Battle in the Square IV PBP Commentary

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between John Malkovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Craig White (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying White's choice of entrance music: Red Nose. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Craig White was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Malkovic
vs
White

170 cm
21
160 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

180 cm
23
160 lbs
0 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, John Malkovic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Craig White!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Vladimir Khabensky and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
White wants to clinch up but Malkovic keeps it at a distance.
White misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Crunch! White slams his shin into Malkovic's torso.
Nice sprawl there from White as Malkovic shoots in.
White tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
White slaps away a takedown attempt from Malkovic, before circling back to the center of the mat.
John Malkovic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Malkovic drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
White prevents Malkovic from improving position.
White seems a little lost for a moment, as Malkovic dominates the positioning.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malkovic's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Malkovic trying to control the action but White is working from the bottom.

John Malkovic has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
White tries to clinch but Malkovic moves out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - White looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
White tries to close the distance and clinch but Malkovic swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
White tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Malkovic paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Malkovic.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Malkovic. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malkovic shoots in looking for a takedown. White tries to sprawl out of it but Malkovic keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. White manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
White cracks the inside of Malkovic's front leg.

Malkovic gets a takedown into half guard.
Malkovic trying to control the action but White is working from the bottom.
White looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
White keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
White tries to kick Malkovic off but Malkovic keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
White blocks a leg kick.
Malkovic misses with a series of wild punches.
White stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and White wants it to stay on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Malkovic gets tackled into the cage by White. White maintains the clinch.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
White scores a nice knee to the body.
White tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
White with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Malkovic is trying to force a seperation but White has the dominant position.
Malkovic takes a knee to the side of the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
White tries to land knees in the clinch but Malkovic avoids the damage to the body.
Malkovic tries to break free but White pushes him back against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Craig White will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

White leaves Malkovic with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
White misses with a jab, cross combination.
Malkovic misses with the combination.
Malkovic tries for a takedown but White sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Malkovic circles away from the clinch attempt.
Malkovic swats away the attempt to clinch by White.
White displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Malkovic throws out the jab.
Malkovic shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts White as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Malkovic. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Malkovic throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Malkovic tries to score with a low kick but White moves his leg out of the way.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malkovic will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
White avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
White tries to close the distance and clinch but Malkovic swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
White is looking to clinch.
White is looking to clinch but Malkovic is avoiding it.

Malkovic gets a takedown into half guard.
White is staying active underneath Malkovic, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malkovic content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of John Malkovic.
Malkovic throws a front kick aimed at White's knee but White avoids it well.
White keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Malkovic.
Craig White is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A head kick misses from Malkovic.
White misses with a jab, cross combination.

White gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Malkovic to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Malkovic in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
White keeping full guard, as Malkovic tries to pass.
Malkovic advances to half guard.
Malkovic thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
White is trying to stand up here but Malkovic is controlling him well.
Malkovic is nestled in close to White, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Malkovic not doing much here.
White wants to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Malkovic dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Malkovic changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. White looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Malkovic tries to advance to mount but can't.
Malkovic cracks White with a big right hand but White just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
John Malkovic overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
A lull in the action here as Malkovic stalls from top position.
Malkovic lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.

That's one minute gone in the round.
White wants to get back to his feet but Malkovic drags him back down.

Malkovic goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, White rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Malkovic's guard! Nice work there by White!
White must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Malkovic trying to control the position here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Malkovic fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. White sprawls well initially but Malkovic persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Malkovic with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

Malkovic is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so White is just riding it out for now. Malkovic eventually gives up the hold.
Malkovic trying to control the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malkovic has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

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.
Malkovic tries to control but White wriggling away.
White really wants to buck Malkovic off and get back to his feet.
Malkovic thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Malkovic showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Malkovic 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 Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 29:28
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Malkovic!
John Malkovic bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
27%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Petia Chetkiy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anthony States (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chetkiy comes into the arena with Маечка blaring out of the sound system. Petia Chetkiy could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Anthony States's chin.

Chetkiy
vs
States

183 cm
18
184 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

184 cm
18
185 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Petia Chetkiy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Anthony States!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Illya Tyunina and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Chetkiy bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
States tries to improve position but can't.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Chetkiy throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
States trying to remain calm as Chetkiy controls from the top position.
States really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Chetkiy. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Chetkiy throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Chetkiy throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Chetkiy in the domination position with States hanging on.
States taking punishment in the form of punches.
Chetkiy 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.
States avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Chetkiy.
States is looking for a sweep.
Chetkiy moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
An elbow from Chetkiy crashes against the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
States is trying to control Chetkiy's posture but Chetkiy avoids it.
Chetkiy takes a little break here. States wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
States is trying to get back to half guard.
Chetkiy looks up at the clock and then as States takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Chetkiy smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
States tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Chetkiy wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
States is looking to reverse the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chetkiy is putting a hurting on States here, landing some big shots from side control.
Chetkiy creates some space and throws a big elbow, but States sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
States is trying to get back to his feet.

Chetkiy tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Chetkiy throws a strike aimed at the side of States's head but States avoids it well.

Chetkiy goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, States rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Chetkiy's guard! Nice work there by States!
Chetkiy lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for States!
Chetkiy avoids the attempt from States to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chetkiy lands a big elbow.
Chetkiy throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Chetkiy wants to control the pace but States is squirming around nicely.
Chetkiy can't control as he wanted to and States manages to get the fight back to his half guard.
Chetkiy is looking to advance position but States won't allow it.
Chetkiy is controlling the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chetkiy throwing shots but States is blocking nicely.
Chetkiy thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Chetkiy working over States with some ground and pound. States looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Chetkiy wants to take a breather but States is having none of it.
States keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Chetkiy seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but States does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Chetkiy moves into full mount! States won't be happy about that!
States looks winded!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Chetkiy throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Petia Chetkiy dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Chetkiy has a takedown stuffed.
States shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Chetkiy sprawls well. Chetkiy wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. States gets slowly back to his feet.

A momentary lapse in concentration from States enables Chetkiy to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. States manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Chetkiy trying to control but States is working from the bottom.
Chetkiy postures up in States's guard and throws a big left but States blocks it.

States looking for a guillotine here but Chetkiy defends easily.
States working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Chetkiy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
States keeping moving, preventing Chetkiy from controlling successfully.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Chetkiy accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Petia Chetkiy overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Chetkiy stands and throws States's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Chetkiy looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Chetkiy landing strikes.
Chetkiy working the ground and pound but States is defending the strikes.
States dodges the ground and pound from Chetkiy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Chetkiy is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but States is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Chetkiy working away.
Chetkiy wants to control but States is keeping him busy.
Chetkiy working the ground and pound but States is defending the strikes.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Chetkiy trying to control the position but States is working away.
Chetkiy misses with the ground and pound.
Chetkiy working away.
Chetkiy throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
States is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chetkiy is looking to take a break and control but States is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Chetkiy controls the position from side control.

Chetkiy is trying to get an arm triangle but States is defending well.
Chetkiy wants to lay and pray for a moment but States keeps working.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if States can do anything to dispel that myth.
The ground and pound from Chetkiy seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chetkiy scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at States to see if he's OK.
Chetkiy working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.

Chetkiy is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. States knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Chetkiy is working for what looks like an arm triangle here. States is trying to escape and Chetkiy transitions quickly into an armbar! He's slapped it on tight and States is forced to tap! Nice work there by Chetkiy! Very nice indeed!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:38 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Petia Chetkiy!
Petia Chetkiy spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.