PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ralphie Maldonado (ranked 5690 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rich Stout (ranked 5343 p4p, 483 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Maldonado
vs
Stout

179 cm
18
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

174 cm
25
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Lethal high kicks
KO power

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ralphie Maldonado!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rich Stout!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Robert Twigg and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stout walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Stout throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Maldonado's waist but Maldonado gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Stout off to one side.
A head kick from Maldonado lands but Stout takes it in his stride.
Stout scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Stout will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Stout takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Maldonado with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
A cross from Maldonado lands.
Maldonado lands with a slapping head kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Maldonado. Stout shrugs it off though.
Stout throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Maldonado thuds a left hand into Stout's body.
Stout fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Ralphie Maldonado has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rich Stout.

Stout clinches with his opponent.
Maldonado has had enough of the clinch but Stout keeps him there for the moment.
Stout tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Maldonado just stands there and leans against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stout jumps guard.

Maldonado decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Maldonado ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Maldonado digs a good body shot into Stout's ribs.
Stout avoids the body shot from Maldonado.
A jab from Maldonado finds it's way through Stout's defenses.
Stout throws a combination. Maldonado tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Stout takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Stout fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Maldonado avoids it really well and circles away.
Stout closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stout avoids the body shot from Maldonado.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maldonado swings for the body but Stout moves out of range.
Maldonado lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Stout takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Maldonado lands with an uppercut that bounces Stout off the cage and back into range.
Maldonado lands with a kick to the temple. Stout shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Stout is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Stout goes for a double leg but Maldonado avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Maldonado continues to drive forward.

Stout drives through and clinches with Maldonado against the cage.
Maldonado misses with the head strike.
Stout's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Stout prevents Maldonado from breaking the clinch.
Maldonado tries to throw a body punch but Stout avoids it by throwing Maldonado back against the cage.
Maldonado doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Maldonado wants to get back to striking at distance but Stout won't allow it.

Maldonado breaks from the clinch.
Stout takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maldonado changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Maldonado plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Maldonado throws a looping overhand right but Stout ducks down to avoid it.
Stout slips a straight right by Maldonado.
Stout throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A big left from Maldonado misses.
Maldonado fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Stout.
Maldonado fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Stout manages to avoid it.
Nice defenses there by Stout.
A looping hook to the body misses from Maldonado. Stout does a little dance to reset his feet.
Stout throws a right and a left that both miss.
Maldonado lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Ralphie Maldonado is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Maldonado takes a swing at Stout's ribcage but misses.
Stout shoots in for a takedown but Maldonado shows good takedown defense.
Maldonado tries a head kick but it misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maldonado lands a leg kick that knocks Stout off balance momentarily.
Maldonado is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Maldonado lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Maldonado.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Stout closes the distance and clinches up with Maldonado, looking for a takedown. Stout pushes Maldonado against the cage but Maldonado circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Stout tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Stout changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Maldonado tries to avoid it but Stout manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Maldonado to the ground. Maldonado escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Stout looks winded!
Stout takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Maldonado connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Stout misses with an attempted mid kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Maldonado. Stout does a little dance to reset his feet.
Stout with the counter takedown but Maldonado avoids it easily.
Crunch! Maldonado slams his shin into Stout's torso.
Maldonado lands with a slapping head kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Maldonado scores with a leg kick.
Stout keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Maldonado moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromStout.
Stout shoots in for a double leg but Maldonado sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Maldonado throws a quick counter head kick but Stout was just out of range.
Stout shoots in and drives through. Maldonado sprawls well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ralphie Maldonado dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Maldonado dips to his left and cracks Stout with an uppercut!
Stout with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Maldonado to score with a decent uppercut.
Stout on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Maldonado. Maldonado obviously looking to wear him down.
Stout tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Maldonado manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Maldonado on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Stout avoids the body shot from Maldonado.
Maldonado scores with a spinning back kick!
Good leg kick by Maldonado there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Maldonado throws a right hand that misses

and Stout moves into the clinch.
Maldonado goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Maldonado lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Stout prevents Maldonado from breaking the clinch.
Stout blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Maldonado lands a left hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Still in the clinch, Maldonado scores with a nice short uppercut.
Stout tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maldonado misses with the head strike.
Maldonado tries to break the clinch but Stout is controlling the position.
Stout working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Maldonado looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Maldonado is trying to break the clinch but Stout is controlling him.
Maldonado tries a body shot but Stout blocks it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Stout.
Maldonado is trying to break free.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Stout.
Maldonado wants to break the clinch but can't.

