PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Raje Malapitan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Maciej Rybinski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Maciej Rybinski will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Malapitan
vs
Rybinski

169 cm
26
154 lbs
4 - 10 - 0

168 cm
25
144 lbs
6 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 10 - 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 6 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Maciej Rybinski!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Dean Styles and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Malapitan shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Rybinski as he jumps to the side.
Rybinski tries to clinch but Malapitan moves away

and Malapitan counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Rybinski's guard now.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Rybinski is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Malapitan is controlling him.
Malapitan tries to free his leg and advance position but Rybinski is retaining full guard.
Rybinski wants to stand but Malapitan is controlling the position.

Malapitan thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Malapitan stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Rybinski swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Rybinski wants to stand but Malapitan is controlling the position.
Malapitan stands and throws Rybinski's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Malapitan is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Rybinski has escaped the position, nice work there.
Rybinski can't do much from the bottom here.
Rybinski is pushing Malapitan's head away, looking to escape. Malapitan manages to hold on to the position though.

Malapitan thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Malapitan goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Rybinski rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Malapitan's guard! Nice work there by Rybinski!

Rybinski stands and steps away. Malapitan gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Malapitan manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Rybinski on his heels. He'll look to pass Rybinski's guard now, I'm sure.
Rybinski wants to stand but Malapitan is controlling the position.
Malapitan wants to pass the guard but Rybinski is keeping the position.
Rybinski wants to sweep but no luck.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Malapitan drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Malapitan jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Malapitan stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Rybinski swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Malapitan drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Malapitan jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Malapitan is pushing down on Rybinski's leg trying to pass to half guard. Rybinski is fighting to maintain full guard but Malapitan has managed to sneak the leg through.

Malapitan is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Rybinski is just riding it out for now. Malapitan eventually gives up the hold.
Malapitan works his foot free and advances to mount.

Malapitan working for a submission but Rybinski is keeping him at bay.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Malapitan is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Rybinski has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Rybinski!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rybinski is looking to stand up but Malapitan won't let him.
Rybinski won't allow Malapitan to sweep him here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rybinski wanted to stand there but Malapitan had control of the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Raje Malapitan dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Malapitan circles away from the clinch attempt

and Malapitan counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Malapitan drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Rybinski manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Malapitan has Rybinski in his guard.
Malapitan is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Rybinski trying to stand up but can't free himself from Malapitan's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malapitan has control of Rybinski's left arm, preventing Rybinski from doing any damage.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Malapitan bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Rybinski's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malapitan stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Rybinski swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Malapitan drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Rybinski manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Malapitan has Rybinski in his guard.
Malapitan pulls Rybinski in close to his closed guard and prevents Rybinski from doing any damage or advancing position.
Malapitan on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Malapitan tries to get out of the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Raje Malapitan has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

Rybinski gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Rybinski is pressed up against the cage. Malapitan has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Rybinski down to the mat. Rybinski avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Malapitan circles away from the clinch attempt.
Rybinski tries to clinch up but Malapitan circles away and keeps his distance.
Rybinski slips a jab from Malapitan.
Rybinski throws a head kick but Malapitan moves out of range.
Rybinski tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Malapitan circles away from the clinch attempt.
Malapitan misses with an uppercut.

Rybinski moves into the clinch successfully.
Malapitan is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Rybinski gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Rybinski misses with a knee strike.
Rybinski stalling in the clinch but Malapitan improves position.
Knees in the clinch landing for Rybinski.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Malapitan tries for a takedown but Rybinski manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Raje Malapitan. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Malapitan has clasped his hands together around Rybinski's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
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!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Malapitan tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Malapitan has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Rybinski is trying to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Malapitan circles away from the clinch attempt.
Rybinski darts in trying to clinch
and Rybinski takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Rybinski tries a head kick but it misses.
Malapitan swats away the attempt to clinch by Rybinski.

Malapitan drives through with a takedown into Rybinski's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Rybinski wants to stand and escape but Malapitan is having none of it.
Malapitan is looking to advance position but Rybinski has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Rybinski tries to control but Malapitan wriggling away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malapitan is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Rybinski looking to control but Malapitan is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malapitan is in all sorts of trouble here.
Rybinski can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Malapitan is looking to escape.
Malapitan is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Raje Malapitan overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Malapitan sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malapitan is looking to control Rybinski's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Malapitan avoid being mounted?

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Maciej Rybinski.
Rybinski is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Maciej Rybinski is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Malapitan closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rybinski circles away.
Malapitan shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Rybinski as he jumps to the side.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rybinski wants to clinch.
Rybinski lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Rybinski tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Malapitan paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Malapitan smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Rybinski tries to clinch there but Malapitan circles away.
Rybinski throws a half hearted mid kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Maciej Rybinski.
I think Malapitan 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 Columbo Gatti scores the fight 29:28
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 30:27
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 29:28

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