PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dean Malenko (ranked 1162 p4p, 121 weight class) and Angel Childress (ranked 1455 p4p, 147 weight class). Malenko's entrance music is WCW NITRO ENTRANCE SONG. A fine choice. Childress is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Eighth of sticky gooey-by MAC MAL. On his way into the cage it seems that Dean Malenko has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Dean Malenko seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Malenko
vs
Childress

194 cm
27
280 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

194 cm
27
270 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Very quick

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Dean Malenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Angel Childress!
The judges for this bout are Ron Honeybunn, Hugh Johnson and Bruno Hogan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Malenko shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Malenko was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Malenko tries to advance to mount but can't.

Malenko is trying to get an arm triangle but Childress is defending well.

Malenko tries for a kimura but Childress is defending well.

Malenko tries for a kimura but Childress is defending well.
You can see the frustration on Childress's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Malenko is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Childress is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Childress is looking for a sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Childress is pushing Malenko's head away, looking to escape. Malenko manages to hold on to the position though.

Malenko swings around for an armbar but Childress sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Malenko's guard.
Childress with a flurry of punches that miss.
Childress chips away with some ground and pound.
Childress lands a couple of elbows.

It looks like Dean Malenko has been cut.
My spies in BIGISLAND BIGGUNS WARRIOR TRAINING inform me that Childress has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Childress slips nicely into half guard.
Malenko is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Childress's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Childress's back!
Childress trying to get back to his feet but Malenko is in full control for now.
Childress trying to control the hands but Malenko won't let him.
I really don't envy Childress right now.
Childress is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

Malenko working for the choke.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Malenko looking to break Childress's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Childress remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Malenko will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
We've been hearing good reports from Malenko's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

Malenko is persistently looking for the submission but Childress is defending it well.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Childress wants to get back to his feet.
Childress trying to control the position but Malenko manages to sink in the hooks.

Malenko looking for the choke from the back.
Childress wants to escape the position.
Malenko is trying to stick to Childress's back but Childress is turning into Malenko. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Malenko's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Childress.

Malenko looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Childress must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Childress lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Malenko is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Childress defends well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Childress trying to control the position from guard on top but Malenko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Childress content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Malenko wants to sweep but no luck.
Childress landing some decent shots from guard.
Childress postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Childress lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Malenko looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Childress has picked Malenko up and slammed him! Malenko can't keep hold of the triangle and Childress manages to pass to side control!

Childress is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Malenko knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Malenko is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Childress off and has taken his back!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Childress looking to control the position.

Childress is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Malenko gets his way!

Malenko tightening his grip on Childress, looking for the choke.
Childress trying to control the position but Malenko manages to sink in the hooks.

Malenko is persistently looking for the submission but Childress is defending it well.

Malenko looking to break Childress's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Childress remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Malenko will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dean Malenko dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Dean Malenko's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Malenko slips a jab from Childress.
Malenko throws a big shot that misses.
Childress swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Childress fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Childress rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Malenko counters with a nice double leg into side control. Childress won't be happy with that.
Malenko has control of an arm but Childress manages to advance to Malenko's back!
Dean Malenko overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Malenko covers up after that shot from Childress.

Malenko is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Childress gets his way!
Malenko manages to reverse the position and now he's in Childress's guard. Nice work there by Malenko.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Childress wants to stand and escape but Malenko is having none of it.
Childress keeping moving, preventing Malenko from controlling successfully.

Childress wriggles free and stands up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malenko looks to throw the jab but Childress is out of range.
A slow jab from Childress misses its intended target.
Childress misses with a straight right.

Malenko changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Childress looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Childress is trying to get back to half guard.

Malenko is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Childress is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Malenko prevents Childress from escaping the position.
Childress is looking to regain half guard here but Malenko keeps moving and retains side control.
Childress is trying to control Malenko's posture but Malenko avoids it.

Malenko is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Childress has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Childress is looking to get back to his feet here but Malenko is keeping cool and he's managed to take Childress's back.
Childress is trying to get back to his feet but Malenko has full control of the position and if anything, Childress has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Childress tries to escape the position.

Childress is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Childress is really stuck here.

Malenko is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Malenko is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
I really don't envy Childress right now.
Childress is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Malenko off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.

Malenko patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Childress is trying to get back to his feet but Malenko has full control of the position and if anything, Childress has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Childress trying to control the hands but Malenko breaks the grip.
Childress tries to break free.
Childress looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.

Childress defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Malenko has the hooks in. Childress is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Childress trying to control but not successfully.
Childress is trying to stand back up.

Childress preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Malenko.
Childress is trying to get back to his feet but Malenko has full control of the position and if anything, Childress has just worked his way into a worse spot.

Childress preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Malenko.
Childress avoids the strikes from Malenko.
Childress trying to get back to his feet but Malenko is in full control for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dean Malenko dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Dean Malenko's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Malenko fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Childress manages to avoid it.
Malenko looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Malenko closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Malenko lands in his opponent's guard.
Childress is looking to stand back up but Malenko counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Childress.

Malenko trying to control the action but Childress is working from the bottom.
Childress is trying to stand back up but Malenko is controlling him
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Childress trying to control but Malenko postures up.
Childress is looking to escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Childress is pressing down on Malenko's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Malenko stops Childress from standing up.
Malenko trying to control the position from guard on top but Childress is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Childress tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Childress is looking to stand up but Malenko isn't so interested in that idea.
Malenko trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Malenko wants to control from the top but Childress keeps moving.
Childress not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Malenko trying to control but Childress is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Childress shoots in and gets a takedown into Malenko's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Childress is in close to Malenko's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Childress is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Malenko working for a triangle but Childress defends it easily.
Childress tries to free his leg and advance position but Malenko is retaining full guard.
Angel Childress has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Malenko working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Childress doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Oh but Malenko is tightening it up a little... Childress has to be careful here... He's got his foot tucked under now, this looks tight! Childress reacted too slowly and this one could be over in a matter of seconds! YES! Childress taps out! Nice BJJ there by Malenko!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:49 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Dean Malenko!
Dean Malenko looked relieved post fight as he said the following; 'Im looking to put the 4 horseman back together....anyone seen Ric??'.