PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between John Mali (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alistar Overeem (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Alistar Overeem will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Mali
vs
Overeem

220 cm
25
260 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

195 cm
22
256 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

CEC Nutrition Q160 & Loan

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, John Mali!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Alistar Overeem!
The judges for this bout are Patrick Alders, Wagner Zegers and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Overeem tries to clinch but Mali moves away

and Mali moves into the clinch.
Mali tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Overeem is trying to maintain a safe position but Mali gets an underhook and turns Overeem into the cage.
Overeem misses with a knee to the head.
Overeem landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Overeem looking to throw knees to the head but Mali is blocking nicely.
Mali fails to pull guard.
Overeem creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Overeem tries to land knees in the clinch but Mali avoids the damage to the body.

Mali breaks from the clinch.
Mali has a takedown stuffed.
Mali misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Overeem tries to clinch

and Mali counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Overeem!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Overeem is in a horrible position here. Mali smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Overeem is in all sorts of trouble here.
Mali cracks Overeem with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mali controlling the position easily from mount.
Mali postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Overeem looks a forlorn figure.

Mali is standing up, even though he is in mount.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Mali is defended easily by Overeem.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Mali. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Overeem tries to clinch but Mali moves away

and Mali counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Overeem's guard now.
Mali is breathing heavily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mali missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Mali 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.
Overeem wants to sweep but no luck.
Overeem has control of Mali's left arm, preventing Mali from doing any damage.
Mali landing some decent shots from guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Overeem trying to keep a closed guard but Mali is proving a slippery customer.
Overeem keeping moving, preventing Mali from controlling successfully.
Overeem can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Mali controls the pace.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Mali drops back looking for a leg! Overeem is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Overeem manages to kick Mali off! Mali jumps back into Overeem's guard.
Mali will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Overeem is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Overeem looking to control but Mali passes into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mali not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Overeem is looking for a sweep. Mali is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Mali slips a nice elbow through Overeem's hands, connecting with Overeem's forehead.
Mali works his foot free and advances to mount.
Mali really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Overeem really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Overeem wants to control but Mali is having none of it.
Mali lands a heavy elbow.
Mali looking to control and managing it successfully.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Mali has control of Overeem's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Overeem regains control of the situation pretty easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mali tries to control but Overeem wriggling away.
BOOM! Mali connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Overeem tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Overeem tries to lock up and control but Mali gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Overeem might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Mali kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Mali lands a big shot there that rocks Overeem but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Mali landing strikes from the mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mali scoring with strikes but Overeem is staying in there.
Overeem taking shots to the head.
Overeem taking shots to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Mali dominated that round.
That's time! Mali's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Overeem looks to clinch

and Mali moves into the clinch.
Mali has Overeem pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Overeem manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Mali throws an elbow that misses.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Mali just misses with a elbow thrown towards Overeem's brow.
Mali jumps guard but Overeem turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Mali manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Overeem distracts Mali with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Mali working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Overeem doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Oh but Mali is tightening it up a little... Overeem has to be careful here... He's got his foot tucked under now, this looks tight! Overeem reacted too slowly and this one could be over in a matter of seconds! YES! Overeem taps out! Nice BJJ there by Mali!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:44 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). John Mali!