PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Evgeniy Malkin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ambrogio Ballestrazzi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Malkin's entrance music is The Heavy - How You Like Me Now?. A fine choice. Ballestrazzi is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Foxes - Holding Onto Heaven. Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Ambrogio Ballestrazzi enters the cage!

Malkin
vs
Ballestrazzi

191 cm
29
210 lbs
23 - 9 - 3

195 cm
34
220 lbs
20 - 11 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

KnockOut

KnockOut
GREEN!160

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 23 - 9 - 3, fighting out of Amsterdam, Evgeniy Malkin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 11 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ambrogio Ballestrazzi!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Timothy Bukovac and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Malkin misses with a body kick.
Malkin checks the leg kick nicely there.
Malkin circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ballestrazzi shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Malkin defends it nicely.
A head kick misses from Malkin.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Ballestrazzi! But no joy.
Ballestrazzi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Malkin manages to avoid it.
Malkin throws a series of punches but Ballestrazzi moves out of range.
Malkin shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Ballestrazzi eats them both and turns towards Malkin to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.

It looks like Ambrogio Ballestrazzi has been cut.
Malkin has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Gym Beam in the buildup to the fight.
Ballestrazzi looks to score with a jab to the body but Malkin is just out of range.
Ballestrazzi misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Malkin.
Malkin throws a jab but it's blocked by Ballestrazzi.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ballestrazzi will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Ballestrazzi just misses with a punch to the body.
Ballestrazzi checks the leg kick.
Ballestrazzi shapes to counter with a head kick.
Ballestrazzi has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Ballestrazzi throws an overhand right that lands on Malkin's shoulder, as Malkin tries to avoid the shot.
Malkin lands with a slapping head kick.
Ballestrazzi tests Malkin's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malkin throws a leg kick which misses Ballestrazzi's front leg but catches the back leg as Ballestrazzi tries to avoid it.
Malkin moves into range and connects with a jab.
Ballestrazzi throws a body punch but Malkin moves out of range.
Malkin attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Ballestrazzi changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Malkin just misses with a punch to the body.
An inside leg kick lands from Malkin.
A swing and a miss from Ballestrazzi.
Ballestrazzi throws a body shot but no joy.
Malkin feinted with a counter takedown.
Malkin connects with a leg kick. Ballestrazzi looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Malkin works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Ballestrazzi misses with a straight right.
Ballestrazzi swings widly with a right hand
and Malkin makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Malkin lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Ballestrazzi does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Malkin connects with a leg kick. Ballestrazzi looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ballestrazzi throws a right and a left that both miss.

Ballestrazzi decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Ballestrazzi wants to take a breather but Malkin is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Malkin looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Ballestrazzi throws a strike but Malkin avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Ballestrazzi missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Malkin wants to sweep here but Ballestrazzi controlling him for the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Malkin can't keep his opponent in guard - Ballestrazzi advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Malkin won't allow Ballestrazzi to pass to mount.
Malkin regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Malkin looking for a guillotine here but Ballestrazzi defends easily.
Malkin tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Ballestrazzi working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Malkin's head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Ballestrazzi postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Malkin keeping moving, preventing Ballestrazzi from controlling successfully.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Ballestrazzi accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Ballestrazzi scoring with some ground and pound.
Ballestrazzi throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Malkin works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Malkin keeping moving, preventing Ballestrazzi from controlling successfully.
Ballestrazzi working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Malkin looking for a sweep. Not yet Malkin, not yet.
Malkin not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Malkin throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Ballestrazzi fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Malkin fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Ballestrazzi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Malkin was well out of range. Poor timing from Ballestrazzi.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Ballestrazzi crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Malkin - the referee stops the clock and Ballestrazzi gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Malkin. Ballestrazzi manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Malkin with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Ambrogio Ballestrazzi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ballestrazzi on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
A solid body kick from Malkin.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Evgeniy Malkin dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ambrogio Ballestrazzi's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Ballestrazzi throws a hook to the side of Malkin's head but Malkin sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Ballestrazzi throws a lazy body kick

so Malkin counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Malkin looking to pass the guard.
Ballestrazzi working a defensive guard but Malkin manages to pass into side control anyway.

