PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Harry Slater (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Max Lacroix (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Max Lacroix has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Harry Slater's chin.

Slater
vs
Lacroix

174 cm
35
176 lbs
22 - 8 - 0

186 cm
30
176 lbs
11 - 5 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Sun-Tzu

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 22 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Harry Slater!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Max Lacroix!
The judges for this bout are Albert Achterberg, Radbod Blank and Daniel Blasius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Slater jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Slater tries for a takedown but Lacroix circles away easily
and Lacroix counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Slater fails to land with a series of punches.
A countering left hand to the body from Lacroix misses.
Lacroix feints and then cracks Slater's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Slater down.
Lacroix throws a leg kick but Slater sees it coming and moves out of range.
Slater shoots in and drives through. Lacroix sprawls well.
Slater takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Slater tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Lacroix manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Harry Slater seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lacroix throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Slater sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Slater misses with a double jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lacroix turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Lacroix walks into a left hand.
Some wild striking there from Slater.
Lacroix uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Slater.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lacroix avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Lacroix feints a counter leg kick.
Lacroix clobbers Slater with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Slater misses with a series of wild punches.
Lacroix ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Slater fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Lacroix looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Slater tries for a takedown but Lacroix circles away easily
and Lacroix cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

It looks like Harry Slater has been cut.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Harry Slater. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lacroix misses with a body shot.
Lacroix throws a big shot that misses.
Slater uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Lacroix.
Lacroix throws a nice head kick!
Slater on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Lacroix lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Slater has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Slater and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lacroix moves out of range as Slater strikes.
Lacroix now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Slater lands the left hand.
Slater scores with a nice strike.

Slater manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Lacroix on his heels. He'll look to pass Lacroix's guard now, I'm sure.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Slater with a flurry of punches that miss.

Lacroix looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Slater throws a big right hand that misses.

Lacroix is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Slater defends well.
Slater not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Lacroix is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Slater is aware though and is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Slater postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Slater trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Lacroix keeping moving, preventing Slater from controlling successfully.

Lacroix working for a triangle but Slater defends it easily.
Slater postures up and lands a big shot to Lacroix's brow.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Slater trying to control but Lacroix is working from the bottom.
Lacroix seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Slater wants to control from the top but Lacroix keeps moving.
Slater trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Lacroix has control of Slater's left arm, preventing Slater from doing any damage.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
A big right from Slater misses.
Slater throws a combination that misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Lacroix takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Lacroix tries a head kick but it misses.
Lacroix dodges the punch combination from Slater.
Slater is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Slater swings for the body but Lacroix moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Harry Slater will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Harry Slater's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Slater tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Lacroix swivels and escapes.
Slater tries to score a power double leg takedown but Lacroix sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Slater somewhat.
Slater rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Lacroix counters with a slapping leg kick.
Slater goes for a double leg but Lacroix avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Lacroix continues to drive forward.
Lacroix is looking for the big counter here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Harry Slater. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lacroix takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Lacroix throws a lazy head kick

and Slater counters with a shoot takedown. Lacroix fights it but they end up in guard.

Slater avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Lacroix is looking to sweep but instead, Slater has passed into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Slater thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Lacroix's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Slater throwing shots but Lacroix is blocking nicely.
Lacroix felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Lacroix is looking to control Slater's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Lacroix avoid being mounted?
Slater wants to take a breather but Lacroix is having none of it.

Slater is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Lacroix is looking for a sweep. Slater is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Slater is keen to just control but Lacroix is a slippery customer.
Slater passes to side control.
Lacroix tries to bench press Slater off him but Slater keeps the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Slater laying and praying for a moment but Lacroix takes advantage and regains half guard.
Harry Slater overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Lacroix tries to get to full guard but Slater has control of the leg.
Slater has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
The fighters are battling for position here. Lacroix manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Slater is stalling in the full guard.
Lacroix is trying to control the position but Slater postures up.
Slater slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Slater stands and throws Lacroix's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Slater is looking to take a break and control but Lacroix is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Lacroix is trying to get back to half guard.
Lacroix prevents Slater from improving position.
Slater trying to control the position but Lacroix is working away.
Slater passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Lacroix!
Slater controlling the pace for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Slater looking to control but Lacroix is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Lacroix working to try and regain half guard.
Slater controlling the pace for now.
Lacroix wants to control but Slater is having none of it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Lacroix is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Slater lands with some strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Harry Slater dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Harry Slater's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Slater swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Lacroix counters with a nice leg kick.
Sloppy strikes from Slater. Those never looked like landing.
Lacroix throws out a counter right but Slater avoids it with no problem.
Lacroix throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Slater displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

