PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Benjamin Akebono (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shista Malone (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Akebono
vs
Malone

215 cm
26
199 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

200 cm
21
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Benjamin Akebono!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Shista Malone!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Malone with a poor takedown

and Akebono counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Akebono looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Malone is looking for a triangle but Akebono pushes his legs off easily.

Malone working for a triangle but Akebono defends it easily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Akebono trying to control the position from guard on top but Malone is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Akebono really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Malone keeping full guard, as Akebono tries to pass.

Malone looking for a guillotine here but Akebono defends easily.
Malone lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Akebono!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Malone with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Malone is landing with some decent strikes but Akebono is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Malone scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Malone trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akebono has worked his way to half guard, taking advantage of Malone's lack of action.
Malone seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Akebono does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Malone is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Akebono defends it well.
Akebono knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Malone on the ground.
Malone is stalling here. Akebono is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Malone seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Akebono has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.

Akebono goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Malone rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Akebono's guard! Nice work there by Malone!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akebono bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Malone's guard.
Akebono trying to control but Malone is working from the bottom.
Akebono with a nice head shot there.
Malone controls Akebono momentarily but Akebono frees himself.
Akebono is pushing down on Malone's leg trying to pass to half guard. Malone is fighting to maintain full guard but Akebono has managed to sneak the leg through.

Akebono wants to work for an arm triangle but Malone is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akebono sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Malone defending well though.
Akebono is just content to waste time from the top position. Malone takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.

Akebono has gone for a leg lock! Malone slips out almost immediately though and dives into Akebono's guard.
Malone looking to pass the guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Malone advances position into side control!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shista Malone dominated that round.
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.

Nice sprawl there from Akebono as Malone shoots in.
Malone doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Akebono counters with a takedown into side control.
Malone is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Akebono off and has taken his back!

Malone looking to break Akebono's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Akebono remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Malone will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Akebono tries to roll but Malone sticks to his back.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Malone has got one arm under Akebono's chin. This could be trouble... Akebono trying to control the other hand but Malone gets it free and sqeezes tight - just a matter of time now! Yep, Akebono has tapped out! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:57 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Shista Malone!