PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tommy Sander (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Theodore Malenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Malenko's choice of entrance music: The Pixies - Bone Machine. This should be a great matchup!

Sander
vs
Malenko

185 cm
20
210 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

185 cm
22
215 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Powerful

Danger Fightwear
Win Nutritional - proof of quality

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Tommy Sander!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Theodore Malenko!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, Eliza Hachem and Steve Erwin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Malenko tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Sander paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Theodore Malenko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Malenko is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Sander throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Malenko throws a shot from downtown. Sander moves away and avoids it.
Sander misses with a wild combination.
Malenko tries to clinch there but Sander circles away.
Sander connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Sander scores with a three punch combo!
Malenko throws a body kick that misses.
Sander misses with an uppercut.
Malenko throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Malenko tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Sander is able to avoid easily.
Malenko throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Sander cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malenko misses with a body shot.
Sander jabs Malenko right on the nose. Malenko blinks but takes it well.
Malenko looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Sander scores with a hook to the body. Malenko takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Malenko tries to clinch but Sander is having none of it.
Sander throws a series of punches but Malenko avoids them all with ease.
Malenko shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Malenko tried to score with a low kick but Sander checks it.
Sander ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Malenko tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sander swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Sander tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Malenko paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Malenko takes a shot right to the bread basket.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malenko staying out of range there.
Sander slips under a jab.
Sander keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sander lands with an uppercut that bounces Malenko off the cage and back into rage.
Sander fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Malenko looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Malenko throws a leg kick which misses Sander's front leg but catches the back leg as Sander tries to avoid it.
Tommy Sander is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sander throws a right and a left that Malenko avoids nicely.
Sander misses with the combination.
Sander misses with a hook to the body
and Sander takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Sander blocks a head kick by Malenko.
Malenko misses with a hook. Sander ducked under it nicely.
Sander misses with the combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sander throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Sander has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Sander there as he acknowledges the shot.
Sander throws a combination that misses
and Malenko counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Malenko clinches.
Malenko just leaning against Sander, taking a breather.
Sander wants to get back to striking at distance but Malenko won't allow it.
Malenko lands an elbow inside that Sander shrugs off.

It looks like Tommy Sander has been cut.
Malenko trying to stall but Sander improves his position.
Malenko missing with knees to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Malenko.
Sander is looking to control Malenko's arms but Malenko gets an underhook and turns him. Now Sander has his back to the cage.
Sander has had enough of the clinch but Malenko keeps him there for the moment.
Malenko leaning against his opponent.
Sander tries to break free but Malenko pushes him back against the cage.
Malenko throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Sander blocks it with crossed arms.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Sander managing to block the knees to the body from Malenko.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Malenko prevents Sander from breaking the clinch.
Malenko tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Sander wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Malenko has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Sander is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Malenko tries to land knees in the clinch but Sander avoids the damage to the body.
Malenko tries a knee to the head but Sander blocks it.
Malenko with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Sander prevents a takedown attempt there.
Tommy Sander has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Theodore Malenko.

Sander is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Malenko can't fight it off and eventually Sander manages to take the fight to the floor. Malenko looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Sander is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Malenko looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Sander puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tommy Sander dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Tommy Sander's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

A big right from Malenko misses.
Malenko scores with the left hand. Sander knows he should have avoided that one.
Malenko throws a quick inside leg kick.
Malenko swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Sander scores with a three punch combo!
Sander misses with a wild combination.
Sander steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Malenko.
Sander cracks Malenko with a good jab.
Sander goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sander digs a good body shot into Malenko's ribs.
Malenko throws a looping overhand right but Sander ducks down to avoid it.
Tommy Sander is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malenko connects with the punch.
A shot to de liver by Sander. Beautiful body shot.
Sander swinging wilding here.
Malenko thows a left - swing and a miss!
Sander looks to score with a jab to the body but Malenko is just out of range.
Malenko digs a good body shot into Sander's ribs.
Malenko swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Sander counters with a two punch combo.
Malenko throws a sloppy body shot
and Sander counters with a straight right hand.
Malenko drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Malenko looks to score with a jab to the body but Sander is just out of range.
Sander misses with a wild combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sander misses the shot to the body.
Malenko looks to land a right hand but Sander moved out of range.
Sander throws a combination that misses
and Malenko counters with a nice body kick.
Sander ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Malenko swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Malenko misses with a jab, cross combination.
Sander throws a right and a left that Malenko avoids nicely.
Sander throws a nice looking combination but Malenko bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Malenko looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Sander misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Malenko has closed the distance and engaged Sander in a clinch.
Malenko tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Malenko can't find room to land a body shot as Sander controls the action.
Sander is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Malenko with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Sander has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Malenko with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Sander is trying to stall.
Sander wants to break free but Malenko has control.
Sander can't break the clinch.
Stalling in the clinch from Malenko.
Sander is trying to break the clinch but Malenko has him pressed against the cage.
Sander fails to pull guard.
Malenko throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Sander blocks it with crossed arms.
Sander is trying to break the clinch but Malenko is controlling him.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Malenko.

Malenko decides to pull guard.
Malenko is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Sander is controlling him.

