PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jeff Gower (ranked 13 p4p, 4 weight class) and Ray Malenko (ranked 66 p4p, 10 weight class). Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Ray Malenko enters the cage!

Gower
vs
Malenko

165 cm
32
156 lbs
26 - 9 - 1

182 cm
34
164 lbs
28 - 12 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Urban Fighter
Aspire Clothing

Aspire Clothing
Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 26 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jeff Gower!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 12 - 0, fighting out of London, Ray Malenko!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Don Winkell and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Malenko misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Gower.
Malenko misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Gower counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Malenko thinking.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Malenko has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Gower throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Malenko throws a body shot but no joy.
Gower tried to counter with a leg kick but Malenko avoided it.
We've been told by Gower's head coaches at Ryōzanpaku Dojo that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Gower scores with a leg kick.
A good leg kick by Gower.
Gower throws a hook to the side of Malenko's head but Malenko sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Malenko swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Gower misses with a body kick.
Malenko lands with a good body shot.
Gower takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Malenko scores with a body shot.
Malenko drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Malenko ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
The fighters circle momentarily. Gower darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Malenko misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Gower.

Gower rushes Malenko and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malenko prevents a body shot from Gower.
Malenko drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Gower gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Gower misses with a body punch.
Gower swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A short left from Malenko.
Malenko tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Malenko softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Malenko blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Gower blocks an uppercut.
Malenko lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Gower throws a head punch that misses.
Malenko fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Malenko is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Malenko tries to throw a body punch but Gower avoids it by throwing Malenko back against the cage.
Malenko gets through Gower's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malenko's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Gower.
Malenko fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Malenko goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Malenko takes a shot to the head.
Gower misses with a punch to the body.
Gower struggles to land a body shot inside as Malenko controls his hands.
The referee calls for Malenko to work.
Malenko scores with a hook to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Malenko lands a right hand.
Malenko looking to slow down the pace here.
Gower tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Malenko's elbow.
Gower is leaning against Malenko and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malenko lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Gower or not.
Gower misses with the head strike.
Gower tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A nice left hand lands by Malenko.
A short body shot lands from Gower as the two fighters clinch.
Gower works on Malenko's body with a couple of short punches.
Gower misses with the head strike.
Malenko is trying to maintain a safe position but Gower gets an underhook and turns Malenko into the cage.
Gower tries to work over Malenko's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Gower lands a left hand that snaps the head of Malenko backwards.
Gower working aggressively here.
Malenko can't find room to land a body shot as Gower controls the action.
A head punch on the inside from Malenko fails to land.
Malenko is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Gower lands a nice uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Malenko tries to pull guard but Gower holds him up against the cage and eventually Malenko drops back down to his feet.
Jeff Gower has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ray Malenko.
Gower misses with a punch on the inside.
Malenko blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Malenko lands a hook to the side of the head.
Malenko throws a head punch that misses.
Gower swings wildly with an uppercut but Malenko uses good head movement to avoid it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A shot in the inside from Gower.
Malenko has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Gower avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Gower fails to land.
Malenko lands a left hand.
Gower misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A short left from Gower.
Gower swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Malenko.
Gower gets underhooks to prevent Malenko's takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Jeff Gower will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Gower looks to land a combination but Malenko avoids it well.
Malenko swinging wildly here.

Gower clinches up with Malenko and pushes him back against the cage.
Gower tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Malenko's elbow.
Gower can't find room to land a body shot as Malenko controls the action.
Gower goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Malenko.
Malenko blocks an uppercut.
Gower blocks an uppercut.
Malenko's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Malenko is looking to take this one to the mat.
Malenko is trying to stall.
A short uppercut from Gower.
Still in the clinch, Gower scores with a nice short uppercut.
Gower scores with a shot to the side of Malenko's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malenko goes for a takedown in the clinch but Gower prevents it.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Gower.
Gower swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Gower fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Gower throws a punch but it's blocked by Malenko.
A head punch on the inside from Gower fails to land.
Gower misses with a hook to the ribs.
Nice body punch from Gower.
A head punch on the inside from Malenko fails to land.
Gower misses with a short punch on the inside.
Malenko lands with a light punch inside.
Malenko tries to throw a body punch but Gower avoids it by throwing Malenko back against the cage.
Malenko is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
A left hand lands to the body for Gower.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A nice right hand lands inside from Gower.
Malenko tries to work over Gower's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Malenko misses with a punch to the body.
Gower tries to throw a body punch but Malenko avoids it by throwing Gower back against the cage.
Gower is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Malenko can do to turn this around?
A head punch on the inside from Gower fails to land.
Gower blocks an uppercut.
Gower throws a head punch that misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Gower.
A head punch on the inside from Gower fails to land.
Malenko taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Gower working aggressively here.
Gower swings wildly with an uppercut but Malenko uses good head movement to avoid it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gower blocks an uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Gower.
Gower tries to throw a body punch but Malenko avoids it by throwing Gower back against the cage.
Come on Malenko - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malenko looking to slow down the pace here.
Gower tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Gower misses with a hook from the clinch.
Malenko displaying some good clinch control by pressing Gower up against the cage.
Gower fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Malenko lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A nice left hand lands by Gower.
Malenko misses with a short punch on the inside.
Gower misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Malenko tries to throw a body punch but Gower avoids it by throwing Malenko back against the cage.
Malenko is trying to pull guard but Gower has him pressed against the cage.
Jeff Gower has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ray Malenko.
Gower has a couple of punches blocked by Malenko.
Gower lands a body punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Malenko misses with a hook from the clinch.

