PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Dominic Fox (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Neighborhood Slugger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Neighborhood Slugger is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Fox
vs
Slugger

168 cm
20
193 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

185 cm
18
180 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Dominic Fox!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Neighborhood Slugger!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Lou da Vinci and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Slugger gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Slugger's coach down at Morbid Conditioning School $125 was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Slugger's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Slugger tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Slugger lands with a light punch inside.
Fox tries to pull guard but Slugger won't allow it.
Fox looking for a takedown.
Slugger tries to land a knee to the head but Fox blocks with his arms.
Fox really is a fat lump.

Fox has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Slugger uses from the top position.
Fox working a defensive guard here.
Slugger wanted to stand there but Fox had control of the position.
Slugger looks winded!
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Fox is on top in guard.
Fox landing with the ground and pound.
Fox controls from within his opponent's guard.

Fox decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Fox moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Neighborhood Slugger is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Fox drives through and clinches with Slugger against the cage.
Slugger tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Fox avoids it.
Fox jumps guard but Slugger turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dominic Fox. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Slugger misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Fox.
A head punch on the inside from Slugger fails to land.

Fox gets control of Slugger's arms and successfully pulls guard. Fox will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Fox throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

Fox is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Fox working a defensive guard here.

Fox working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Slugger doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Slugger manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Fox is trying to control the position but Slugger postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Slugger gets to his feet. Fox looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Slugger shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Slugger closes the distance and clinches.
Fox can't get the takedown.
Knees in the clinch landing for Slugger.
Slugger missing with knees to the body.
Slugger throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Fox blocks it with crossed arms.

Fox decides to pull guard.

Slugger decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Slugger doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

Slugger gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fox is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Slugger is defending well.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Slugger lands a nice shot to the body.
Fox avoiding damage as Slugger throws knees to the body.
Fox is trying to drag Slugger to the mat but Slugger just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Slugger with a knee to the head.
Fox tries to score a body lock takedown but Slugger shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Fox is looking for a takedown.
Still in the clinch, Slugger scores with a nice short uppercut.
Fox can't break the clinch.
Fox blocks a body shot from Slugger.
Slugger lands an elbow that stopped Fox in his tracks for a moment.
Fox tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Slugger smiles and moves away.
Fox misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Slugger clinches up against the cage.
Slugger missing with knees to the body.
Fox is looking to take this one to the mat.
Fox tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Slugger just stands there and leans against the cage.
Fox blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Fox jumps guard but Slugger turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Fox is looking for a takedown.
Slugger with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Fox fails to pull the fight into his guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Slugger missing with knees to the body.
Fox is trying to pull guard but Slugger turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Fox tries to pull guard but Slugger forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Fox is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Neighborhood Slugger will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Slugger gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Fox has Slugger pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Slugger manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Fox works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.

Slugger scrambles and gets back to his feet.

Slugger has managed to clinch.
Fox goes for a takedown attempt but Slugger pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Fox digs a good body shot into Slugger's ribs.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Slugger gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Slugger misses with an elbow strike.
Fox can't get the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dominic Fox. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Slugger just misses with a elbow thrown towards Fox's brow.
Fox tries to pull guard but Slugger forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Fox is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Slugger to keep the fight standing.
Slugger using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
A knee to the head by Slugger.
Fox fails to pull guard.
Slugger tries a knee to the head but Fox blocks it.
Fox is looking to take this one to the mat.
Slugger lands an elbow just above Fox 's eye.
Fox fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Slugger lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Slugger is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Fox is defending well for now.
Slugger is pressed up against the cage. Fox has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Slugger down to the mat. Slugger avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Fox changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

Slugger pushes Fox up against the cage in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fox tries to pull guard but Slugger forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Fox avoids the elbow strike from Slugger, against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Fox tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Slugger with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Slugger misses with a knee to the head.

Fox pulls guard.

Fox pushes Slugger off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

Slugger closes the distance and clinches.
Slugger missing with knees to the body.

