PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ray Malenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Liam McRae (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Malenko
vs
McRae

182 cm
24
169 lbs
12 - 3 - 0

185 cm
23
180 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

On Tap (160Q & Laundry)
MayheM sportswear

Conviction
Museum of Monsters & Madmen

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ray Malenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Liam McRae!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Konstantin Menshow and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McRae moves away from the strike by Malenko.
McRae takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Malenko paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Malenko dips to his left and cracks McRae with an uppercut!
McRae misses with an uppercut
and Malenko counters with a nice uppercut.
Malenko looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
McRae throws a good cross that connects.
McRae lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
McRae misses with a leg kick
and Malenko counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Nice defenses there by McRae.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
No joy there for McRae, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Malenko uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
McRae tries to work over Malenko's front leg with a kick but Malenko checks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McRae takes one to the side of the head.
Malenko ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Malenko swings and misses with a hook to the body.
McRae tried to score with a low kick but Malenko checks it.
A nice leg kick lands there from McRae.
Malenko slips a jab and a cross from McRae.
McRae moves out of range as Malenko strikes.
Malenko misses with a lunging right hand
and Malenko takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
No luck for Malenko with that takedown attempt.
McRae throws a big shot that misses.
Malenko half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A clash of legs there as Malenko blocks the low kick.
Malenko throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
McRae uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Malenko.
McRae is looking for the big counter here.
Malenko ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Malenko!

It looks like Liam McRae has been cut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Malenko misses the shot to the body.
McRae feints a counter leg kick.
Malenko on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
McRae throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Malenko on the side of the head.
Malenko checks a leg kick nicely.
It looked like Malenko wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Malenko stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from McRae.
McRae throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McRae stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and McRae wants it to stay on the feet.
Malenko throws an off balance right hand
enabling McRae to counter with a crisp jab.
That kick from McRae tenderised Malenko's leg. Malenko is trying to keep his angry face on.
Malenko swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Liam McRae seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Malenko takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Malenko slips a jab and a cross from McRae.
Malenko throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Malenko swings for the body but McRae moves out of range.
McRae ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
McRae is looking to slow Malenko down with leg kicks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Malenko slips under a jab.
McRae rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Malenko counters with a two punch combo.
McRae lands a high kick!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Malenko misses with a wild combination.
McRae throws a quick inside leg kick.
McRae rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Malenko counters with a nice uppercut.
McRae is looking to chop away at Malenko's legs.
McRae misses with a double jab.
Malenko is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
McRae fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Malenko on the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Liam McRae will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Liam McRae's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

McRae misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A little feinted left hand from Malenko on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Malenko misses with an uppercut. McRae saw that one coming.
McRae was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Malenko throws a right hand that misses
and McRae counters with a lovely straight right hand!
McRae ducks under a wild hook from Malenko.
Malenko scores with a jab. McRae acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
McRae throws a leg kick which misses Malenko's front leg but catches the back leg as Malenko tries to avoid it.
McRae ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
McRae fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Malenko.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Malenko throws a series of punches but McRae moves out of range.
Malenko misses with a hook to the body
enabling McRae to counter with a crisp jab.
McRae needs to keep his hands up - Malenko had a free shot at his head there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McRae connects with a crisp jab.
Malenko comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Malenko moves out of range of the body kick from McRae.
Malenko swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
McRae is looking to land body kicks.
McRae connects with a looping right hand.
Malenko swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by McRae.
Decent striking displayed by Malenko there.
Malenko misses with a left hand
and McRae counters with a low kick, right behind Malenko 's knee.
Malenko misses with a body punch
and McRae counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
McRae walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Malenko checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Malenko is looking to counter punch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Malenko bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps McRae's head backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malenko looks to score with a jab to the body but McRae is just out of range.
McRae moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
McRae slips under a jab from Malenko.
McRae looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Sloppy strikes from Malenko. Those never looked like landing.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from McRae, right into the meat.
McRae buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by McRae.
McRae throws a leg kick but Malenko sees it coming and moves out of range.
McRae throws a hook to the side of Malenko's head but Malenko sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Malenko throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malenko changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Malenko throws a jab but it's blocked by McRae.
Liam McRae seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Malenko swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
McRae chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Malenko misses with an uppercut.
McRae throws a leg kick but Malenko checks it.
Malenko missing with a left hand there. McRae was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
McRae bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A decent looking body kick lands there for McRae.
McRae slips under a jab from Malenko.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McRae lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
McRae throws a leg kick that is checked
and Malenko counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Malenko is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
McRae throws a leg kick but Malenko sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Malenko is looking to counter punch.
McRae misses with a body kick.
Malenko walks into a stiff left hand from McRae.
Liam McRae is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nice defenses there by McRae.
Malenko backing away here, and McRae unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
McRae takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Malenko throws a combination but it was largely blocked by McRae.
Malenko ducks down and throws a hook to the body but McRae moves away.
McRae lands a jab to Malenko's midsection.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Liam McRae will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Liam McRae's cut.
That's time! Malenko's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Good shot there by Malenko.
Malenko throws the left hand but McRae avoids the punch easily.
Malenko on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
McRae on the wrong end of a nice hook.
A jab from Malenko misses.
Malenko tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but McRae was well out of range. Poor timing from Malenko.
McRae throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Malenko listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
A looping hook to the body misses from McRae. Malenko does a little dance to reset his feet.
McRae pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
McRae throws a head kick that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malenko uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before McRae has time to react.
McRae tries a head kick but it misses.
McRae with a body punch. A glancing blow.
McRae fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Malenko manages to avoid it.
McRae walks into a jab.
Malenko takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Malenko misses with a body shot.
Malenko throws an off balance right hand
and McRae counters with a nice low kick that buckles Malenko's knee momentarily.
McRae throws a shot from downtown. Malenko moves away and avoids it.
McRae tries a low kick but Malenko avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McRae slips a straight right by Malenko.
McRae looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Malenko tries to bum rush McRae with a series of wild strikes but McRae uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Malenko throws a combination. McRae tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McRae throws a front kick aimed at Malenko's knee but Malenko avoids it well.
Malenko scores with a jab to the head.
McRae chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Malenko will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
McRae throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Malenko connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Malenko throws an overhand right that lands on McRae's shoulder, as McRae tries to avoid the shot.
Malenko throws a series of punches but McRae moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malenko takes a swing at McRae's ribcage but misses.
A clash of legs there as Malenko blocks the low kick.
McRae throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Malenko sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Malenko is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
McRae slips a straight right by Malenko.

