PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Wes Ray (ranked 770 p4p, 97 weight class) and Max Slaughter (ranked 1730 p4p, 212 weight class). Ray comes to the cage accompanied by The Best Around. Slaughter has chosen Bring your Daughter to the Slaughter - Iron Maiden as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Ray
vs
Slaughter

190 cm
26
197 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

185 cm
26
199 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
KO power

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Very confident

IniTech Nutrition

Pit Bull Development

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Wes Ray!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Max Slaughter!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ray looks for a takedown but Slaughter sprawls well.
Ray bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Slaughter keeps the fight on the outside.

Ray fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Slaughter, pushing him back against the cage.
Ray is trying to drag Slaughter to the mat but Slaughter just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Slaughter stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Slaughter lands with a short shot to the head.
Slaughter throws a head punch that misses.
Ray has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Slaughter after a bit of a struggle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Wes Ray. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Slaughter swings wildly with an uppercut but Ray uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ray tries for a takedown. No joy.
Slaughter's coach down at Chris Leben Academy was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Slaughter's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Ray is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Slaughter is defending well.
Slaughter lands a left hand that snaps the head of Ray backwards.
Slaughter working aggressively here.
We've been hearing reports that Ray has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Slaughter is defending well against a takedown attempt.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Slaughter.
Ray has Slaughter pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Slaughter manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Slaughter struggles to land a body shot inside as Ray controls his hands.
Slaughter prevents the takedown attempt.
Slaughter working aggressively here.
Slaughter throws a head punch that misses.
Slaughter scores with a nice hook to the head.
Slaughter lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Slaughter misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ray has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Slaughter is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Slaughter goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ray goes for a takedown in the clinch but Slaughter prevents it.
Slaughter is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Slaughter lands a left hand.
Ray blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ray misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ray is trying to drag Slaughter to the mat but Slaughter just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Ray blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Slaughter lands a body punch.
Ray is breathing heavily.
Ray drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Slaughter gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Slaughter tries to work over Ray's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Slaughter lands a body shot.
Ray trying to stall but Slaughter improves his position.
Slaughter misses with a body punch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Ray gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Ray trying to control from half guard but Slaughter is working away.
Slaughter wants to improve his position but Ray is controlling well.
Slaughter is trying to maintain the position but Ray is very close to passing his half guard.
Ray throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Slaughter manages to get to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Slaughter looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Slaughter is adopting a defensive guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ray won't allow Slaughter to sweep him here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ray missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Ray trying to control the position from guard on top but Slaughter is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Slaughter trying to control the position.
Ray preventing the sweep.
Ray trying to control but Slaughter is working from the bottom.

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.
Ray is working Slaughter over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Ray stands up over Slaughter, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Slaughter controls Ray momentarily but Ray frees himself.
Ray working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Slaughter's head.
Ray working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Ray content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Ray lands a couple of digs.
Slaughter throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Ray is in close to Slaughter's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Ray working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Slaughter lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

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

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

Ray has a takedown stuffed.
Ray tries to clinch up.
Ray slips under a jab.
Ray throwing a counter right hand but Slaughter manages to avoid it.
Ray doesn't manage to clinch there - Slaughter circles away.
Slaughter keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Wes Ray seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ray shoots in for a takedown but Slaughter shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Wes Ray. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ray gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Slaughter counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ray tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Slaughter swivels and escapes.
Ray sets himself, and Slaughter steps forward looking for the clinch! Ray avoids it this time.
Ray misses with a takedown
and Slaughter cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ray shoots in for a takedown but Slaughter shows good takedown defense.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Ray.
Slaughter tries to counter with a clinch but Ray shakes him off and moves away.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Slaughter stuffs the takedown.

Ray shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Slaughter is trying to defend but Ray finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Ray 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.
Slaughter tries to roll over but Ray keeps him under control.
Ray throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Slaughter can do anything to dispel that myth.
Slaughter wants to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ray lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Ray connects with a nice short shot to Slaughter's temple.
Slaughter throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

Ray is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but Slaughter still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, Slaughter has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!
Slaughter wants to control but Ray is keeping him busy.
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!
Ray is working to avoid the ground and pound but Slaughter connects with a decent elbow.
Slaughter scores with a couple of short elbows.
Slaughter tries to score with some ground and pound. Ray controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Slaughter has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ray trying his best to control but Slaughter has mounted him.
Ray wants to hold on but Slaughter pushes him away.
Slaughter with good strikes from the mount here!
Slaughter unloads with some shots from mount but Ray bucks and avoids them well.
Ray bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Slaughter keeping moving, preventing Ray from controlling successfully.
Ray preventing the sweep.
Slaughter striking off his back but it's not causing Ray any problems.
Slaughter looking for a sweep. Not yet Slaughter, not yet.
Slaughter keeping moving, preventing Ray from controlling successfully.
Slaughter has momentary wrist control but Ray slips an elbow through the middle.
Ray stopping the sweep attempt from Slaughter.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Slaughter manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Ray manages to get himself to full guard.

Ray is trying to control the position but Slaughter postures up.
Ray is really struggling to control Slaughter but he's trying to hold on to the position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Slaughter accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Ray is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Slaughter defends well.

Ray looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Ray avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Slaughter throwing strikes but missing.
Slaughter advances position into side control!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Max Slaughter showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Ray's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Slaughter with a nice cross.
Slaughter lands a nice shot that snaps Ray's head back.
Ray with a poor takedown

and Slaughter counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Slaughter lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Ray.
Slaughter digs a right hand into Ray's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Ray's gas tank.
Slaughter tries to work over Ray's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Slaughter prevents a takedown attempt there.
Slaughter pushes Ray back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Slaughter lands with a left to the head.
Slaughter swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Slaughter scores with a shoulder strike.
Slaughter scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A short uppercut from Slaughter.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Slaughter tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ray's elbow.
Slaughter tries a body shot but Ray blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Slaughter misses with the head strike.
Ray is working for takedown but Slaughter is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Wes Ray. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Slaughter is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Slaughter throws a head punch that misses.
Slaughter lands a right hand.
A nice left hand lands by Slaughter.
Slaughter swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Slaughter lands on the inside with an uppercut.

Ray is rocked!
Slaughter misses with a short punch on the inside.
Oh Ray is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Ray is looking to take this one to the mat.
Slaughter fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Slaughter lands a body shot.
Slaughter lands a body shot.
Ray seems to have got his legs back now.
Slaughter working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Slaughter misses with a punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Slaughter.
Slaughter swings wildly with an uppercut but Ray uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Slaughter tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ray tries for a takedown. No joy.
Ray is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Slaughter to keep the fight standing.
Slaughter misses with a hook to the ribs.
Slaughter lands a shoulder strike.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A hook to the body from Slaughter.
Ray prevents a body shot from Slaughter.
Ray misses with the head strike.
Slaughter working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Max Slaughter seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Slaughter lands with a light punch inside.
Slaughter lands a right hand.
Ray blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Slaughter lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Slaughter lands a left hand.
Slaughter working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Ray tries for a takedown. No joy.
Ray takes a shot to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Slaughter has a couple of punches blocked by Ray.
Slaughter fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Slaughter scores with a shoulder strike.
Ray prevents a body shot from Slaughter.
Slaughter misses with a hook to the ribs.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Slaughter.
Slaughter lands a big right hand that drops Ray! The killer instinct kicks in and Slaughter finishes his opponent with a series of strikes from mount. A dominating finish by Slaughter!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:29 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Max Slaughter!
Max Slaughter is the new middleweight champion!
Max Slaughter decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.