PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Valick Cronin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Raje Malapitan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Valick Cronin looks tired to me. Hopefully he has got enough gas left in the tank to put in a good performance.

Cronin
vs
Malapitan

183 cm
21
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

169 cm
22
147 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Valick Cronin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Raje Malapitan!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Jonathan Paton and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Malapitan 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.
Malapitan trying to control but Cronin is working from the bottom.
Cronin is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Malapitan is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Malapitan must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Malapitan trying to control but Cronin is working from the bottom.

Malapitan thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Cronin will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Cronin wants to sweep but no luck.

Malapitan thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Cronin is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Cronin trying to control from half guard but Malapitan is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cronin with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Malapitan wants to control but Cronin is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Cronin controlling the action here.
Malapitan is positioning himself well to prevent Cronin advancing to mount.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Malapitan keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Valick Cronin just wasn't active enough.
Some wild striking there from Cronin.

Malapitan darts in and clinches Cronin up against the cage.
Malapitan drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Malapitan has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Cronin regains guard immediately.
Malapitan pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Cronin is keeping the position for now.
Cronin keeping moving, preventing Malapitan from controlling successfully.
Malapitan trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Malapitan looks gassed!
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cronin wants to control for a moment but Malapitan uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Cronin passes the guard and advances to mount!
Cronin tries to control but Malapitan wriggling away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Raje Malapitan dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Malapitan shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Cronin really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

Malapitan jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Cronin manages to avoid the submission attempt.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cronin regains half guard.
Cronin tries to kick Malapitan off but Malapitan keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Malapitan is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Cronin works his way to full guard. Good work.
Malapitan wants to pass the guard but Cronin is keeping the position.
Malapitan is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Malapitan drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Malapitan jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malapitan trying to control but Cronin is working from the bottom.

Malapitan drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Malapitan jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Cronin looking to hit a scissor sweep but Malapitan is one step ahead there.
Cronin wants to stand and escape but Malapitan is having none of it.
Cronin pulls Malapitan in to control the position.
Malapitan wants to control from the top but Cronin keeps moving.
Cronin keeping full guard, as Malapitan tries to pass.

Malapitan drops back looking for a leg! Cronin is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Cronin manages to kick Malapitan off! Malapitan jumps back into Cronin's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Malapitan looking to pass the guard.
Cronin wants to sweep but no luck.

Malapitan drops back looking for a leg! Cronin is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Cronin manages to kick Malapitan off! Malapitan jumps back into Cronin's guard.

Malapitan drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Cronin dives on top into guard.
Cronin pushing down on Malapitan's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Malapitan wants to improve his position but Cronin is controlling well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cronin looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Malapitan is refusing to be controlled, as Cronin sits in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Cronin seems to be trying to get a kimura but instead Malapitan has recovered full guard.
Cronin pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Malapitan is keeping the position for now.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Malapitan has control of Cronin's left arm, preventing Cronin from doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Raje Malapitan will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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!

Malapitan clinches up against the cage.
Malapitan leaning against his opponent.
Malapitan is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Malapitan drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Malapitan displaying some good clinch control by pressing Cronin up against the cage.
Malapitan has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Cronin is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Valick Cronin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Raje Malapitan.
Cronin wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Malapitan wants the takedown. Cronin is fighting it off but Malapitan persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Cronin's guard against the cage.
Cronin is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Malapitan tries to free his leg and advance position but Cronin is retaining full guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cronin looking to control.
Cronin is looking to stand up but Malapitan isn't so interested in that idea.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Cronin is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Valick Cronin has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

Malapitan fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Cronin sprawls well initially but Malapitan persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Malapitan wants to pass to mount but Cronin is defending the position.
Cronin tries to kick Malapitan off but Malapitan keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Cronin tries to roll over but Malapitan keeps him under control.

Malapitan is trying to work for a kimura but Cronin is defending well.
Cronin tries to kick Malapitan off but Malapitan keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malapitan seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Raje Malapitan has got the better of the ground game so far.

Malapitan seems like he's working for an arm triangle here. He's freed his trapped foot and he's rotating nicely. Cronin is in big trouble! He's tapping out! This one is aaaaaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:24 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Raje Malapitan!