PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between John Howard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Khulet Malapitan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Howard
vs
Malapitan

178 cm
35
200 lbs
21 - 17 - 0

187 cm
27
210 lbs
11 - 13 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, John Howard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Khulet Malapitan!
The judges for this bout are Paulsen Ambrosius, Wagner Zegers and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Malapitan's jab looks to have found its range, popping Howard under the eye.
Howard looks to land a combination but Malapitan avoids it well.

Howard takes the fight into the clinch.
Howard scores with an uppercut up the middle.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Howard.
Malapitan tries to break the clinch but Howard is controlling the position.
Malapitan is trying to push Howard away but Howard has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.
Malapitan wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Howard has him pressed against the ropes.
Malapitan can't break the clinch.

Malapitan breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Malapitan throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Howard avoids a punch combination nicely.
Malapitan throws out a loose jab but Howard uses good head movement to avoid it.
Howard misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Malapitan.
Howard throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Malapitan defending well as Howard loads up on a big left hand.
Malapitan uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Howard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malapitan ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Howard moves away.
Howard misses with a double jab.
Howard jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Malapitan bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Malapitan keeps the fight on the outside.
Howard tries to close the distance and clinch up but Malapitan swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Malapitan bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Malapitan moves away from the strike by Howard.
Howard tests Malapitan's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Howard misses with an uppercut.
Howard looks to score with a jab to the body but Malapitan is just out of range.
Malapitan scores with a crisp jab that stopped Howard in his tracks.
Howard fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Howard misses with a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malapitan slips a jab from Howard.
Howard throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Malapitan keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Malapitan circles away from the clinch attempt.
Howard fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Malapitan manages to avoid it.
Howard throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Malapitan blocks a jab.
Malapitan connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Howard throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Howard tries to clinch but Malapitan moves out of range.
Howard swings for the body but Malapitan moves out of range.
Malapitan keeps the fight on the outside.
Howard is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Malapitan's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Howard swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Howard jabs at Malapitan's body.
Howard is looking to wear down Malapitan with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Malapitan lands a jab to Howard's midsection.
Malapitan takes a swing at Howard's ribcage but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Donk. Malapitan catches Howard right on the button with a cross.
Khulet Malapitan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Malapitan throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Howard on the side of the head.
Malapitan displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Howard thows a body shot but no joy.
Howard throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Howard moves out of range as Malapitan strikes.
Howard doesn't manage to clinch there - Malapitan circles away.
Howard with a nice cross.
Malapitan slips a straight right by Howard.
Howard throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A big right from Howard misses.
Howard swings for the body but Malapitan moves out of range.
Malapitan takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Malapitan connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Howard momentarily.
Malapitan lands a jab to Howard's midsection.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice shot by Malapitan.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Howard just misses with a punch to the body.
Malapitan uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Howard.
Howard is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Howard fails in his attempt to clinch.
Malapitan looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Howard takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Howard looks to throw the jab but Malapitan is out of range.
Malapitan throws a low kick, looking for Howard's leg but Howard calmly moves out of range.
Malapitan fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Howard on the side of the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A cross from Malapitan lands.
Malapitan has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Howard ducks under a wild hook from Malapitan.
Malapitan throws a good cross that connects.
Malapitan throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that John Howard will probably get the nod.
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.

Malapitan throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Howard counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Howard here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Howard fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Malapitan manages to avoid it.
Malapitan scores with a shot to the body.
Malapitan digs a good body shot into Howard's ribs.
Howard misses with a shot to the body
and Malapitan counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Howard fails in his attempt to clinch.
Malapitan walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Howard checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Malapitan looks to land a right hand but Howard moved out of range.
Malapitan feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Howards jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Howard misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Howard gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Malapitan.
The fighters circling - Malapitan throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Howard with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Malapitan to score with a decent uppercut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Malapitan finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Howard misses with an uppercut. Malapitan saw that one coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Howard tries to close the distance and clinch but Malapitan swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Howard scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Howard moves in looking to clinch but Malapitan pushes him off.
Malapitan looks to land a left hand but Howard moved out of range nicely.
Malapitan throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Malapitan scores with a punch to the head.
Howard tries to clinch up.
Howard fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Malapitan manages to avoid it.
Howard throws a looping overhand right but Malapitan ducks down to avoid it.
Malapitan ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Howard sizes up Malapitan with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Howard takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Howard throws a jab when Malapitan was well out of range.
Malapitan shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Howard eats them both and turns towards Malapitan to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Howard loads up on a big right hand but Malapitan slips the punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malapitan gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Howard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Howard avoids the body shot from Malapitan.
A looping hook to the body misses from Howard. Malapitan does a little dance to reset his feet.
Malapitan scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Malapitan fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Howard manages to avoid it.
Howard showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Malapitan.