Stout breaks the clinch.
A solid leg kick lands there for Maldonado.
A head kick from Maldonado lands but Stout takes it in his stride.
Maldonado swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Stout.
Maldonado is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Stout can do to turn this around?
Maldonado scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Ralphie Maldonado seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maldonado scoring well with a low kick there.
Good exchange - Maldonado coming out on top.
Horrible takedown attempt by Stout or perhaps it was just good defense by Maldonado, which made it look bad.
Ralphie Maldonado is winning the standup battle so far.
Stout uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Maldonado.
Maldonado tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Stout was well out of range. Poor timing from Maldonado.
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!
Stout takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Stout tries a head kick but it misses.
Stout tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Stout fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Ralphie Maldonado has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rich Stout.
Stout tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Maldonado paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A good leg kick by Maldonado.
Maldonado cracks Stout with a right hand to the side of the head.
Maldonado connects with a looping right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maldonado lands a nice looking body shot.
Maldonado throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Maldonado displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Stout.
Stout is breathing heavily.
Maldonado with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Maldonado scores with a kick to the midsection.
Maldonado with a hook.
Maldonado works Stout's body with a nice hook.
Maldonado connects with an inside leg kick.
Maldonado misses with a hook.
Stout shoots in but Maldonado avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Stout with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Maldonado to score with a decent uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maldonado connects with a leg kick. Stout looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
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!

Stout closes the distance and pushes Maldonado back into the cage.
Stout tries for a takedown but Maldonado manages to get underhooks.
Maldonado tries to work over Stout's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A short right from Maldonado.
Maldonado misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Maldonado misses with a punch to the body.
Stout's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

Stout escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Maldonado lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Maldonado works the jab nicely.
Stout shoots in for a takedown but Maldonado shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Maldonado fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Stout looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Maldonado is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Maldonado throws a shot to the body.
Maldonado throws a nice inside leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ralphie Maldonado dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Maldonado throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Stout's head.

Stout is still looking wobbly from the end of the last round!
Maldonado throws a nice inside leg kick.
Maldonado scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Stout is still on wobbly legs! Can Maldonado finish him?
Stout checks a leg kick.
Stout seems to have recovered his senses.
Rich Stout is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Stout takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Stout avoids the body shot from Maldonado.
Maldonado misses with a hook. Stout ducked under it nicely.
Stout has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Maldonado.
Stout shoots in for a double leg but Maldonado sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Maldonado is looking to slow Stout down with leg kicks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maldonado plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Maldonado throws a head kick that misses.
Maldonado scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Maldonado scores with a kick to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stout fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Stout takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Maldonado throws a sloppy head kick and Stout moves out of range easily.
Maldonado tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Maldonado lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Stout slips a jab from Maldonado.

Stout takes the fight into the clinch.
Stout tries to pull guard but Maldonado holds him up against the cage and eventually Stout drops back down to his feet.
Ralphie Maldonado has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rich Stout.
Maldonado wants to get back to striking at distance but Stout won't allow it.
Stout blocks an uppercut.
Maldonado throws a punch but it's blocked by Stout.
Maldonado misses with a punch on the inside.
Stout tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stout keeps control of Maldonado as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Stout has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Maldonado.
Stout can't get the takedown.
Maldonado working aggressively here.
Stout creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Stout has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.

Maldonado breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Good leg kick by Maldonado there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Stout throws a series of punches but Maldonado moves out of range.
Maldonado fires out a quick counter leg kick but Stout just manages to avoid it.
Stout tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Maldonado fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Stout manages to avoid it.
Stout unleashes a big counter combination but Maldonado bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Stout uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Maldonado.
Maldonado lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stout walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Maldonado thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Stout if he has to take too many more of those.
Stout shoots in looking for a takedown but Maldonado manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Stout's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maldonado lands with a nice body punch.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Maldonado.
Stout closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Maldonado feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Stout's calf.
Stout walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Maldonado connects with a single shot there.
Maldonado explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
A head kick from Maldonado lands but Stout takes it in his stride.
Maldonado thuds his right hand into Stout's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Stout pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Maldonado swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Maldonado looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Maldonado throws a body punch but Stout moves out of range.
Stout with the counter takedown but Maldonado avoids it easily.
Maldonado lands with a right hand.
Maldonado is looking to slow Stout down with leg kicks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maldonado keeps Stout at a distance using the push kick.
Maldonado lands a head kick!
Stout has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Maldonado.
Maldonado lands a leg kick that knocks Stout off balance momentarily.
Maldonado connects with a crisp jab.
Maldonado scores with a leg kick.
Stout shoots for a takedown but Maldonado saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Maldonado is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
A cross from Maldonado lands.
Stout misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Maldonado throws a leg kick which misses Stout's front leg but catches the back leg as Stout tries to avoid it.
Maldonado fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Rich Stout has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ralphie Maldonado is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Maldonado lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ralphie Maldonado showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Maldonado, 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:26
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 30:26
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ralphie Maldonado!