PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Matt Malians (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Philli Juce (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Malians kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genuis that is Right Now - Van Halen. Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Malians
vs
Juce

173 cm
22
164 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

179 cm
22
155 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Matt Malians!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Philli Juce!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Franklyn Lucas and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck for Juce with that takedown attempt.

Malians drives through with a takedown into guard.

Malians is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Juce trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Malians pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Juce is keeping the position for now.
Juce wants to sweep here but Malians controlling him for the moment.

Juce working for a triangle but Malians defends it easily.
Juce working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Malians.

Malians is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

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

and Juce counters with a takedown into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malians defending against the ground and pound.
Juce trying to control the position but Malians is working away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Juce postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Malians is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Juce trying to control the action but Malians is working from the bottom.
Malians manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Malians looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Malians is breathing heavily.
Malians has hold of Juce's hands but Juce slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

Juce is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Malians is just riding it out for now. Juce eventually gives up the hold.

Juce is looking for a kimura but Malians is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Juce to get the leverage.

That's two 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.
Juce thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Malians gets full guard.

Malians escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Juce gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Malians is looking for a triangle but Juce pushes his legs off easily.
Malians keeping moving, preventing Juce from controlling successfully.
Juce loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Malians looking to hit a scissor sweep but Juce is one step ahead there.
Malians keeping full guard, as Juce tries to pass.

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

Malians had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Juce is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Malians Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Juce's back instead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Malians working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Juce fending off the submission attempt from Malians.

Juce defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Malians's arms.

Malians is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Juce has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.

Malians looking for the choke but no joy.

Juce defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Juce can't escape the position.
Juce really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Malians. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Juce breaks Malians's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Juce advances position into side control!
Malians gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Juce is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.

Malians looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Juce is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Malians doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Juce.
The fighters are battling for position here. Malians manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Malians looking to hit a scissor sweep but Juce is one step ahead there.

Malians working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Juce doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Juce manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Malians dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Malians misses with a takedown attempt
and Juce counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Malians looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Juce is fending him off so far but Malians persists. Nope, Juce circles away and we're back to standing.
Malians looks for a takedown but Juce sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matt Malians. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Juce doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Malians counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Malians is working for a kimura but Juce is defending it quite comfortably.

Malians is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Juce doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Malians.
Juce holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Juce wants to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Juce has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Malians is working away from the top position though.
Juce flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Juce misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Juce is trying to get back to full guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Juce wants to clinch but Malians slips to the side

and Malians counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Malians is looking for a kimura here.
Malians sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Juce defending well though.
Juce gets full guard.

Malians drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Malians jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Juce is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Matt Malians overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Malians regains full guard. Nicely done.

Malians escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Juce gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Malians has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Juce can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Malians is actively looking for submissions from his back. He's worked himself a little space on the bottom and seems to be going for a triangle. No, he's switched into an armbar! That was slick! Juce rolls with it to try and escape but Malians cranks on the arm and Juce is forced to tap out! This one is aaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:34 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Matt Malians!