It looks like Max Lacroix has been cut.
Slater takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Max Lacroix seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Slater looks for a takedown but Lacroix sprawls well.
A combination from Slater does no damage.
Slater looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Lacroix is fending him off so far but Slater persists. Nope, Lacroix circles away and we're back to standing.
Lacroix scores with a leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Slater checks a low kick from Lacroix.
Slater walks into a stiff left hand from Lacroix.
Slater slips under a jab from Lacroix.
Slater scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Lacroix doesn't seem bothered though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Slater takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Slater shoots for a takedown but Lacroix saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Harry Slater. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A thudding body kick lands there by Lacroix!
Lacroix cracks Slater with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Lacroix fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Slater manages to avoid it.
Slater looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Slater cracks Lacroix with an open hand slap.
Slater moves out of range of the leg kick from Lacroix.
Lacroix ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Slater moves away.

Slater decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half 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!
Lacroix is refusing to be controlled, as Slater sits in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lacroix is looking to improve his position.

Slater is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Lacroix is just riding it out for now. Slater eventually gives up the hold.

Lacroix actively working from the bottom here.
Slater performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Slater wants to pass the guard but Lacroix is defending well.
Slater has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Lacroix tries to lock up and control but Slater gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Slater putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Slater lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lacroix is looking to get to half guard.
Slater connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Slater lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Slater is landing with some decent strikes but Lacroix is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Slater with the ground and pound from mount.
Lacroix tries to lock up and control but Slater gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Lacroix is in all sorts of trouble here.
Slater trying to control but Lacroix is having none of it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Slater is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Lacroix to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Lacroix shrugs it off.
Slater lands with some strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Harry Slater clearly takes that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Lacroix on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Slater wants to clinch.
Lacroix misses with a low kick.
Slater thuds a left hand into Lacroix's body.
Slater is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
A left and a right from Slater both land. Nice combination.

Lacroix is rocked!
Lacroix avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Slater.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Slater tries to close the distance and clinch up but Lacroix swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Slater checks a leg kick nicely.
Slater will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Max Lacroix is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Slater.
Harry Slater is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Slater misses with a hook to the body
and Lacroix counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Slater shoots for a double leg takedown but Lacroix sprawls well. He's pushed Slater's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Lacroix fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Slater.
Slater slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Lacroix lands a nice leg kick that just misses Slater's sensitive parts.
Lacroix throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Slater sees it coming and avoids it easily.
As Lacroix looks to move away, Slater throws a big counter combo but Lacroix just gets out of the way.
Lacroix throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Lacroix on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Slater misses with a wild combination.
Slater throws a combination that misses

and Lacroix counters with a crisp one two that drops Slater! Lacroix thinks about following him to the mat for a moment but instead steps back and waves Slater to his feet! Slater is in big trouble!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A big right from Lacroix misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Slater fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Harry Slater. That's going to take a lot out of him.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Slater shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

Slater is rocked!
Slater fails with the takedown.
Lacroix swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Oh Slater is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Slater doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Slater seems to have got his legs back now.
Slater looks to land a right hand but Lacroix moved out of range.
Lacroix connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Slater throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Lacroix connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Lacroix lands with an overhand left.

Lacroix tries to keep at a distance but Slater has taken the fight into the clinch.
Lacroix has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Slater jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Lacroix walks away with a smile on his face. Slater gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Lacroix finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Lacroix slips a jab and a cross from Slater.
Lacroix lands a jab to Slater's midsection.
Lacroix scores with a spinning back kick!
Slater walks into a stiff left hand from Lacroix.
Slater throws a combination that misses
and Lacroix counters with a nice uppercut.
Lacroix drops Slater with a huge uppercut! Slater drops to the floor like a sack of potatoes. Lacroix is raining down punches and the ref stops the fight! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:43 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Max Lacroix!
Max Lacroix is the new welterweight champion!
A relieved looking Max Lacroix thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.