PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Sam Hain (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cassius Slay (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hain kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Time Frame by Dom and Roland. Slay is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Wu-Tang Clan - Triumph. Cassius Slay is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Hain
vs
Slay

174 cm
27
167 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

180 cm
26
161 lbs
11 - 2 - 2

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Bushido Clothing
White Gorilla Nutrition

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 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Sam Hain!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 2 - 2, fighting out of Montreal, Cassius Slay!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Steve Smith and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Slay pushes Hain up against the cage in a clinch.
Slay tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Slay swings wildly with an uppercut but Hain uses good head movement to avoid it.
Slay lands with a short head shot on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Slay.
A hook to the body from Slay.
Hain can't break the clinch.
Slay tries to work over Hain's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A right hand to the body from Hain.
A head punch on the inside from Slay fails to land.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Hain.
Slay working aggressively here.
Hain lands with a light punch inside.
Hain is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hain.
Slay prevents the takedown attempt.
Hain looking for a takedown.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Slay.
Slay stalling against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Slay goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hain has Slay pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Slay manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sam Hain. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Slay tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Slay is looking to control Hain's arms but Hain gets an underhook and turns him. Now Slay has his back to the cage.
A right hand to the body from Slay.
Slay slows down the pace here.
A short left from Slay.
Slay tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hain's elbow.
Slay lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Hain backwards.
Hain lands a left hand that snaps the head of Slay backwards.
Slay stalling.
Hain lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Slay misses with a punch on the inside.
Slay is looking to control Hain's arms but Hain gets an underhook and turns him. Now Slay has his back to the cage.
Slay lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Hain backwards.
Slay throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Slay takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Hain misses with a punch to the body.
Hain blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hain wants a takedown but no success here.
Slay misses with a short punch on the inside.
Slay misses with a punch to the body.
Slay tries to work over Hain's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hain.
Hain swings wildly with an uppercut but Slay uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hain has Slay pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Slay manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
A right hook to the body lands for Slay.

Hain wants the takedown. Slay is fighting it off but Hain persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Slay's guard against the cage.
Slay working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hain.
Hain postures up in Slay's guard and throws a big left but Slay blocks it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Slay keeping moving, preventing Hain from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Slay is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Hain pushes down on Slay's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Hain is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Slay is looking to control Hain's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Slay avoid being mounted?
Slay has his hands clasped together around Hain's back. He's all about the action.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Hain trying to pass the guard but Slay defending well.
Slay wants to improve his position but Hain is controlling well.
Slay wants to control but Hain is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Hain tries to pass to full mount but Slay defends it.
Hain trying to control from Slay's half guard. Slay has other ideas though and has regained full guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Hain closes the distance and clinches up with Slay, looking for a takedown. Hain pushes Slay against the cage but Slay circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Hain fails with a takedown attempt.
Slay wants to clinch up but Hain keeps it at a distance.
Slay keeps the fight on the outside.
Slay darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

It looks like Sam Hain has been cut.
Slay ducks under a wild hook from Hain.
Slay tries to clinch there but Hain circles away.
Hain throws a good cross that connects.
Slay wants to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Hain.
Slay seems a little lost for a moment, as Hain dominates the positioning.
Hain trying to control the action but Slay is working from the bottom.
Slay is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Hain is controlling him well.
Slay is looking to reverse the position.
Hain is looking to take a break and control but Slay is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Slay's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Hain working the strikes but Slay uses the opportunity to regain half guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Hain stalks Slay and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Slay's face. Slay staggers backwards, shaken.
Slay bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Hain's head.
A slapping leg kick lands for Hain.
Cassius Slay is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Slay displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Hain.
Slay scores with the left hand. Hain knows he should have avoided that one.
Slay tries to clinch up but Hain circles away and keeps his distance.
Hain circles away from the clinch attempt
and Hain counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Hain throws a combination. Slay tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Slay checks a low kick from Hain.
Hain misses with a wild body shot.
Slay tries to clinch there but Hain circles away.
Hain throws a series of punches but Slay moves out of range.
Hain looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Slay is fending him off so far but Hain persists. Nope, Slay circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sam Hain. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Slay uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hain.
Hain tries to score a power double leg takedown but Slay sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Hain somewhat.
Slay throws a leg kick which misses Hain's front leg but catches the back leg as Hain tries to avoid it.
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 Sam Hain will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Sam Hain's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Hain shoots for a double leg takedown but Slay sprawls well. He's pushed Hain's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Slay lands a head shot.
Hain keeps the fight on the outside.
Slay tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hain paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A swing and a miss from Hain.
Hain tries to score a power double leg takedown but Slay sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Hain somewhat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hain fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sam Hain. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Slay is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Sam Hain seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Slay drops Hain with a beautiful combination! Hain stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Slay is looking for the KO!

