PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Isaac Malone (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Dethlefs (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Michael Dethlefs has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Isaac Malone's chin.

Malone
vs
Dethlefs

170 cm
24
279 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

185 cm
25
225 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Tends to cut

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 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Isaac Malone!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Michael Dethlefs !
The judges for this bout are Jeff Smith, Paul Gruel and Josh West.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dethlefs checks a low kick from Malone.
Dethlefs lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Dethlefs swinging wildly here.
Malone appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Dethlefs checks a leg kick.

Malone gets caught napping as Dethlefs dives in and scores a takedown. Malone manages to retain guard.
Dethlefs content to stall in guard here.
Malone wants to sweep here but Dethlefs controlling him for the moment.

Malone looking for a guillotine here but Dethlefs defends easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Malone keeping moving, preventing Dethlefs from controlling successfully.
Malone tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Malone is looking for a triangle but Dethlefs pushes his legs off easily.
Malone throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

Malone throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Malone keeping moving, preventing Dethlefs from controlling successfully.

Malone is working an open guard so Dethlefs takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Dethlefs throws a head kick but Malone moves out of range.
Dethlefs jabs Malone to the body, keeping him at a distance.

Dethlefs looking to score a takedown here. Malone is defending well but Dethlefs drives through and ends up in Malone's guard.
Malone manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Dethlefs manages to get himself to full guard.

Dethlefs is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dethlefs is controlling Malone's posture.

Dethlefs is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Malone presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Malone wants to break free but Dethlefs has control.
A frustrated look appears on Malone's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Malone goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Malone really is a fat lump.
Dethlefs blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Malone just leaning against Dethlefs , taking a breather.
Malone looking to slow down the pace here.

Dethlefs breaks from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Dethlefs bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Malone is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Dethlefs has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Dethlefs gets to mount! Malone was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Malone is breathing heavily.
Malone is desperately trying to improve his position but Dethlefs has a good base and remains in mount.
Dethlefs controlling from the full mount.
Dethlefs landing strikes from the mount.
Malone might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Malone keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Dethlefs is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Malone has managed to escape the submission attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Malone is in all sorts of trouble here.
Dethlefs trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Dethlefs controlling his opponent.
Dethlefs punching from mount but Malone doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Malone regains half guard.
Malone wants to improve his position but Dethlefs is controlling well.
Malone pushes Dethlefs off looking to stand but Dethlefs dives back in and keeps control.
Dethlefs looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Dethlefs dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Malone avoids the head kick by Dethlefs .

Dethlefs moves into the clinch successfully.

Dethlefs breaks from the clinch.
Malone tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.

Dethlefs has managed to clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

Malone's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Malone throws the kick towards the body but Dethlefs avoids it.
Dethlefs raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Dethlefs . He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.

Dethlefs feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Malone is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Dethlefs presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Dethlefs jumps guard.
Malone trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Dethlefs manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Dethlefs won't allow Malone to sweep him here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malone can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Dethlefs controls the pace.
Michael Dethlefs has got the better of the ground game so far.
Dethlefs trying to control the position from guard on top but Malone is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Dethlefs has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Dethlefs keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Malone's head.
Malone throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Malone wants to get back to his feet but Dethlefs is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Malone is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Dethlefs defends well.
Malone can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Dethlefs controls the pace.
Dethlefs won't allow Malone to get back to his feet.

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 is looking for a triangle here but Dethlefs uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Dethlefs controlling the position from side mount.
Malone gets back to half guard.
Malone tries to get to full guard but Dethlefs has control of the leg.
Malone moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Dethlefs gets to his feet. Malone looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Dethlefs darts in and clinches Malone up against the cage.
Malone wants to get back to striking at distance but Dethlefs won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Dethlefs breaks the clinch.
Malone tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Dethlefs manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Michael Dethlefs seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Dethlefs decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Malone has a hand on Dethlefs 's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Dethlefs takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Malone is in all sorts of trouble here.
Dethlefs controlling the pace for now.

Dethlefs has hold of Malone's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Malone manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Malone tries to improve his position but instead Dethlefs has taken his back!
I really don't envy Malone right now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Dethlefs has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Malone has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Dethlefs is trying to stick to Malone's back but Malone is turning into Dethlefs . He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Dethlefs 's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Malone.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Dethlefs has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Malone off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

Dethlefs has taken the fight to the clinch.
Malone is trying to break free.
Dethlefs letting Malone take a breather here.

Dethlefs manages to break the clinch.

Dethlefs drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Dethlefs stands up from Malone's guard - Dethlefs perhaps looking for a knockout.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Dethlefs showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Dethlefs closes the distance and pushes Malone back into the cage.
Malone is trying to stall.

Dethlefs pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Dethlefs shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Malone manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Dethlefs preventing the sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dethlefs slips nicely into half guard.
Dethlefs not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Dethlefs not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Dethlefs moves nicely into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malone is not content to let Dethlefs control the position.
Malone sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Malone is refusing to be controlled, as Dethlefs sits in half guard.
Dethlefs slows the pace down in half guard.
Malone wants to improve his position but Dethlefs is controlling well.
Dethlefs is trying to control. Malone wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Malone kicks off Dethlefs and gets to his feet.
A slapping leg kick lands for Dethlefs .

Malone tries to keep at a distance but Dethlefs has taken the fight into the clinch.
Malone is trying to break the clinch but Dethlefs has him pressed against the cage.

Dethlefs ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Dethlefs no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Dethlefs not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Dethlefs takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Malone stands up over Dethlefs , holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Malone drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Dethlefs dives on top into guard.

Malone uses the cage to get back to his feet.

Dethlefs closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Malone did well to prevent Dethlefs getting side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malone throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Dethlefs prevents Malone from improving his position.
Malone is not content to let Dethlefs control the position.
Dethlefs trying to pass the guard but Malone defending well.

Malone looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and Dethlefs pushes past his half guard into mount!
Dethlefs thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.

Dethlefs working for a submission but Malone is keeping him at bay.
Malone tries to reverse the position but Dethlefs maintains control.
Malone is working hard here to advance position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dethlefs content just to control the position here.
Malone looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
Dethlefs controls the action.
You can see the frustration on Malone's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Malone is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
Dethlefs trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Malone wants to get back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Michael Dethlefs comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Dethlefs has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 27:30
Judge Josh West scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michael Dethlefs !