PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Larry Ness (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Raje Malapitan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ness's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, 2Pac - Untouchable/Paper Airplanes Remix . These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Ness
vs
Malapitan

169 cm
25
142 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

168 cm
23
130 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Larry Ness!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Raje Malapitan!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, Franklyn Lucas and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Malapitan scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Malapitan is keen to just control but Ness is a slippery customer.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Malapitan is trying to work for a kimura but Ness is defending well.

Malapitan is looking for a kimura here.
Malapitan is looking to take a break and control but Ness is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Malapitan missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Malapitan is working for a kimura but Ness is defending it quite comfortably.

Malapitan is working for a submission of some sort.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malapitan not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Malapitan thows a huge punch but Ness dodges it nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Malapitan is working for a submission of some sort.

Ness is defending against the submission attempts here by Malapitan.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Malapitan is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Malapitan is working for a kimura from half guard. He's really concentrating on the hold and it's allowed Ness to slip a leg under and get back to full guard.
Malapitan looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ness is pulling down on Malapitan's head to control his posture.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Malapitan is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Ness is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Ness has escaped and now he's on top!

Ness has gone for a leg lock! Malapitan slips out almost immediately though and dives into Ness's guard.
Ness trying to control the position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Malapitan wants to control from the top but Ness keeps moving.
Ness looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Malapitan trying to control the position from guard on top but Ness is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

Malapitan drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Ness dives on top into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Ness steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Malapitan.

Malapitan shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Ness manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Malapitan tries to free his leg and advance position but Ness is retaining full guard.
Malapitan missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Malapitan postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Ness is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Malapitan, into his guard.

Ness drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Malapitan manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Ness has Malapitan in his guard.

Malapitan drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Ness manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Malapitan has Ness in his guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malapitan is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Ness has hold of Malapitan's hands but Malapitan slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Ness has his hands clasped together around Malapitan's back. He's all about the action.
Malapitan wants to pass the guard but Ness is defending well.

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.

Malapitan is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Ness has managed to free his arm - good work.
Ness trying to hold on to Malapitan's head to control him but Malapitan postures up.
Malapitan throws a strike but Ness avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Malapitan trying to control but Ness is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malapitan stands and throws Ness's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Malapitan wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ness keeps working.

Malapitan swings around for an armbar but Ness sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Malapitan's guard.
Malapitan is breathing heavily.
Ness postures up.

Ness drops back, looking for a kneebar! Malapitan looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Malapitan looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Malapitan!
Malapitan working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Malapitan tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Malapitan tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Malapitan postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Malapitan tries to advance to mount but can't.
Malapitan wants to stand but Ness has his arm trapped.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Raje Malapitan showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Ness tries for a takedown but Malapitan circles away easily

and Malapitan decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Ness's guard.
Ness utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Malapitan drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Ness dives on top into guard.
Malapitan keeping moving, preventing Ness from controlling successfully.
Ness postures up.

Malapitan has his foot on Ness's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Ness works his way back into a safe position though.
Malapitan keeping moving, preventing Ness from controlling successfully.

Ness has gone for a leg lock! Malapitan slips out almost immediately though and dives into Ness's guard.
Malapitan takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malapitan working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Ness tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Malapitan wants to control from the top but Ness keeps moving.
Malapitan is looking to work some ground and pound but Ness has wrist control.
Malapitan throws a big right hand that misses.
Malapitan trying to control but Ness is working from the bottom.

Malapitan thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's two 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.
Malapitan throwing strikes from guard but Ness blocks nicely.
Malapitan looking to pass the guard.

Malapitan stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Ness lands a two punch combo.
Ness scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Ness shoots and misses

and Malapitan counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Larry Ness has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Malapitan in particular looking to stall.
Ness is staying active underneath Malapitan, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Malapitan is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Ness has managed to free his arm - good work.
Ness tries to roll over but Malapitan keeps him under control.
Ness is trying is best to control the position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Malapitan not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Malapitan is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Ness defends it well.

Malapitan 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.

Malapitan seems to be looking for submissions.

And that's the end of the fight!
Raje Malapitan comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Malapitan 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 Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 27:30
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 27:30
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Raje Malapitan!