Malenko manages to pull guard.
Malenko controls Gower momentarily but Gower frees himself.
Gower looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Malenko seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jeff Gower dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Malenko misses the shot to the body.
A shot to the body from Gower misses
and Malenko counters with a right hand to the body.
Malenko fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Gower manages to avoid it.
Malenko throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Malenko just misses with a punch to the body.
Malenko throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Gower counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Malenko tries to move into range but Gower moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Jeff Gower is winning the standup battle so far.
Malenko looks for a takedown but Gower sprawls well.
Gower misses with an attempted mid kick.
Gower misses with a body kick.
Gower swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Malenko throws a jab but it's blocked by Gower.
Malenko misses with a jab to the body
and Gower counters with a straight right hand.
Malenko jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Gower uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gower tries to clinch but Malenko is having none of it.
A nice leg kick lands there from Gower.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gower keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Malenko misses the body punch
and Gower counters with a nice uppercut.
Gower connects with an inside leg kick.
Malenko takes a swing at Gower's ribcage but misses.
Malenko misses with a hook to the body
and Gower counters with a straight right hand.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Gower.
Gower misses with an attempted mid kick.
Gower feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Malenko's calf.
Gower scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Malenko doesn't seem bothered though.
Malenko swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Gower tries to counter by clinching up but Malenko breaks away and moves out of range.
Malenko scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Gower lands the left hand.
Gower cracks Malenko with a good jab.
Gower moves out of range of the strikes.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gower misses with a body kick.
Malenko throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Gower counters with a lovely shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Malenko. Gower does a little dance to reset his feet.

Gower instigates a clinch.
Malenko swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Gower tries a body shot but Malenko blocks it.
Gower lands a body shot in the clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Malenko.
Malenko blocks an uppercut.
Malenko lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Gower lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Gower lands with a light punch inside.
Malenko is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Malenko blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Malenko.
Gower blocks an uppercut.
Gower blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malenko blocks an uppercut.
Gower lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Malenko backwards.
Malenko lands a hook that snaps the head of Gower backwards.
Gower misses with the head strike.
Malenko misses with a hook from the clinch.
Malenko blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Malenko.
Gower tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Gower blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Malenko misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Gower can't find room to land a body shot as Malenko controls the action.

Malenko decides to pull guard.
Malenko keeping moving, preventing Gower from controlling successfully.

Gower stands and steps away. Malenko gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Malenko throws a predictable looking body shot
and Gower counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
A chopping leg kick lands by Gower.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Gower.
That kick from Gower tenderised Malenko's leg. Malenko is trying to keep his angry face on.
Malenko is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Gower rather than just go for the knockout.
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 Gower is just out of range.
Malenko misses with a straight right.
Malenko throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Gower quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Gower connects with a leg kick. Malenko looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Gower cracks the inside of Malenko's front leg.
Gower lands with a cross.
Malenko misses with a wild body shot.
Malenko connects with a right hand. Gower shakes it off.
Gower takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Gower lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Gower connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jeff Gower clearly takes that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Gower darts in and clinches Malenko up against the cage.
Gower scores with a shot to the side of Malenko's head.
Malenko fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Gower lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Malenko stalling in the clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Gower.
Gower tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Malenko's elbow.
A short left from Gower.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Gower.
Malenko tries to throw a body punch but Gower avoids it by throwing Malenko back against the cage.
A body shot lands from Malenko.
Jeff Gower has scored more points in the clinch so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gower pushes Malenko back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Gower blocks an uppercut.
Malenko stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Malenko slowing the pace effectively.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gower throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Malenko blocks it with crossed arms.
Malenko throws a punch but it's blocked by Gower.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Malenko.
Gower misses with a short punch on the inside.
Malenko tries to work over Gower's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Malenko blocks an uppercut.
Malenko scores with an uppercut up the middle.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Malenko takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Gower misses with a body punch.
Malenko effectively controlling the action here.
Malenko fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Malenko leaning against his opponent.
Malenko displaying some good clinch control by pressing Gower up against the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Ray Malenko.
Malenko swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malenko misses with an uppercut. Gower saw that one coming.
Gower throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Gower goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Gower doesn't manage to clinch there - Malenko circles away.
Gower scores with a push kick.
Malenko throws a poor cross that misses
and Gower counters with a body kick that stops Malenko in his tracks momentarily.
Malenko misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Gower counters with a leg kick.
Gower uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Malenko.
Malenko is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Gower lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Malenko ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gower moves away.
Malenko swings for the body but Gower moves out of range.
Gower fires out a quick counter leg kick but Malenko just manages to avoid it.
Malenko takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Gower doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Gower fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Malenko.
Gower tries to clinch but Malenko is having none of it.
Gower lands a leg kick that knocks Malenko off balance momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A slapping leg kick lands for Gower.
Malenko moves forwards but Gower connects with a nice, crisp jab.
A shot to the body from Malenko misses
and Gower makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Gower avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Malenko looks to land a right hand but Gower moved out of range.
Malenko misses with a shot to the body
and Gower counters with a nice kick to the body.

