PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Pedro Kapaldi (ranked 318 p4p, 44 weight class) and Ray Malenko (ranked 284 p4p, 38 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kapaldi
vs
Malenko

158 cm
37
155 lbs
31 - 10 - 1

182 cm
34
164 lbs
28 - 14 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Urban Fighter

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 31 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Pedro Kapaldi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 14 - 0, fighting out of London, Ray Malenko!
The judges for this bout are , Timothy Bukovac and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kapaldi looks to score with a jab to the body but Malenko is just out of range.
Malenko doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Kapaldi scores with a crisp jab that stopped Malenko in his tracks.
Malenko slips under a jab.
Malenko appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
A lazy left from Kapaldi finds it's target.
Kapaldi misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Malenko.
Malenko thows a left - swing and a miss!
Malenko swings for the body but Kapaldi moves out of range.
Malenko takes a swing at Kapaldi's ribcage but misses.
Malenko moves out of range as Kapaldi strikes.
Kapaldi waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Malenko.
A slapping body kick lands there for Kapaldi.
Malenko misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kapaldi.
Kapaldi avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kapaldi walks into a left hand.
Kapaldi misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Malenko counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kapaldi tries to land a front kick but Malenko steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Malenko has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Malenko scores with a punch to the head.
Kapaldi lands a leg kick that knocks Malenko off balance momentarily.
Malenko changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Kapaldi avoids the body shot from Malenko.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Malenko. Kapaldi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Kapaldi. Malenko shrugs it off though.
Malenko throws a body punch but Kapaldi moves out of range.
Kapaldi slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Nice defenses there by Malenko.
Malenko appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Kapaldi misses with a body shot
and Malenko connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Malenko misses with a looping right.
Malenko has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
A swing and a miss from Malenko.
Kapaldi takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Kapaldi throws a front kick that sends Malenko stumbling back into the cage.
Malenko throws a body punch but Kapaldi moves out of range.
Kapaldi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Malenko.
Kapaldi is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Kapaldi blocks a jab.
Malenko jabs Kapaldi to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Malenko is a very stocky fighter. Infact he's such a weird shape that he's almost like some sort of comedy character - it's hard to believe he's real.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Kapaldi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Malenko manages to avoid it.
Kapaldi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Malenko.
Kapaldi looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Kapaldi takes a swing at Malenko's ribcage but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kapaldi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Malenko manages to avoid it.
Malenko throws out a counter right but Kapaldi avoids it with no problem.
Kapaldi moves away from the strike by Malenko.
Malenko has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Kapaldi.
Kapaldi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Malenko was well out of range. Poor timing from Kapaldi.
Malenko on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Malenko scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Kapaldi is looking to wear down Malenko with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Kapaldi throws the left hand but Malenko avoids the punch easily.
Kapaldi scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Kapaldi comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Pedro Kapaldi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Malenko takes a swing at Kapaldi's ribcage but misses.
Malenko throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kapaldi's waist but Kapaldi gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Malenko off to one side.
Kapaldi throws a shot to the body.
A jab from Malenko finds it's way through Kapaldi's defenses.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Kapaldi, as that shot connected.
Malenko uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kapaldi.
Kapaldi fakes the leg kick and cracks Malenko in the body.
Malenko tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Kapaldi keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Malenko.
Malenko has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Kapaldi.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kapaldi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Malenko.
Malenko throws a body shot but no joy.
Malenko takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Malenko checks a low kick from Kapaldi.
Malenko on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kapaldi. Kapaldi obviously looking to wear him down.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Kapaldi - that will leave a mark!
Malenko throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Malenko scores with a decent looking hook.
Kapaldi throws a head kick but Malenko moves out of range.
Malenko swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Malenko gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Kapaldi misses with a low kick.
Malenko moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Malenko throws a jab when Kapaldi was well out of range.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Malenko.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Malenko misses with a body shot.
Malenko comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kapaldi moves away from the strike by Malenko.
Kapaldi swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Malenko connects with a body shot.
Malenko misses with a wild body shot.
Malenko works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Jab, jab by Kapaldi - just one landing.
Kapaldi digs a good body shot into Malenko's ribs.
Malenko uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Malenko takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Pedro Kapaldi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kapaldi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Malenko moves away.
Kapaldi misses with a body shot.
Malenko walks into a left hand.
Malenko misses the shot to the body.
Kapaldi misses with a hook to the body
and Kapaldi takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kapaldi throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Malenko throws a body punch but Kapaldi moves out of range.
Kapaldi thinks about countering with a body kick.
Malenko lands with a shot to the body.
Malenko swings for the body but Kapaldi moves out of range.
Kapaldi lands with a thumping leg kick.
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 Pedro Kapaldi will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Kapaldi looks to land a body kick but Malenko moved away.
Kapaldi tries to land a body kick
and Kapaldi takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Kapaldi slips under a jab from Malenko.
Kapaldi avoids the body shot from Malenko.
Kapaldi is looking to counter punch.
Kapaldi dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kapaldi throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Malenko counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Malenko misses with a hook. Kapaldi ducked under it nicely.
Malenko is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Kapaldi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Malenko manages to avoid it.
Malenko misses with a wild body shot.
Kapaldi lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Malenko on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kapaldi. Kapaldi obviously looking to wear him down.
Malenko uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kapaldi.
Kapaldi throws a leg kick
and Malenko counters with a left to the body.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Kapaldi buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Nice shot lands for Malenko.
Malenko throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Malenko punishes Kapaldi's body with a nice straight punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jab, jab by Malenko - just one landing.
Kapaldi is looking to land body kicks.
Kapaldi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Malenko smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Malenko on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kapaldi. Kapaldi obviously looking to wear him down.
Malenko fails with a takedown attempt.
Kapaldi looks to score with a jab to the body but Malenko is just out of range.
Malenko misses with a wild body shot.
Malenko smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Kapaldi throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Kapaldi lands a nice shot to the body.
Malenko doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Kapaldi misses the shot to the body.
Kapaldi lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kapaldi ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Malenko fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kapaldi manages to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malenko swings for the body but Kapaldi moves out of range.
Kapaldi defending well as Malenko loads up on a big left hand.
Kapaldi misses the jab.
Malenko misses with a body shot.
Kapaldi scores with a jab to the jaw.
Kapaldi waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Malenko.
Kapaldi avoids the body shot from Malenko.

