PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Myron Cardenas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Martin Malmqvist (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Malmqvist has chosen Move Bitch - Ludacris as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Martin Malmqvist will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Cardenas
vs
Malmqvist

157 cm
24
162 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

178 cm
25
160 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid 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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Myron Cardenas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Martin Malmqvist!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Stewart Dunkirk and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cardenas looks to score with a jab to the body but Malmqvist is just out of range.
Cardenas really is built like a bowling ball. I wonder if he'd roll if you pushed him down a hill...
Malmqvist moves out of range as Cardenas strikes.
Cardenas showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Malmqvist.
Malmqvist looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Malmqvist throws a series of punches but Cardenas avoids them all with ease.
Cardenas wants to clinch up but Malmqvist keeps it at a distance.
Malmqvist scores with a jab. Cardenas acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Malmqvist jabs Cardenas right on the nose. Cardenas blinks but takes it well.
Decent striking displayed by Malmqvist there.
Malmqvist throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Cardenas counters by clinching up.
Malmqvist stalling.

Cardenas breaks from the clinch.
Malmqvist misses with a jab, cross combination.
Cardenas thinks about countering with a head kick.
Cardenas has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Cardenas there as he acknowledges the shot.
Cardenas could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cardenas tries to clinch there but Malmqvist circles away.
Malmqvist misses with a combination
letting Cardenas counter with a right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malmqvist leaves Cardenas with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Malmqvist displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Cardenas on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Malmqvist tries to bum rush Cardenas with a series of wild strikes but Cardenas uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Cardenas is looking to counter with head kicks.
Cardenas avoids a punch combination nicely.
Cardenas throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Malmqvist swinging wildly here.
Cardenas connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Malmqvist lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Cardenas circles away quickly and effectively.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malmqvist misses with a wild combination.
Cardenas looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Malmqvist avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Malmqvist misses with a two punch combination.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A combination from Malmqvist does no damage.
Malmqvist throws a right and a left that Cardenas avoids nicely.
Cardenas plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Malmqvist connects with the punch.
A punch combination from Malmqvist misses.

Cardenas has managed to clinch.

Cardenas breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Malmqvist avoids the head kick by Cardenas.
Malmqvist throws a leg kick but Cardenas moved away.
A punch combination from Malmqvist misses.
Malmqvist misses with a few strikes there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Malmqvist does no damage.
Malmqvist looks winded!
Some wild striking there from Malmqvist.
Malmqvist throws a series of punches but Cardenas moves out of range.
Malmqvist misses with a jab, cross combination.
Cardenas misses with a head kick.
Malmqvist has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Cardenas dodges the punch combination from Malmqvist.
And Cardenas counters with a quick kick to the body but Malmqvist blocks it.
Cardenas tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Malmqvist manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Cardenas changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Malmqvist looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Cardenas is trying to get an arm triangle but Malmqvist is defending well.

Cardenas is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Malmqvist is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cardenas swings around for an armbar but Malmqvist sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Cardenas's guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cardenas manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Malmqvist manages to get himself to full guard.

Malmqvist wants to get back to his feet but Cardenas is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Cardenas postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Malmqvist manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Cardenas misses with a head kick.
Cardenas gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Malmqvist.
Malmqvist throws a right and a left that both miss.
Martin Malmqvist is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Malmqvist throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Cardenas throws a quick counter kick to the body but Malmqvist avoids it.
Nice sprawl there from Malmqvist as Cardenas shoots in.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Martin Malmqvist dominated that round.
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.

