PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jimmy Burroughs (ranked 1980 p4p, 3009 weight class) and Jesus Malverde (ranked 248 p4p, 348 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Burroughs
vs
Malverde

172 cm
22
169
5 - 3 - 0

179 cm
42
149
16 - 10 - 1

Great wrestler
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Powerful

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 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jimmy Burroughs!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jesus Malverde!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Alan Glass and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A nice leg kick from Malverde, right into the meat of the thigh.
Malverde scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Malverde moves out of range as Burroughs strikes.
Malverde throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Malverde jumps guard but Burroughs turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Malverde has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Burroughs uses from the top position.
Burroughs wants to control from the top but Malverde keeps moving.

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

Burroughs avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Burroughs postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Burroughs lands a couple of digs.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burroughs working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Burroughs in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Malverde trying to keep a closed guard but Burroughs is proving a slippery customer.
Burroughs trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Burroughs scoring with some ground and pound.
Burroughs trying to control the position from guard on top but Malverde is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Burroughs looking to pass the guard.
Malverde keeping moving, preventing Burroughs from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Malverde avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Burroughs stays in close to Malverde's body and controls the position.
Burroughs trying to control but Malverde is working from the bottom.
Burroughs trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Malverde scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Burroughs doesn't seem bothered though.
Malverde has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
Malverde throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Burroughs on the side of the head.
Malverde catches Burroughs with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Malverde lands a jab-cross combination.
Malverde moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

Malverde moves into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Malverde successfully pulls guard.
Malverde keeping moving, preventing Burroughs from controlling successfully.
Burroughs postures up in Malverde's guard and throws a big left but Malverde blocks it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Burroughs is fighting to break Malverde's control of his arms but Malverde is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Burroughs is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Malverde escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Burroughs gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Burroughs wants to pass the guard but Malverde is keeping the position.

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.
Burroughs scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Malverde holds on and takes a little breather.
Burroughs is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Burroughs throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Malverde works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Burroughs avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Malverde controls Burroughs momentarily but Burroughs frees himself.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jesus Malverde dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Burroughs lands with a straight right. Malverde didn't see that one coming.

Malverde looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Burroughs seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Malverde has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Burroughs is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Burroughs is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Burroughs 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.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Burroughs is on top in guard.

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Burroughs is looking to work some ground and pound but Malverde has wrist control.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burroughs throws a big right hand that misses.
Burroughs not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Burroughs distracts Malverde with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Burroughs lands a couple of digs.
Burroughs postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burroughs postures up and lands a big shot to Malverde's brow.
Jimmy Burroughs overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Burroughs 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.
Burroughs trying to control but Malverde is working from the bottom.
Burroughs sitting in guard here, content to control.
Burroughs stands up over Malverde, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Burroughs stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Malverde swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Burroughs is looking to work some ground and pound but Malverde has wrist control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malverde trying to keep a closed guard but Burroughs is proving a slippery customer.
Burroughs with a nice head shot there.

Malverde working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Burroughs doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Burroughs manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Burroughs throws a big right hand that misses.
Burroughs is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Malverde. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Burroughs trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Burroughs shoots in and drives through. Malverde sprawls well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

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

Malverde has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Burroughs uses from the top position.
Malverde avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Malverde throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Burroughs controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Malverde escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Burroughs gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jimmy Burroughs dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Burroughs closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Malverde quickly recovers to half guard.
Malverde tries to roll over but Burroughs keeps him under control.
Malverde is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Burroughs is keen to just control but Malverde is a slippery customer.
Malverde has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Burroughs is working away from the top position though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Burroughs is trying to control. Malverde wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Burroughs wants to pass to mount but Malverde is defending the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burroughs winds up and cracks Malverde with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Burroughs not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Burroughs drops an elbow to the side of Malverde's head.
Burroughs drops an elbow to the side of Malverde's head.
Malverde on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Malverde is rocked!
Burroughs is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Malverde is still in real trouble! Can Burroughs finish him?
Malverde regains full guard. Nicely done.
Burroughs working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Malverde is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Burroughs defends well.
Burroughs is working Malverde over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burroughs lands a couple of elbows.
Burroughs is working Malverde over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Malverde has momentary wrist control but Burroughs slips an elbow through the middle.
Burroughs scoring with punches to the head and body.
Burroughs controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Malverde had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Burroughs defends it easily.
Malverde takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Burroughs postures up from his opponent's guard, before exploding into some vicious ground and pound! Malverde covers up, he's hurt! Burroughs keeps throwing the strikes, glancing at the referee... Will he stop it?? One more big shot from Burroughs and the ref steps in to end the fight! Burroughs can't hide his delight as he celebrates with his corner.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:51 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Jimmy Burroughs!
In his post fight interview, Jimmy Burroughs started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.