PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ri Zaadha (ranked 669 p4p, 905 weight class) and Ralphie Maldonado (ranked 95 p4p, 119 weight class). Zaadha comes to the cage accompanied by On A Roll. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Zaadha
vs
Maldonado

189 cm
39
177
36 - 24 - 2

179 cm
33
176
19 - 12 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Brooklyn Apothecary
Voodoo Nutrition

Brooklyn Apothecary
Brooklyn Threads

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 36 - 24 - 2, fighting out of New York, Ri Zaadha!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 12 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ralphie Maldonado!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maldonado throws a jab but it's blocked by Zaadha.
Zaadha gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Maldonado.
Maldonado throws a hook to the side of Zaadha's head but Zaadha sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Zaadha was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Zaadha throws a looping overhand right but Maldonado ducks down to avoid it.
Zaadha bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Nice defenses there by Maldonado.
Maldonado takes a body punch but keeps moving.
A left lands for Zaadha.
Zaadha tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Maldonado pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
An attempted straight right counter from Zaadha misses the target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zaadha scores with a nice right hand.
Zaadha throws a hook but Maldonado blocks it.
A telegraphed right hand from Maldonado misses the target.
Maldonado ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Maldonado's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Zaadha connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Maldonado scrambles back to his feet.
Zaadha looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zaadha takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Zaadha misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Maldonado keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Zaadha keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Maldonado.
A quick step to the side and Zaadha tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Maldonado throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Zaadha throws a predictable looking body shot
and Maldonado counters with a straight right hand.
Zaadha blocks a head kick by Maldonado.
Maldonado looks to land a left hand but Zaadha moved out of range nicely.
Maldonado cracks Zaadha with an open hand slap.
Maldonado fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Zaadha looks to land a right hand but Maldonado moved out of range.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Maldonado! But no joy.
Zaadha moves forwards but Maldonado connects with a nice, crisp jab.
An inside leg kick lands from Maldonado.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Maldonado has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Maldonado there as he acknowledges the shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Maldonado. Zaadha shrugs it off though.
Maldonado scores with a punch to the head.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Zaadha checks a leg kick.
Maldonado fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Maldonado throws a nice outside leg kick.
Maldonado bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Maldonado just misses with a punch to the body.
Maldonado catches Zaadha with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Maldonado lands a nice looking body shot.
A jab lands there for Maldonado.
Zaadha misses with a lunging right hand
enabling Maldonado to counter with a crisp jab.
Maldonado throws a poor cross that misses
and Zaadha counters with a stiff right hand.
Maldonado is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Zaadha had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into mush.
Maldonado throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Maldonado connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zaadha looks to land a right hand but Maldonado moved out of range.
Zaadha is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Maldonado.
Maldonado lands with a kick to the ribs.
Maldonado with the inside leg kick.
Zaadha pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Maldonado pivots, looking for a leg kick but Zaadha is out of range and Maldonado settles back down.
Maldonado lands a nice shot to the body.
Zaadha swings for the body but Maldonado moves out of range.
Zaadha uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Maldonado.
Maldonado chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Zaadha can pounce on him.
Good standup being displayed there by Maldonado as he connects with a hook.
Zaadha with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Zaadha looks to land a left hand but Maldonado moved out of range nicely.
Zaadha scores with a sloppy right hand. Maldonado should have avoided that one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zaadha ducks under a wild hook from Maldonado.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zaadha looks to throw the jab but Maldonado is out of range.
Maldonado connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Zaadha on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Maldonado. Maldonado obviously looking to wear him down.
Maldonado bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Zaadha.
Maldonado avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Maldonado fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zaadha manages to avoid it.
A jab lands there for Zaadha.
Maldonado rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
letting Zaadha counter with a right hand.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Maldonado is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Zaadha.
Zaadha works Maldonado's body with a nice hook.
Zaadha throws a jab but it's blocked by Maldonado.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ralphie Maldonado dominated that round.
That's time! Zaadha's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Zaadha lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Zaadha lets loose with a powerful body kick. Maldonado will feel that in the morning.
Maldonado on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Maldonado loads up on a big right hand but Zaadha slips the punch.
Zaadha avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Maldonado throws a sloppy head kick and Zaadha moves out of range easily.
It looked like Zaadha wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Maldonado has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Maldonado walks forward, straight into a front kick from Zaadha.
Jab by Maldonado.
Maldonado throws a lazy right hand but Zaadha sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
The fighters circling - Maldonado throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maldonado will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Zaadha half committed to a counter leg kick.
Maldonado takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Zaadha blocks a jab.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Zaadha.
Maldonado swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Ralphie Maldonado seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maldonado misses with an uppercut
and Zaadha connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Zaadha pivots, looking for a leg kick but Maldonado is out of range and Zaadha settles back down.
Maldonado looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Maldonado looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Maldonado doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Zaadha misses with a head kick.
A left lands for Zaadha.
Maldonado fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Zaadha has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Maldonado fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Zaadha has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Maldonado drops his hands momentarily and Zaadha takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Zaadha misses with an uppercut.
The fighters circling - Zaadha throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Maldonado lands a really nice looking cross but Zaadha seems unphased.