Fox jumps guard and drags Slugger to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Slugger won't allow Fox to sweep him here.

Slugger stands and steps away. Fox gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Slugger throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Slugger clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Slugger lands an elbow just above Fox 's eye.
Fox dodges an elbow strike from Slugger.
Slugger misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Fox.
Fox tries to pull guard but Slugger forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Fox jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Slugger walks away with a smile on his face. Fox gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Slugger closes the distance and pushes Fox back into the cage.
Fox avoids the elbow strike from Slugger, against the cage.
Slugger connects with a knee to the head.
Slugger gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Fox.
Slugger lands a nice knee to the body.
Fox tries to pull guard but Slugger forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Fox tries to pull guard but Slugger won't allow it.
Slugger lands a damaging elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Slugger.
Slugger is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Fox is defending well for now.
Fox tries to pull guard but Slugger won't allow it.
Slugger tries a knee to the head but Fox blocks it.
Fox blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Fox wants to take the fight to the mat but Slugger manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Fox manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Slugger wants to get up but he can't break Fox's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Slugger decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Fox, up you get!

Slugger has managed to clinch.
Neighborhood Slugger seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Slugger using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Slugger with an attempt at a knee that misses.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Fox tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Slugger smiles and moves away.

Slugger clinches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Neighborhood Slugger showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

Slugger tries to bum rush Fox with a series of wild strikes but Fox uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Fox gets tackled into the cage by Slugger. Slugger maintains the clinch.
Fox is trying to drag Slugger to the mat but Slugger just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Fox is trying to pull guard but Slugger turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Slugger is defending well against a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dominic Fox. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fox fails to pull guard.
Fox fails to pull guard.
Slugger lands with a right to the head.
Slugger tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Slugger misses with a knee strike.
Fox has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Slugger is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Fox is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Slugger pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Fox is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Slugger to keep the fight standing.
Fox tries to pull guard but Slugger won't allow it.
Fox tries to pull guard but Slugger won't allow it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Slugger tries to land a knee to the head but Fox blocks with his arms.
Slugger tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Fox avoids it.
Slugger struggles to land a body shot inside as Fox controls his hands.
Slugger misses with a hook from the clinch.
Slugger misses with a knee strike.
Fox tries to pull guard but Slugger forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Slugger utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Fox takes a shot to the head.
Fox takes a knee right on the jaw!
Fox is trying to pull guard but Slugger has him pressed against the cage.
Slugger scores with a shot to the side of Fox's head.

Fox drags the fight down to the ground.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Fox is working an open guard so Slugger takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Slugger stuffs the takedown.
Fox scores with a nice right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Slugger gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Fox jumps guard but Slugger stands there with Fox around his waist. Fox gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Slugger trying to land knees to the body.
Fox jumps guard but Slugger turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Slugger lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Slugger is pressed up against the cage. Fox has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Slugger down to the mat. Slugger avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Slugger lands with a right to the head.

Fox pulls guard successfully.

Fox looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Fox is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fox wants to get back to his feet but Slugger is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Fox looking for a guillotine here but Slugger defends easily.
Fox looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Slugger gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Slugger pushes Fox up against the cage in a clinch.
Fox is trying to break the clinch but Slugger has him pressed against the cage.
Slugger crunches a lovely knee into Fox's ribcage.
Nice body punch from Slugger.
Slugger stops a takedown attempt from Fox.
Slugger lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Fox backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Slugger lands a right hand.

Fox jumps into guard, dragging Slugger to the mat.

Fox wriggles free and stands up.

Slugger closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Slugger unloads a knee to the mid-section. Fox lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Fox jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Slugger walks away with a smile on his face. Fox gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Slugger closes the distance and clinches.
Fox tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Slugger smiles and moves away.

Slugger moves into the clinch successfully.

And that's the end of the fight!
Neighborhood Slugger comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Slugger 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 John Kavanagh scores the fight 27:30
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 27:30
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Neighborhood Slugger!
Neighborhood Slugger decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.