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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Evgeniy Malkin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bartholomew Roach (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Malkin comes to the cage accompanied by The Heavy - How You Like Me Now?. Roach is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: The Simpsons Theme Song. Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!
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| 191 cm
28
210 lbs
21 - 8 - 3 |
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191 cm
29
212 lbs
20 - 4 - 1 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank |
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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 - 8 - 3, fighting out of Amsterdam, Evgeniy Malkin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
20 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Bartholomew Roach!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Frank Antenori and .
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Roach misses with a hook.
Roach looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Malkin throws a low kick but Roach moves out of range easily.
Roach lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Malkin misses with a takedown
and Roach counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Malkin scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Malkin just misses with a punch to the body.
Malkin on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Nice uppercut lands for Malkin. That snapped Roach's head back.
Malkin tests Roach's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Malkin slips under a jab from Roach.
Malkin tries to score with a low kick but Roach moves his leg out of the way.
It seemed like Roach was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Malkin scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Malkin takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Roach lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Malkin misses with a double jab.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Roach misses with a low kick as Malkin jumps back.
An inside leg kick lands from Roach.
A big left from Roach misses.
Malkin tries to counter with a takedown but Roach is quick to defend against it.
Malkin takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Decent striking displayed by Malkin there.
Malkin attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Roach lands a nice leg kick that just misses Malkin's sensitive parts.
Roach attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Roach tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Roach pivots, looking for a leg kick but Malkin is out of range and Roach settles back down.
Roach tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Malkin was well out of range. Poor timing from Roach.
Malkin feinted with a counter takedown.
Roach lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Roach throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Roach turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Roach works Malkin's body with a nice hook.
Nice shot lands for Malkin.
Roach throws a front kick aimed at Malkin's knee but Malkin avoids it well.
Malkin moves out of range of the body kick.
Malkin tries to counter with a takedown but Roach is quick to defend against it.
Malkin throws a low kick but it's checked well by Roach.
It seemed like Roach was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Bartholomew Roach is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nice straight punches there by Roach. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Roach.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Roach, right into the meat.
Roach throws a low kick but Malkin moves out of range easily.
A good leg kick by Roach.
Malkin throws a lazy body kick
and Roach counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Malkin throws a low kick but it's checked well by Roach.
Malkin tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A nice side step and Roach releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Malkin misses with a looping left.
Roach scores with a nice strike.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malkin misses with a body kick.
Roach let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Malkin is defended easily by Roach.
Malkin with a nice cross.
Roach rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Malkin moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Malkin looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Decent striking displayed by Malkin there.
Roach looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Roach throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Malkin half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Roach.
Roach lands a nice looking kick to the body. Malkin takes a step back to recover.
Roach thows a body kick. Malkin tries to catch it but that hurt him.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Roach throws a jab but it's blocked by Malkin.
Roach fails in his attempt to clinch.
Roach on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Roach checks a leg kick nicely.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Malkin avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Malkin throws a leg kick which misses Roach's front leg but catches the back leg as Roach tries to avoid it.
Roach throws a leg kick but Malkin moved away.
Roach throws a nice inside leg kick.
Malkin throws the left hand but Roach avoids the punch easily.
Roach changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Malkin thows a leg kick but Roach checks it
and Roach counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Good standup being displayed there by Malkin as he connects with a hook.
Malkin shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Roach sprawls well. Roach wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Malkin gets slowly back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Bartholomew Roach dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!
Roach defending well as Malkin loads up on a big left hand.
It seemed like Roach was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Bartholomew Roach seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Roach takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Roach checks a leg kick.
Malkin throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Malkin scores with a nice right hand.
Roach throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Malkin swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Malkin throws a nice head kick!
Malkin closes this distance looking for a takedown but Roach circles away.
Roach slips under a jab from Malkin.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A low kick from Malkin is predictable there
and Roach counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Roach has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Roach feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Malkin's calf.
Roach thumps Malkin with a low kick.
Malkin gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Roach.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Malkin looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Roach throws out a counter right but Malkin avoids it with no problem.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Roach fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Malkin does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Roach misses with a low kick as Malkin jumps back.
Malkin looks to throw a body kick
and Roach counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Roach is looking to slow Malkin down with leg kicks.