Hain is rocked!
Hain tries to clinch but Slay moves away

and Slay counters by clinching up.
Slay misses with a hook from the clinch.
Slay is leaning against Hain and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Slay throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Hains head.
Hain just leaning against Slay, taking a breather.
Slay misses with the head strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Slay displaying some good clinch control by pressing Hain up against the cage.
Hain jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Slay walks away with a smile on his face. Hain gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Slay looks to clinch

and Hain counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Hain.
Hain swings wildly with an uppercut but Slay uses good head movement to avoid it.
Slay taking a breather.
Hain lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hain.
Slay misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hain slows down the pace here.
The referee calls for Slay to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Hain as Slay tries to tie him up.
Slay working aggressively here.
Slay has a couple of punches blocked by Hain.
Hain misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hain has had enough of the clinch but Slay keeps him there for the moment.

Hain has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Slay uses from the top position.
Slay controlling from the top position.

Hain is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Slay works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hain is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Slay is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Slay trying to control the action but Hain is working from the bottom.
Hain trying to control here.

Slay decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Slay tests Hain's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Hain gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Hain takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cassius Slay really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Sam Hain's cut.
That's time! Hain's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Slay moves in looking to clinch but Hain pushes him off.
Slay tries to clinch up
and Hain counters with a nice body shot.

Hain shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Slay manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Slay wants to sweep but no luck.
Slay controls Hain momentarily but Hain frees himself.
Hain controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Slay really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Hain. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Slay pulls Hain in close to his closed guard and prevents Hain from doing any damage or advancing position.
Slay keeping moving, preventing Hain from controlling successfully.
Slay is pulling down on Hain's head. It's preventing any offense from Hain, at least for the moment.
Hain wants to control from the top but Slay keeps moving.
Hain tries to free his leg and advance position but Slay is retaining full guard.

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.

Hain drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Slay dives on top into guard.
Slay missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Slay trying to control but Hain is working from the bottom.
Slay looking to sit in guard and control but Hain gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Hain not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hain has gone for a leg lock! Slay slips out almost immediately though and dives into Hain's guard.

Slay decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Hain, up you get!
Hain closes the distance and clinches up with Slay, looking for a takedown. Hain pushes Slay against the cage but Slay circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Slay tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Hain counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Hain.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hain wants to control from the top but Slay keeps moving.
Hain looking to sit in guard and control but Slay gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Slay is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Slay throwing strikes but missing.

Slay avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sam Hain had his way with Cassius Slay in that round.
The cut man is working on Sam Hain's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

A low kick from Hain misses
and Slay counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Hain moves away from the strike by Slay.
Hain misses with a double jab
and Hain takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Hain misses with a takedown

and Slay counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Slay.
Slay lands on the inside with an uppercut.

Hain jumps guard.
Slay working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Slay stands and steps away. Hain gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Slay swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Nice sprawl there from Slay as Hain shoots in.
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.
Hain gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Slay counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sam Hain. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hain throws a right and a left that Slay avoids nicely.
Hain avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Slay tries to clinch but Hain moves away

and Hain decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Slay's guard.
Hain being controlled here momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Slay's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Slay keeping full guard, as Hain tries to pass.
Slay is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Slay wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hain drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Slay dives on top into guard.
Hain utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Slay would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Slay stands up and waves to Hain to follow him.
Slay fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's four 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.
Hain tries to bum rush Slay with a series of wild strikes but Slay uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Slay takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Slay slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Slay throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hain sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Hain dodges the punch combination from Slay.
Hain lands a slapping body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Cassius Slay.
I think Slay 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 Robert Douchet scores the fight 46:49
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 47:48
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cassius Slay! Cassius Slay retains his lightweight title!