Maldonado takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Zaadha lands a jab to the nose.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maldonado scores with a body shot.
Maldonado throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A slapping body kick lands there for Zaadha.
Crunch! Zaadha slams his shin into Maldonado's torso.
Maldonado throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Zaadha avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Zaadha is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Maldonado throws a nice inside leg kick.
Zaadha misses with an uppercut.
Zaadha looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Zaadha ducks under a wild hook from Maldonado.
Nice shot lands for Zaadha.
Maldonado slips under a jab from Zaadha.
The fighters circling - Zaadha throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zaadha takes one to the side of the head.
Maldonado misses with a left hand
and Zaadha counters with a low kick, right behind Maldonado 's knee.
Maldonado misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Zaadha.
Nice jab there from Maldonado.
Maldonado moves out of range as Zaadha strikes.
Zaadha connects with the punch.
Zaadha misses with a hook
and Maldonado counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Maldonado lands with a thumping leg kick.
Maldonado takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Maldonado misses with an uppercut. Zaadha saw that one coming.
Zaadha appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Zaadha throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Maldonado sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Zaadha moves out of range of the body kick from Maldonado.
Zaadha just misses with a punch to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maldonado lands a right hook to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A low kick from Maldonado is predictable there
and Zaadha makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Maldonado swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Maldonado scores with a body shot.
Zaadha connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Zaadha is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Maldonado misses with an uppercut
and Zaadha counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Zaadha throws a body punch but Maldonado moves out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Zaadha. Maldonado does a little dance to reset his feet.
Maldonado follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Zaadha shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Maldonado tries to move into range but Zaadha moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
A big left from Maldonado misses.
An attempted straight right counter from Zaadha misses the target.
Zaadha is looking to land body kicks.
Zaadha looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ri Zaadha dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Zaadha misses with a looping right.
Maldonado loads up on a big right hand but Zaadha slips the punch.
A solid leg kick lands there for Maldonado.
Zaadha connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Zaadha throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Zaadha tries to land a body kick
enabling Maldonado to counter with a crisp jab.
Maldonado throws a combination that misses
and Zaadha counters with a nice body kick.
Zaadha rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
letting Maldonado counter with a right hand.
Maldonado looks to land a right hand but Zaadha moved out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zaadha slips under a jab.
Zaadha is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Maldonado on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Zaadha. Zaadha obviously looking to wear him down.
Maldonado staying out of range there.
Maldonado jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Zaadha is looking to counter with head kicks.
Nice uppercut lands for Zaadha. That snapped Maldonado's head back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maldonado slips under a jab.
Zaadha looks to throw the jab but Maldonado is out of range.
It seemed like Maldonado was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Zaadha throws an off balance right hand
and Maldonado counters with a thumping low kick.
Maldonado lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Maldonado throws an off balance right hand
and Zaadha counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A big right from Maldonado misses.
Maldonado misses with a hook. Zaadha ducked under it nicely.
A solid leg kick lands there for Zaadha.
A looping hook to the body misses from Zaadha. Maldonado does a little dance to reset his feet.
Maldonado has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Maldonado there as he acknowledges the shot.
Zaadha misses with a jab to the body
and Maldonado counters with a nice uppercut.
Maldonado moves out of range of the strikes.
Maldonado has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Zaadha pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Maldonado steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zaadha digs a good hook to Maldonado's body.
Maldonado lands a front kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Maldonado moves out of range of the body kick from Zaadha.
Maldonado feints a counter leg kick.
Zaadha throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Maldonado scores with a leg kick.
Zaadha tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Maldonado was well out of range. Poor timing from Zaadha.
A little jabbing left from Maldonado on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Zaadha tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Maldonado was well out of range. Poor timing from Zaadha.
A slapping body kick lands there for Zaadha.
Zaadha walks into a stiff left hand from Maldonado.
Maldonado ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Zaadha rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Maldonado counters with a straight right hand.
Zaadha tries to land a body kick
and Maldonado counters with a nice leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maldonado is looking to slow Zaadha down with leg kicks.
Maldonado slips a jab from Zaadha.
Maldonado looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Maldonado slips under a jab from Zaadha.
Maldonado chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Maldonado misses with an uppercut.
Maldonado displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Zaadha throws out the jab.
Maldonado moves out of range as Zaadha throws a body kick.
Maldonado with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Zaadha misses the body punch
and Maldonado counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Zaadha missing with a left hand there. Maldonado was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Maldonado swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Zaadha scoring well with a low kick there.
Maldonado looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Zaadha appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Maldonado gets cracked there but stands up to it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maldonado works Zaadha's body with a nice hook.
Zaadha looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Maldonado blocks a head kick by Zaadha.
Maldonado looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Maldonado throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Zaadha sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Zaadha misses with a looping left.
A nice side step and Maldonado releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Maldonado lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Zaadha on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Zaadha staying out of range there.
Zaadha appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Zaadha checks the leg kick nicely there.
Maldonado misses with an uppercut
and Zaadha counters with a low kick, right behind Maldonado 's knee.
Maldonado keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Zaadha uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Maldonado.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ralphie Maldonado.
Well Maldonado 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ralphie Maldonado!
In his post fight interview, Ralphie Maldonado started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.