PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ray Malenko (ranked 2601 p4p, 256 weight class) and Boris Zhivago (ranked 1359 p4p, 144 weight class). Zhivago has chosen Cold as Ice as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Malenko
vs
Zhivago

182 cm
32
164 lbs
21 - 11 - 0

172 cm
28
164 lbs
10 - 4 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Bullet Proof System
KAISER Nutrition - Q160

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 21 - 11 - 0, fighting out of London, Ray Malenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Boris Zhivago!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Gwen Towbar and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Malenko takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Malenko is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Malenko throws a shot from downtown. Zhivago moves away and avoids it.
Zhivago avoids the body shot from Malenko.
Zhivago bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Zhivago raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Zhivago lands a really nice looking cross but Malenko seems unphased.
A jab from Malenko misses.
Zhivago throws out a counter right but Malenko avoids it with no problem.
Malenko rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Zhivago connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Malenko throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Zhivago on the side of the head.
Malenko connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Zhivago swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Malenko walks into a stiff left hand from Zhivago.
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 throws a looping overhand right but Zhivago ducks down to avoid it.
Zhivago connects with a high kick.
Malenko throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Zhivago throws out a counter right but Malenko avoids it with no problem.
Malenko throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malenko takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Zhivago's coach down at Dr Hatsumi's Clinic was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Zhivago's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Malenko misses the shot to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Malenko. Zhivago does a little dance to reset his feet.
Zhivago throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Malenko connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Zhivago misses with a hook.
Zhivago avoids the body shot from Malenko.
Malenko bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Zhivago's head backwards.
Malenko just misses with a punch to the body.
Nice body punch from Zhivago.
Zhivago throws a head kick but Malenko moves out of range.
Malenko throws a body shot but no joy.
A looping hook to the body misses from Malenko. Zhivago does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malenko has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Zhivago.
Zhivago throws the kick towards the body but Malenko avoids it.
Zhivago misses with a body punch
and Malenko counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Malenko has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Zhivago closes the distance and pushes Malenko back into the cage.
Malenko blocks a body shot from Zhivago.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Malenko.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Malenko creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Malenko.
Zhivago lands a left hand that snaps the head of Malenko backwards.
Zhivago swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Zhivago misses with some punches.
A short right from Zhivago.
Zhivago tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Zhivago lands a shot to the body.
Malenko blocking some punches.
Zhivago lands with a short shot to the head.
A short right from Malenko on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malenko tries a body shot but Zhivago blocks it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Malenko.
Zhivago working aggressively here.
Malenko stalling.
Malenko is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Zhivago misses with a hook to the ribs.
Zhivago tries to throw a body punch but Malenko avoids it by throwing Zhivago back against the cage.
Zhivago throws a head punch that misses.
Nice body punch from Zhivago - that landed with a thud.

Malenko pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Malenko misses with a hook
and Zhivago cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Malenko shoots and misses
and Zhivago makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Zhivago throws a nice inside leg kick.