That's four 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.
Malenko looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Sander throwing strikes but missing.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Malenko throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Sander escapes and throws Malenko's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Malenko is trying to control Sander's posture but Sander avoids it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tommy Sander dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Tommy Sander's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Sander has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Sander lands a nice looking body shot.
Sander falls off balance throwing a combination
and Malenko counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A shot to the body from Malenko misses
and Sander cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Tommy Sander is winning the standup battle so far.
Sander slips a straight right by Malenko.
Malenko misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Sander cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A combination from Sander does no damage.
Sander misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Malenko walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

Malenko forces Sander back against the cage and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Sander misses with the head strike.
Malenko scores with a knee to the head.
Malenko blocks an uppercut.
Malenko pushes Sander back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Malenko with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Malenko prevents Sander from breaking the clinch.
Malenko content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Malenko has Sander pressed against the cage, preventing Sander from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Sander wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Malenko has him pressed against the cage.
Sander wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Malenko has him pressed against the cage.
Sander is trying to break free.
The referee calls for Malenko to work.
Malenko misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Sander.
Malenko missing with knees to the body.
Malenko throws an elbow but it misses.
A frustrated look appears on Sander's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Malenko utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malenko lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Sander on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Sander tries to break free but Malenko pushes him back against the cage.
Sander tries to break free but Malenko pushes him back against the cage.

Malenko is trying to trip Sander. He has hold of a leg but Sander is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Malenko persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Malenko postures up in Sander's guard and throws a big left but Sander blocks it.
Sander is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sander has control of Malenko's left arm, preventing Malenko from doing any damage.
Malenko stands and throws Sander's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sander tries to contro but end up mounted... ooooh, that's bad.
Malenko sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Sander wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Malenko.
Malenko lands a big elbow.
Malenko misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Malenko sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Sander sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Malenko is working for a submission of some sort.
Sander is not content to let Malenko control the position.
Malenko uses his free foot to push down on Sander's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Sander.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sander is desperately trying to improve his position but Malenko has a good base and remains in mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Theodore Malenko really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Tommy Sander's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Malenko shoots in for a takedown but Sander shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
No joy there for Sander, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Sander comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Malenko steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Sander.
A shot to the body from Malenko misses
and Sander counters with a right hand to the body.
Sander throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Malenko moves into the clinch.
Malenko misses with a punch on the inside.
Malenko misses with a knee to the head.
Malenko tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Sander avoids it.
Sander takes a knee right on the jaw!
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Sander can't seem to implement his control oriented gameplan at the moment. That's no bad thing of course, for those of us who want to see a good fight.
Malenko is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Sander wants to break free but Malenko has control.
Sander tries to break free but Malenko pushes him back against the cage.
Malenko is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Malenko is trying to stall.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sander working hard to break the clinch.
Malenko using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Malenko tries a knee to the head but Sander blocks it.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Malenko stops a takedown attempt from Sander.
Malenko taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Malenko tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Sander is trying to break the clinch but Malenko has him pressed against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Sander's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Sander digs a right hand into Malenko's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Malenko's gas tank.
Sander wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Malenko has him pressed against the cage.
Sander looking to stall.
Malenko prevents Sander from breaking the clinch.
Malenko throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Sander blocks it with crossed arms.
Sander misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Malenko slowing the pace effectively.
Sander blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Sander wants to break free but Malenko has control.
Sander looking to stall.
Malenko has a couple of punches blocked by Sander.
Malenko trying to land knees to the body.
Sander lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Sander tries to break the clinch but Malenko is controlling the position.
Malenko trying to land knees to the body.
Malenko jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Sander walks away with a smile on his face. Malenko gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Tommy Sander has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Theodore Malenko.
Sander scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Sander with a jab.
Malenko fails with a takedown attempt.
Sander scores with a hook to the body. Malenko takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malenko slips a jab and a cross from Sander.
Malenko throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Malenko tries to clinch but Sander is having none of it.
Malenko takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Sander moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
A punch lands to the side of Malenko 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Sander scores with a nice strike.
Malenko tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Sander is able to avoid easily.
Malenko throws a combination that misses
and Sander counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Malenko walks into a straight right hand from Sander.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jab by Sander.
Malenko takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Sander throws a nice looking combination but Malenko bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Sander misses with a few strikes there.
Sander scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Malenko doesn't seem bothered though.
Malenko throws a hook but Sander blocks it.
Sander throws a right hand that Malenko ducks under and follows up with a left that Malenko also avoids with ease.
Malenko drops his hands momentarily and Sander takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sander misses with a body shot.
Sander throws a series of punches but Malenko moves out of range.
Sander's corner calls for a 1-2. Sander obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tommy Sander had his way with Theodore Malenko in that round.
The cut man is working on Tommy Sander's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Malenko swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Sander counters with a left to the body.
Malenko throws a chopping leg kick but Sander manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Malenko takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Sander throws a series of punches but Malenko avoids them all with ease.
Malenko misses with an uppercut.
Sander keeps the fight on the outside.
Malenko misses with a head kick.
Sander rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Malenko moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Malenko throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Sander sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Sander uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Malenko.
Sander misses with a few strikes there.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Malenko looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Sander preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Sander looking for a sweep. Not yet Sander, not yet.
Malenko throws a big right hand that misses.
Sander wants to sweep here but Malenko controlling him for the moment.
Malenko slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malenko trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Malenko working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Sander uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Sander drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Sander lands a jab-cross combination.
Sander moves out of range of the strikes.
Sander swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Malenko counters with a takedown into side control.
Sander managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Malenko.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sander is trying to improve his position.
Malenko working away.
Malenko has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Sander holds on to Malenko's head and controls the position momentarily.
Sander seems a little lost for a moment, as Malenko dominates the positioning.
Sander wants to control but Malenko postures up.

That's four 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.
Sander is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Malenko has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Malenko tries to score with a low kick but Sander moves his leg out of the way.
Malenko is looking to clinch.
The fighters circling - Malenko throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Malenko sizes up Sander with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Sander rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Malenko moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Malenko thows a body shot but no joy.
Sander misses with a combination
and Malenko counters with a leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Theodore Malenko comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Sander has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 48:47
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 48:47
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tommy Sander!
Tommy Sander is the new light heavyweight champion!