PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Timmy Crain (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Errico Malatesta (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Crain
vs
Malatesta

185 cm
20
145 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

161 cm
25
134 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Timmy Crain!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Errico Malatesta!
The judges for this bout are Albert Achterberg, Wagner Zegers and Paul Aken.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Crain dives in and scores a takedown into Malatesta's guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Malatesta trying to control the position.
Malatesta trying to strike off his back.
Crain stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Malatesta swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Crain works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Crain thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Malatesta's head.
Malatesta wants to improve his position but Crain is controlling well.
Crain is looking to take a break and control but Malatesta is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Malatesta tries to roll over but Crain keeps him under control.

Crain is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Malatesta doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Crain.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Still in half guard, Crain seems content to control.
Malatesta moves into full guard.
Crain really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Crain is pushing down on Malatesta's leg trying to pass to half guard. Malatesta is fighting to maintain full guard but Crain has managed to sneak the leg through.
Malatesta trying to control but Crain postures up.

Crain is looking for a kimura here.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Crain is trying to work for a kimura but Malatesta is defending well.
Malatesta is looking for a sweep. Crain is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Crain is looking for a kimura but Malatesta is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Crain to get the leverage.
Malatesta tries to roll over but Crain keeps him under control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Crain wants to pass to mount but Malatesta is defending the position.
Malatesta is looking to control Crain's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Malatesta avoid being mounted?
Crain thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Malatesta's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Crain 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.
Crain moves into full mount! Malatesta won't be happy about that!
Crain wants to control the pace but Malatesta is squirming around nicely.
Crain thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Crain throwing strikes here but Malatesta is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Crain avoids the attempt from Malatesta to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Crain is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Malatesta to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Malatesta shrugs it off.

Crain looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.

Crain working for a guillotine from mount but Malatesta is in no mood to give up.
Crain unloads with some shots from mount but Malatesta bucks and avoids them well.
Crain thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Crain throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Crain throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Malatesta because Crain loaded up on that one.
Malatesta tries to lock up and control but Crain gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Timmy Crain dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Malatesta wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Good leg kick by Crain there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Malatesta dives in for a single leg takedown but Crain sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Crain breaks the clinch.
Crain misses with an attempted mid kick.
Malatesta shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Crain defends it nicely.

Crain closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Malatesta to the mat! Malatesta manages to get full guard.
Crain working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Malatesta wants to stand up but Crain is controlling him.
Malatesta is breathing heavily.

Malatesta working for a triangle but Crain defends it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crain passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Crain in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Crain passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Malatesta!
Crain looking to finish with strikes here!
Crain will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Crain thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Crain throwing strikes here but Malatesta is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.

Crain jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Malatesta manages to avoid the submission attempt.

Crain looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Crain looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Crain wants to lay and pray for a moment but Malatesta keeps working.
The ground and pound from Crain seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Crain wants to control but Malatesta is keeping him busy.
We've been hearing good reports from Crain's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

Crain working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Crain throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Crain is looking to take a break and control but Malatesta is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Crain tries for a kimura but Malatesta is defending well.

Crain wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Malatesta, who protects the arm well.

Crain is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Malatesta knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Malatesta's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Crain fails to land a wild elbow strike.

Crain is trying to get an arm triangle but Malatesta is defending well.
Crain trying to control the position but Malatesta is working away.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Crain is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Malatesta knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Timmy Crain dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

A low kick from Malatesta is predictable there
and Crain counters with a good low kick that Malatesta was not able to check.
Good exchange - Malatesta coming out on top.
Malatesta fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Errico Malatesta seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Crain tries to score a power double leg takedown but Malatesta sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Crain somewhat.
Crain fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Malatesta wants to clinch
and Crain counters with a stiff right hand.

Crain scores with a takedown into Malatesta's guard.
Malatesta takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Malatesta looking for a sweep. Not yet Malatesta, not yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malatesta preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Crain postures up in Malatesta's guard and throws a big left but Malatesta blocks it.
Timmy Crain overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Malatesta wants to sweep but no luck.
Malatesta keeping moving, preventing Crain from controlling successfully.
Crain pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Malatesta is keeping the position for now.
Crain trying to control the position from guard on top but Malatesta is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Crain passes into half guard.
Crain throwing shots but Malatesta is blocking nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malatesta won't allow Crain to pass to mount.
Crain moves nicely into side control.
Crain is looking to take a break and control but Malatesta is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Crain is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Malatesta is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Crain fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Crain misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

Crain is working for what looks like an arm triangle here. Malatesta is trying to escape and Crain transitions quickly into an armbar! He's slapped it on tight and Malatesta is forced to tap! Nice work there by Crain! Very nice indeed!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:59 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Timmy Crain!