PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Cung Lingus (ranked 3696 p4p, 361 weight class) and John Malone (ranked 2841 p4p, 306 weight class). Lingus comes to the cage accompanied by Ängie - Smoke Weed Eat Pussy. Cung Lingus has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Lingus
vs
Malone

177 cm
20
193 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

183 cm
19
202 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cardio machine

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Cung Lingus!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Malone!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Illya Tyunina and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lingus goes for a double leg but Malone avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Malone continues to drive forward.
Malone looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Malone throws a looping overhand right but Lingus ducks down to avoid it.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Lingus drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Malone tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Lingus working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Malone is looking for a sweep.

Lingus is trying to get an arm triangle but Malone is defending well.

Lingus tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Malone manages to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lingus is looking for a kimura here.

Lingus is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Malone defends it well.

Lingus is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Malone defends it well.
Malone tries to get to full guard but Lingus has control of the leg.
Malone keeps trying to improve his position.

Lingus is trying to work for a kimura but Malone is defending well.

Lingus wants to work for an arm triangle but Malone is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malone works his way to full guard. Good work.
Malone is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Lingus is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Malone is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Malone has escaped and now he's on top!

Malone missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Malone trying to control the position from guard on top but Lingus is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lingus pulls Malone in close to prevent any damage.
Malone throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Malone postures up.
Lingus has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Malone has passed into side control.
Malone scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Lingus to see if he's OK.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lingus defending against the ground and pound.
Lingus tries to improve position but can't.
Malone lands a nice forearm strike.
Lingus manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Lingus has hold of Malone's hands but Malone slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Malone scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Malone trying to control the action but Lingus is working from the bottom.
Lingus controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Malone slips a nice elbow through Lingus's hands, connecting with Lingus's forehead.
Lingus is looking to improve his position.
Lingus on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Lingus tries to get out of the position.
The fighters are battling for position here. Lingus manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lingus avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Lingus looking to control.
Malone won't allow Lingus to sweep him here.
Lingus trying to keep a closed guard but Malone is proving a slippery customer.
Lingus keeping full guard, as Malone tries to pass.
Lingus looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Malone throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Malone working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Lingus's head.
Lingus pulls Malone in to control the position.
Malone won't allow Lingus to sweep him here.
We've been hearing good reports from Lingus's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Malone trying to control the position from guard on top but Lingus is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lingus controls Malone momentarily but Malone frees himself.
Malone sitting in guard, not really doing much.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but John Malone will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Lingus fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Malone throws a hook to the side of Lingus's head but Lingus sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Lingus shoots in for a double leg but Malone sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Lingus fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Malone to the ground. Lingus is now in Malone's guard.

Lingus drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Lingus jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

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

Lingus looking for a sweep. Not yet Lingus, not yet.
Cung Lingus overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Malone content to stall in guard here.
Lingus not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Malone pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Lingus is keeping the position for now.
Lingus 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.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Malone chips away with some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malone being controlled here momentarily.
Malone sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Lingus manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Malone manages to get himself to full guard.

Malone is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Lingus won't allow Malone to sweep him here.
Lingus is pushing down on Malone's leg trying to pass to half guard. Malone is fighting to maintain full guard but Lingus has managed to sneak the leg through.
Lingus tries to pass to full mount but Malone defends it.

Lingus seems to be working for a kimura but Malone defends the submission attempt.

Lingus is looking for a kimura here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malone is trying is best to control the position here.

Lingus is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Lingus is trying to work for a kimura but Malone is defending well.
Malone gets full guard.

Lingus drops back, looking for a kneebar! Malone looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Malone looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Malone!

An elbow from Malone crashes against the mat.
Malone controlling the position from side mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malone wants to lay and pray for a moment but Lingus keeps working.
Lingus tries to improve position but can't.
Lingus keeps Malone under control for a moment.
You can see the frustration on Lingus's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Lingus is not content to let Malone control the position.
Lingus tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Malone wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Lingus trying to control but Malone flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!
Malone struggling to keep hold of the position.
Lingus is in bad spot here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Malone scores with strikes from the back.
Malone is trying to stick to Lingus's back but Lingus is turning into Malone. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Malone's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Lingus.
Malone 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.
Malone is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Malone prevents Lingus from improving his position.
Malone wants to control but Lingus is keeping him busy.
Malone is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Lingus tries to roll over but Malone keeps him under control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Malone missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but John Malone will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Lingus blocks a jab.
A jab from Malone misses.
Lingus looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Malone is fending him off so far but Lingus persists. Nope, Malone circles away and we're back to standing.
Malone keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Malone stuffs the takedown attempt from Lingus. Lingus gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cung Lingus. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Malone throws a hook but Lingus avoids it easily.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Lingus is defended easily by Malone.
Lingus fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Malone tries to bum rush Lingus with a series of wild strikes but Lingus uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lingus shoots for a takedown but Malone saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Lingus shoots in for a takedown but Malone shows good takedown defense.
Lingus shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Malone as he avoids it easily.
Malone swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Lingus uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Malone.
Malone stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Malone wants it to stay on the feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lingus slips under a jab from Malone.
Lingus shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Malone as he jumps to the side.
John Malone is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Malone fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Lingus.

Lingus wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Malone, who protects the arm well.
Malone struggling a bit here.

Lingus is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Malone knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Malone is trying to improve his position.

Lingus looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lingus looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Lingus tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Lingus is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Malone is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Malone is looking to regain half guard here but Lingus keeps moving and retains side control.

Lingus tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Lingus has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lingus is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Malone knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Lingus wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Malone, who protects the arm well.

Lingus is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Malone is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Malone is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Malone sneaks back into half guard.

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.
The fighters are battling for position here. Malone manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

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

Malone in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Lingus wants to sweep here but Malone controlling him for the moment.
Lingus is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Malone slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Malone controlling Lingus's posture.

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

Cung Lingus has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Lingus looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to John Malone.
I've got Malone 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 Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 27:30
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 28:30
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Malone!
John Malone decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.