Malenko shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. McRae manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
McRae keeping moving, preventing Malenko from controlling successfully.
Malenko works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Malenko is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. McRae doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Malenko.
Malenko is pressing down on McRae's thigh, looking to free his foot. McRae is holding on for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Malenko is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Malenko is trying to control the action in half guard but McRae is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Malenko trying to advance position but McRae counters by regaining guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ray Malenko clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Liam McRae's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Malenko with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Malenko looks to score with a jab to the body but McRae is just out of range.
McRae thinks about the counter body kick.
McRae slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Malenko lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
McRae keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
McRae lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Malenko swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by McRae.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Malenko throws a shot from downtown. McRae moves away and avoids it.
Malenko bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of McRae's head.
McRae attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malenko takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Malenko jabs McRae to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Malenko takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
A slow jab from Malenko misses its intended target.
McRae lands with a right hand.
Malenko getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
A good leg kick by McRae.
Malenko misses with a hook
and McRae counters with an outside leg kick.
McRae lands a jab.

Malenko gets the takedown into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Malenko goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, McRae has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Malenko but great work by McRae.
Malenko is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

McRae stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Malenko fakes high and swings low for a body shot but McRae manages to avoid it.
Malenko chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before McRae can pounce on him.
Malenko on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
McRae has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Malenko tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
McRae feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Malenkos jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malenko lands a jab.
Malenko's corner calls for a 1-2. Malenko obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Malenko fakes high and swings low for a body shot but McRae manages to avoid it.
McRae swings for the body but Malenko moves out of range.
Malenko was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
McRae feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Malenko's calf.
An inside leg kick lands from McRae.
McRae lands with a right hand.
Malenko takes a swing at McRae's ribcage but misses.
Despite the aggression on McRae's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Malenko throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A slapping leg kick lands for McRae.
McRae keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Malenko throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Malenko slips a jab from McRae.
Malenko throwing a counter right hand but McRae manages to avoid it.
McRae tries to score with a low kick but Malenko moves his leg out of the way.
A slow jab from Malenko misses its intended target.
McRae misses with a kick to the body.
Malenko on the wrong end of a nice jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Liam McRae will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Liam McRae's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

McRae's jab looks to have found its range, popping Malenko under the eye.
McRae throws a leg kick
enabling Malenko to counter with a crisp jab.
Malenko fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches McRae on the side of the head.
Malenko has a takedown stuffed.
Malenko throws a combination but it was largely blocked by McRae.
McRae connects with a looping right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McRae takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
McRae misses with a hook
letting Malenko counter with a right hand.
The fighters circling - Malenko throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McRae lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Malenko circles away quickly and effectively.
McRae misses with a double jab.
Malenko throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Malenko walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
McRae throws a leg kick that is checked

and Malenko decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in McRae's guard.
McRae keeping moving, preventing Malenko from controlling successfully.
Malenko is looking to advance position but McRae has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Malenko wants to control but McRae is having none of it.
Malenko tries to reverse the position but McRae maintains control.
Ray Malenko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McRae wants to stand but Malenko is holding on to him, trying to stop him posturing up.
Malenko wants to hold on but McRae pushes him away.

McRae is standing up, even though he is in mount.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Malenko looks to land a right hand but McRae moved out of range.
McRae is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Malenko.
Malenko pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Malenko throws an overhand right that lands on McRae's shoulder, as McRae tries to avoid the shot.
McRae uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Malenko.
Malenko misses with a looping right.
McRae appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McRae pushes Malenko away with a front kick.

Malenko changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. McRae looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Malenko swings around for an armbar but McRae sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Malenko's guard.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
McRae wanted to stand there but Malenko had control of the position.
McRae must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Malenko looking for a sweep. Not yet Malenko, not yet.
Malenko seems keen to control McRae's posture.
McRae wants to stand but Malenko has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Malenko bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in McRae's guard.

Malenko trying to control but McRae is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Malenko tries to free his leg and advance position but McRae is retaining full guard.
Malenko loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Malenko trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Malenko missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Malenko throwing strikes from guard but McRae blocks nicely.
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!
Malenko forces his way into half guard.
Malenko throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Ray Malenko.
I think McRae has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 49:47
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 47:48
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 49:48

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Ray Malenko!
During a confident post fight interview, Ray Malenko thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
Liam McRae spoke after the fight, saying 'I want to Thank my manager Jeremiah Lukker and all you GREAT fans out there! I hope guys enjoyed the fight. I will get better!!'.