PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Cassius Slay (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nino Cabreros (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Slay's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Wu-Tang Clan - Triumph. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Nino Cabreros was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Slay
vs
Cabreros

180 cm
26
161 lbs
10 - 2 - 1

168 cm
21
158 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Cassius Slay!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Nino Cabreros!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Ian Loll and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cabreros keeps the fight on the outside.
Slay stuffs the takedown attempt from Cabreros. Cabreros gets slowly back to his feet.
Slay gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Cabreros.
Cabreros scores with a jab.
Slay catches Cabreros with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Cabreros walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Slay checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Slay waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Cabreros.

Cabreros shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Cabreros avoids the attempt from Slay to control.
Slay is trying to escape the mount.
Cabreros throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Slay is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Cabreros throwing strikes here but Slay is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Cabreros controlling from the full mount.
Slay wants to hold on but Cabreros pushes him away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cabreros with shots to the head and body - Slay looks very uncomfortable down there.
Cabreros looking to control and managing it successfully.
Slay blocking the ground and pound.
Cabreros looking to control and managing it successfully.
Cabreros unloading with bombs!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cabreros controlling from mount.
Cabreros throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Slay gets back to half guard.
Cabreros is looking to take a break and control but Slay is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Cabreros is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Cabreros throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Slay is not content to let Cabreros control the position.
Cabreros throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cabreros thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Slay's head.
Cabreros missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Cabreros is figuring out what he wants to do next.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Cabreros will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Slay takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Cassius Slay is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Slay fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Cabreros dives in and grabs Slay's left leg, looking for a takedown. Slay pushes down on Cabreros's head and hops out.
Slay blocks a jab.
Cabreros tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Slay was well out of range. Poor timing from Cabreros.
Nino Cabreros seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Slay takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Cabreros misses with a straight right.
Cabreros tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Slay was well out of range. Poor timing from Cabreros.
Slay lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

Cabreros feints and as Slay raises his hands in defense, Cabreros changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Cabreros preventing the sweep.
Cabreros wants to control from the top but Slay keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cabreros looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Slay will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Slay looking to hit a scissor sweep but Cabreros is one step ahead there.
Slay is trying to keep Cabreros in close.
Cabreros has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Cabreros pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Slay is keeping the position for now.
Cabreros in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Cabreros misses with a wild body shot.
Slay misses with a low kick.
Slay turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
A cross from Cabreros lands.
Cabreros lands with a nice body kick.
Slay stuffs the takedown attempt from Cabreros. Cabreros gets slowly back to his feet.
Cabreros dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Slay. That did some damage!
Cabreros throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Slay gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Cabreros to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Cabreros pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Slay is keeping the position for now.
Cabreros chips away with some ground and pound.
Cabreros with a flurry of punches that miss.

Cabreros drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Cabreros jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cabreros wants to control from the top but Slay keeps moving.
Cabreros seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Cabreros lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Cabreros wants to control from the top but Slay keeps moving.
Cabreros throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Cabreros stays in close to Slay's body and controls the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Slay looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Slay trying to keep a closed guard but Cabreros is proving a slippery customer.
Slay is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Cabreros wants to control from the top but Slay keeps moving.
Slay looking for a sweep. Not yet Slay, not yet.
Cabreros wants to control from the top but Slay keeps moving.
Cabreros is working Slay over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Cabreros is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cabreros wants to control from the top but Slay keeps moving.
Slay lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Cabreros!
Cabreros tries to hold on but Slay postures up.

Despite being in the dominant position, Nino Cabreros just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Cabreros.
A thudding body kick lands there by Cabreros!
Cabreros throws a hook but Slay blocks it.
Slay takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Cabreros misses the jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Cabreros takes one on the button.
Cabreros lands a right hook to the body.
Cabreros throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Cabreros thumps Slay with a low kick.
Cabreros walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Slay scores with a one two! Cabreros had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Slay scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Cabreros avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Slay is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Cabreros.
Slay tries to close the distance and clinch but Cabreros swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Slay tries to close the distance and clinch but Cabreros swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Slay tries to close the distance and clinch but Cabreros swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Slay blocks a head kick by Cabreros.
Slay tries to clinch but Cabreros is having none of it.
Cabreros thows a left - swing and a miss!
Cabreros throws a big shot that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Nino Cabreros will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Slay's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

A swing and a miss from Cabreros.
Cabreros fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Slay tried to score with a low kick but Cabreros checks it.
Cabreros takes one on the button.

