PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Josh Malone (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nikolino Visnjic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Visnjic is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Come undone. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Nikolino Visnjic was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Malone
vs
Visnjic

193 cm
19
227 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

210 cm
24
280 lbs
9 - 12 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Josh Malone!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Nikolino Visnjic!
The judges for this bout are Paulsen Ambrosius, Saam Ante and Nard Betker.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Malone walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

It looks like Josh Malone has been cut.
Visnjic throws a series of punches but Malone avoids them all with ease.
Visnjic swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Visnjic cracks Malone with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Visnjic uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Malone has time to react.
Visnjic is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Visnjic checks a leg kick nicely.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Visnjic throws a right and a left that both miss.

Malone decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Malone is trying to control. Visnjic wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Visnjic has hold of Malone's hands but Malone slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Malone lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Visnjic tries to kick Malone off but Malone keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Visnjic pushes Malone off and gets back to his feet.
Malone uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Visnjic.
Malone scores with a nice right hand.
Visnjic throws a series of punches but Malone moves out of range.

Malone darts in and clinches Visnjic up against the cage.

Malone gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Visnjic regains guard.
Malone wants to pass the guard but Visnjic is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Visnjic has momentary wrist control but Malone slips an elbow through the middle.
Malone looking to pass the guard.

Visnjic kicks Malone off and gets to his feet.
Malone ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Visnjic moves away.
Malone misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Visnjic.

Malone gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Malone is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Malone lands with a light punch inside.
Visnjic has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Malone tries for a takedown but Visnjic manages to get underhooks.
Visnjic wants to break the clinch but can't.
Visnjic is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Malone goes for a takedown in the clinch but Visnjic prevents it.
Visnjic wants to get back to striking at distance but Malone won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Malone pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Malone moves forwards but Visnjic connects with a nice, crisp jab.
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!
Visnjic checks a low kick from Malone.
Malone cracks Visnjic with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Malone thows a body shot but no joy.
Visnjic misses with a jab, cross combination.
Visnjic bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

Visnjic tries to keep at a distance but Malone has taken the fight into the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Visnjic's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Malone gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Malone lands a nice short elbow.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Malone connects with a nice short shot to Visnjic's temple.
Visnjic wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malone is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Malone lands strikes from half guard.
Malone working Visnjic over with strikes.
Visnjic is trying to stand back up but Malone is controlling him
Visnjic has hold of Malone's hands but Malone slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Visnjic pushes Malone off looking to stand but Malone dives back in and keeps control.
Visnjic looks gassed!
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Malone working the head and body with strikes.

Malone is looking for a kimura but Visnjic is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Malone to get the leverage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Malone working over Visnjic with some ground and pound. Visnjic looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Malone looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Visnjic wants to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Malone seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Visnjic does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Visnjic is looking to escape.
Malone looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Visnjic with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Still in half guard, Malone seems content to control.
Visnjic on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Visnjic is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Malone scores with a couple of nice shots.
Malone trying to mount his opponent but Visnjic defends it.
Visnjic is trying to stand up here but Malone is controlling him well.
Malone working the head and body with strikes.
Visnjic is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Malone scores with a couple of nice shots.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Malone is trying to work for a kimura but Visnjic is defending well.
Visnjic pushes Malone off looking to stand but Malone dives back in and keeps control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh Malone dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Josh Malone's cut.
That's time! Malone's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Malone uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Visnjic.
Visnjic throws out a loose jab but Malone uses good head movement to avoid it.
Malone throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Visnjic.
Nikolino Visnjic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Visnjic misses with a straight left.

