PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Takashi Murakami (ranked 4626 p4p, 6728 weight class) and Downtown Malone (ranked 552 p4p, 681 weight class). Downtown Malone has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Takashi Murakami's chin.

Murakami
vs
Malone

170 cm
22
186
3 - 0 - 0

190 cm
23
184
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

MKFC

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Takashi Murakami!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Downtown Malone!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Malone clobbers Murakami with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Malone punishes Murakami's body with a nice straight punch.
Murakami drops his hands momentarily and Malone takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
A good leg kick by Malone.
Murakami takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Malone looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Malone. Murakami does a little dance to reset his feet.
Murakami takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Murakami shoots for a double leg takedown but Malone sprawls well. He's pushed Murakami's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Murakami takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Murakami definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Malone throws a body kick despite being completely out of range

and Murakami counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Murakami is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Murakami is looking for a kimura but Malone is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Murakami to get the leverage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murakami is controlling the pace.

Murakami wants to work for an arm triangle but Malone is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Murakami is trying to work for a kimura but Malone is defending well.

Murakami is looking for a kimura but Malone is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Murakami to get the leverage.

That's two 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.
Malone trying to hold on to Murakami's head to control him but Murakami postures up.
Murakami seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Malone does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malone tries a head kick but it misses.
Murakami half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Murakami avoids the head kick by Malone.
Murakami takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Malone moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Malone connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

Murakami closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Malone is staying active underneath Murakami, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Malone blocking the ground and pound attempt from Murakami.
Murakami stalling.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Malone tries to roll over but Murakami keeps him under control.
Murakami trying to mount his opponent but Malone defends it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Murakami is controlling the pace.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Downtown Malone will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Murakami fails with an attempt to clinch.
Malone feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Murakamis jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Malone connects with the punch.
Malone has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Malone ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Murakami moves away.
Murakami on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Malone. Malone obviously looking to wear him down.

Murakami gets a clinch.
Malone stalling against the cage.
Malone misses with a punch on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Murakami tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Malone just stands there and leans against the cage.
Malone throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Malone swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Malone tries for a takedown. No joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murakami is looking for a takedown.
Murakami wants to take the fight to the mat but Malone manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Takashi Murakami. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A bit of stalling here from Malone.
Malone is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Murakami is keeping busy.

Murakami has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Malone regains guard immediately.
Murakami keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Malone's head.
Murakami won't allow Malone to sweep him here.
Murakami is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murakami pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Malone is keeping the position for now.
Malone can't keep his opponent in guard - Murakami advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Murakami is pressing down on Malone's thigh, looking to free his foot. Malone is holding on for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malone gets full guard.
Murakami seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Murakami throws a strike but Malone rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Murakami pushes a forearm under Malone's chin to create some space. He's escaped his hips and pivoted quickly for an armbar! Can he extend the arm? Yes, Malone is tapping out! Damn, that was fast!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Takashi Murakami!