PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Eric McDowell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chad Slone (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McDowell's entrance music is California Love. A fine choice. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

McDowell
vs
Slone

180 cm
20
145 lbs
0 - 5 - 0

180 cm
19
153 lbs
0 - 4 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Good in bed

BJJ White Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Eric McDowell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Chad Slone!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Cecil Peabody and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Slone tries to close the distance and clinch up but McDowell swats him away and circles back towards the center.
McDowell scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Slone blocks a head kick by McDowell.

McDowell feints and as Slone raises his hands in defense, McDowell changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
McDowell would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Slone bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in McDowell's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Slone controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Slone gets to his feet - McDowell follows without any prompting.

McDowell shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Slone pushes McDowell off and gets back to his feet.
Slone tries to close the distance and clinch but McDowell swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDowell pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Slone shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has McDowell pinned against the cage. McDowell gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Slone misses with a low kick.
McDowell defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Slone.
Slone throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around McDowell's waist but McDowell gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Slone off to one side.
Eric McDowell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chad Slone.
A slapping leg kick lands for McDowell.
McDowell tries to close the distance and clinch up but Slone swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Slone sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
McDowell throws a right hand that Slone ducks under and follows up with a left that Slone also avoids with ease.
McDowell lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
McDowell connects with a jab.

McDowell drives through with a takedown into Slone's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
McDowell is breathing heavily.
McDowell trying to control but Slone is working from the bottom.
McDowell won't allow Slone to sweep him here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Slone is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
McDowell wants to stand and escape but instead Slone has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDowell being controlled here, momentarily.
Slone forces his way into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Slone prevents McDowell from standing back up.

Slone decides to return to a standing position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Slone throws a solid leg kick but McDowell takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Slone.
The fight stays on the outside here - Slone looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Slone closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. McDowell did well to prevent Slone getting side control.

Slone stands up out of the half guard.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Slone is trying to work for a single leg takedown but McDowell pulls him back up using the underhooks.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Slone manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Slone wants to sweep but no luck.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Chad Slone will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

McDowell closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Slone's guard.
Slone has a closed guard, preventing McDowell from standing up.
McDowell really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
McDowell trying to control the position from guard on top but Slone is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Slone pulls McDowell in close to his closed guard and prevents McDowell from doing any damage or advancing position.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Chad Slone wasn't active enough on the ground.
Slone on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by McDowell. McDowell obviously looking to wear him down.
McDowell misses with a wild body shot.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Slone moves into the clinch successfully.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

McDowell turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

Slone throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
McDowell keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDowell circles away from the clinch attempt.

Slone clinches.

McDowell breaks from the clinch.
McDowell misses with a body kick.

Slone has closed the distance and engaged McDowell in a clinch.
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!
McDowell is trying to break free.
McDowell is trying to break free.

McDowell ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. McDowell no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Slone not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Slone tries to free his leg and advance position but McDowell is retaining full guard.
Slone stays in close to McDowell's body and controls the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Chad Slone was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Slone tries to close the distance and clinch but McDowell swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Slone gets the takedown into side control.

Slone has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
A jab lands there for Slone.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Slone throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. McDowell tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Slone is in McDowell's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Slone gets to his feet - McDowell follows without any prompting.
Slone tries to clinch there but McDowell circles away.
Slone tries to clinch there but McDowell circles away.

Slone clinches up against the cage.

Slone escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McDowell tries a head kick but it misses.

Slone closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chad Slone showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

McDowell blocks the body kick.
McDowell checks the leg kick nicely there.
Good exchange - McDowell coming out on top.
Slone tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. McDowell manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Slone is looking to clinch but McDowell is avoiding it.
McDowell avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Slone wants to clinch.

McDowell shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. McDowell showed some decent athleticism there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDowell tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Slone.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Slone misses with some strikes from the bottom.

Slone manages to escape and get back to his feet!
McDowell fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Slone.
McDowell looks to land a body kick but Slone moved away.

Slone fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. McDowell sprawls well initially but Slone persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDowell looks like he's trying to stand up.

Slone escapes and gets back to his feet.

Slone gets a double leg takedown into McDowell's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
McDowell wants to sweep but no luck.
Slone is working McDowell over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Slone stands up and waves to McDowell to follow him.

McDowell closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDowell missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Slone keeping hold of McDowell's head, controlling as best he can.

Slone has one foot on McDowell's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Slone tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Slone moves in looking to clinch but McDowell pushes him off.
McDowell tries to score with a low kick but Slone moves his leg out of the way.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Slone scores with a takedown into McDowell's guard.
McDowell tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Chad Slone is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Slone decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on McDowell, up you get!
McDowell scores with a punch to the head.
Eric McDowell has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Slone closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. McDowell did well to prevent Slone getting side control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Slone stands up from half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Slone dodges the punch combination from McDowell.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chad Slone comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Slone 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chad Slone!
After the fight, Chad Slone was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.