PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between John Mali (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe Renald (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Joe Renald will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Mali
vs
Renald

220 cm
25
260 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

194 cm
23
270 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

CEC Nutrition Q160

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 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, John Mali!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Joe Renald!
The judges for this bout are Paul Aken, Saam Ante and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Mali decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Mali looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!

Mali postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Renald to stand up.

Renald fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Mali to the ground. Renald is now in Mali's guard.
Renald must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Renald sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Mali utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Renald really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Mali. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Renald with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
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!
Renald pushing down on Mali's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Renald content to control rather than advance.
Mali trying to control but Renald postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Mali is defending against the submission attempts here by Renald.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Renald trying to control the action but Mali is working from the bottom.
Renald controlling the action here.
Renald is looking to take a break and control but Mali is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mali looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Renald is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Renald throws a strike but Mali avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Renald is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Renald wants to control from the top but Mali keeps moving.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Renald controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Renald wants to control from the top but Mali keeps moving.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Joe Renald hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Renald doesn't manage to clinch there - Mali circles away.
Renald tries to close the distance and clinch but Mali swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Mali enables Renald to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Mali manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Mali has his foot on Renald's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Renald works his way back into a safe position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Renald controls from within his opponent's guard.
Renald stands up over Mali, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Renald is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Renald won't allow Mali to sweep him here.
Renald works a leg free and moves into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Renald looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mali pushes Renald off looking to stand but Renald dives back in and keeps control.
Mali is not content to let Renald control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Renald dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Nice cross by Renald.

Renald drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Renald controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Renald postures up and lands a big shot to Mali's brow.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Mali is looking to stand up but Renald isn't so interested in that idea.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Renald chips away with some ground and pound.
Renald controls from within his opponent's guard.
Renald trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Renald controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Joe Renald wasn't active enough on the ground.
Renald is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Renald fails with an attempt to clinch.
Renald thows a left - swing and a miss!

Renald moves into the clinch successfully.
Renald is trying to stall.
Renald stalling in the clinch.
Renald tries a knee to the head but Mali blocks it.
Renald tries to land a knee to the head but Mali blocks with his arms.
Renald trying to control the position but instead, Mali has worked for underhooks and has pushed Renald into the cage.

Mali tightens his grip and picks Renald up, before dumping him to the ground. Renald manages to land in guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Mali accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Renald is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mali wants to control from the top but Renald keeps moving.
Joe Renald has got the better of the ground game so far.
Renald throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Renald looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Mali postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Mali trying to control the position from guard on top but Renald is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref stands the fighters back up because John Mali just wasn't active enough.
Renald jabs at Mali's body.

Renald moves into the clinch successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Renald misses with a knee to the head.
Renald throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Mali blocks it with crossed arms.

Mali has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Renald regains guard immediately.
Mali won't allow Renald to sweep him here.
Mali throws a strike but Renald rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Renald won't allow Mali to get back to his feet.
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!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mali working a defensive guard but Renald manages to pass into side control anyway.
Mali is looking for a sweep.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Renald showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Renald lands a knee to the body.
Renald scores with a knee to the head.

It looks like John Mali has been cut.
Knees in the clinch landing for Renald.
Renald controlling the action here for a moment.
Renald with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Renald lands a nice knee to the body.
Renald avoiding damage.
Renald misses with a knee to the head.
Renald manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mali takes a knee right on the jaw!
Renald taking a breather.

Renald is fighting off a takedown attempt but Mali is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Renald to the mat. Renald regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Renald preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Renald is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Renald content to control rather than advance.
Mali really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Mali looking for submissions off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mali tries to roll over but Renald keeps him under control.
Mali wants to control but Renald is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Renald is controlling the pace.
Joe Renald is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Joe Renald.

Renald gets a double leg takedown into Mali's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mali escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Renald gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Renald looking to pass the guard.
Renald is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Mali is looking for a triangle here but Renald uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Renald controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Renald's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mali looking for a sweep but Renald has passed into full mount! Oh no!

And that's the end of the fight!
Joe Renald comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Renald has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Paul Aken scores the fight 27:30
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joe Renald!