PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Malikoic (ranked 6433 p4p, 661 weight class) and Manuel Vasquez (ranked 8977 p4p, 767 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Malikoic
vs
Vasquez

194 cm
25
223 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

188 cm
25
223 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ivan Malikoic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Manuel Vasquez!
The judges for this bout are Paulo Santos, Seu Braga and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Malikoic goes for a double leg but Vasquez avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Vasquez continues to drive forward.
A low kick from Malikoic is predictable there

and Vasquez counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Malikoic keeping moving, preventing Vasquez from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Vasquez might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Malikoic haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Malikoic working a defensive guard here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vasquez engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Malikoic controls Vasquez momentarily but Vasquez frees himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malikoic wants to sweep but no luck.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Vasquez stands up and waves to Malikoic to follow him.
Malikoic dives in for a single leg takedown but Vasquez sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Malikoic scoring well with a low kick there.
Vasquez shoots in and drives through. Malikoic sprawls well.
Malikoic lets loose with a powerful body kick. Vasquez will feel that in the morning.
Vasquez finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Malikoic is looking to counter punch.

Malikoic moves into the clinch.
Vasquez jumps guard but Malikoic stands there with Vasquez around his waist. Vasquez gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Malikoic is looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Malikoic. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malikoic with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Vasquez stops a takedown attempt from Malikoic.
Malikoic tries to score a body lock takedown but Vasquez shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Vasquez is looking for a takedown.
Malikoic misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Vasquez.
Malikoic drops down looking for an ankle pick but Vasquez pulls his leg out and moves away.
Vasquez throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Malikoic's waist but Malikoic gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Vasquez off to one side.

Vasquez closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Malikoic tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Vasquez's elbow.

Malikoic breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Malikoic avoids a punch combination nicely.
Malikoic tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Vasquez manages to circle out of the way.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malikoic swinging wildly here.
Malikoic fails with a takedown attempt.
A head kick misses from Vasquez.
Vasquez fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
No luck for Vasquez with that takedown attempt.
Malikoic misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Vasquez doesn't manage to clinch there - Malikoic circles away.
Malikoic leaves Vasquez with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vasquez doesn't manage to clinch there - Malikoic circles away.
It looked like Malikoic was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Vasquez is defended easily by Malikoic.
Vasquez throws a nice looking combination but Malikoic bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Malikoic drops down looking for a counter takedown but Vasquez sprawls and moves away.
Vasquez shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Malikoic pinned against the cage. Malikoic gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Malikoic moves into the clinch successfully.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Malikoic's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Malikoic scores with the left hand. Vasquez knows he should have avoided that one.

It looks like Manuel Vasquez has been cut.
Vasquez darts in looking for a takedown but Malikoic gets double underhooks and turns Vasquez into the cage.
Ivan Malikoic is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Vasquez fails with a takedown attempt.
Malikoic shoots in for a takedown but Vasquez shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Vasquez unleashes a big counter combination but Malikoic bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Malikoic leaves Vasquez with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Malikoic looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Ivan Malikoic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Manuel Vasquez.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vasquez shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Malikoic pinned against the cage. Malikoic gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Vasquez tries to close the distance and clinch but Malikoic swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Vasquez fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
A quick step to the side and Malikoic tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vasquez tries to close the distance and clinch but Malikoic swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Malikoic moves away from the strike by Vasquez.
Vasquez slaps away a takedown attempt from Malikoic, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Malikoic misses with a takedown attempt - Vasquez sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
A head kick misses from Vasquez.
Malikoic keeps the fight on the outside.
Vasquez tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Malikoic manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Malikoic delivers a nice body kick.
Malikoic fails with the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vasquez shoots in for a double leg but Malikoic sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Malikoic shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Vasquez but Vasquez pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Malikoic tries a head kick but it misses.

Malikoic tries to keep at a distance but Vasquez has taken the fight into the clinch.
Vasquez tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Malikoic just stands there and leans against the cage.
Vasquez prevents a takedown attempt there.
Malikoic taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

Malikoic breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Malikoic gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Vasquez counters with a lovely shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malikoic defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Vasquez.
Vasquez misses with a takedown

and Malikoic holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Malikoic's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Both fighters circling a little - Malikoic finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Malikoic is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Vasquez can do to turn this around?

Malikoic moves into the clinch.

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

Malikoic has managed to clinch.

Malikoic escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Malikoic swings for the body but Vasquez moves out of range.
Malikoic tries to score a power double leg takedown but Vasquez sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Malikoic somewhat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Malikoic displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Vasquez.
Malikoic stuffs the takedown attempt from Vasquez. Vasquez gets slowly back to his feet.
A solid leg kick lands there for Malikoic.
Vasquez throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Vasquez shoots in for a takedown but Malikoic shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Vasquez is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
As Vasquez tries to get set, Malikoic tries to push him back and clinch up but Vasquez manages to avoid the attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Malikoic dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Manuel Vasquez's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Vasquez gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

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

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Vasquez has a couple of punches blocked by Malikoic.
Vasquez drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Malikoic gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Vasquez is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Malikoic to keep the fight standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vasquez is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Malikoic to keep the fight standing.
Ivan Malikoic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Manuel Vasquez.

Malikoic manages to break the clinch.

Malikoic moves into the clinch successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vasquez gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Malikoic.
Malikoic fails to pull guard.

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

Malikoic working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Vasquez doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Vasquez manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Vasquez's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Malikoic wants to control the position but Vasquez says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Malikoic tries to get to full guard but Vasquez has control of the leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vasquez throwing shots but Malikoic is blocking nicely.
Vasquez content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Malikoic is trying to maintain the position but Vasquez is very close to passing his half guard.
Vasquez wants to stand up but Malikoic is controlling the position.
Malikoic is looking for a sweep. Vasquez is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malikoic throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Ivan Malikoic is winning the standup battle so far.
Vasquez shoots in and drives through. Malikoic sprawls well.

Malikoic closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Vasquez gets control of Malikoic's arms and successfully pulls guard. Vasquez will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Malikoic knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Vasquez on the ground.
Malikoic wants to control from the top but Vasquez keeps moving.
Malikoic working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Vasquez keeping full guard, as Malikoic tries to pass.
Vasquez bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Malikoic's guard.

Vasquez sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Malikoic is trying to control the position but Vasquez postures up.

Malikoic is looking for a triangle but Vasquez pushes his legs off easily.
Vasquez loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Malikoic trying to control the position.
Manuel Vasquez has got the better of the ground game so far.
Vasquez is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Vasquez advances to half guard.

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 Ivan Malikoic.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Malikoic, 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 Paulo Santos scores the fight 29:28
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 30:27
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ivan Malikoic!