Zhivago fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Malenko, pushing him back against the cage.
Malenko tries to pull guard but Zhivago holds him up against the cage and eventually Malenko drops back down to his feet.
Zhivago misses with a punch to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Malenko misses with a short punch on the inside.
Malenko blocks a body shot from Zhivago.
Malenko is trying to stall.
Malenko scores with a shot to the side of Zhivago's head.
Malenko prevents a body shot from Zhivago.
Zhivago misses with a hook to the ribs.
Zhivago digs a right hand into Malenko's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Malenko's gas tank.
Malenko lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Zhivago backwards.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Malenko blocks a body shot from Zhivago.
Malenko looking to stall.
Zhivago misses with a punch to the body.
Zhivago will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Malenko up against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Zhivago.
Malenko lands a hook to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Boris Zhivago dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Zhivago takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Zhivago moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Zhivago fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Malenko checks it well.
Malenko throws a hook to the side of Zhivago's head but Zhivago sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Zhivago is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Malenko.
Zhivago connects with an inside leg kick.
Zhivago moves out of range as Malenko strikes.
It seemed like Zhivago was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Malenko ducks under a wild hook from Zhivago.
Malenko thuds a left hand into Zhivago's body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Malenko misses the shot to the body.
Malenko connects with a body shot that sends Zhivago's belly button to the back.
A slow jab from Malenko misses its intended target.
Zhivago swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Zhivago has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Malenko finds it's way round the side to connect with Zhivago's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malenko throws a body punch but Zhivago moves out of range.
Zhivago swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Zhivago pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Malenko swings for the body but Zhivago moves out of range.
Boris Zhivago seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Malenko throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Zhivago on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Zhivago bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Zhivago lands a two punch combo.
Malenko slips under a jab.
Zhivago takes one on the button.
Malenko throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Malenko misses with a hook. Zhivago ducked under it nicely.
Ray Malenko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zhivago with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Malenko to score with a decent uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Malenko looks to score with a jab to the body but Zhivago is just out of range.
Malenko checks a low kick from Zhivago.
Malenko fails to land the takedown.
Zhivago now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Jab by Malenko.
Zhivago thows a left - swing and a miss!
Malenko misses with a body shot.
Malenko misses with a wild body shot.
Zhivago fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Malenko manages to avoid it.
Malenko lands a glancing blow to the side of Zhivago's head.
Malenko moves into range and connects with a jab.
Malenko connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Malenko is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malenko takes one on the button.
Zhivago keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Malenko backing away here, and Zhivago unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Malenko drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Zhivago tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Malenko was well out of range. Poor timing from Zhivago.
Zhivago looks to throw a body kick
and Malenko counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Malenko takes a swing at Zhivago's ribcage but misses.
Malenko uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Zhivago.
Malenko swings for the body but Zhivago moves out of range.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Zhivago! But no joy.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Malenko throws a good cross that connects.
Zhivago misses with a jab to the body
and Malenko counters with a nice uppercut.
Boris Zhivago is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Malenko misses the shot to the body.
Malenko ducks under a wild hook from Zhivago.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Malenko misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Zhivago.
Malenko throws a lazy uppercut
and Zhivago counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
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!
Zhivago ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Malenko moves away.
Zhivago misses with a leg kick
and Malenko counters with a straight right hand.
Zhivago keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Malenko.
Malenko throws a jab when Zhivago was well out of range.
Malenko throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Zhivago misses with an uppercut.
Malenko throws a body shot but no joy.
Zhivago waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Malenko.
Zhivago uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Malenko.
A left lands for Malenko.
Malenko looks to land a right hand but Zhivago moved out of range.
Zhivago appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ray Malenko dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Malenko scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Malenko with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Zhivago to score with a decent uppercut.
Malenko misses with a straight right.
Zhivago takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Zhivago uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Malenko.
Zhivago ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Jab, jab by Malenko - just one landing.
Malenko scores with a decent looking hook.
Zhivago connects with a crisp jab.
Malenko loads up on a big right hand but Zhivago slips the punch.
Zhivago throws a lazy uppercut
and Malenko connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A jab from Malenko misses.
Zhivago is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Malenko with a body shot.
Donk. Zhivago catches Malenko right on the button with a cross.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malenko misses the shot to the body.
Zhivago wants to counter with a clinch but Malenko pushes him away.
Malenko lands a nice looking body shot.

Malenko closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Zhivago quickly recovers to half guard.
Zhivago is holding on to half guard well.
Zhivago wants to control but Malenko is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Malenko thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Malenko slows the pace down in half guard.
Malenko tries to pass to full mount but Zhivago defends it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malenko is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Zhivago keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Zhivago desperately trying to maintain half guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Malenko has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Zhivago.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Malenko with that takedown attempt.
Zhivago tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Malenko was well out of range. Poor timing from Zhivago.
A good leg kick by Zhivago.
Malenko misses with a hook
and Zhivago counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
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.
Zhivago has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Zhivago tries to land a front kick but Malenko steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Zhivago takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Zhivago feints and then cracks Malenko's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Malenko down.
Malenko misses with a straight left.
Zhivago is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Malenko with a body shot.
The fighters circling - Zhivago throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Jab by Zhivago.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Malenko fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Zhivago lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Malenko has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Malenko and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Malenko was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Zhivago misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Malenko.
Malenko fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Zhivago looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zhivago slips under a jab from Malenko.
Zhivago closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Malenko defending well as Zhivago loads up on a big left hand.
Zhivago 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.
Malenko swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Zhivago misses the shot to the body.
Malenko throws a lazy right hand but Zhivago sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Zhivago misses with an uppercut. Malenko saw that one coming.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ray Malenko showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Malenko 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ray Malenko!
Ray Malenko seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.