Malkin walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Roach checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Roach was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Roach walks into a jab.
Malkin keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Roach.
Roach moves out of range of the body kick from Malkin.
Roach doesn't manage to clinch there - Malkin circles away.
Malkin will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Roach feints a counter leg kick.
Roach moves away from the strike by Malkin.
Roach with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Malkin might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Malkin lands a nice looking body kick.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malkin tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Malkin keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Malkin loads up on a big right hand but Roach slips the punch.
Roach thuds a left hand into Malkin's body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Roach fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
An inside leg kick lands from Roach.
Roach avoids the head kick by Malkin.
Roach throws a low kick but Malkin moves out of range easily.
Some bone on bone action there as Malkin checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Malkin is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Roach's half guard.
Malkin is trying to control. Roach wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Roach is trying to control but can't.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malkin wants to take a breather but Roach is having none of it.
Malkin trying to mount his opponent but Roach defends it.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Malkin is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Roach!
Malkin looking to secure an arm triangle but Roach defends it well.
Malkin goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Roach turns into him and now he's in Malkin's guard.
Roach won't allow Malkin to sweep him here.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Malkin keeping moving, preventing Roach from controlling successfully.
Roach trying to stand up but can't free himself from Malkin's guard.
Malkin throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Malkin is trying to control the position from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close second round but I would say that Evgeniy Malkin will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!
Malkin throws a leg kick that misses.
A big left from Roach misses.
Roach scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Roach pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Roach fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Malkin manages to avoid it.
Malkin is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Roach shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
A slow jab from Roach misses its intended target.
Malkin goes for a double leg but Roach avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Roach continues to drive forward.
Roach tries a quick counter leg kick but Malkin is wise to it.
Malkin lands a nice looking body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Roach swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Malkin shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Roach does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Roach keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Roach looks for the body kick but Malkin saw that one coming.
Roach tries a low kick but Malkin avoids it.
Malkin looks for the body kick but Roach saw that one coming.
Roach on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Roach pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Malkin tries to counter with a takedown but Roach is quick to defend against it.
Malkin misses with a low kick.
Malkin takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Malkin keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Malkin misses with a kick to the body.
Roach with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Malkin checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Malkin appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Malkin misses with a low kick as Roach jumps back.
Malkin lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Roach at a distance.
Malkin fails with a takedown attempt.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
That kick from Roach tenderised Malkin's leg. Malkin is trying to keep his angry face on.
Malkin shoots in looking for a takedown but Roach manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Malkin's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Roach swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Evgeniy Malkin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Malkin avoids the head kick by Roach.
Malkin shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Roach as he jumps to the side.
Malkin throws a half hearted mid kick.
Malkin checks a leg kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Malkin blocks the body kick.
Nice cross by Malkin.
Roach misses with an uppercut.
Roach checks a low kick from Malkin.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malkin misses with a lunging right hand
and Roach counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Roach missing with a left hand there. Malkin was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Roach throws a body punch but Malkin moves out of range.
Malkin changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Malkin takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Malkin thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Roach if he has to take too many more of those.
Roach throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Roach defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Malkin.
Roach ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Malkin tries a head kick but it misses.
Despite the aggression on Roach's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Malkin throws a leg kick but Roach sees it coming and moves out of range.
Roach only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Roach misses with a kick to the body.
Malkin attempts a counter takedown but Roach avoids it well and moves away.
Malkin lands the left hand.
A bone on bone clash there as Roach blocks the leg kick.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Roach throws a leg kick that misses.
Malkin misses with a body kick.
Roach uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Malkin.
Malkin slips under a jab from Roach.
Malkin throws a front kick aimed at Roach's knee but Roach avoids it well.
Roach was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Malkin's legs have taken a beating and he's really slowing down as a result.
Roach keeps Malkin at a distance using the push kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Good work by Malkin as he checks the leg kick.
Malkin throws a half hearted mid kick.
Malkin misses with a series of wild punches.
Roach cracks Malkin with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Roach scores with a jab to the head.
Roach takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
And that's the end of the fight!
Bartholomew Roach comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Roach 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bartholomew Roach!
During a confident post fight interview, Bartholomew Roach thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
58% |
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