PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ray Malenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Manolito Damhuis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Malenko
vs
Damhuis

182 cm
26
169 lbs
15 - 5 - 0

184 cm
26
177 lbs
15 - 7 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Hellbent
Museum of Monsters & Madmen

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ray Malenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Manolito Damhuis!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Alan Glass and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Malenko throws a shot to the body.
Damhuis drops his hands momentarily and Malenko takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Malenko has been working on his boxing with his coaches at The Shark Tank in the buildup to the fight.
Malenko tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Malenko misses with a body shot.
Damhuis changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Malenko keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Malenko throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

Damhuis looking to score a takedown here. Malenko is defending well but Damhuis drives through and ends up in Malenko's guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Damhuis is stalling in the full guard.
Damhuis must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Malenko utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Damhuis content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Damhuis landing with the ground and pound.
Malenko is pulling down on Damhuis's head. It's preventing any offense from Damhuis, at least for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malenko wants to sweep but no luck.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Damhuis's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Damhuis postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Damhuis wants to pass the guard but Malenko is keeping the position.
Malenko looking to hit a scissor sweep but Damhuis is one step ahead there.
Damhuis is working Malenko over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Malenko throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Damhuis escapes and throws Malenko's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Malenko is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Malenko gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Malenko trying to control here.
Malenko is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
The fighters are battling for position here. Malenko manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Damhuis is pushing down on Malenko's leg trying to pass to half guard. Malenko is fighting to maintain full guard but Damhuis has managed to sneak the leg through.
Malenko is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Damhuis not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Malenko trying to control but Damhuis postures up.
Damhuis seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Malenko does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Malenko is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Damhuis's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Damhuis's back!

Malenko working for the choke.
Damhuis wants to control his opponent's hands but Malenko gets his hands free.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Damhuis breaks Malenko's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Malenko being controlled here, momentarily.

Damhuis stands over his opponent and dives in with a flying punch! Malenko throws up his legs and catches Damhuis in a triangle! Oh this looks tight! Damhuis tries to escape but he's forced to tap! Wow, fantastic work there by Malenko! That came out of nowhere!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:32 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Ray Malenko!
Ray Malenko seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.