Cabreros shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Slay napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Cabreros controlling the position.
Cabreros working away.
Slay tries to buck Cabreros off but Cabreros is having none of it.
Cabreros is looking to take a break and control but Slay is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Cabreros scores with punches from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cabreros moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Slay can't do much from the bottom here.
Cabreros lands some shots froms side control.

Cabreros is trying to get an arm triangle but Slay is defending well.
Cabreros is looking to take a break and control but Slay is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Slay is looking to regain half guard here but Cabreros keeps moving and retains side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Cabreros misses with the ground and pound.
Slay tries to buck Cabreros off but Cabreros is having none of it.
Cabreros slows the pace down.
Slay tries to bench press Cabreros off him but Cabreros keeps the position.
Slay is not content to let Cabreros control the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Slay misses with a low kick.
Slay tries to clinch up but Cabreros circles away and keeps his distance.
Cabreros throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Slay's waist but Slay gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Cabreros off to one side.
A nice inside leg kick there by Cabreros. That's going to slow Slay down.
Cabreros avoids the body shot from Slay.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cabreros tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Slay is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.

Slay drives through and clinches with Cabreros against the cage.
Cabreros working aggressively here.
Cabreros is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Slay gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Cassius Slay has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nino Cabreros.

Cabreros has hold of one of Slay's legs. Slay is fighting the takedown attempt but Cabreros gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Cabreros trying to control the position from guard on top but Slay is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Slay wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Cabreros throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Slay works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Slay can't keep his opponent in guard - Cabreros advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Slay is trying is best to control the position here.
Slay is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Slay avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Cabreros.
Cabreros trying to control from half guard but Slay is working away.
Cabreros content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Cabreros not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Slay trying to control but Cabreros postures up.
Cabreros thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Cabreros fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Slay manages to avoid it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nino Cabreros really dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Slay ducks under a wild hook from Cabreros.
Slay moves in looking to clinch but Cabreros pushes him off.
Slay closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Slay lands a really nice looking cross but Cabreros seems unphased.
Slay tries to clinch there but Cabreros circles away.

Cabreros closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Cabreros lands in his opponent's guard.
Cabreros throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Slay works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Slay has momentary wrist control but Cabreros slips an elbow through the middle.
Cabreros stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Slay swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Cabreros trying to control the position from guard on top but Slay is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cabreros with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Slay wants to sweep but no luck.
Cabreros throwing strikes from guard but Slay blocks nicely.
Cabreros throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Slay ducks under a wild hook from Cabreros.
Cabreros looks for the body kick but Slay saw that one coming.
Slay comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Cabreros takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Cabreros takes one to the chin there.
Slay slaps away a takedown attempt from Cabreros, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Slay changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Cabreros is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Slay paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Slay takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Cassius Slay is winning the standup battle so far.
Slay tries to clinch there but Cabreros circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cabreros misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Cabreros pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Cabreros.
Slay moves out of range as Cabreros throws a body kick.
Slay connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

Slay closes the distance and clinches.
Cabreros tries for a takedown. No joy.
Cassius Slay has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nino Cabreros.
Slay lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Slay slows down the pace here.
Cabreros softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Slay.
Cabreros tries to throw a body punch but Slay avoids it by throwing Cabreros back against the cage.
Cabreros tries to score a body lock takedown but Slay shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Cabreros goes for a takedown in the clinch but Slay prevents it.
Slay gets through Cabreros's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Slay lands a left hand.
Cabreros is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Slay gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Slay.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Slay lands a shoulder strike.
Slay lands a right hand that snaps the head of Cabreros backwards.
Slay lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Slay lands a left hand.
Slay displaying some good clinch control by pressing Cabreros up against the cage.
Slay lands a left hand that snaps the head of Cabreros backwards.
Cabreros fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Cabreros works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Slay slowing the pace effectively.
Slay prevents the takedown attempt.
Slay pushes Cabreros back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Slay lands a left hand.
A short left from Slay.
Slay makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Cabreros throws a head punch that misses.
Slay lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Slay is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Cabreros can't get the takedown.
Slay lands a left hand that snaps the head of Cabreros backwards.
Slay has Cabreros pressed against the cage.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Cabreros as Slay tries to tie him up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Slay lands a body shot.
Cabreros struggles to land a body shot inside as Slay controls his hands.
Slay prevents a body shot from Cabreros.
Slay lands a hook to the side of the head.
Cabreros doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Cabreros drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Slay gets the underhooks and prevents it.
A shot in the inside from Slay.
Slay lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Slay lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Cabreros or not.
Slay prevents the takedown attempt.
Slay comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Slay lands an uppercut.
Slay blocking some punches.
Cabreros tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Slay.
Slay lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Cabreros struggles to land a body shot inside as Slay controls his hands.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Slay is pressed up against the cage. Cabreros has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Slay down to the mat. Slay avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Slay has taken the fight to the clinch.
Slay scores with a shot to the side of Cabreros's head.
A knee to the head by Slay.
Cabreros swings wildly with an uppercut but Slay uses good head movement to avoid it.
A nice left hand lands by Slay.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cassius Slay had his way with Nino Cabreros in that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Cabreros misses with a body punch

