PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Aldo Malone (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Braigen Finlay (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!

Malone
vs
Finlay

215 cm
18
177 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

175 cm
18
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Aldo Malone!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Braigen Finlay!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Steven Brown and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Malone throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Finlay's waist but Finlay gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Malone off to one side.
Malone misses with a two punch combination.
Malone looks to score with a jab to the body but Finlay is just out of range.
Finlay is looking to clinch.
Malone throws a big counter combination but Finlay scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Finlay avoids a punch combination nicely.

Malone shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Finlay napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Finlay is looking for a sweep.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Finlay tries to control the position but he's not in luck - Malone easily slips into full mount!
Finlay tries to lock up and control but Malone gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Malone landing shots from mount.
Finlay throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Finlay keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Malone tries to control but Finlay wriggling away.
Malone wants to get back to his feet but Finlay is holding on tight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Finlay tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Finlay tries to hold on but Malone pushes him away.
Malone trying to control but he's not successful this time.

Malone is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!

Finlay closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Malone's guard.
Finlay trying to control but Malone is working from the bottom.
Malone wants to control but Finlay passes easily into half guard.
Malone tries to roll over but Finlay keeps him under control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Finlay is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Malone sees it coming and defends easily.
Finlay is pressing down on Malone's thigh, looking to free his foot. Malone is holding on for now.
Malone gets back to full guard.
Malone will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Finlay accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Finlay passes into half guard.
Malone missing with punches from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Finlay is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

Malone looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Finlay working the head and body with strikes.
Malone regains full guard. Nicely done.
Malone being controlled here, momentarily.

Malone escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Finlay gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Finlay passes Malone's left leg - he's now in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Aldo 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.

Finlay is looking to clinch but Malone is avoiding it.
Malone tries to close the distance and clinch but Finlay swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Finlay dives in and grabs Malone's left leg, looking for a takedown. Malone pushes down on Finlay's head and hops out.
Malone fails in his attempt to clinch.
Malone slaps away a takedown attempt from Finlay, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Finlay throws a head kick that misses.
Finlay dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Malone. That did some damage!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Malone shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Finlay manages to escape and get back to his feet!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Malone drives through with a takedown into guard.
Finlay is looking to stand back up but Malone counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Finlay.

Finlay is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Finlay wants to control but Malone is keeping busy.

Malone seems to be working for a kimura but Finlay defends the submission attempt.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Finlay is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Finlay trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Finlay tries to hold on but Malone postures up.

Malone is standing up, even though he is in mount.
Malone misses with a few strikes there.
Finlay shoots in but no luck this time.
Aldo Malone has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Braigen Finlay.

Finlay scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Finlay is breathing heavily.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Malone is looking to improve his position.
Malone is staying active underneath Finlay, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Finlay is working for a submission of some sort.

Malone looking for submissions off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Braigen Finlay will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Finlay closes the distance and clinches up with Malone, looking for a takedown. Finlay pushes Malone against the cage but Malone circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Finlay looks for a takedown but Malone sprawls well.
Malone tries for a takedown but Finlay sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Finlay tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Malone swivels and escapes.
Aldo Malone has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Braigen Finlay.
Malone shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Finlay as he avoids it easily.

Malone shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Finlay manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Malone wants to control from the top but Finlay keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Malone won't allow Finlay to sweep him here.
Finlay takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Finlay is trying to control the position but Malone postures up.
Finlay utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Malone postures up.
Finlay has a closed guard, preventing Malone from standing up.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Finlay working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Malone doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Malone manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Malone trying to stand up but can't free himself from Finlay's guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Malone throws a body shot but no joy.
Finlay throws a counter combo.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Finlay leaning his opponent against the cage.
Finlay is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Malone to keep the fight standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Finlay tries to score a body lock takedown but Malone shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Finlay blocking some punches.
Malone gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Finlay.
Malone wants a takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Malone throws a punch but it's blocked by Finlay.
Finlay is looking for a takedown.

Malone manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Finlay drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Malone dives on top into guard.

Malone slips nicely into half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Malone throwing shots but Finlay is blocking nicely.
Malone tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Finlay.

And that's the end of the fight!
Aldo Malone showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Malone has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Donald Grub scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Aldo Malone!