PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Marcin Slabczak (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Wellens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Slabczak's entrance music is Kanye West - Stronger. A fine choice. Marcin Slabczak has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Slabczak
vs
Wellens

188 cm
25
192 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

196 cm
25
190 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Marcin Slabczak!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, John Wellens!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, Damien Edna and Winston Howard.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wellens circles away from the clinch attempt.
Slabczak wants to clinch.

Slabczak moves into the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Wellens.
Slabczak pushes Wellens back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Slabczak lands a nice uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Slabczak.
Slabczak scores with an uppercut up the middle.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Wellens.
A shot in the inside from Slabczak.
Wellens blocking some punches.
Slabczak lands with a short shot to the head.

Wellens breaks from the clinch.
Wellens throws a nice looking combination but Slabczak bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Wellens circles away from the clinch attempt.
Slabczak tries to close the distance and clinch up but Wellens swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Wellens misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wellens looks to land a combination but Slabczak avoids it well.
Slabczak tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Wellens paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Slabczak tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Slabczak tries to clinch but Wellens moves out of range.
Wellens throws a series of punches but Slabczak moves out of range.
Wellens throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Wellens connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Slabczak doesn't manage to clinch there - Wellens circles away.
Slabczak tries to clinch up but Wellens circles away and keeps his distance.
Slabczak tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Wellens paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Marcin Slabczak seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Wellens throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Slabczak.

Slabczak gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A short right from Slabczak on the inside.
A frustrated look appears on Wellens's face as he tries to break the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Slabczak fails to land.
Wellens is looking to break free of the clinch but Slabczak has double underhooks.
Slabczak working some nice short punches in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Wellens.
Slabczak lands with a left to the head.
Slabczak lands a left hand that snaps the head of Wellens backwards.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Slabczak pulls guard effortlessly.
Slabczak wants to stand up but Wellens is controlling him.
Wellens wants to control from the top but Slabczak keeps moving.

John Wellens has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Slabczak is looking to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Slabczak rushes Wellens and presses him up against the cage.
Slabczak fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Wellens's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A head punch blocked on the inside by Wellens.
Slabczak lands a hook that snaps the head of Wellens backwards.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Wellens.
Wellens wants to break free but Slabczak has control.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Slabczak.
Wellens throws a punch but it's blocked by Slabczak.
Slabczak lands with a short shot to the head.
Still in the clinch, Slabczak scores with a nice short uppercut.
Slabczak fails to pull guard.
Slabczak tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Wellens just stands there and leans against the cage.
Slabczak lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Slabczak jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Wellens walks away with a smile on his face. Slabczak gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marcin Slabczak. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Slabczak is looking to clinch but Wellens is avoiding it.
Slabczak tries to move into range but Wellens moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.

Slabczak instigates a clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Slabczak scores with a nice hook to the head.
Wellens blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Slabczak throws a head punch that misses.
Slabczak throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Wellenss head.
Slabczak swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Slabczak throws a punch but it's blocked by Wellens.
Wellens swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Slabczak throws a head punch that misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Slabczak lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Slabczak scores with an uppercut up the middle.

Slabczak jumps guard and drags Wellens to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Slabczak on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Slabczak tries to get out of the position.
Wellens slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marcin Slabczak dominated that round.
That's time! Slabczak's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Slabczak tries to clinch up.
Slabczak fails in his attempt to clinch.
No joy there for Wellens, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Slabczak tries to clinch but Wellens is having none of it.
Slabczak tries to clinch but Wellens is having none of it.
A nice combination there by Wellens.
The fight stays on the outside here - Slabczak looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Slabczak doesn't manage to clinch there - Wellens circles away.
Slabczak wants to clinch up but Wellens keeps it at a distance.
Wellens throws an overhand right that lands on Slabczak's shoulder, as Slabczak tries to avoid the shot.
Slabczak tries to clinch but Wellens is having none of it.
Slabczak tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Wellens manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Slabczak tries to clinch but Wellens moves out of range.
Slabczak looks to clinch
and Wellens counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A punch combination from Wellens misses.
Slabczak tries to close the distance and clinch but Wellens swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Slabczak has Wellens up against the cage in a clinch.
Slabczak misses with some punches.
Wellens blocks an uppercut.
Slabczak working aggressively here.
Marcin Slabczak has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Slabczak fails to pull guard.
Slabczak fails to pull guard.
Wellens tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Wellens throws a punch but it's blocked by Slabczak.
Slabczak throws a head punch that misses.
Wellens looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
A shot in the inside from Slabczak.
Wellens swings wildly with an uppercut but Slabczak uses good head movement to avoid it.
Slabczak tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Slabczak lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Wellens misses with a punch on the inside.
Wellens is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Wellens breaks the clinch.
Slabczak wants to clinch.
Left hook, right uppercut from Wellens.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Wellens gets tackled into the cage by Slabczak. Slabczak maintains the clinch.
Slabczak lands a hook that snaps the head of Wellens backwards.
Slabczak keeps control of Wellens as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Wellens jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Slabczak walks away with a smile on his face. Wellens gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Slabczak takes the fight into the clinch.
Wellens has a couple of punches blocked by Slabczak.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Wellens.
Wellens wants to break the clinch but can't.
Wellens blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A head punch on the inside from Slabczak fails to land.
A short right from Slabczak.
Slabczak drops down looking for an ankle pick but Wellens pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marcin Slabczak. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Slabczak fails with an attempt to clinch.
Slabczak tries to close the distance and clinch but Wellens swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Slabczak tries to grapple but his opponent circles
enabling Wellens to counter with a crisp jab.
Wellens looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wellens misses with a two punch combination.
Slabczak tries to clinch up.
Slabczak showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Wellens.
Slabczak fails in his attempt to clinch.
Slabczak fails in his attempt to clinch.
Wellens works Slabczak's body with a nice hook.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Slabczak wants to clinch up but Wellens keeps it at a distance.