Malenko tries to keep at a distance but Gower has taken the fight into the clinch.
Gower tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Gower lands a nice uppercut.
Gower throws a punch but it's blocked by Malenko.

Malenko breaks from the clinch.
Gower uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Malenko has time to react.
Gower scores with a spinning back kick!
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.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gower dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Malenko. That did some damage!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Malenko takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
A shot to the liver by Gower. Beautiful body shot.
A slapping leg kick lands for Gower.
Gower uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Malenko.
Gower is looking to counter with head kicks.
Gower attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Malenko throws a lazy uppercut
and Gower counters with a nice low kick that buckles Malenko's knee momentarily.
Good standup being displayed there by Gower as he connects with a hook.
Gower doesn't manage to clinch there - Malenko circles away.
Gower lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Malenko lands with a good body shot.
Malenko doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Malenko misses with a hook
and Gower counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Malenko just misses with a punch to the body.
Gower darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Gower jabs Malenko to the body, keeping him at a distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jeff Gower had his way with Ray Malenko in that round.
That's time! Back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Gower ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Malenko moves away.
Malenko misses the shot to the body.
A shot to the body from Malenko misses
and Malenko takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A nice leg kick lands there from Gower.
A solid leg kick lands there for Gower.
Malenko tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Gower was well out of range. Poor timing from Malenko.
A little feinted left hand from Gower on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Gower keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Gower rushes Malenko and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Malenko is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Gower tries a knee to the head but Malenko blocks it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gower throws a head punch that misses.
Malenko lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Gower.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Gower.
Malenko digs a right hand underneath Gower's ribcage. Gower let out a lung full of air as it connected.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malenko's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Malenko tries for a takedown. No joy.
Malenko prevents a body shot from Gower.
Gower swings wildly with an uppercut but Malenko uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gower swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A right hand to the body from Gower.
Gower softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Gower lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Malenko backwards.
Malenko has a couple of punches blocked by Gower.
Malenko misses with the head strike.
Malenko blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Malenko has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Gower.
Malenko doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Malenko misses with a punch on the inside.
Gower lands a shoulder strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Gower.
Gower makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Gower softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Malenko fails to land.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gower tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Malenko scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Gower swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Gower lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Malenko backwards.
Malenko lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Gower lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Malenko backwards.
Malenko takes a shot to the head.
Gower has a couple of punches blocked by Malenko.
Malenko doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Gower scores with a hook to the body.
Malenko is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Gower.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gower throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Malenkos head.
Gower swings wildly with an uppercut but Malenko uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gower throws a punch but it's blocked by Malenko.
A head punch on the inside from Gower fails to land.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Malenko.
Gower blocks an uppercut.
Malenko throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Gowers head.
Gower swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Gower swings wildly with an uppercut but Malenko uses good head movement to avoid it.
Malenko misses with a punch to the body.
Gower goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Malenko's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Gower misses with some punches.

Malenko ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Malenko no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Gower stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Ray Malenko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jeff Gower is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Gower.
Gower throws a body punch but Malenko moves out of range.
Malenko staying out of range there.
Gower scores with a kick to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Malenko misses the target.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Malenko shoots in but Gower avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Gower connects with a good right hand that stumbles Malenko. Malenko circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Malenko throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Gower jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
Malenko throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Malenko rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Gower counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Gower changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Both fighters circling a little - Gower finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jeff Gower showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Gower, 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 50:45
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 50:45
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jeff Gower!
Jeff Gower retains his lightweight title!
An out of breath Jeff Gower thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.