PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between TJ Crawford (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tekken Slice (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Crawford comes to the cage accompanied by John Legend - Who Do We Think We Are . Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Crawford
vs
Slice

179 cm
34
155 lbs
17 - 19 - 0

160 cm
31
137 lbs
12 - 15 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good takedowns
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, TJ Crawford!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 15 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Tekken Slice!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Crawford tries to clinch

and Slice moves into the clinch.
Slice tries to pull guard but Crawford holds him up against the cage and eventually Slice drops back down to his feet.
Crawford is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Slice is defending well for now.
Crawford connects with a nasty looking knee right to Slice's face.
Crawford with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Slice tries to pull guard but Crawford won't allow it.
Slice misses with a hook to the ribs.
Crawford tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Slice fails to pull guard.
TJ Crawford has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tekken Slice.
Slice blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Slice wants a takedown but no success here.
Crawford using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Slice has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Slice drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Slice blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Crawford landing knees to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crawford looking to throw knees to the head but Slice is blocking nicely.
Crawford putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Slice in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Crawford with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Crawford with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Knees in the clinch landing for Crawford.
Slice avoiding damage as Crawford throws knees to the body.
Crawford with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Slice tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Crawford just stands there and leans against the cage.
Slice trying to control the position but instead, Crawford has worked for underhooks and has pushed Slice into the cage.
Crawford blocks a body shot from Slice.

Slice breaks the clinch.

Slice closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Crawford can't do much from the bottom here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Slice trying to control the position but Crawford is working away.

Slice goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Crawford has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Slice but great work by Crawford.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
You can see the frustration on Slice's face as Crawford controls the position.
Crawford continues to stall.

Crawford decides to take the fight back to the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Crawford wants to clinch.
Slice tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Crawford defends well and Slice ends up having to push Crawford into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Crawford tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Crawford gets underhooks to prevent Slice's takedown attempt.
Crawford misses with a knee strike.
A knee to the head by Crawford.
Slice is trying to pull guard but Crawford turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Slice has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Crawford after a bit of a struggle.
Crawford throws a knee to the head but misses.
Slice has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Slice jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Crawford walks away with a smile on his face. Slice gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Slice shoots in but Crawford avoids the takedown attempt easily.
TJ Crawford is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Slice looks winded!
Slice shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Slice will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Slice looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Crawford is fending him off so far but Slice persists. Nope, Crawford circles away and we're back to standing.

Crawford moves into the clinch.
Crawford is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Slice is defending well for now.
Crawford lands a knee to the head.
Crawford scores with a knee to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Crawford using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Slice has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Crawford misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Slice.
Crawford tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Slice on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
A knee to the head by Crawford.
Slice goes for a takedown attempt but Crawford pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Crawford wants to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

TJ Crawford dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Crawford moves into the clinch.
Slice is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Crawford to keep the fight standing.
Slice has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Crawford avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Slice is looking to break free of the clinch but Crawford has double underhooks.
Crawford trying to land knees to the body.
Crawford lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Crawford trying to land knees to the body.
Slice managing to block the knees to the body from Crawford.
Crawford tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Slice avoids it.
Slice is trying to force a seperation but Crawford has the dominant position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Crawford utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Slice managing to block the knees to the body from Crawford.
Crawford missing with knees to the body.
TJ Crawford has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Slice tries to work over Crawford's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crawford landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Slice is breathing heavily.
Crawford scores with a knee to the head.
Crawford throws a knee to the head but misses.
Crawford lands a knee to the head.
Crawford looking to throw knees to the head but Slice is blocking nicely.
Slice has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Crawford seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Slice can turn it around.
Crawford tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Crawford lands a knee to the head.
Slice softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Slice is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Crawford gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
TJ Crawford has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tekken Slice.
Crawford with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Crawford unloads a knee to the mid-section. Slice lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

Slice manages to pull guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Slice controls Crawford momentarily but Crawford frees himself.
Crawford showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Slice working a defensive guard but Crawford manages to pass into side control anyway.
Crawford wants to lay and pray for a moment but Slice keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Slice can't do much from the bottom here.
Crawford will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Crawford wants to stand but Slice is controlling his arm.
Crawford content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Slice struggling a bit here.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Crawford tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Slice manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Slice keeps the fight on the outside.

Crawford gets a clinch.
Crawford blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Slice tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Crawford smiles and moves away.
Slice tries to land a front kick but Crawford steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
TJ Crawford is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Crawford stuffs the takedown.
Crawford tries to close the distance and clinch up but Slice swats him away and circles back towards the center.
The fight stays on the outside here - Crawford looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Slice lands a body shot.
Slice tries for a takedown but Crawford sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Crawford has Slice up against the cage in a clinch.
Crawford throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Slice blocks it with crossed arms.
Slice is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Crawford pulls him back up using the underhooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

TJ Crawford dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Crawford closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Crawford missing with knees to the body.
Crawford misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Slice.
Crawford tries a knee to the head but Slice blocks it.
Crawford throws a knee to the head but misses.
Crawford misses with a knee to the head.
Crawford with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Slice stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Crawford throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Slice blocks it with crossed arms.

Slice escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Slice takes the fight into the clinch.
Slice is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Crawford pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Slice avoiding damage as Crawford throws knees to the body.
Crawford tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Slice avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crawford using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Slice takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Slice changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Crawford fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Crawford stuffs the takedown.
TJ Crawford has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tekken Slice.
Crawford wants to clinch up but Slice keeps it at a distance.
Crawford is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Slice can do to turn this around?
Crawford moves in looking to clinch but Slice pushes him off.
Slice keeps the fight on the outside.
Slice fails in his attempt to clinch.
Slice misses with a wild combination.
Slice fails in his attempt to clinch.

