PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Praveen Raj (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and The Prophet Malzahar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Raj
vs
Prophet Malzahar

190 cm
21
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
18
215 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

Good wrestler
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Praveen Raj!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, The Prophet Malzahar!
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, Steve Montenegro and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Raj avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Raj throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Malzahar's waist but Malzahar gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Raj off to one side.
Malzahar fails in his attempt to clinch.
Horrible takedown by Malzahar or perhaps it was just good defense by Raj which made him look bad.
Raj is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Raj looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Malzahar is fending him off so far but Raj persists. Nope, Malzahar circles away and we're back to standing.
Malzahar throws a head kick that misses
and Raj makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.

Malzahar closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Raj is looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Praveen Raj. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Malzahar tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Raj just stands there and leans against the cage.
Malzahar content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Malzahar wants to break free but Raj has control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raj looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Malzahar tries to land knees in the clinch but Raj avoids the damage to the body.

Malzahar has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Raj uses from the top position.
Raj pushes down on Malzahar's leg and manages to get into half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Raj lands a nice short elbow.
Malzahar is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Raj scores with a couple of nice shots.
Raj is trying to control. Malzahar wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Malzahar is trying to control but Raj manages to pass to mount!
Malzahar really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Raj. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Malzahar tries to hold on but Raj pushes him away.
Malzahar is desperately trying to improve his position but Raj has a good base and remains in mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malzahar wants to control but Raj is having none of it.
Malzahar is looking to get to half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Malzahar is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Malzahar's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Malzahar is desperately trying to improve his position but Raj has a good base and remains in mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malzahar is trying to reverse the position but instead Raj has taken his back - oops!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Raj has both hooks in and is working for a choke. Malzahar is in real trouble here. Raj gets an arm under the chin and tightens the submission attempt... is this the end? Yes, Malzahar is tapping out! Raj wins by rear naked choke!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:31 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Praveen Raj!