Finney (11-0) had to win three matches on Dana White’s Contender Series before being signed to a UFC contract by CEO Dana White. He followed that up by winning his UFC debut against Robert Valentin via split decision last April, and now it looked like he would make it two straight wins when he faced Malkoun.
Round 1 – The two met in the middle, with Finney immediately applying pressure while Malkoun went to work behind his world-class sharp jab. Finney remained patient, as he often does, waiting for the right opening to pursue a takedown.
Malkoun shot short of his own leg, but Finney defended it with ease. From that point on, Malkoun’s jab started landing consistently, snapping Finney’s head back early. Finney tried to fire back, but it was Malkoun who had the clear advantage on his feet, landing with superior accuracy and speed.
As the round progressed, Malkoun began putting combinations together, forcing Finney to load up wide overhand rights and hooks. A clean shot from Malkoun moved Finney and forced him to retreat onto the back foot.
Malkoun smelled blood and poured it on to prevent Finney from recovering. Finney desperately shot for a takedown, but it was stuffed without much resistance, allowing Malkoun to return to landing sharp combinations.
Finney looked to shoot, standing with his hands high and absorbing shot after shot. A heavy attack from Malkoun finally dropped him, and Malkoun jumped for a guillotine choke. Finney managed to survive the submission attempt and made it to the second round.
Round 2 – Malkoun returned to his game plan in the second round, ramping up the jab and stringing together sharp combinations. Finney tried to fire back but soon began to noticeably limp, a development that Malkoun showed no sympathy for as he continued to execute clean attacks.
Finney did manage to connect with a solid shot that seemed to stagger Malkoun for a moment, but it wasn’t enough to drop him. Malkoun recovered quickly and went straight back to work after his jab, maintaining control of the exchanges.
Finney remained mostly defensive, looking for openings and occasionally throwing overhand rights, but the takedown he needed never materialized.
A heavy right hand from Malkoun dropped Finney, and he followed him to the canvas, raining blows. Finney turned belly down under the pressure and absorbed more shots while Malkoun stayed on top.
To secure the finish, Malkoun attempted a rear choke, slipping it over the chin in an attempt to force a tap, but the round ended before he could complete it.
Round 3 – Finney charged forward throwing heavy punches looking for a shot that could change the fight, but Malkoun stayed calm, defended well and continued to pick him apart with clean strikes. Malkoun shot briefly for a takedown before abandoning it and resetting.
After retreating, Malkoun landed a sharp combination and returned to the center of the Octagon. He then latched onto Finney and pressed him against the fence as he looked for a single-leg opening.
When they separated, Malkoun went right back to Finney’s head with his jab, repeatedly finding the mark. Finney managed to land a few heavy hooks, but Malkoun responded by firing in again, this time completing the single-leg takedown.
Finney got back to his feet, but Malkoun immediately took him back down, sealing the fight and leaving little doubt about the outcome.
Official result: Jacob Malkoun def. Torrez Finney via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26×2)
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