Howard forces Malapitan back against the ropes and clinches.
Howard misses with a hook to the ribs.
Howard lands a right hand that snaps the head of Malapitan backwards.
A left hand lands to the body for Howard.
Howard is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Malapitan is keeping busy.
Malapitan has Howard pressed against the ropes, preventing Howard from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Howard wants to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Malapitan pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Malapitan lands with a nice body punch.
Howard keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nice jab there from Malapitan.
Howard showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Malapitan.
Howard tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Malapitan was well out of range. Poor timing from Howard.
Malapitan thuds his right hand into Howard's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Malapitan throws a body punch but Howard moves out of range.
Malapitan shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Howard eats them both and turns towards Malapitan to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Malapitan avoids the body shot from Howard.
Howard moves out of range of the body kick.
Khulet Malapitan is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Howard keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Howard on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Malapitan throws a series of punches but Howard moves out of range.
Malapitan works over Howard's head and body with a nice combination.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Howard swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Howard darts in and clinches Malapitan up against the ropes.
Malapitan blocks a body shot from Howard.
Malapitan has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Howard lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Malapitan or not.

Malapitan manages to break the clinch.
Malapitan steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Howard.

Howard fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Malapitan, pushing him back against the ropes.
Howard tries to break the clinch but Malapitan is controlling the position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Howard misses with a hook to the ribs.

Malapitan breaks from the clinch.
Howard thows a body shot but no joy.
Howard avoids a punch combination nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Khulet Malapitan will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Malapitan connects with a jab.
Howard takes one to the side of the head.
Sloppy strikes from Howard. Those never looked like landing.
Howard bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Malapitan's head backwards.
Howard lands a right hook to the body.
Malapitan lands a glancing blow to the side of Howard's head.
Howard throws a looping overhand right but Malapitan ducks down to avoid it.
Malapitan takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Howard looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Malapitan lands a really nice looking cross but Howard seems unphased.
Malapitan swats away the attempt to clinch by Howard.
Howard checks a leg kick.
Howard throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Malapitan sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Malapitan blocks a jab.
Khulet Malapitan seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Howard tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in the close the distance. Malapitan manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Malapitan avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Howard takes a swing at Malapitan's ribcage but misses.
Howard misses the shot to the body.
Malapitan wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Howard misses with a series of wild punches.
Howard lands a right hook to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Howard. Malapitan does a little dance to reset his feet.
Malapitan swats away the attempt to clinch by Howard.
Malapitan moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Howard misses with a straight right.
Howard checks the leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Howard throws a looping overhand right but Malapitan ducks down to avoid it.
Malapitan throws a nice looking combination but Howard bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Malapitan walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Malapitan getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Howard tries to clinch but Malapitan moves out of range.
Malapitan throws a low kick, looking for Howard's leg but Howard calmly moves out of range.
Malapitan fails to land with a series of punches.
Malapitan takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Malapitan digs a good body shot into Howard's ribs.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Howard tries to clinch up but Malapitan circles away and keeps his distance.
Howard tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Malapitan was well out of range. Poor timing from Howard.
Malapitan throws a right and a left that Howard avoids nicely.
Malapitan misses with a series of wild punches.
Howard is looking to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Howard gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Howard lands a jab to Malapitan's midsection.
Malapitan fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Howard looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Howard looks to score with a jab to the body but Malapitan is just out of range.
Howard fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Malapitan manages to avoid it.
Malapitan has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Howard thows a body shot but no joy.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Howard slips a jab and a cross from Malapitan.
Malapitan cracks Howard with a right hand to the side of the head.
Malapitan lands with an uppercut that bounces Howard off the ropes and back into range.
Howard tries to clinch up.
A lazy left from Howard finds it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Malapitan moves out of range of the strikes.
Malapitan thows a body shot but no joy.
Howard on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Howard is looking to clinch but Malapitan is avoiding it.
Malapitan will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Malapitan avoids the body shot from Howard.
Howard throws a lazy right hand but Malapitan sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Howard misses with a body punch
and Malapitan counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Howard thinking.
Malapitan throws out a powerful jab.
Malapitan cracks Howard with a good jab.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Howard looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Malapitan throws a nice looking combination but Howard bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Malapitan getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Howard checks a low kick from Malapitan.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Khulet Malapitan.
I think Malapitan has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 28:29
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 28:29
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Khulet Malapitan!
Khulet Malapitan bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.