PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Raje Malapitan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Hunt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mike Hunt told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Malapitan
vs
Hunt

168 cm
28
130 lbs
6 - 10 - 0

180 cm
33
155 lbs
19 - 18 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Very quick

Decent wrestler
Good kicks
Heavy handed

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 6 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Raje Malapitan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 18 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mike Hunt!
The judges for this bout are , Don Winkell and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hunt tries a head kick but it misses.
Hunt misses with a kick to the body.
Hunt thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Malapitan if he has to take too many more of those.
Malapitan walks forward, straight into a front kick from Hunt.
Malapitan blocks a leg kick.

Malapitan dives in and scores a takedown into Hunt's guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Malapitan loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Malapitan postures up in Hunt's guard and throws a big left but Hunt blocks it.

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 throws a big right hand that misses.
Malapitan trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Malapitan throwing strikes from guard but Hunt blocks nicely.
Hunt keeping moving, preventing Malapitan from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malapitan throws a big elbow that misses.
Malapitan loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Malapitan trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hunt is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Malapitan trying to control the position from guard on top but Hunt is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Hunt uses the cage to get back to his feet.
A head kick misses from Hunt.
Hunt showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Malapitan.
Hunt misses with a kick to the body
and Malapitan counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Malapitan misses with a double jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hunt misses with a head kick.

Malapitan shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Malapitan was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Malapitan looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Hunt is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Malapitan looking to control but Hunt is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Malapitan stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
Hunt scores with a one two! Malapitan had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Hunt tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Malapitan is able to avoid easily.
Hunt throws a push kick but Malapitan slaps the foot to one side.
Hunt throws a body punch but Malapitan moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hunt is looking to score with low kicks.
Hunt tries a head kick but it misses.
Hunt lands with a thumping leg kick.
Hunt throws a combination. Malapitan tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Malapitan is trying hard to land a takedown here. Hunt sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
A lazy left from Malapitan finds it's target.
Hunt tries to land a body kick
and Malapitan counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Malapitan has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Hunt.
A nice inside leg kick there by Hunt. That's going to slow Malapitan down.
Malapitan tries for a takedown but Hunt sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Malapitan misses with a two punch combination.
Malapitan shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Hunt as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Raje Malapitan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hunt throws a jab but it's blocked by Malapitan.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hunt swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Malapitan shoots in looking for a takedown but Hunt manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Malapitan's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Hunt.
Malapitan rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Hunt moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Malapitan misses with a few strikes there.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Hunt.
Hunt tries a head kick but it misses.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hunt misses with a low kick as Malapitan jumps back.
Hunt throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hunt misses with a double jab.
Malapitan looks to land a combination. Hunt sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Hunt lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Malapitan backs up against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Raje Malapitan will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Hunt gets off balance looking for a body kick

and Malapitan counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Hunt!
Malapitan throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Malapitan scoring with strikes but Hunt is staying in there.
Malapitan looking to ground and pound but Hunt is blocking nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Malapitan is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
Hunt misses with a body kick.
Mike Hunt seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hunt doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Hunt fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Malapitan avoids the head kick by Hunt.
Hunt showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Malapitan.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Malapitan scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Malapitan gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Hunt looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hunt dodges the punch combination from Malapitan.
Hunt scores with a three punch combo!
Malapitan shoots and misses
and Hunt cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Hunt misses with a double jab.
Malapitan connects with a body shot that sends Hunt's belly button to the back.
Hunt cracks the inside of Malapitan's front leg.
Hunt looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
An inside leg kick from Hunt misses.
Malapitan blocks a head kick by Hunt.
A punch combination from Hunt misses.
Hunt throws a left and a right that both miss
letting Malapitan counter with a right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hunt looks to score with a jab to the body but Malapitan is just out of range.
Hunt dodges the punch combination from Malapitan.
Malapitan fails to land with a series of punches.
Malapitan swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Hunt misses with the combination.
Malapitan keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hunt just misses with a punch to the body.
Hunt slips a jab and a cross from Malapitan.
A head kick from Hunt lands but Malapitan takes it in his stride.
Hunt with a hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malapitan looks for a takedown but Hunt sprawls well.
Malapitan avoids a kick to the body.
Mike Hunt seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Malapitan shoots in and drives through. Hunt sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Raje Malapitan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hunt throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hunt tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Hunt moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Malapitan looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Hunt looks to land a left hand but Malapitan moved out of range nicely.
Malapitan throws a series of punches but Hunt moves out of range.
Malapitan looks to land a combination but Hunt avoids it well.
Hunt looks to land a body kick but Malapitan moved away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A nice inside leg kick there by Hunt. That's going to slow Malapitan down.
Hunt looks for the body kick but Malapitan saw that one coming.
Malapitan takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Malapitan misses with a series of wild punches.
Hunt slips a jab and a cross from Malapitan.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hunt throws a sloppy head kick and Malapitan moves out of range easily.
Hunt tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Malapitan moves out of range of the body kick from Hunt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Malapitan scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Malapitan misses with the ground and pound.
Hunt tries to escape but Malapitan is in control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Raje Malapitan will probably get the nod.
That's time! Malapitan's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Hunt will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Good leg kick by Hunt there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Malapitan fails with the takedown.
Malapitan throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Malapitan rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Hunt moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Crunch! Hunt slams his shin into Malapitan's torso.
Hunt rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Malapitan moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Hunt throws a lazy head kick
and Malapitan counters with a nice uppercut.
Malapitan swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Hunt slaps away a takedown attempt from Malapitan, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hunt misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Malapitan.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hunt scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Malapitan doesn't seem bothered though.
Malapitan looks to land a combination but Hunt avoids it well.
Hunt swings for the body but Malapitan moves out of range.

Malapitan closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Hunt quickly recovers to half guard.

Malapitan is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Hunt defends it well.
Malapitan sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Hunt defending well though.
Hunt is trying to stand.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Hunt can do anything to dispel that myth.
Malapitan seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Hunt does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Malapitan is looking for a kimura but Hunt is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Malapitan to get the leverage.
Malapitan lands strikes from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Malapitan is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Hunt doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Malapitan.

Hunt kicks off Malapitan and gets to his feet.
Hunt misses with a head kick.
Malapitan shoots for a takedown but Hunt saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Raje Malapitan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hunt throws a body punch but Malapitan moves out of range.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hunt tries a head kick but it misses.
Hunt throws a series of punches but Malapitan moves out of range.
Hunt throws a head kick but Malapitan moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hunt digs a good body shot into Malapitan's ribs.
Hunt rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Malapitan moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Hunt stuffs the takedown.
Hunt is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Malapitan rather than just go for the knockout.
Hunt throws a head kick but Malapitan moves out of range.
Hunt misses with a wild combination.
Malapitan swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Malapitan showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Hunt.
Raje Malapitan is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Malapitan fails with a takedown attempt.

Malapitan closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Hunt's guard.
Malapitan has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hunt is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Malapitan is controlling him.
Malapitan throws a big elbow that misses.
Malapitan throws a big elbow that misses.
Mike Hunt has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Malapitan accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Malapitan trying to control the position from guard on top but Hunt is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Malapitan throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hunt works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Malapitan stands up over Hunt, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Malapitan throws a big right hand that misses.
Malapitan pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hunt is keeping the position for now.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Hunt scrambles and gets back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Raje Malapitan.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Malapitan, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Raje Malapitan!