PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Dirk Zeldenthuis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Malham (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Malham comes into a darkened arena with his song building. John's Walkout kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Zeldenthuis
vs
Malham

172 cm
33
180 lbs
29 - 10 - 0

195 cm
32
183 lbs
22 - 14 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

TWGC Champion
World class MT
Good gas tank

Project Mayhem
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Fight Night Nutrition

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 29 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Dirk Zeldenthuis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, John Malham!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zeldenthuis misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Malham.
Nice defenses there by Zeldenthuis.
A low kick from Zeldenthuis misses

and Malham counters with a single leg into guard. Zeldenthuis didn't expect that.
Malham must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Malham throwing strikes but missing.
Malham throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Zeldenthuis works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Malham trying to control the position from guard on top but Zeldenthuis is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Malham got a little sloppy there for a moment and Zeldenthuis has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Malham has managed to get both his arms back between Zeldenthuis's legs - danger averted.
Zeldenthuis is trying to control the position but Malham postures up.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Malham throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Malham is in close to Zeldenthuis's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Zeldenthuis avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zeldenthuis working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Malham.
Zeldenthuis working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Malham.
Malham looking to pass the guard.
Zeldenthuis working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Malham.
Zeldenthuis is trying to control the position but Malham postures up.
Zeldenthuis looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Malham wants to control from the top but Zeldenthuis keeps moving.
Malham stopping the sweep attempt from Zeldenthuis.
Zeldenthuis lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Malham!
Malham is looking to improve his position but Zeldenthuis isn't that keen on the idea.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malham wants to control but Zeldenthuis is having none of it.
Malham is trying desperately to improve position.

Zeldenthuis has hold of Malham's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Malham manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Malham is wriggling around trying to escape.
Malham is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Malham keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malham wants to control but Zeldenthuis is having none of it.

Zeldenthuis with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Zeldenthuis with the ground and pound from mount.
Zeldenthuis with good strikes from the mount here!

Malham is rocked!
Malham is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Zeldenthuis lands a couple of good shots and Malham has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Malham is still in real trouble! Can Zeldenthuis finish him?
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Malham turns into Zeldenthuis and is now in his guard.
Malham cracks Zeldenthuis with a solid left hand.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Malham throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Malham seems to have recovered his senses.
Malham looking to pass the guard.
Malham throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Malham stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Zeldenthuis swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Zeldenthuis has his foot on Malham's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Malham works his way back into a safe position though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Malham is looking to pass into half guard but Zeldenthuis pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Zeldenthuis is in guard.
Zeldenthuis in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Malham is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Malham looking to control.
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 Dirk Zeldenthuis will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

That kick from Zeldenthuis tenderised Malham's leg. Malham is trying to keep his angry face on.
Malham slips under a jab.
Malham throws a shot from downtown. Zeldenthuis moves away and avoids it.
Zeldenthuis fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Malham manages to avoid it.
Malham lands a lovely overhand right.
Malham uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Zeldenthuis.
A nice leg kick lands there from Malham.
Malham has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Zeldenthuis.
Malham takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Good leg kick by Malham there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Malham misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Zeldenthuis.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zeldenthuis lands a nice shot to the body.
Malham on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Zeldenthuis avoids the head kick by Malham.
Malham lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Malham throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Zeldenthuis's corner calls for a 1-2. Zeldenthuis obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Malham misses the shot to the body.
Malham blocks a jab.
Malham bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Zeldenthuis's head backwards.
Malham throws out a powerful jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malham ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Zeldenthuis moves away.
A looping hook to the body misses from Zeldenthuis. Malham does a little dance to reset his feet.
Malham scores with a hook to the body. Zeldenthuis takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Malham misses with an attempted mid kick.
Zeldenthuis swats away the attempt to clinch by Malham.
Zeldenthuis punishes Malham's body with a nice straight punch.
Malham throws a head kick but Zeldenthuis moves out of range.
Zeldenthuis swinging wildly here.
Malham throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malham tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Malham cracks Zeldenthuis with a good jab.
Malham misses with a double jab.
Malham ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Zeldenthuis throws an overhand right that lands on Malham's shoulder, as Malham tries to avoid the shot.
Zeldenthuis takes a jab right on the kisser.
John Malham seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A left and a right from Malham both land. Nice combination.
Malham throws a leg kick which misses Zeldenthuis's front leg but catches the back leg as Zeldenthuis tries to avoid it.
Zeldenthuis misses with a wild body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Malham wants to clinch

and Zeldenthuis counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Malham wants to get back to full guard but Zeldenthuis has passed into side control.
Zeldenthuis connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Malham some visible discomfort.
Malham is looking to reverse the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zeldenthuis misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Malham is looking to regain half guard here but Zeldenthuis keeps moving and retains side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Malham showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Malham connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Malham keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Malham misses with an uppercut. Zeldenthuis saw that one coming.
Malham is looking to slow Zeldenthuis down with leg kicks.
Malham avoids the body shot from Zeldenthuis.
Malham misses with a kick to the body.
Malham swings away with a leg kick that misses.
A big left from Malham misses.
Malham scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Malham is looking to clinch but Zeldenthuis is avoiding it.
Zeldenthuis is looking to wear down Malham with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malham goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Malham scores with a kick to the midsection.
Malham clobbers Zeldenthuis with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Malham lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Zeldenthuis misses with a right hand

and Malham decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Zeldenthuis's guard.
Malham trying to control the position from guard on top but Zeldenthuis is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Malham throws an elbow that misses. Zeldenthuis uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Malham's guard. Nice move by Zeldenthuis!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Malham has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Zeldenthuis is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Malham.
John Malham has got the better of the ground game so far.
Zeldenthuis working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malham is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Malham is trying to get back to full guard.
Malham wants to control but Zeldenthuis is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Malham tries to get to full guard but Zeldenthuis has control of the leg.
Malham makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Malham.
Zeldenthuis missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Zeldenthuis trying to control the position from guard on top but Malham is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zeldenthuis passes easily into side control. Nice work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Malham gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Zeldenthuis passes to side control.
Zeldenthuis looks up at the clock and then as Malham takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Zeldenthuis smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!

Zeldenthuis goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Malham has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Zeldenthuis but great work by Malham.
Zeldenthuis tries to improve position but can't.
Malham working the head with strikes.
Zeldenthuis takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Malham in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Zeldenthuis might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Malham in side control, throwing shots but Zeldenthuis defends.
Malham working the body and head with strikes.
Zeldenthuis is trying to improve his position.
Zeldenthuis manages to get back to half guard.
Zeldenthuis makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Zeldenthuis.

Malham sitting in guard doing not very much at all here. Zeldenthuis doesn't need a second invitation though! He's locked up a guillotine and he's squeezing tight! That is tiiiiiiiiight! Malham paying the price for stalling here - he's pushing hard on the arm trying to free himself but it's no use! He's tapped! WOW, quick submission from Zeldenthuis - great work!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Dirk Zeldenthuis!
Dirk Zeldenthuis decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.