PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Sam Malone (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mickey Otoole (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sam Malone had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 136.0lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Malone
vs
Otoole

170 cm
20
145 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

175 cm
20
130 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Solid 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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Sam Malone!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mickey Otoole!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Sergei Dronov and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Malone throws a right and a left that Otoole avoids nicely.
Otoole misses with a looping left.

Malone instigates a clinch.
Otoole is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Malone has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Otoole avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Malone misses with a knee strike.
Malone dodges an elbow strike from Otoole.
Otoole throws a knee to the head but misses.
Malone can't break the clinch.
Malone is trying to pull guard but Otoole has him pressed against the cage.
Malone tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Otoole avoids it.
Malone tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Malone dodges an elbow strike from Otoole.
Malone blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Otoole being controlled against the cage.
Otoole tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Malone avoids it.
Malone with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Otoole creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Otoole misses with a body punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malone unloads a knee to the mid-section. Otoole lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Otoole looks winded!
Malone throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
We've been hearing reports that Malone has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Malone takes an elbow to the temple.
Otoole is looking to control Malone's arms but Malone gets an underhook and turns him. Now Otoole has his back to the cage.
Otoole tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Otoole tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Malone avoids it.
Malone unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Malone tries to land knees in the clinch but Otoole avoids the damage to the body.
Malone tries to land a knee to the head but Otoole blocks with his arms.
Malone missing with knees to the body.
Malone avoids the elbow strike from Otoole, against the cage.
Otoole tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Malone avoids it.
Otoole throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Malone blocks it with crossed arms.
Malone throws a knee to the head but misses.
Otoole managing to block the knees to the body from Malone.
Malone looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Otoole landing knees to the body.
Malone is trying to drag Otoole to the mat but Otoole just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sam Malone. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Knees to the body from Malone.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malone throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Otoole blocks it with crossed arms.
Otoole using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Malone has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Otoole using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Malone breaks the clinch.

Malone takes the fight into the clinch.

Malone breaks from the clinch.

Otoole rushes Malone and presses him up against the cage.
Otoole throws an elbow but it misses.
Malone misses with an elbow strike.
Malone throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Otoole blocks it with crossed arms.
Otoole tries to land a knee to the head but Malone blocks with his arms.
Malone wants to break free but Otoole has control.
Otoole avoiding damage as Malone throws knees to the body.
Otoole looks to throw an elbow but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Otoole tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Otoole lands a nice elbow.
Malone looking for a takedown.
Malone lands a knee to the body.
Otoole throws a knee to the head but misses.
Malone goes for a takedown attempt but Otoole pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Otoole instigates a clinch.

Malone successfully pulls guard.

Malone looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Malone tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Otoole is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Malone looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Otoole trying to control the position from guard on top but Malone is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Malone looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Otoole trying to control but Malone is working from the bottom.

Malone has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Otoole can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
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!
Otoole trying to control but Malone is working from the bottom.

Malone is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Otoole missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Otoole wanted to stand there but Malone had control of the position.

Malone is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Otoole defends well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sam Malone dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Otoole closes the distance and pushes Malone back into the cage.
Malone looking to throw knees to the head but Otoole is blocking nicely.
Malone is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Malone has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Otoole regains guard immediately.
Malone pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Otoole is keeping the position for now.
Otoole manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Malone manages to get himself to full guard.
Otoole throws a big right hand that misses.
Otoole trying to control the position from guard on top but Malone is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Malone working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Otoole.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Otoole got a little sloppy there for a moment and Malone has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Otoole has managed to get both his arms back between Malone's legs - danger averted.
Otoole is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Malone keeping moving, preventing Otoole from controlling successfully.
Otoole is looking to stand up but Malone won't let him.

Malone is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Otoole defends well.

Malone working for a triangle but Otoole defends it easily.

Malone looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Malone looking for a guillotine here but Otoole defends easily.

Malone throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Malone working for a triangle but Otoole defends it easily.
Otoole trying to control the position from guard on top but Malone is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Otoole gets to his feet. Malone looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Sam Malone is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Otoole instigates a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malone is looking to break free of the clinch but Otoole has double underhooks.
Otoole looking to throw knees to the head but Malone is blocking nicely.
Malone is looking for a takedown.
Malone tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Otoole smiles and moves away.
Malone on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
No joy there for Malone, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Malone clinches up against the cage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Otoole.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Otoole.
Malone blocks an elbow strike from Otoole.

Malone breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Otoole rushes Malone and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Malone misses with a knee to the head.
Otoole is pressed up against the cage. Malone has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Otoole down to the mat. Otoole avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sam Malone. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Otoole clinches up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Otoole prevents a takedown attempt there.
Otoole has thrown a lot of knees so far in this fight and we're lead to believe that's something he's been working on the gym prior to this fight.
Otoole comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Otoole lands an elbow that stopped Malone in his tracks for a moment.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Otoole just misses with a elbow thrown towards Malone's brow.
Otoole scores with a knee to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Malone blocks the elbow strike.

Malone's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Malone gets a clinch.
Otoole lands a damaging elbow.
Otoole blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Sam Malone has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Otoole connects with a nasty looking knee right to Malone's face.
Malone tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Otoole avoids it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Otoole scores with a knee to the head.
Malone fails to pull guard.

Malone manages to break the clinch.

Otoole closes the distance and clinches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Sam Malone will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Otoole pushes Malone up against the cage in a clinch.
Otoole on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Malone misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Otoole.
Malone is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Otoole misses with an elbow over the top.
Otoole throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Malone blocks it with crossed arms.
Malone jumps guard but Otoole stands there with Malone around his waist. Malone gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Otoole tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Malone avoids it.

Malone pulls guard effortlessly.
Malone being controlled here, momentarily.

Malone throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Malone is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Malone working for a triangle but Otoole defends it easily.
Otoole slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Malone looking for a sweep. Not yet Malone, not yet.
Malone keeping moving, preventing Otoole from controlling successfully.

Malone looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Otoole with a flurry of punches that miss.

Malone throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Malone keeping moving, preventing Otoole from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Malone looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Otoole wants to control from the top but Malone keeps moving.

Malone throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Malone is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Otoole sitting in guard here, content to control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Otoole wants to control from the top but Malone keeps moving.
Mickey Otoole has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sam Malone is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Sam Malone overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Otoole looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Mickey Otoole was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Malone closes the distance and clinches.
Malone jumps guard but Otoole turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sam Malone. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Otoole tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Otoole slows down the pace here.
Otoole pushes off an throws an elbow but Malone leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Malone looking to throw knees to the head but Otoole is blocking nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Otoole blocks the elbow strike.
Malone missing with knees to the body.
Malone tries to break the clinch but Otoole is controlling the position.
Malone will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Otoole up against the cage.
Otoole with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Malone tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Otoole avoids it.
Otoole throws an elbow but it's blocked.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Malone misses with a knee strike.
Malone can't get the takedown.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Otoole just misses with a elbow thrown towards Malone's brow.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Sam Malone.
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 Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 30:28
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 30:28
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sam Malone!