and Slay counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Slay prevents a takedown attempt there.
Cabreros swings wildly with an uppercut but Slay uses good head movement to avoid it.
Slay scores with a shot to the side of Cabreros's head.
Cabreros is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Slay is stalling here.
Slay lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Cabreros or not.
A short left from Slay.
Slay is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Cabreros tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Slay's elbow.
Cabreros misses with a short punch on the inside.
Slay scores with a shot to the side of Cabreros's head.
Still in the clinch, Slay scores with a nice short uppercut.
A short uppercut from Slay.
A shot in the inside from Slay.
Slay gets through Cabreros's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Cabreros tries for a takedown but Slay manages to get underhooks.
Cassius Slay has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nino Cabreros.
Cabreros is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Slay pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Cabreros is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Slay cracks Cabreros with a nice body shot.
Cabreros takes a knee to the side of the body.
Slay stalling.
The crowd are getting pretty annoyed with Slay for his constant stalling in the clinch and are voicing their displeasure.
Cabreros misses with some punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Slay lands with a short shot to the head.
Slay gets through Cabreros's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Cabreros is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Slay pushes Cabreros back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Slay lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Slay is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Slay lands a hook to the side of the head.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Slay.
Cabreros digs a right hand into Slay's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Slay's gas tank.
Slay scores with a shoulder strike.
Cabreros drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Slay gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Slay lands an uppercut.
Slay lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Cabreros takes a shot to the head.
Slay lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Cabreros is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Cassius Slay has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Slay lands an uppercut.
Slay lands a left hand that snaps the head of Cabreros backwards.
Slay lands a left hand.
Slay lands a nice shot to the body.
Slay gets through Cabreros's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A short uppercut from Slay.
Still in the clinch, Slay scores with a nice short uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Slay pushes Cabreros back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Slay landing knees to the head.
Slay lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A short right from Slay on the inside.
Slay is pushing Cabreros up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Slay is pressed up against the cage. Cabreros has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Slay down to the mat. Slay avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Slay, right into the meat.
Cabreros swats away the attempt to clinch by Slay.
A jab from Slay finds it's way through Cabreros's defenses.
Cabreros misses with a kick to the body.
Slay lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Cabreros swats away the attempt to clinch by Slay.
A jab from Slay does it's job there.
Cabreros needs to keep his hands up - Slay had a free shot at his head there.
A jab from Cabreros misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Slay tries to clinch up but Cabreros circles away and keeps his distance.
Cabreros throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Slay counters with a left and a right that stings Cabreros.
Slay ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Slay jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Cabreros looks for a takedown but Slay sprawls well.
Slay on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Cabreros. Cabreros obviously looking to wear him down.
A good leg kick by Slay.
Cabreros swats away the attempt to clinch by Slay.
Slay moves out of range of the body kick from Cabreros.
Slay thuds his right hand into Cabreros's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Cabreros fakes the leg kick and cracks Slay in the body.
Slay swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Cabreros avoids the body shot from Slay.
Slay scores with a jab. Cabreros acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cabreros shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Cabreros throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Slay's waist but Slay gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Cabreros off to one side.
Cabreros is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Slay.
Cabreros walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Slay checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Slay moves out of range of the body kick.

Slay gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Cabreros to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Cabreros trying to control but Slay is working from the bottom.
Cabreros postures up in Slay's guard and throws a big left but Slay blocks it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cabreros throws a big right hand that misses.
Cabreros throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Cassius Slay has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Cabreros trying to control the position from guard on top but Slay is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cassius Slay showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Cabreros 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 William Peck scores the fight 48:47
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 48:48
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 48:48

The fight is ruled a majority draw!
Cassius Slay retains his title. It's always disappointing when a championship fight ends as a draw but that's what happens when you leave the fight in the judges hands!