PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Johnny Slater (ranked 1362 p4p, 1196 weight class) and Finlay Standifer (ranked 191 p4p, 173 weight class). Johnny Slater has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Slater
vs
Standifer

183 cm
28
161
10 - 6 - 0

172 cm
21
160
7 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Johnny Slater!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Finlay Standifer!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Viktor Lagutenko and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Standifer connects with a nice looking jab.
Standifer dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A big left from Standifer misses.
Slater quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Standifer fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Slater avoids it really well and circles away.
Slater drops his hands momentarily and Standifer takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
We've been hearing reports that Slater has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Standifer throws out a powerful jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Slater keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Slater swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Standifer has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.

Standifer drives through with a takedown into Slater's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Slater is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Standifer tries to free his leg and advance position but Slater is retaining full guard.
Standifer preventing the sweep.
Standifer passes Slater's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Slater is doing well to control the position and prevent Standifer from advancing to side control.

Standifer is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Slater sees it coming and defends easily.
Slater wants to control but Standifer is keeping busy.
Slater is controlling Standifer's trapped leg to prevent Standifer from advancing to side control.
Slater trying to hold on to Standifer's head to control him but Standifer postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Standifer scores with a hook to the body. Slater takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Slater takes one to the chin there.
Slater tries to move into range but Standifer moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Standifer connects with a good right hand that stumbles Slater. Slater circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
A cross from Standifer lands.
Decent striking displayed by Standifer there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Standifer scores with a jab. Slater acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Standifer thows a left - swing and a miss!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Standifer.
Standifer swings for the body but Slater moves out of range.
Standifer connects with a body shot that sends Slater's belly button to the back.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Standifer fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Slater manages to avoid it.
It looked like Slater wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Standifer connects with a body shot that sends Slater's belly button to the back.
Standifer is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Finlay Standifer 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.

A lazy left from Standifer finds it's target.
Standifer ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

Standifer dives in and scores a takedown into Slater's guard.
Slater is looking to sweep but instead, Standifer has passed into half guard.
Slater trying to control here.
Slater is looking for a sweep. Standifer is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Standifer has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Standifer seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Slater tries to get to full guard but Standifer has control of the leg.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Standifer slows the pace down in half guard.
Standifer is trying to control the action in half guard but Slater is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Still in half guard, Standifer seems content to control.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Slater takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Standifer lands a body shot.
Standifer is trying hard to land a takedown here. Slater sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Slater feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Standifer fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Standifer misses with a left hand

and Slater counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Slater.
Standifer trying to keep a closed guard but Slater is proving a slippery customer.
Slater chips away with some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Slater postures up and lands a big shot to Standifer's brow.
Standifer keeping full guard, as Slater tries to pass.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Standifer holds on and takes a little breather.
Slater is working Standifer over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Finlay Standifer has got the better of the ground game so far.
Slater trying to control the position from guard on top but Standifer is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Standifer keeping full guard, as Slater tries to pass.
Standifer not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Slater landing some decent shots from guard.

Standifer has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Slater can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Slater is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Standifer has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Slater can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Standifer is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Standifer is controlling Slater's posture.
Slater cracks Standifer with a solid left hand.
Standifer is controlling Slater's posture.
Slater lands a couple of elbows.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Standifer preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Standifer manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Slater manages to get himself to full guard.

Slater keeping moving, preventing Standifer from controlling successfully.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Finlay Standifer showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Standifer works Slater's body with a nice hook.
The crowd cheers as Standifer lands an impressive looking overhand right. Slater doesn't seem phased though.
Standifer lands a nice shot to the body.
Standifer connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Finlay Standifer seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Jab, jab by Standifer - just one landing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Slater on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Standifer ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Slater takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Slater moves forwards but Standifer connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Standifer lands a body shot.
Finlay Standifer seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd cheers as Standifer lands an impressive looking overhand right. Slater doesn't seem phased though.
Standifer lands a nice looking body shot.
Standifer connects with a body shot.
Standifer closes the distance and clinches up with Slater, looking for a takedown. Standifer pushes Slater against the cage but Slater circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Slater thinks about countering with a head kick.
Standifer thuds a left hand into Slater's body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Standifer cracks Slater with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
The fighters circling - Standifer throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Standifer looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Slater is fending him off so far but Standifer persists. Nope, Slater circles away and we're back to standing.
Slater throwing a counter right hand but Standifer manages to avoid it.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Standifer shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Slater is looking to improve his position.
Slater is working hard here to advance position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Still in half guard, Standifer seems content to control.
Slater is trying to maintain the position but Standifer is very close to passing his half guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Slater avoids the body shot from Standifer.
Slater drops down looking for a counter takedown but Standifer sprawls and moves away.
Standifer throws a good cross that connects.
Standifer jabs at Slater's body.
Finlay Standifer is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Standifer lands with a nice body punch.
Standifer lands a right hook to the body.
Standifer misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Slater.
Slater is looking to counter with a shot to the body.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Slater enables Standifer to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Slater manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

And that's the end of the fight!
Finlay Standifer comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Standifer 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 Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 25:30
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 25:30
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Finlay Standifer!