PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between CP Schlatter (ranked 24525 p4p, 477 weight class) and Abdulmuslim Malikov (ranked 3927 p4p, 396 weight class). Abdulmuslim Malikov is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Schlatter
vs
Malikov

175 cm
19
155 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

178 cm
25
158 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, CP Schlatter!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Abdulmuslim Malikov!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Chris Downing and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Malikov shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Malikov has gone for a leg lock! Schlatter slips out almost immediately though and dives into Malikov's guard.

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

Malikov has his foot on Schlatter's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Schlatter works his way back into a safe position though.

Malikov has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Schlatter can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Schlatter postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Schlatter has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Schlatter connects with a couple of short punches.

Malikov looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Schlatter postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Malikov is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Schlatter distracts Malikov with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Malikov had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Schlatter defends it easily.
Schlatter throws a big elbow that misses.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schlatter passes into half guard.
Malikov is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Schlatter scores with a couple of nice shots.
Schlatter drops an elbow to the side of Malikov's head.

Malikov actively working from the bottom here.
Schlatter scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Malikov slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Schlatter stands up over Malikov, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

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

Schlatter avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Malikov escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Schlatter gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Schlatter cracks Malikov with a solid left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Schlatter is working Malikov over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Schlatter got a little sloppy there for a moment and Malikov has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Schlatter has managed to get both his arms back between Malikov's legs - danger averted.

Malikov escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Schlatter gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Schlatter throws a big elbow that misses.
Schlatter lands a couple of digs.
Malikov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Malikov is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Schlatter is aware though and is defending well.
Schlatter throwing strikes from guard but Malikov blocks nicely.
Schlatter is breathing heavily.

Malikov escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Schlatter gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Malikov is looking for a triangle but Schlatter pushes his legs off easily.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Schlatter postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schlatter trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Schlatter landing with the ground and pound.

Malikov working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Schlatter doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Schlatter manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Schlatter with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Schlatter postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Schlatter avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Malikov has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Schlatter can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Schlatter pushing down on Malikov's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Schlatter working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

Malikov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Malikov is trying to get back to full guard.
Malikov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Schlatter. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Schlatter missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Schlatter landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

Malikov looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Malikov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Malikov is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Schlatter pulls his head out easily.

Malikov is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Schlatter pulls his head out easily.
Schlatter scoring with strikes to the body and head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Malikov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Schlatter thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Malikov's head.

Malikov looking for submissions off his back.

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

CP Schlatter dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Schlatter is trying hard to land a takedown here. Malikov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Schlatter looks for a takedown but Malikov sprawls well.
CP Schlatter is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Malikov closes the distance and clinches up with Schlatter, looking for a takedown. Malikov pushes Schlatter against the cage but Schlatter circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Schlatter seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Schlatter defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Malikov.
Schlatter is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Malikov can do to turn this around?
No luck for Malikov with that takedown attempt.
CP Schlatter has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Abdulmuslim Malikov.

Schlatter scores with a takedown into Malikov's guard.

Malikov is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Schlatter postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Malikov can't keep his opponent in guard - Schlatter advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Malikov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Malikov taking some punishment here, with Schlatter in his half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Schlatter lands a nice short elbow.

Malikov actively working from the bottom here.
Schlatter seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

Malikov actively working from the bottom here.
Malikov is trying to get back to full guard.
Schlatter is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Schlatter winds up and cracks Malikov with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Malikov is looking for a sweep. Schlatter is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Schlatter scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

Malikov looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Malikov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Malikov looking for submissions off his back.
Schlatter scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malikov wants to improve his position but Schlatter is controlling well.
Schlatter thows a huge punch but Malikov dodges it nicely.

Malikov actively working from the bottom here.
Malikov avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Schlatter.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Schlatter lands a nice short elbow.

Malikov actively working from the bottom here.
Schlatter not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Malikov gets back to full guard.
Schlatter trying to control the position from guard on top but Malikov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Malikov looking for a guillotine here but Schlatter defends easily.
Schlatter postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
CP Schlatter overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schlatter is in close to Malikov's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Malikov looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Schlatter trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Schlatter postures up in Malikov's guard and throws a big left but Malikov blocks it.

Malikov throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Schlatter trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

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

Malikov has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Schlatter can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Schlatter scoring with some ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Malikov looking for submissions off his back.

Malikov looking for submissions off his back.
Schlatter working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Malikov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Malikov can do anything to dispel that myth.
Schlatter lands with a punch from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

CP Schlatter dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Malikov manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Schlatter on his heels. He'll look to pass Schlatter's guard now, I'm sure.
Schlatter is adopting a defensive guard.
Malikov is in close to Schlatter's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Malikov stops Schlatter from standing up.
Malikov is in close to Schlatter's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Malikov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Schlatter is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Malikov keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Schlatter's head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Malikov landing some decent shots from guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Malikov is working Schlatter over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malikov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Schlatter looking to hit a scissor sweep but Malikov is one step ahead there.
Malikov lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Malikov looking to pass the guard.
Malikov landing some decent shots from guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Malikov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Malikov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Malikov is in close to Schlatter's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Malikov cracks Schlatter with a solid left hand.
Malikov distracts Schlatter with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Malikov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malikov landing some decent shots from guard.
Malikov working some strikes from top position.
Malikov scoring with punches to the head and body.
Schlatter looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Malikov distracts Schlatter with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Schlatter throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Malikov landing with the ground and pound.
Malikov lands a couple of digs.
Malikov postures up and lands a big shot to Schlatter's brow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schlatter not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Malikov working some strikes from top position.
Malikov is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Schlatter is trying to keep Malikov in close.
Malikov lands a couple of digs.
Malikov working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Schlatter's head.
Malikov won't allow Schlatter to sweep him here.
Schlatter is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Schlatter has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Malikov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Malikov landing with the ground and pound.
Malikov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Malikov lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Schlatter looking to control.
Malikov cracks Schlatter with a solid left hand.

Schlatter has his foot on Malikov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Malikov works his way back into a safe position though.
Malikov working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Schlatter's head.
Malikov lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Schlatter is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Malikov is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Malikov works over Schlatter with some ground and pound from guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Malikov works over Schlatter with some ground and pound from guard.
Abdulmuslim Malikov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
CP Schlatter is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Malikov scoring with some ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
Abdulmuslim Malikov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Schlatter 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 29:28
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... CP Schlatter!