PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Pantero Athrox (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Raje Malapitan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Athrox
vs
Malapitan

180 cm
31
166 lbs
17 - 20 - 1

168 cm
29
130 lbs
8 - 10 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Very quick

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 20 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Pantero Athrox!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Raje Malapitan!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Athrox shoots in for a takedown but Malapitan shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Malapitan gets a takedown into half guard.
Malapitan seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Athrox does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Malapitan seems to be looking for submissions.

Malapitan is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Athrox gets full guard.
Athrox keeping moving, preventing Malapitan from controlling successfully.
Malapitan must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Athrox looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Athrox has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Malapitan can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Malapitan throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Athrox is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Athrox working for a triangle but Malapitan defends it easily.
Athrox will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Malapitan throws a big right hand that misses.

Athrox working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Malapitan doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Malapitan manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Malapitan trying to control but Athrox is working from the bottom.

Athrox has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Malapitan can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Malapitan wants to control from the top but Athrox keeps moving.

Athrox had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Malapitan defends it easily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Malapitan trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Athrox has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Malapitan can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Malapitan postures up and lands a big shot to Athrox's brow.
Malapitan postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Athrox had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Malapitan defends it easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Athrox had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Malapitan defends it easily.

Malapitan stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Athrox slips a jab and a cross from Malapitan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malapitan throws a right and a left that both miss.
Malapitan lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Athrox circles away quickly and effectively.

Malapitan closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Athrox to the mat! Athrox manages to get full guard.

Athrox throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Malapitan trying to control but Athrox is working from the bottom.
Malapitan is looking to work some ground and pound but Athrox has wrist control.
Malapitan postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Athrox looking to hit a scissor sweep but Malapitan is one step ahead there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Athrox throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Athrox working for a triangle but Malapitan defends it easily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Malapitan avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Malapitan with a nice head shot there.

Athrox escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Malapitan gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Athrox throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Athrox is breathing heavily.
Athrox keeping moving, preventing Malapitan from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pantero Athrox dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Malapitan scores with a takedown into Athrox's guard.
Malapitan advances to half guard.
Athrox taking some punishment here, with Malapitan in his half guard.
Athrox is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Malapitan scores with a couple of nice shots.
Malapitan wants to control but Athrox is keeping him busy.
Athrox is pressing down on Malapitan's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Athrox avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Malapitan trying to control the position from guard on top but Athrox is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Malapitan has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Athrox is proving hard to escape from.

Athrox looking to try and escape his hips here, looking for a submission. It looks like he's going for a triangle but Malapitan is defending well. Athrox quickly switches to an armbar and extends the arm! Malapitan has no choice but to tap, to a very quick submission! Wow, that was lightning fast! Athrox celebrates on the cage, with the crowd.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:57 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Pantero Athrox!
Pantero Athrox is the new lightweight champion!
Pantero Athrox made sure to mention his sponsor, Popeye’s Spinach - 159 + 158 Proof Supps in his post fight interview.