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

Malkin swings around for an armbar but Ballestrazzi sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Malkin's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ballestrazzi throws a big elbow that misses.

Malkin is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Malkin is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Ballestrazzi is aware though and is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Malkin working for a triangle but Ballestrazzi defends it easily.
Ballestrazzi with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Ballestrazzi throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Ballestrazzi avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Ballestrazzi throwing strikes but missing.
Malkin is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ballestrazzi can do to turn this around?
Ballestrazzi stands up over Malkin, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

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.
Malkin being controlled here, momentarily.
Malkin trying to control the position.
Malkin preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Malkin working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ballestrazzi.
Malkin keeping moving, preventing Ballestrazzi from controlling successfully.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Ballestrazzi accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ballestrazzi landing some decent shots from guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Ballestrazzi accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Ambrogio Ballestrazzi has got the better of the ground game so far.
Ballestrazzi postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Ballestrazzi works over Malkin with some ground and pound from guard.

Malkin has his foot on Ballestrazzi's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Ballestrazzi works his way back into a safe position though.
Ballestrazzi throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Malkin works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Ballestrazzi trying to control but Malkin is working from the bottom.
Ballestrazzi scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

Malkin is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Ballestrazzi is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ballestrazzi throws a big elbow that misses.
Ballestrazzi with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Ballestrazzi throws a strike but Malkin rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Malkin advances to half guard.
Malkin prevents Ballestrazzi from improving his position.
Ballestrazzi wants to get back to full guard but Malkin has mounted him!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ballestrazzi working to try and regain half guard.
Ballestrazzi is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Evgeniy Malkin will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Ambrogio Ballestrazzi's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Malkin doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Malkin throws a leg kick that misses.
Malkin lands a front kick.
Ballestrazzi swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Ballestrazzi walks forward, straight into a front kick from Malkin.
Good work by Malkin as he checks the leg kick.
Malkin lands with a nice body punch.
Malkin throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Nice shot lands for Malkin.
Ballestrazzi throws a leg kick which misses Malkin's front leg but catches the back leg as Malkin tries to avoid it.
Ballestrazzi misses with a wild body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ballestrazzi throws a lazy uppercut
and Malkin counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Ballestrazzi takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ballestrazzi ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Evgeniy Malkin is winning the standup battle so far.
Malkin moves away from the strike by Ballestrazzi.
Ballestrazzi slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malkin will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Ballestrazzi looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

Malkin throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Ballestrazzi was covering up waiting for the punch and Malkin finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Ballestrazzi is controlling Malkin's posture.
Ballestrazzi wants to hit a switch here but Malkin passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Ballestrazzi there!

Malkin with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Malkin is trying to take his opponent's back.
Evgeniy Malkin is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ballestrazzi keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Malkin controlling from the full mount.
Ambrogio Ballestrazzi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ballestrazzi can't escape the position.
Ballestrazzi looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
Ballestrazzi manages to reverse the position and now he's in Malkin's guard. Nice work there by Ballestrazzi.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malkin utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Ballestrazzi lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Malkin tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Malkin trying to control the position here.
Ballestrazzi trying to control the position from guard on top but Malkin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ballestrazzi content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Ballestrazzi postures up in Malkin's guard and throws a big left but Malkin blocks it.

That's four 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.
Ballestrazzi throws a big right hand that misses.
Malkin wants to sweep but no luck.
Ballestrazzi scoring with punches to the head and body.
Ballestrazzi stopping the sweep attempt from Malkin.
Malkin wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Ballestrazzi loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Ballestrazzi accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Malkin.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Ballestrazzi - that will leave a mark!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Malkin misses with a body kick.
Ballestrazzi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Malkin tried to counter with a leg kick but Ballestrazzi avoided it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Evgeniy Malkin showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Malkin, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Evgeniy Malkin!
A victorious Evgeniy Malkin thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.