Malmqvist misses with a two punch combination.
Malmqvist is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Cardenas avoids a punch combination nicely.
Malmqvist lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Cardenas circles away quickly and effectively.
Malmqvist misses with a jab, cross combination.
Malmqvist swats away the attempt to clinch by Cardenas.
Malmqvist throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Cardenas looks to score with a jab to the body but Malmqvist is just out of range.
Martin Malmqvist seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A right-left combo lands from Malmqvist.
Martin Malmqvist is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Malmqvist misses with a two punch combination.
Malmqvist has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Cardenas takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Cardenas showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Malmqvist.
As Malmqvist looks to move away, Cardenas throws a big counter combo but Malmqvist just gets out of the way.
Malmqvist is breathing heavily.
Malmqvist rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Cardenas moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Cardenas misses the target.
Cardenas fails with an attempt to clinch.
Cardenas tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Malmqvist swivels and escapes.
Malmqvist throws a right hand that Cardenas ducks under and follows up with a left that Cardenas also avoids with ease.
Cardenas looks to land a body kick but Malmqvist moved away.
Cardenas takes a jab right on the kisser.
Malmqvist looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Malmqvist swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Cardenas is looking to counter with a body kick.
Malmqvist lands a two punch combo.
Cardenas showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Malmqvist.
Cardenas slips a jab and a cross from Malmqvist.
Cardenas tries to clinch there but Malmqvist circles away.
Cardenas throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Cardenas walks into a left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cardenas throws out a loose jab but Malmqvist uses good head movement to avoid it.
No joy there for Malmqvist, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
It appears Cardenas was looking to counter with a kick there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cardenas throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Malmqvist's head.
Cardenas is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Malmqvist.
A slow jab from Malmqvist misses its intended target.
Cardenas needs to keep his hands up - Malmqvist had a free shot at his head there.
Malmqvist lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

Cardenas gets the takedown into side control.

Cardenas stands up and beckons Malmqvist to his feet.
Cardenas misses with a head kick.

Cardenas has closed the distance and engaged Malmqvist in a clinch.

Cardenas successfully pulls guard.
Cardenas is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cardenas 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.

Cardenas is looking for a kimura here.

Cardenas 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.

Malmqvist kicks Cardenas off and gets back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Malmqvist looks to land a combination but Cardenas avoids it well.
A punch combination from Malmqvist misses.
A combination from Malmqvist does no damage.
Cardenas lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Malmqvist scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Malmqvist throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A punch combination from Malmqvist misses.
Cardenas avoids a punch combination nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Martin Malmqvist showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Cardenas uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Malmqvist.
Malmqvist connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Cardenas's hands.
Malmqvist listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Malmqvist throws a nice looking combination but Cardenas bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Cardenas misses with a kick to the body.
No joy there for Malmqvist, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Sloppy strikes from Malmqvist. Those never looked like landing.
Cardenas tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Malmqvist paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Malmqvist fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Cardenas moves into the clinch successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Cardenas pulls guard effortlessly.
Cardenas punching to the body, from the bottom.
Cardenas throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Malmqvist takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Cardenas is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Malmqvist decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malmqvist misses with a wild combination.
Malmqvist lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Malmqvist throws a series of punches but Cardenas moves out of range.
Malmqvist throws a right and a left that both miss.
Malmqvist misses with a few strikes there.
Cardenas is looking to clinch.
Cardenas has a takedown stuffed.
Malmqvist blocks the body kick.
Cardenas tries to clinch but Malmqvist moves out of range.
Malmqvist misses with a double jab.
Malmqvist might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malmqvist throws a left and a right that both miss

and Cardenas counters with a nice double leg into side control. Malmqvist won't be happy with that.
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!

Cardenas is trying to get an arm triangle but Malmqvist is defending well.

Cardenas looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Cardenas is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Malmqvist is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Cardenas looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Malmqvist managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Cardenas.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cardenas prevents Malmqvist from escaping the position.

Cardenas swings around for an armbar but Malmqvist sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Cardenas's guard.
Cardenas is trying to keep Malmqvist in close.
Malmqvist must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Cardenas pulls Malmqvist in close to prevent any damage.
Malmqvist prevents Cardenas from getting back to his feet.
Malmqvist throws a big right hand that misses.
Cardenas has control of Malmqvist's left arm, preventing Malmqvist from doing any damage.
Malmqvist postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Cardenas is pulling down on Malmqvist's head. It's preventing any offense from Malmqvist, at least for the moment.
Cardenas is trying to keep Malmqvist in close.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cardenas wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

Cardenas is working an open guard so Malmqvist takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Martin Malmqvist is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Malmqvist cracks Cardenas with an open hand slap.
Cardenas throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Malmqvist sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Some wild striking there from Malmqvist.
Malmqvist fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Malmqvist swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Cardenas closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Myron Cardenas has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
No joy there for Malmqvist, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

And that's the end of the fight!
Martin Malmqvist comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Malmqvist winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 27:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Martin Malmqvist!
In his post fight interview, Martin Malmqvist started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.