PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Don Slice (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steve Sampson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Slice's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Welcome to the Jungle. Steve Sampson has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Don Slice's chin.

Slice
vs
Sampson

185 cm
26
195 lbs
11 - 7 - 0

175 cm
26
185 lbs
10 - 6 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Knockout power

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 11 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Don Slice!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Steve Sampson!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, John Mangel and Summer Carpenter.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Slice fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Slice throws a right and a left that Sampson avoids nicely.
Slice throws a right and a left that Sampson avoids nicely.
Sampson misses with an uppercut.
A combination from Slice does no damage.
Slice lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Sampson circles away quickly and effectively.
Slice connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
A combination from Slice does no damage.
Slice misses with a hook.

Slice closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Sampson is looking for a sweep.
Slice throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Slice postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.

Slice tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Slice has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Slice wants to stand but Sampson is controlling his arm.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Slice stands up.
Slice scores with a jab to the head.
Slice bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Slice throws a right hand that Sampson ducks under and follows up with a left that Sampson also avoids with ease.
Slice throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Slice throws a lazy right hand but Sampson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Sampson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Slice looks to land a combination but Sampson avoids it well.
Slice fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Sampson slips a jab and a cross from Slice.
Slice rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sampson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sampson walks into a jab.
Sampson dodges the punch combination from Slice.
Slice tries to bum rush Sampson with a series of wild strikes but Sampson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Sampson gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Slice slaps away a takedown attempt from Sampson, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Don Slice is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sampson moves out of range of the body kick.
Slice is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Slice throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Sampson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Slice.
Sampson misses with a hook.
Slice checks the leg kick.
Horrible takedown by Sampson or perhaps it was just good defense by Slice which made him look bad.
Slice fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
The fight stays on the outside here - Sampson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sampson needs to keep his hands up - Slice had a free shot at his head there.
Slice uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Slice misses with a double jab.
Sampson takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Slice displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Slice swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Sampson.
Slice ducks under a wild hook from Sampson.
Slice misses with a few strikes there.
Slice fails to land with a series of punches.
Slice dodges the punch combination from Sampson.
Sampson has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Slice finds it's way round the side to connect with Sampson's head.
Sampson dodges the punch combination from Slice.
Slice connects with a right hand. Sampson shakes it off.
Don Slice seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sampson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Slice misses with a few strikes there.
A cross from Slice lands.
Slice lands with a thumping leg kick.
Some wild striking there from Slice.
Slice is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Slice misses with a combination
and Sampson counters with an outside leg kick.
A left and a right from Slice both land. Nice combination.
Slice goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Sampson takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Sampson slips a straight right by Slice.
Sampson throws a nice looking combination but Slice bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Slice lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Sampson circles away quickly and effectively.
Sampson on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Slice slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Don Slice dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Slice throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Slice swinging wildly here.
Slice misses with a two punch combination.
Slice throws a head kick that misses
and Sampson counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Slice fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Left hook, right uppercut from Slice.
Slice throws a left and a right that both miss

and Sampson counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Slice is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Slice manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Slice throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Sampson is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Slice unloading with bombs!
Sampson is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Slice misses with a head shot.
Slice misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Sampson is desperately trying to improve his position but Slice has a good base and remains in mount.
Slice avoids the attempt from Sampson to control.
Sampson is working to get back to half guard.

