PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Raje Malapitan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Cole (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cole is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Michael Cole's Entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Malapitan
vs
Cole

169 cm
24
154 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

175 cm
21
160 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very quick

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Intelligent

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 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Raje Malapitan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Michael Cole!
The judges for this bout are David Schapiro, John Kavanagh and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cole just misses with a punch to the body.
Malapitan throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Cole thows a body shot but no joy.
Malapitan misses with a head kick.

Malapitan looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Cole!

Malapitan goes for an armbar but Cole turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Cole.
Malapitan looking for a sweep. Not yet Malapitan, not yet.
Malapitan knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Cole on the ground.
Cole looking to pass the guard.
Cole trying to control the position from guard on top but Malapitan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Cole 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 Cole has Malapitan in his guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cole tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Cole looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Malapitan trying to control the position from guard on top but Cole is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Malapitan pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Cole is keeping the position for now.

Cole has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Malapitan can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Malapitan has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cole is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Malapitan has escaped the position, nice work there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cole trying to control the position but Malapitan is working away.

Cole tries for a kimura but Malapitan is defending well.
Malapitan tries to bench press Cole off him but Cole keeps the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cole wants to control but Malapitan is keeping him busy.

Cole swings around for an armbar but Malapitan sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Cole's guard.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Malapitan trying to control the position from guard on top but Cole is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Cole escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Malapitan gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Malapitan decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Cole, up you get!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cole throws a shot to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A punch combination from Cole misses.
Michael Cole is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Malapitan shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Malapitan gets to his feet. Cole looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Malapitan shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Cole is pressing down on Malapitan's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Cole tries for a kimura but Malapitan is defending well.

Cole wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Malapitan, who protects the arm well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Cole tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cole trying to control the action but Malapitan is working from the bottom.

Cole swings around for an armbar but Malapitan sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Cole's guard.

Malapitan is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Cole is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Cole has escaped and now he's on top!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cole trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Malapitan controlling Cole's posture.
Cole pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Malapitan is keeping the position for now.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Malapitan trying to control the position from guard on top but Cole is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Malapitan wants to pass the guard but Cole is keeping the position.

Malapitan postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Cole is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Malapitan, into his guard.
Cole stopping the sweep attempt from Malapitan.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Cole showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Malapitan shoots in and bounces Cole off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Cole keeping moving, preventing Malapitan from controlling successfully.

Cole looking for a triangle here. Malapitan is fighting it but it looks tight! Cole pulls the arm across and this one won't last much longer! Nope, Malapitan is tapping out - this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:40 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Michael Cole!