PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Charlie Wax (ranked 595 p4p, 67 weight class) and Ray Malenko (ranked 1303 p4p, 150 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Wax
vs
Malenko

179 cm
31
160 lbs
20 - 12 - 0

182 cm
32
164 lbs
22 - 11 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Bullet Proof System

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 20 - 12 - 0, fighting out of London, Charlie Wax!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 11 - 0, fighting out of London, Ray Malenko!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Alan Glass and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wax scores with a decent looking hook.
Wax misses with a takedown attempt - Malenko sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Decent striking displayed by Malenko there.
Malenko lands a slapping body shot.
Malenko loads up on a big right hand but Wax slips the punch.
Wax uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Malenko.
Malenko scores with a body shot.
Wax slips a straight right by Malenko.
Wax appears to be looking for a big counter.
A low kick from Wax is predictable there
and Malenko counters with a stiff right hand.
Malenko throws a big shot that misses.
Wax is looking to counter the offense by Malenko and move into the clinch.
Malenko connects with a body shot that sends Wax's belly button to the back.
Wax 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.
Malenko lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Wax backs up against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Malenko darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Malenko wants to take a breather but Wax is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malenko content to control rather than advance.
Wax is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Malenko's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Malenko's back!
Malenko just trying to survive but Wax is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
I really don't envy Malenko right now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Malenko just trying to survive but Wax is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Wax keeps control of the position easily here as Malenko tries to buck him off.
Wax tries to get the hooks in deep but Malenko pushed the leg off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malenko is really stuck here.
Wax just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.
Malenko trying to control the hands but Wax breaks the grip.
Wax biding his time, controlling Malenko.
Malenko rolls, trying to escape but Wax keeps control of the position.
Wax has good solid back control here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
I really don't envy Malenko right now.
I would not like to be Malenko right now.
Wax keeps control of the position as Malenko tries to break free.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Malenko needs to remain patient if he's going to get out of this sticky situation.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Wax avoiding Malenko 's attempts to control his hands.
Malenko rolls, trying to escape but Wax keeps control of the position.
I would not like to be Malenko right now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ray Malenko will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Jab, jab by Malenko - just one landing.
The fighters circling - Malenko throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Malenko throws a shot to the body.
Wax is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Malenko.
Wax misses with a low kick as Malenko jumps back.
A jab from Malenko finds it's way through Wax's defenses.
Malenko ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Wax moves away.
Malenko avoids the head kick by Wax.
A big right from Malenko misses.
Malenko throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Wax ducks under a wild hook from Malenko.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wax missing with a left hand there. Malenko was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
It seemed like Malenko was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Wax takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Malenko cracks Wax with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Wax needs to keep his hands up - Malenko had a free shot at his head there.
Wax throws a leg kick but Malenko moved away.
Wax misses with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Wax has taken the fight to the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Wax fails to land.
Wax misses with some punches.
Wax tries to break free but Malenko pushes him back against the cage.
Malenko lands with a right to the head.
Malenko pushes Wax back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Malenko can't find room to land a body shot as Wax controls the action.

Wax escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Malenko misses with a wild body shot.
Malenko lands with a straight right. Wax didn't see that one coming.

Wax is rocked!
A jab from Malenko finds it's way through Wax's defenses.
Oh Wax is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Malenko digs a good body shot into Wax's ribs.
Wax jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Malenko misses with a wild body shot.
Malenko throws an overhand right that lands on Wax's shoulder, as Wax tries to avoid the shot.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Wax.
Wax seems to have got his legs back now.
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 fighters circling - Malenko throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Malenko takes a body punch but keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jab from Malenko.
Nice jab there from Malenko.
Wax fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Malenko on the side of the head.
Malenko connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Malenko lands with a right hand.
Wax uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Malenko.
A big right from Malenko misses.
Charlie Wax is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A slow jab from Malenko misses its intended target.
Wax tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Malenko misses with a hook
and Wax counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Malenko lunges at Wax with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Wax's hand.

Malenko looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Charlie Wax overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Malenko postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Wax is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wax is thwarting Malenko's attempts to control the position.

Malenko looking for submissions off his back.
Wax controlling the action here.
Malenko blocking the ground and pound attempt from Wax.
Malenko has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Wax is working away from the top position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Malenko gets full guard.
Malenko controlling Wax's posture.
Malenko has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Wax engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Malenko is trying to control the position but Wax postures up.

Wax gets to his feet. Malenko looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ray Malenko showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Malenko avoids the body shot from Wax.
Malenko with a body punch. A glancing blow.
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.
Wax throws a big shot that misses.
Wax steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Malenko.
Malenko scores with a jab to the head.
Malenko throws a looping overhand right but Wax ducks down to avoid it.
Malenko ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Wax tries to clinch but Malenko moves out of range.
Nice cross by Malenko.
Wax slips under a jab.
Wax tries a head kick but it misses.
Wax is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A nice side step and Malenko releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Wax thows a left - swing and a miss!
Wax throws a head kick that misses.
Malenko is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Wax.
Wax fails with an attempt to clinch.
Wax keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Wax has taken the fight to the clinch.
Wax with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Malenko blocks a body shot from Wax.
Malenko takes a knee right on the jaw!
Malenko scores with a nice hook to the head.
Malenko lands with a light punch inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Wax.
A hook to the body from Wax.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Wax.
Wax goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Malenko lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Wax swings wildly with an uppercut but Malenko uses good head movement to avoid it.
Malenko misses with a punch to the body.
Charlie Wax has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malenko can't find room to land a body shot as Wax controls the action.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Wax.
Ray Malenko seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Malenko lands an uppercut.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Wax.
Wax working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A head punch on the inside from Wax fails to land.
Wax misses with a punch to the body.
Wax has a couple of punches blocked by Malenko.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Malenko.
Wax gets underhooks to prevent Malenko's takedown attempt.

Malenko gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Wax regains guard.
Malenko wants to control from the top but Wax keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Malenko forces his way into half guard.
Wax blocking the ground and pound attempt from Malenko.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malenko looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Malenko thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Malenko tries to pass to full mount but Wax defends it.
Malenko is looking to take a break and control but Wax is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Wax is looking to improve his position.
Malenko trying to control from half guard but Wax is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Malenko is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Wax is refusing to be controlled, as Malenko sits in half guard.
Malenko not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Wax is refusing to be controlled, as Malenko sits in half guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Malenko swings and misses with a hook to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ray Malenko comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Malenko winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ray Malenko!
After winning the bout, Ray Malenko thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.