Slice moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Sampson has worked his arm free - good work by Sampson!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sampson takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Sampson is looking to regain half guard here but Slice keeps moving and retains side control.
Slice has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Slice working the strikes but Sampson uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Slice misses with a head shot. Sampson uses the momentum to regain guard.
Slice wants to get up but he can't break Sampson's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Slice wants to stand and escape but instead Sampson has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Slice wants to get back to his feet but Sampson is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Sampson forces his way into half guard.
Slice pushes Sampson off but Sampson dives into side control.
Sampson trying to control the action but Slice is working from the bottom.
Slice is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Sampson has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Sampson is looking to take a break and control but Slice is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Slice tries to buck Sampson off but Sampson is having none of it.
Sampson trying to control the action but Slice is working from the bottom.
Slice is trying to buck Sampson off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Sampson stands up.
Sampson slips a straight right by Slice.
Sampson looks to score with a jab to the body but Slice is just out of range.
Slice misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Sampson uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Slice.
Slice misses with a two punch combination.
Sampson moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Sampson shoots in looking for a takedown. Slice tries to sprawl out of it but Sampson keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Slice manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Slice swinging wildly here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Sampson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Slice throws a head kick that misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Slice lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Sampson takes a swing at Slice's ribcage but misses.
A swing and a miss from Slice.
Sampson throws a half hearted mid kick.
Slice uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sampson.
Sampson defending well as Slice loads up on a big left hand.
A right-left combo lands from Slice.
A shot to de liver by Slice. Beautiful body shot.
Don Slice is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sampson takes one on the button.
Slice swinging wildly here.
Slice thows a body kick. Sampson tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Slice scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Slice throws a right and a left that Sampson avoids nicely.
Sampson fails with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Slice connects with a looping right hand.
Slice throws a left and a right that both miss

and Sampson counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Slice!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Sampson cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Slice is looking to improve his position but Sampson isn't that keen on the idea.
Slice is working hard here to advance position.
Steve Sampson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Sampson has control of Slice's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Slice regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Slice is wriggling around trying to escape.
Slice wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sampson unloading with bombs!
Sampson manages to capitalize on a mistake by Slice to take his back!
Slice trying to get back to his feet but Sampson is in full control for now.
Slice is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Sampson.
Slice manages to reverse the position and now he's in Sampson's guard. Nice work there by Slice.
Slice trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Sampson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Slice wanted to stand there but Sampson had control of the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Slice wants to stand and escape but instead Sampson has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sampson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Sampson landing with the ground and pound.

Slice looking for a guillotine here but Sampson defends easily.
Sampson trying to control the position from guard on top but Slice is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Some bone on bone action there as Slice checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Slice misses with an uppercut.
A slow jab from Sampson misses its intended target.
Sampson moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Sampson tries to clinch but Slice moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Slice misses with a double jab

and Sampson counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Slice's guard now.
Slice keeping moving, preventing Sampson from controlling successfully.
Sampson is looking to work some ground and pound but Slice has wrist control.
Slice wants to get back to his feet but Sampson is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Sampson drops back looking for a leg! Slice is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Slice manages to kick Sampson off! Sampson jumps back into Slice's guard.
Sampson wants to control from the top but Slice keeps moving.

Slice is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Sampson defends well.
Slice being controlled here, momentarily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Sampson really dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Sampson slips a jab from Slice.
Slice misses with a double jab.
Don Slice is winning the standup battle so far.
Slice throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Sampson counters with a nice kick to the body.
Sampson blocks a leg kick.
Sampson moves out of range as Slice strikes.
Good work by Slice as he checks the leg kick.
Sampson scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Sampson slips a jab and a cross from Slice.
Slice misses with a few strikes there.
Sampson closes the distance and clinches up with Slice, looking for a takedown. Sampson pushes Slice against the cage but Slice circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Slice misses with an uppercut. Sampson saw that one coming.
Sampson avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Slice lands with a hook. Sampson tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Slice throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Sampson counters with a leg kick.
Sampson doesn't manage to clinch there - Slice circles away.
Slice throws a right and a left that Sampson avoids nicely.
Nice sprawl there from Slice as Sampson shoots in.
Sampson slips a jab and a cross from Slice.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Slice.
A telegraphed right hand from Slice misses the target.
Sampson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Sampson has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Slice uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sampson.
Sampson throws a looping overhand right but Slice ducks down to avoid it.
Slice rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sampson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Slice falls off balance throwing a combination

and Sampson counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Sampson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Slice swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sampson wants to control from the top but Slice keeps moving.

