PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Drago (ranked 7288 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Malloy (ranked 4572 p4p, 0 weight class). Michael Malloy has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Drago
vs
Malloy

175 cm
19
200 lbs
1 - 1 - 1

188 cm
17
210 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Intelligent

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 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ivan Drago!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Michael Malloy!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Don Winkell and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Malloy fails to land with a series of punches.
It looked like Drago was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Malloy throws a series of punches but Drago avoids them all with ease.
Drago tries to clinch but Malloy is having none of it.
A combination from Malloy does no damage.
Malloy shoots in looking for a takedown but Drago manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Malloy's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Drago looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Drago wants to clinch.

Malloy gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Drago prevents the takedown attempt.
Malloy tries to break the clinch but Drago is controlling the position.

Malloy escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malloy leaves Drago with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Malloy misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
As Malloy tries to get set, Drago tries to push him back and clinch up but Malloy manages to avoid the attempt.

Malloy has closed the distance and engaged Drago in a clinch.
Drago is trying to break free.
Drago using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Malloy has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Malloy wants to take the fight to the mat but Drago manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Ivan Drago has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Malloy.

Drago manages to break the clinch.

Malloy shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Malloy is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Drago missing with punches from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Drago wants to control but Malloy is keeping busy.
Malloy lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Drago wants to control but Malloy is keeping busy.
Drago tries to roll over but Malloy keeps him under control.
Malloy controlling the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Drago misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Malloy stalling.
It looks like Malloy might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Malloy is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Drago!
Malloy looking to control and managing it successfully.
Malloy is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Drago can't stay in a position like this for much longer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Drago can't escape the position.
Malloy controlling from mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Malloy throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Malloy looking to control and managing it successfully.
Malloy's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Malloy stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Malloy dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Malloy fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Malloy shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Drago counters with a right hand to the body.

Malloy clinches with his opponent.
Drago jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Malloy walks away with a smile on his face. Drago gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Drago throws a solid leg kick but Malloy takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Drago.
Malloy changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Ivan Drago is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Malloy closes the distance and clinches.
Drago is trying to break the clinch but Malloy has him pressed against the cage.
Malloy is defending well against a takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Malloy has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Drago is trying to keep an underhook but Malloy manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Malloy not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Drago keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Malloy prevents Drago from standing back up.
Malloy has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Malloy not doing much here.
Drago works his way to full guard. Good work.
Malloy 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.

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.
Malloy looking to pass the guard.
Malloy is looking to pass into half guard but Drago pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Drago is in guard.

Malloy controlling Drago's posture.
Malloy bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Drago's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malloy looking to pass the guard.
Malloy is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Malloy drops back looking for a leg! Drago is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Drago manages to kick Malloy off! Malloy jumps back into Drago's guard.
Malloy controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's four 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.
Malloy passes into half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Malloy content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Malloy showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Drago's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Malloy shoots in looking for a takedown. Drago tries to sprawl out of it but Malloy keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Drago manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Malloy goes for a double leg but Drago avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Drago continues to drive forward.
Malloy is trying hard to land a takedown here. Drago sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Ivan Drago has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Malloy.
Drago closes this distance looking for a takedown but Malloy circles away.
Malloy changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Drago shoots in for a takedown but Malloy shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Malloy will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Drago attempts a counter takedown but Malloy avoids it well and moves away.
Drago lands with a slapping head kick.
Drago fails with the takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Malloy closes the distance and pushes Drago back into the cage.
Drago is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Malloy is keeping busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Drago is pressed up against the cage. Malloy has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Drago down to the mat. Drago avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Drago gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Malloy stands up and waves to Drago to follow him.

Malloy darts in and clinches Drago up against the cage.

Malloy drags the fight down to the ground.
Drago won't allow Malloy to sweep him here.

Drago got a little sloppy there for a moment and Malloy has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Drago has managed to get both his arms back between Malloy's legs - danger averted.
Drago wanted to stand there but Malloy had control of the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malloy tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Malloy pulls Drago in to control the position.
Drago wanted to stand there but Malloy had control of the position.
Malloy throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Malloy looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Drago is fighting to break Malloy's control of his arms but Malloy is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Malloy is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Malloy tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Malloy pulls Drago in close to prevent any damage.

Malloy uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Malloy shoots in but no luck this time.
Malloy closes this distance looking for a takedown but Drago circles away.
Malloy shoots for a double leg takedown but Drago sprawls well. He's pushed Malloy's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Michael Malloy seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Drago misses with a two punch combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Malloy fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Drago, pushing him back against the cage.
Malloy has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Drago after a bit of a struggle.
Drago is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Drago pushes off an throws an elbow but Malloy leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Drago is trying to pull guard but Malloy has him pressed against the cage.
Drago wants to take the fight to the mat but Malloy manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Malloy pressing his opponent against the cage.
Malloy lands a body shot in the clinch.
Ivan Drago has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Michael Malloy is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Drago prevents the takedown attempt.
Drago misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Malloy.

And that's the end of the fight!
Michael Malloy comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Malloy winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michael Malloy!
After winning the bout, Michael Malloy thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.