Malenko decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Malenko is trying to control. Kapaldi wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Kapaldi wants to improve his position but Malenko is controlling well.
Kapaldi trying to control but Malenko postures up.

Malenko looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malenko is looking to stall here but Kapaldi recovers full guard.
Malenko trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

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.
Malenko loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kapaldi might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Malenko controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Malenko's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Malenko misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kapaldi.
Kapaldi misses with an attempted mid kick.
Kapaldi attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Malenko throws a looping overhand right but Kapaldi ducks down to avoid it.
Kapaldi takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Malenko is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Kapaldi lands with a kick to the ribs.
Kapaldi ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Kapaldi swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Malenko misses with a body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ray Malenko will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Kapaldi misses with a hook. Malenko ducked under it nicely.
Kapaldi lands a lovely overhand right.
Kapaldi misses with a straight right.
Kapaldi keeps Malenko at a distance using the push kick.
Malenko takes a swing at Kapaldi's ribcage but misses.
Nice body kick there by Kapaldi.
Malenko scores with a sloppy right hand. Kapaldi should have avoided that one.
Malenko tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Kapaldi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Malenko throws a lazy uppercut
and Kapaldi counters with a straight right hand.
Kapaldi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Malenko throws out a powerful jab.
Malenko misses with a body shot.
Malenko is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kapaldi.
Malenko misses with a hook.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Malenko connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Kapaldi avoids the body shot from Malenko.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Malenko crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Kapaldi - the referee stops the clock and Malenko gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Kapaldi. Malenko manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malenko takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Malenko lands with a shot to the body.
Malenko misses with a body shot.
Kapaldi looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Nice body kick from Kapaldi.
Nice straight punches there by Kapaldi. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Kapaldi.
Malenko swings for the body but Kapaldi moves out of range.
Kapaldi avoids the body shot from Malenko.
Malenko throws a looping overhand right but Kapaldi ducks down to avoid it.
Kapaldi looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Kapaldi connects with a body shot.
Kapaldi blocks a jab.
Kapaldi was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Malenko moves out of range of the body kick.
Malenko lands a jab to Kapaldi's midsection.
Kapaldi lands a nice leg kick that just misses Malenko's sensitive parts.
Some bone on bone action there as Malenko checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kapaldi scores with a jab. Malenko acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kapaldi scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Malenko takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Malenko throws a body shot but no joy.
Kapaldi misses with a wild body shot.
Malenko drops his hands momentarily and Kapaldi takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Kapaldi cracks the inside of Malenko's front leg.
Malenko takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Malenko lands with a shot to the body.
Malenko fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kapaldi manages to avoid it.
Malenko fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kapaldi manages to avoid it.
Nice body punch from Malenko.
Kapaldi goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Kapaldi misses with an uppercut.
Nice defenses there by Kapaldi.
Malenko throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kapaldi scores with a spinning back kick!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kapaldi blocks a jab.
A slapping body kick lands there for Kapaldi.
Kapaldi is looking to land body kicks.
Malenko on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kapaldi. Kapaldi obviously looking to wear him down.
Kapaldi swings for the body but Malenko moves out of range.
Kapaldi throws a body kick that misses.
Malenko looks to score with a jab to the body but Kapaldi is just out of range.
Malenko uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kapaldi.
Kapaldi tried to score with a low kick but Malenko checks it.
Malenko lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Kapaldi throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Malenko counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Kapaldi thinking.
Malenko throws a body punch but Kapaldi moves out of range.
Kapaldi appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Kapaldi fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Malenko.
Malenko thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kapaldi lets loose with a powerful body kick. Malenko will feel that in the morning.
Kapaldi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kapaldi misses with an attempted mid kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Malenko misses with a hook
and Kapaldi counters with a lovely straight right hand!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kapaldi lands a slapping body shot.
Kapaldi swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kapaldi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Malenko manages to avoid it.
Kapaldi pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Malenko scores with a body shot.
Pedro Kapaldi is winning the standup battle so far.
Kapaldi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kapaldi looks to score with a jab to the body but Malenko is just out of range.
Malenko is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Kapaldi with a body shot.
Kapaldi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Malenko.
Malenko connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Kapaldi momentarily.
Kapaldi thuds his shin into the meat of Malenko's side.
Kapaldi slips under a jab.
Kapaldi is looking for a counter combo.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kapaldi uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Malenko.
Malenko connects with a nice looking jab.

Malenko closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Kapaldi to the mat! Kapaldi manages to get full guard.
Malenko takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Malenko sitting in guard, not really doing much.

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 Pedro Kapaldi.
I think Kapaldi 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:28
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Pedro Kapaldi!
A relieved looking Pedro Kapaldi thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.