Slice pushes Sampson off and scrambles back to his feet.
Sampson takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Slice swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Sampson counters with a nice low kick that buckles Slice's knee momentarily.
Slice is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Slice throws a looping overhand right but Sampson ducks down to avoid it.
Slice throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Sampson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Slice lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Slice misses with a combination
and Sampson counters with a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Slice throws a jab when Sampson was well out of range.
Sampson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Slice.
Slice lands with a nice combination. Sampson backs away looking to recover.
Slice fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Slice uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Sampson.

Sampson rushes Slice and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Sampson is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Slice is keeping busy.
Slice tries to break the clinch but Sampson is controlling the position.
Slice working hard to break the clinch.
Slice lands a left hand.
Sampson has Slice pushed against the cage.
Slice is looking to break free of the clinch but Sampson has double underhooks.
Slice tries to break free but Sampson pushes him back against the cage.
A short body shot lands from Sampson as the two fighters clinch.
Slice working hard to break the clinch.
Sampson has Slice pressed against the cage, preventing Slice from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Sampson landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Slice blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A knee to the head by Sampson.
A bit of stalling here from Sampson.
Sampson tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Don Slice has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steve Sampson.
Slice lands with a short shot to the head.
Knees to the body from Sampson.
Sampson lands a knee to the head.
Sampson trying to stall but Slice improves his position.
Sampson is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Slice tries to break free but Sampson pushes him back against the cage.
Slice fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Sampson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Slice misses with a combination

and Sampson counters with a takedown into side control.
Sampson wants to control but Slice is keeping him busy.

Sampson wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Slice, who protects the arm well.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Slice is pushing Sampson's head away, looking to escape. Sampson manages to hold on to the position though.
Slice is trying to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Sampson dominated that fourth round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Sampson throws a leg kick which misses Slice's front leg but catches the back leg as Slice tries to avoid it.
Slice cracks Sampson with an open hand slap.
Slice falls off balance throwing a combination
and Sampson makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Slice misses with a combination

and Sampson counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Slice's guard now.
Slice wants to get back to his feet but Sampson passes into half guard.
Sampson scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Sampson is controlling the pace.

Slice actively working from the bottom here.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sampson controlling the pace.
Sampson is trying to control. Slice wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Slice regains full guard. Nicely done.
Sampson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Sampson throwing strikes but missing.
Slice keeping moving, preventing Sampson from controlling successfully.
Slice tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Sampson is stalling in the full guard.

Slice has his feet on Sampson's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Slice keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Don Slice has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lazy body kick from Slice

and Sampson counters by clinching up.

Slice escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Slice misses with a double jab

and Sampson counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Slice actively working from the bottom here.
Sampson seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Slice does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Slice is pressing down on Sampson's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Sampson stopping the sweep attempt from Slice.
Sampson prevents Slice from getting back to his feet.
Sampson trying to control but Slice is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Sampson clinches with his opponent.
Sampson looking to slow down the pace here.

Sampson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Sampson gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Slice throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Sampson counters with a solid body kick.
Slice misses with a jab, cross combination.
Sampson on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Sampson tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Slice is able to avoid easily.
Slice throws a series of punches but Sampson moves out of range.
Slice lands an overhand right.
Slice throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Steve Sampson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four 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.
Slice throws a left and a right that both miss

and Sampson moves into the clinch.
Slice lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Sampson lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Sampson wants a takedown but no success here.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Slice is trying to force a seperation but Sampson has the dominant position.

Slice pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Slice throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Sampson on the side of the head.
Slice fails to land with a series of punches.
Slice cracks Sampson with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Slice cracks Sampson with an open hand slap.
Sampson avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Left hook, right uppercut from Slice.

And that's the end of the fight!
Steve Sampson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Sampson 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 46:49
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 46:49
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Steve Sampson!
Steve Sampson is the new middleweight champion!