PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Bastian Klose (ranked 3902 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rasheed Al Malik (ranked 23904 p4p, 0 weight class). Al Malik has a niggling injury. He would have liked to come in 100% fit but that's not always possible. 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.

Klose
vs
Al Malik

177 cm
25
157 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

177 cm
26
157 lbs
0 - 12 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Bastian Klose!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 12 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rasheed Al Malik!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Jonathan Paton and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Klose tries for a takedown but Al Malik circles away easily
and Al Malik counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Al Malik looks winded!
Klose shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Al Malik defends it nicely.
Al Malik tries to counter by closing the distance.
Klose shoots in for a double leg but Al Malik sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bastian Klose. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Klose shoots for a takedown but Al Malik saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Klose shoots in and drives through. Al Malik sprawls well.
Klose fails with the takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Al Malik pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Klose is looking to counter the offense by Al Malik and move into the clinch.
Al Malik blocks a head kick by Klose.
Klose throws a right hand that Al Malik ducks under and follows up with a left that Al Malik also avoids with ease.
Al Malik steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Klose.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Malik shoots in and drives through. Klose sprawls well.

Klose drives through and clinches with Al Malik against the cage.
Klose stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.

Klose pulls guard.
Klose throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Klose manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Al Malik manages to get himself to full guard.

Klose 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Klose postures up and lands a big shot to Al Malik's brow.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Klose 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.
Klose is in close to Al Malik's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Klose showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Klose stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Klose fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Al Malik, pushing him back against the cage.

Klose drags the fight down to the ground.
Klose wants to sweep here but Al Malik controlling him for the moment.

Klose has his foot on Al Malik's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Al Malik works his way back into a safe position though.
Klose looking to hit a scissor sweep but Al Malik is one step ahead there.
Klose is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Al Malik trying to control but Klose is working from the bottom.
Klose pulls Al Malik in to control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Klose looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Al Malik is fending him off so far but Klose persists. Nope, Al Malik circles away and we're back to standing.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Klose tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Al Malik swivels and escapes.
Klose misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Al Malik follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bastian Klose dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Rasheed Al Malik's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Klose has managed to clinch.

Klose breaks the clinch.
Klose turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Klose fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Al Malik fails with the takedown.
Klose scores with a jab to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Klose shoots in looking for a takedown. Al Malik tries to sprawl out of it but Klose keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Al Malik manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Klose moves into the clinch.
Al Malik is breathing heavily.

Klose breaks the clinch.
Klose is trying hard to land a takedown here. Al Malik sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bastian Klose. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Klose gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Al Malik prevents a takedown attempt there.
Klose lands a hook to the side of the head.
Klose'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.

Klose escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Klose shoots in looking for a takedown. Al Malik tries to sprawl out of it but Klose keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Al Malik manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Bastian Klose is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Al Malik stuffs the takedown attempt from Klose. Klose gets slowly back to his feet.
Al Malik swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.

Klose has managed to clinch.
Klose tries for a takedown but Al Malik manages to get underhooks.
Klose is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Al Malik can do to turn this around?
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Klose.
Klose trying to land knees to the body.

Klose pulls Al Malik into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Klose pulls Al Malik in to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Klose is actively looking for submissions from his back. He's worked himself a little space on the bottom and seems to be going for a triangle. No, he's switched into an armbar! That was slick! Al Malik rolls with it to try and escape but Klose cranks on the arm and Al Malik is forced to tap out! This one is aaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:28 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Bastian Klose!