Slabczak has managed to clinch.
Slabczak scores with a shoulder strike.
Wellens wants to break the clinch but can't.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Wellens fails to pull guard.
Wellens is breathing heavily.
Slabczak blocks an uppercut.
Slabczak lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Wellens backwards.
Slabczak swings away with an uppercut that misses.
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 Marcin Slabczak will probably get the nod.
That's time! Slabczak's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. And we move into the final round!

Wellens throws a right and a left that Slabczak avoids nicely.
Wellens swats away the attempt to clinch by Slabczak.

Slabczak gets in close and instigates a clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Slabczak creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Slabczak fails to land.
Slabczak is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Wellens gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Slabczak throws a punch but it's blocked by Wellens.

Slabczak ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Slabczak no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Wellens gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Sloppy strikes from Wellens. Those never looked like landing.
Slabczak tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Wellens manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Slabczak wants to clinch up but Wellens keeps it at a distance.
Wellens loads up on a big right hand but Slabczak slips the punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Slabczak tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Wellens circles away from the clinch attempt.
Slabczak fails in his attempt to clinch.
Slabczak fails with an attempt to clinch.
Wellens throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Slabczak tries to close the distance and clinch up but Wellens swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Wellens keeps the fight on the outside.
A nice combination there by Wellens.
Slabczak tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Wellens misses with a few strikes there.
Wellens takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Slabczak has closed the distance and engaged Wellens in a clinch.
Wellens blocks an uppercut.
Wellens blocking some punches.
Slabczak makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Slabczak pushes Wellens back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Slabczak lands a left hand that snaps the head of Wellens backwards.
Slabczak pushes Wellens back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Slabczak scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Slabczak gets through Wellens's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Slabczak tries to pull guard but Wellens holds him up against the cage and eventually Slabczak drops back down to his feet.
Wellens has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Slabczak gets through Wellens's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Wellens has a couple of punches blocked by Slabczak.
Still in the clinch, Slabczak scores with a nice short uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Slabczak fails to land.
Slabczak misses with the head strike.
Wellens blocking some punches.
Slabczak swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Wellens tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Slabczak just stands there and leans against the cage.
Slabczak fails to pull the fight into his guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marcin Slabczak. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wellens is pushing Slabczak up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Wellens trying to control the position but instead, Slabczak has worked for underhooks and has pushed Wellens into the cage.
Slabczak misses with the head strike.
A head punch on the inside from Wellens fails to land.
A head punch on the inside from Slabczak fails to land.
Slabczak scores with an uppercut up the middle.

Wellens manages to break the clinch.

Slabczak moves into the clinch.
A short right from Slabczak.
Wellens tries to circle away but Slabczak has him pinned against the cage.
John Wellens has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wellens has had enough of the clinch but Slabczak keeps him there for the moment.
Slabczak softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Slabczak lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Slabczak has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Wellens avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Wellens manages to pull guard.
Slabczak makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Slabczak connects with a couple of short punches.
Slabczak lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Wellens is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Slabczak is aware though and is defending well.

Slabczak avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Slabczak missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Slabczak trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

And that's the end of the fight!
Marcin Slabczak showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Slabczak, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Skip Squint scores the fight 30:28
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 30:28
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marcin Slabczak!
A determined Marcin Slabczak didn't want to dwell on this fight in his post fight interview. Instead he was more keen to state he wants a title shot. Let's see if he gets it!