Midweek Rising 3 PBP Commentary

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dean Malenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Travis Lawler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Malenko kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Dean Malenko- Theme Music. Lawler is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Famous. Travis Lawler will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Malenko
vs
Lawler

173 cm
25
210 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

194 cm
23
205 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good in bed

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Dean Malenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Travis Lawler!
The judges for this bout are , and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Malenko gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Lawler connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Lawler shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Lawler throws a strike but Malenko manages to get a kimura sweep and he's found himself on top with the kimura half locked in! This would be a real turnaround! He's torquing it... Will Lawler tap??? YES! He's tapped! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:26 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Dean Malenko!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
100%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Martin Cock (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ricardo Silva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cock comes to the cage accompanied by Death Before Dishonor. The crowd seem to be enjoying Silva's choice of entrance music: Swedish House Mafia - One (Your Name). Ricardo Silva is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Cock
vs
Silva

200 cm
20
275 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

188 cm
24
184 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Martin Cock!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ricardo Silva!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Cock shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Silva napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Silva looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
Silva is being controlled here.
Cock lands a decent elbow from side control.
Cock will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Silva is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cock has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Silva!
Silva is trying desperately to improve position.
Cock controlling the position easily from mount.
Silva is bucking up trying to escape but Cock cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Cock content just to control the position here.
Cock connects with a couple of good shots from mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cock has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Silva's face.
Cock content just to control the position here.
Silva takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
The referee warns Silva that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Cock postures up and connects with a big shot that has rocked Silva badly. He's trying desperately to grab hold of Cock around the waist but Cock pushes him off and unloads with more strikes, forcing the referee to jump in and save him! Cock is the winner by TKO! Cock jumps onto the cage and shouts into the camera. "We did it momma!"

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:47 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Martin Cock!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
86%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Craig Patton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bunk Moreland (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Craig Patton has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Patton
vs
Moreland

180 cm
25
180 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

160 cm
23
130 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Self confident

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Craig Patton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Bunk Moreland!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Patton closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Patton laying and praying for a moment but Moreland takes advantage and regains half guard.
Moreland wants to get back to full guard.
Patton wants to lay and pray for a moment but Moreland keeps working.
Moreland is trying to maintain the position but Patton is very close to passing his half guard.
Moreland manages to get to full guard.
Moreland is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Moreland controlling the position.
Patton is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Patton trying to control but Moreland is working from the bottom.

Patton is trying to tuck his arms in to keep them safe but Moreland has managed to isolate one of them and has got a loose triangle. Patton is looking to defend but Moreland has done well to lock his legs together - this could be big trouble for Patton! Moreland pulls down on the head and a little smile comes across his face - he knows he's got it. Yep, Patton taps out and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:03 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Bunk Moreland!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
34%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Forrest Griffin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Valera Merin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Forrest Griffin has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Griffin
vs
Merin

191 cm
25
205 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

188 cm
18
183 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Forrest Griffin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Valera Merin!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Griffin misses with the combination.
Merin looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
Merin tries for a takedown but Griffin circles away easily

and Griffin counters with a single leg into guard. Merin didn't expect that.
Griffin trying to control the position from guard on top but Merin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Griffin controls from within his opponent's guard.
Merin avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Griffin lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Griffin passes Merin's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Merin avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Griffin.
Griffin is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Merin!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Griffin looking to finish Merin with some ground and pound. This is bad for Merin!
Griffin working the ground and pound effectively.
Griffin lands a big elbow - Merin is in trouble! More strikes from the mount and Merin is forced to tap out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:34 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Strikes). Forrest Griffin!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
57%

Co-main event

Main event

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Pubert Grimesly (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pelayo Palhares (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Grimesly
vs
Palhares

192 cm
19
185 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

174 cm
22
196 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Big heart

ADCC Champion
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Pubert Grimesly!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Pelayo Palhares!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Grimesly tries to grapple but his opponent circles
enabling Palhares to counter with a crisp jab.
Grimesly misses with a jab to the body
and Palhares counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Grimesly misses with a hook to the body
and Palhares counters with a straight right hand.
Palhares comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Pelayo Palhares seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Palhares swings for the body but Grimesly moves out of range.
Palhares circles away from the clinch attempt

and Palhares counters with a shoot takedown. Grimesly fights it but they end up in guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Palhares wants to pass the guard but Grimesly is keeping the position.
Palhares is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Let's hope that Palhares has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Palhares advances position into side control!
Palhares is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
It looks like Palhares might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grimesly stops Palhares from passing to mount.

Palhares wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Grimesly, who protects the arm well.
Grimesly is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Palhares off and has taken his back!
Grimesly throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.
Palhares tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grimesly throwing strikes here but Palhares is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Palhares is in all sorts of trouble here.
Grimesly misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Palhares is desperately trying to improve his position but Grimesly has a good base and remains in mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Grimesly tries to control but Palhares wriggling away.
Palhares is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Palhares is squirming around, avoiding Grimesly's attempts to control the action.
Grimesly avoids the attempt from Palhares to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Grimesly tries to control but Palhares wriggling away.
Palhares gets back to half guard.
Palhares wants to control but Grimesly is keeping busy and won't allow it.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Palhares tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Grimesly was well out of range. Poor timing from Palhares.

Palhares decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Palhares looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Grimesly is looking to control Palhares's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Grimesly avoid being mounted?
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pelayo Palhares dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Grimesly misses with a shot to the body

and Palhares counters with a takedown into side control.
Palhares is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Grimesly will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Palhares working away.
Grimesly is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grimesly is being controlled here.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Palhares is putting a hurting on Grimesly here, landing some big shots from side control.
Grimesly is being controlled here.
Grimesly tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Palhares controls the position.
Grimesly dodges the ground and pound from Palhares.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Pelayo Palhares was stalling too much, according to the referee.
A punch lands to the side of Grimesly 's head but he takes it in his stride.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Grimesly gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Palhares throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Grimesly works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Palhares sitting in guard here, content to control.
Palhares slips nicely into half guard.
Palhares content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Palhares lands strikes from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Palhares in particular looking to stall.
Grimesly won't allow Palhares to pass to mount.
Grimesly trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Palhares manages to pass to mount!

Palhares jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Grimesly is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Grimesly and Palhares has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Grimesly is letting Palhares control him for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pelayo Palhares showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Grimesly looks to clinch
and Palhares counters with a nice body shot.
Grimesly tries to clinch but Palhares moves away

and Palhares counters with a takedown into side control.
Palhares in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Palhares scores with a couple of short elbows.
Grimesly is looking to regain half guard here but Palhares keeps moving and retains side control.
Grimesly is letting Palhares control him for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Palhares tries to advance to mount but Grimesly denies him.
Palhares is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Grimesly's shoulder. That is not cool.
Grimesly is trying to get back to half guard.
Palhares controlling the position from side mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Palhares's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Palhares tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Grimesly can't do much from the bottom here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Grimesly tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Palhares wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Palhares has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Palhares looking to control and managing it successfully.
Palhares wants to take his opponent's back but Grimesly doesn't allow it.
Grimesly is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

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.
Palhares controlling from the full mount.
Grimesly is working to get back to half guard.
Pelayo Palhares is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Palhares controlling the pace for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pelayo Palhares comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Palhares has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30
Judge Suge Night scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pelayo Palhares!