Malone is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Visnjic's half guard.
Malone stops Visnjic from getting back to his feet.
Malone slips a nice elbow through Visnjic's hands, connecting with Visnjic's forehead.
Malone stops Visnjic from getting back to his feet.
Malone wants to lay and pray for a moment but Visnjic keeps working.
Malone lands with a punch from half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Malone working Visnjic over with strikes.
Visnjic is trying to stand up here but Malone is controlling him well.
Visnjic is breathing heavily.
Malone is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Malone looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Malone here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malone lands with a punch from half guard.
Malone slips a nice elbow through Visnjic's hands, connecting with Visnjic's forehead.
Malone tries to pass the half guard into mount. Visnjic knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Visnjic is trying to stand.
Visnjic taking some punishment here, with Malone in his half guard.
Malone trying to control from half guard but Visnjic is working away.
Nice strikes from Malone there.
Malone working over Visnjic with some ground and pound. Visnjic looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Visnjic tries to kick Malone off in order to stand up. Malone Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Malone working the ground and pound.
Malone is chipping away with strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malone lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Malone cracks Visnjic with a big right hand but Visnjic just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Malone trying to control the position but Visnjic is working away.
Malone works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Malone trying to control the action but Visnjic is working from the bottom.
Malone lands some shots froms side control.
Visnjic takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.

Visnjic sneaks out the side door and pushes Malone away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Visnjic jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.

Malone fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Visnjic, pushing him back against the cage.
Visnjic tries to circle away but Malone has him pinned against the cage.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Malone scores with a shot to the side of Visnjic's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malone tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Malone is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Visnjic gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Visnjic is fighting off a takedown attempt but Malone is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Visnjic to the mat. Visnjic regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Visnjic is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Malone stays in close to Visnjic's body and controls the position.
Malone landing with the ground and pound.
Malone trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Malone knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Visnjic on the ground.
Visnjic is looking to stand up but Malone isn't so interested in that idea.
Malone cracks Visnjic with a solid left hand.
Visnjic keeping full guard, as Malone tries to pass.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Malone working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Visnjic's head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Malone scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Malone's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Malone connects with a couple of short punches.
Malone wants to control from the top but Visnjic keeps moving.
Malone distracts Visnjic with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Malone wants to control from the top but Visnjic keeps moving.
Malone works over Visnjic with some ground and pound from guard.
Visnjic is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Malone trying to control but Visnjic is working from the bottom.
Malone stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Visnjic swivels though and keeps the full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh Malone dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Josh Malone's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Malone clinches.
Visnjic wants to break the clinch but can't.
Malone has Visnjic pressed against the cage, preventing Visnjic from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
A frustrated look appears on Visnjic's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Malone manages to pull guard.
Visnjic postures up.

Visnjic decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Malone, up you get!
Visnjic looks to land a combination but Malone avoids it well.
Malone throws a right hand that Visnjic ducks under and follows up with a left that Visnjic also avoids with ease.
Visnjic lands a two punch combo.
Visnjic takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Malone closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Malone.
Malone drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Visnjic gets the underhooks and prevents it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Malone drags the fight down to the ground.
Malone controls Visnjic momentarily but Visnjic frees himself.
Malone wants to get back to his feet but Visnjic passes into half guard.
Visnjic tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Malone.
Malone is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Visnjic jumps into side control!
Malone is looking for a sweep.
Malone on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Malone tries to get out of the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Visnjic tries to stand but Malone is controlling his head.
Malone tries to bench press Visnjic off him but Visnjic keeps the position.

Visnjic decides to stand back up.
Malone is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Visnjic can do to turn this around?
Visnjic thuds his right hand into Malone's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

Malone closes the distance and clinches.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Malone has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Visnjic is trying to keep an underhook but Malone manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Malone is nestled in close to Visnjic, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Visnjic pushes Malone off looking to stand but Malone dives back in and keeps control.
Malone is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Visnjic is staying active underneath Malone, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malone is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Visnjic has hold of Malone's hands but Malone slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Malone is nestled in close to Visnjic, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Visnjic is trying to stand back up but Malone is controlling him
Visnjic has hold of Malone's hands but Malone slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Nice strikes from Malone there.
Malone takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Visnjic on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Malone working the head and body with strikes.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Malone 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.
Malone working Visnjic over with strikes.
Malone trying to pass the guard but Visnjic defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Malone stops Visnjic from getting back to his feet.
Malone is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Visnjic tries to kick Malone off but Malone keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Josh Malone is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Malone looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

Malone is looking for a kimura here.
Malone working Visnjic over with strikes.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Malone winds up and cracks Visnjic with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Nikolino Visnjic has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Malone is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
Josh Malone showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Malone, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 30:27
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 30:27
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Josh Malone!
Josh Malone was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.