PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Goran Persson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cain Slyker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Slyker's choice of entrance music: It's Amazing by Kanye West. Cain Slyker has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Persson
vs
Slyker

185 cm
21
211 lbs
7 - 0 - 0

186 cm
29
215 lbs
18 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Goran Persson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Cain Slyker!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Slyker shoots in but Persson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Persson throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Slyker counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Slyker won't allow Persson to sweep him here.
Slyker throwing strikes but missing.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Slyker postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Slyker working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Slyker working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Slyker with a flurry of punches that miss.
Slyker throws and elbow that misses. Persson uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Slyker's guard. Nice move by Persson!
Persson would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Persson trying to control but Slyker is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Persson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Persson stops Slyker from standing up.
Persson trying to control the position from guard on top but Slyker is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Slyker has his feet on Persson's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Persson rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Slyker counters with a shoot takedown. Persson fights it but they end up in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Slyker working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Slyker working some strikes from top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Persson is trying to control the position but Slyker postures up.
Slyker throwing strikes but missing.
Slyker throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Persson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Persson is on top in guard.
Slyker keeping full guard, as Persson tries to pass.
Slyker has a closed guard, preventing Persson from standing up.
Slyker has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Persson throwing strikes but missing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Slyker keeping moving, preventing Persson from controlling successfully.
Persson has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Slyker is proving hard to escape from.
Slyker can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Persson controls the pace.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Goran Persson has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Slyker shoots in looking for a takedown but Persson manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Slyker's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Slyker shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Persson as he jumps to the side.
Goran Persson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cain Slyker.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Persson misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Slyker counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Persson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Slyker.
Slyker distracts Persson with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Slyker is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Persson bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Slyker's guard.

Persson stands up from Slyker's guard - Persson perhaps looking for a knockout.
Persson swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Slyker counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Persson's guard now.
Slyker scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Slyker makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Slyker throws a strike but Persson rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Slyker pushes Persson off and gets back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Persson tries to sprawl but Slyker drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Slyker prevents Persson from improving his position.
Persson blocking the ground and pound attempt from Slyker.
Slyker missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Persson trying to hold on to Slyker's head to control him but Slyker postures up.
Slyker looks to land a strike but Persson avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Slyker loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Slyker lands a couple of elbows.
Slyker scoring with some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Slyker missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Slyker throws a big right hand that misses.
Slyker throwing strikes from guard but Persson blocks nicely.
Slyker stopping the sweep attempt from Persson.
Slyker throwing strikes from guard but Persson blocks nicely.
Slyker pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Persson is keeping the position for now.
Slyker stopping the sweep attempt from Persson.
Slyker in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Slyker throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Persson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Slyker in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Persson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Slyker is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Slyker with a flurry of punches that miss.
Slyker preventing the sweep.
Persson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Slyker lands a couple of digs.
Slyker trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Persson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Persson wants to get back to his feet but Slyker is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Slyker keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Persson's head.
Slyker stopping the sweep attempt from Persson.
Slyker throws a strike but Persson rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Persson stands up and waves to Slyker to follow him.
Nice takedown defense from Persson. No joy for Slyker on that attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Persson throws a lazy uppercut

and Slyker counters with a nice double leg into side control. Persson won't be happy with that.
Slyker misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Slyker tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Persson is looking to reverse the position.
Slyker working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Persson manages to work his way to half guard, despite Slyker's best efforts.
Persson regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Slyker.
Slyker throws and elbow that misses. Persson uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Slyker's guard. Nice move by Persson!
Slyker has a closed guard, preventing Persson from standing up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cain Slyker 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!

Persson slaps away a takedown attempt from Slyker, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Slyker has a takedown stuffed.
Persson swings widly with a right hand

and Slyker decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Persson's guard.
Slyker thows a big elbow that misses.
Slyker trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Slyker pushes down on Persson's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Cain Slyker has got the better of the ground game so far.
Persson has hold of Slyker's hands but Slyker slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Slyker misses with a head shot. Persson uses the momentum to regain guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Persson looking for a sweep. Not yet Persson, not yet.
Slyker loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Slyker trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Slyker missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Slyker accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Slyker thows a big elbow that misses.
Slyker throws a big right hand that misses.
Persson lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Slyker!
Persson takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Persson can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Slyker is looking to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Goran Persson just wasn't active enough.
Persson lands a slapping body shot.
Slyker will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Goran Persson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cain Slyker.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Persson throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Slyker counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Slyker throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Persson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Persson moves into full guard.
Goran Persson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Slyker stopping the sweep attempt from Persson.
Slyker is looking to work some ground and pound but Persson has wrist control.
Cain Slyker is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Slyker stands up over Persson, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Persson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cain Slyker comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Slyker winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cain Slyker!