PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Vladimirs Voranovskis (ranked 2416 p4p, 270 weight class) and Malakei Martin (ranked 2743 p4p, 301 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Voranovskis
vs
Martin

199 cm
25
160 lbs
2 - 1 - 1

180 cm
25
165 lbs
3 - 1 - 2

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 1, fighting out of The Island, Vladimirs Voranovskis!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 2, fighting out of The Island, Malakei Martin!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, Bart Greer and Winston Alpacca.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice takedown defense from Martin. No joy for Voranovskis on that attempt.
Martin ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Voranovskis moves away.
Voranovskis shoots in for a takedown but Martin shows good takedown defense.
Martin scores with a sloppy right hand. Voranovskis should have avoided that one.
Voranovskis shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vladimirs Voranovskis. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Voranovskis stalks Martin and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Martin's face. Martin staggers backwards, shaken.
Martin's coach down at Island Sparring was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Martin's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
An inside leg kick lands from Martin.
A solid body kick from Martin.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Voranovskis.
Martin tries a quick counter leg kick but Voranovskis is wise to it.
Voranovskis tries to close the distance and clinch but Martin swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Voranovskis looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Martin swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Martin has managed to clinch.
Martin struggles to land a body shot inside as Voranovskis controls his hands.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Martin.
A shot in the inside from Martin.
Martin working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

Martin manages to break the clinch.
Voranovskis fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Voranovskis misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Voranovskis fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Martin moves into the clinch successfully.
Knees in the clinch landing for Martin.
Voranovskis is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Voranovskis is trying to push Martin away but Martin has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Martin escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Martin rushes Voranovskis and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Martin pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Voranovskis shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Martin but Martin pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Martin unleashes a big counter combination but Voranovskis bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Voranovskis tries to clinch
and Martin counters with a slapping leg kick.
Voranovskis tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Martin defends well and Voranovskis ends up having to push Martin into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Voranovskis shoots in for a double leg but Martin sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Voranovskis throws a left and a right that both miss

and Martin moves into the clinch.
Martin lands a right hand.
Martin lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

It looks like Vladimirs Voranovskis has been cut.
Martin manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Martin utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
A body shot lands from Martin.
Martin lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Voranovskis backwards.
Martin using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Martin lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Martin utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
A short body shot lands from Martin as the two fighters clinch.
Martin crunches a lovely knee into Voranovskis's ribcage.
A short right from Martin on the inside.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Martin creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
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!
Martin controlling the action here for a moment.
Martin avoiding damage.
The crowd are getting on Martin's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Martin obliges.
Martin lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Martin with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

Voranovskis is rocked!
Martin creates a bit of space for himself and rocks Voranovskis with a big uppercut! Voranovskis tries to clinch up but Martin pushes him back against the cage and lands another monster strike that crumples Voranovskis to the mat! Voranovskis covers up and Martin unloads with more strikes until the referee steps in to end the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:33 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Malakei Martin!
Malakei Martin is the new lightweight champion!
An out of breath Malakei Martin thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.