PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Eric Strider (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and raizo the mantis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Strider comes to the cage accompanied by Neurosonic - Until I die. 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.

Strider
vs
the mantis

180 cm
23
183 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

188 cm
18
184 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent elbows
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

{GTI} - HGH Nutrients
THE STEEL PENN NUTRITION

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Eric Strider!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, raizo the mantis!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Alec Ball and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A slapping leg kick lands for Strider.
the mantis lands the left hand.
A low kick from the mantis misses
and Strider cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
the mantis lands with a kick to the temple. Strider shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
the mantis fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Strider manages to avoid it.
the mantis cracks the inside of Strider's front leg.
the mantis throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Strider counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
the mantis misses with a leg kick
and Strider counters with a stiff right hand.
the mantis fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Strider avoids it really well and circles away.
the mantis falls off balance throwing a combination
and Strider counters with a nice uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
the mantis keeps the fight on the outside.
the mantis shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Strider misses with a leg kick
and the mantis counters with a lovely shot to the body.
raizo the mantis seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
the mantis shoots and misses
and Strider counters with a left to the body.
Eric Strider has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of raizo the mantis.
the mantis with a lazy takedown attempt
and Strider counters with a thumping low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A slapping leg kick lands for the mantis.
Strider tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Strider avoids the head kick by the mantis.
the mantis avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
the mantis avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
the mantis with a poor takedown
and Strider counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
the mantis with a poor takedown
and Strider counters with a right hand to the body.
the mantis looks gassed!
Strider throws a shot from downtown. the mantis moves away and avoids it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Strider darts in and clinches the mantis up against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eric Strider dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

the mantis swinging wildly here.
the mantis fails with the takedown.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
the mantis fails with the takedown
and Strider counters with a right hand to the body.
Eric Strider is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strider wants to clinch
and the mantis counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
the mantis avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
the mantis swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
the mantis is trying desperately to land a takedown but Strider is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for the mantis.
Strider moves in looking to clinch but the mantis pushes him off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Strider blocks a jab.
the mantis takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Strider misses with a double jab

and the mantis decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Strider's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
the mantis trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Strider wants to stand up but the mantis is controlling him.
the mantis landing some decent shots from guard.
the mantis passes easily into side control. Nice work.

the mantis has hold of Strider's arm. He's looking for a kimura. Strider seems comfortable defending it but the mantis has shifted his position slighty and is cranking on the arm! Strider is real pain and he's forced to tap out! Strider is disgusted with himself for not defending it better but the mantis couldn't care less - he's delighted!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:35 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). raizo the mantis!
raizo the mantis is the new middleweight champion!