PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Butter Ball (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aleks Malinkovikh (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Malinkovikh has chosen Disturbed - Down with the sickness as his entrance music. Aleks Malinkovikh will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Ball
vs
Malinkovikh

180 cm
19
300 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

220 cm
23
296 lbs
7 - 9 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Butter Ball!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, Aleks Malinkovikh!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, Bruno Lombardi and Dean Styles.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ball instigates a clinch.
Malinkovikh wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Ball has him pressed against the cage.
Malinkovikh wants to break the clinch but can't.
Malinkovikh blocks an elbow strike.
Ball prevents Malinkovikh from breaking the clinch.
Malinkovikh wants to break the clinch but can't.
Ball has Malinkovikh pressed against the cage.
Malinkovikh is looking to break free of the clinch but Ball has double underhooks.

Malinkovikh breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Malinkovikh looks to land a combination but Ball avoids it well.
Ball swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Malinkovikh counters with a one-two to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Malinkovikh closes the distance and clinches.
Malinkovikh has had enough of the clinch but Ball keeps him there for the moment.
Ball lands with a light punch inside.
A short left from Ball.
Ball keeps control of Malinkovikh as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
A right handed body shot lands from Ball.
Still in the clinch, Ball scores with a nice short uppercut.
Malinkovikh is looking to break free of the clinch but Ball has double underhooks.
Malinkovikh wants to get back to striking at distance but Ball won't allow it.
Malinkovikh is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Ball has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Malinkovikh avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
A shot in the inside from Ball.
Ball lands with a right to the head.
Malinkovikh lands an elbow that stopped Ball in his tracks for a moment.

Ball has hold of one of Malinkovikh's legs. Malinkovikh is fighting the takedown attempt but Ball gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Malinkovikh looks gassed!

Malinkovikh is working an open guard so Ball takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ball tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Malinkovikh swivels and escapes.
Malinkovikh throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Ball drives through and clinches with Malinkovikh against the cage.

Malinkovikh breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Malinkovikh defending well as Ball loads up on a big left hand.
Malinkovikh stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Butter Ball. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ball throws a hook but Malinkovikh avoids it easily.
Malinkovikh lands a jab to the nose.
Ball misses with a takedown attempt
and Malinkovikh counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Malinkovikh will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Ball misses with a combination
and Malinkovikh counters with a head kick. That will keep Ball thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malinkovikh slips a jab from Ball.

Ball scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Ball content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.

Ball has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Malinkovikh steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ball.
Aleks Malinkovikh is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A chopping leg kick lands by Ball.
Ball fails to land the takedown.
Malinkovikh avoids a punch combination nicely.
Ball fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Malinkovikh takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Malinkovikh throws a nice looking combination but Ball bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Ball looks for a takedown but Malinkovikh sprawls well.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Malinkovikh managing to block the knees to the body from Ball.

Ball manages to break the clinch.
Ball with a jab.

Ball decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Malinkovikh wants to get back to his feet.
Ball wants to pass the guard but Malinkovikh is defending well.
Ball throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Malinkovikh is trying to stand back up but Ball is controlling him
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ball controlling the pace.
Ball prevents Malinkovikh from improving his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Aleks Malinkovikh will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Malinkovikh stuffs the takedown.
Ball misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Malinkovikh.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Malinkovikh misses with a series of wild punches.
Ball misses the jab.
Horrible takedown by Ball or perhaps it was just good defense by Malinkovikh which made him look bad.
Malinkovikh blocks a leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Horrible takedown by Ball or perhaps it was just good defense by Malinkovikh which made him look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Butter Ball. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ball throws a lazy right hand but Malinkovikh sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malinkovikh keeps the fight on the outside.
Ball on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Ball throws a jab but it's blocked by Malinkovikh.
Ball misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Malinkovikh lands with a right hand.
Malinkovikh lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Ball backs up against the cage.
Malinkovikh's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Malinkovikh duly obliges.
Ball walks forward, straight into a front kick from Malinkovikh.
Ball lands a nice leg kick that just misses Malinkovikh's sensitive parts.
A combination from Malinkovikh does no damage.
Ball throws a jab but it's blocked by Malinkovikh.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ball looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Ball performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

Ball is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Malinkovikh manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Ball looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Butter Ball seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ball swings for the body but Malinkovikh moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malinkovikh tries to bum rush Ball with a series of wild strikes but Ball uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Ball misses with a low kick as Malinkovikh jumps back.
Ball tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ball misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Malinkovikh misses with a double jab.

Ball scores a takedown into full mount!
Ball landing strikes, looking to finish!
Ball landing punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ball can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Malinkovikh is looking to escape.
Malinkovikh wants to try and get back to his feet.
A nice elbow there by Ball.
Ball controlling the position easily from mount.
Malinkovikh in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Ball tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Ball scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Ball content just to control the position here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Aleks Malinkovikh will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Ball darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Malinkovikh works his way to full guard. Good work.
Ball stands up over Malinkovikh, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Ball decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Malinkovikh, up you get!
Nice defenses there by Malinkovikh.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ball changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Ball connects with a nice looking jab.
Aleks Malinkovikh seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ball throws a solid leg kick but Malinkovikh takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Ball.

Ball looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Malinkovikh!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malinkovikh really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Ball working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Malinkovikh is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Ball wants to finish this one by submission but Malinkovikh is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Ball.
Malinkovikh is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Ball is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Butter Ball has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

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.
Ball controlling from mount.

Ball has control of Malinkovikh's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Malinkovikh regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Ball controlling the pace for now.
Malinkovikh tries to reverse the position but Ball maintains control.
Ball lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Malinkovikh hang on?
Ball lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Butter Ball overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ball controlling from mount.
You get the feeling that Malinkovikh really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Ball lands a big shot there that rocks Malinkovikh but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ball is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Malinkovikh can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Ball content just to control the position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ball unloading with bombs!
Ball tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Ball with shots to the head and body - Malinkovikh looks very uncomfortable down there.
Ball looking to control and managing it successfully.
BOOM! Ball connects with a massive shot to the dome!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Malinkovikh squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Ball lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Aleks Malinkovikh is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Ball with a couple of short strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Butter Ball showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Malinkovikh 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 Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 29:28
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 29:28
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 28:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Butter Ball!