
Maluko lands a nice elbow.
Nice elbow from Maluko.

Maluko breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Bitancourt looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Maluko!
Bitancourt lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Maluko hang on?
Bitancourt can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Maluko is looking to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maluko is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Bitancourt with shots to the head and body - Maluko looks very uncomfortable down there.
Maluko wants to try and get back to his feet.
Bitancourt looking to control but Maluko is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Maluko is trying to stand.
Bitancourt can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Maluko is looking to escape.
Maluko is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.

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.
Maluko trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Bitancourt lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Bitancourt working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Maluko is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Maluko is in a horrible position here. Bitancourt smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Maluko is trying to stand.
Bitancourt dominating with strikes here.
BOOM! Bitancourt connects with a massive shot to the dome!

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Victor Bitancourt.
I think Bitancourt 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 Luis Engracia scores the fight 28:28
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 29:27
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 28:28

The fight is ruled a majority draw!