Crawford moves into the clinch successfully.

Slice tightens his grip and picks Crawford up, before dumping him to the ground. Crawford manages to land in guard.
Crawford is trying to control the position but Slice postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Slice controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Crawford is trying to keep Slice in close.
Crawford keeping moving, preventing Slice from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Crawford controls Slice momentarily but Slice frees himself.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Crawford tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Crawford wants to clinch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Slice. Crawford does a little dance to reset his feet.
Crawford checks the leg kick.
Slice shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Crawford defends it nicely.
Slice connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Crawford wants to clinch up but Slice keeps it at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Crawford fails with an attempt to clinch.

Slice feints and as Crawford raises his hands in defense, Slice changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Crawford keeping moving, preventing Slice from controlling successfully.
Crawford is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Crawford not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Slice trying to control the position from guard on top but Crawford is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Crawford is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Slice is controlling him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tekken Slice really dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Slice.
Crawford tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Slice manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Slice shoots in looking for a takedown. Crawford tries to sprawl out of it but Slice keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Crawford manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Slice gets tackled into the cage by Crawford. Crawford maintains the clinch.
Knees in the clinch landing for Crawford.
Crawford connects with a knee to the head.
Crawford landing knees to the head.
Slice avoiding damage as Crawford throws knees to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Slice goes for a takedown attempt but Crawford pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Slice keeps the fight on the outside.
Crawford tries to clinch up.
Slice is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Slice shoots in but no luck this time.
TJ Crawford has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tekken Slice.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Crawford closes the distance and clinches.
Crawford looking to throw knees to the head but Slice is blocking nicely.
Slice takes a knee right on the jaw!
Crawford misses with a knee strike.
Slice tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Crawford misses with a knee to the head.
Slice on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Crawford keeps control of Slice as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Crawford landing knees to the head.
Crawford misses with a knee to the head.
Slice has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Crawford is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Crawford throws a knee to the head but misses.
Slice is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Crawford gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Crawford throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Slice blocks it with crossed arms.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Slice takes a knee to the side of the body.
Crawford is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Slice is defending well for now.
Slice tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Crawford prevents the takedown attempt.
Crawford throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Slice blocks it with crossed arms.
Crawford throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Slice blocks it with crossed arms.
Crawford lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
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!
Slice is trying to drag Crawford to the mat but Crawford just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Slice is trying to drag Crawford to the mat but Crawford just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Crawford landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Crawford is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Slice avoiding damage as Crawford throws knees to the body.
Slice working hard to break the clinch.
Slice wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Slice on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Crawford tries a knee to the head but Slice blocks it.
Crawford using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Slice has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Crawford throws a knee to the head but misses.

Slice's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Slice shoots for a takedown but Crawford saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Slice shoots in looking for a takedown but Crawford manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Slice's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
A head kick misses from Slice.
The fight stays on the outside here - Crawford looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Crawford tries to clinch up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Slice avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Crawford tries to close the distance and clinch but Slice swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Slice shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Crawford but Crawford pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Crawford wants to clinch up but Slice keeps it at a distance.

Crawford gets caught napping as Slice dives in and scores a takedown. Crawford manages to retain guard.
Crawford wants to sweep here but Slice controlling him for the moment.

Crawford looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Slice passes into half guard.
Slice is looking to take a break and control but Crawford is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

TJ Crawford had his way with Tekken Slice in that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Slice misses with a takedown attempt - Crawford sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Crawford avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Slice shoots in looking for a takedown but Crawford manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Slice's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Tekken Slice seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Crawford doesn't manage to clinch there - Slice circles away.
Slice tries to close the distance and clinch up but Crawford swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Crawford takes a kick to the side of the head.

Crawford gets a clinch.
Slice can't break the clinch.
Knees in the clinch landing for Crawford.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A knee to the head by Crawford.
Crawford scores with a knee to the head.
A knee to the head by Crawford.
Crawford utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Crawford throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Slice blocks it with crossed arms.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crawford with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Crawford throws a knee to the head but misses.
Crawford prevents a takedown attempt there.
TJ Crawford has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tekken Slice.
Crawford lands a knee to the body.
Crawford tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Slice avoids it.
Crawford misses with a knee strike.
Crawford is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Crawford lands a good knee to the midsection. Slice won't want to take too many of those.
Crawford misses with a knee to the head.
Crawford with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Slice avoiding damage as Crawford throws knees to the body.

Slice turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Slice manages to end up in side control.
Slice tries to advance to mount but Crawford denies him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Crawford tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Slice wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Slice is trying to get an arm triangle but Crawford is defending well.
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!
Slice controlling from side mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Slice tries to move to mount but Crawford blocks the move with his legs.
Slice trying to control the position but Crawford is working away.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Tekken Slice has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Crawford is looking to clinch.
Crawford fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Slice fails with a takedown attempt.
Crawford tries to close the distance and clinch up but Slice swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Crawford clinches up with Slice and pushes him back against the cage.
Crawford scores a nice knee to the body.
Crawford with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Crawford with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Slice working aggressively here.
Slice has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Crawford avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Crawford with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Slice misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Crawford scores a nice knee to the body.
Slice doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Slice tries to throw a body punch but Crawford avoids it by throwing Slice back against the cage.
Crawford using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Slice has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Crawford tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
TJ Crawford is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Slice managing to block the knees to the body from Crawford.

And that's the end of the fight!
TJ Crawford showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Crawford has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight for TJ Crawford!
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight for TJ Crawford!
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight for TJ Crawford!

TJ Crawford wins by unanimous decision!
TJ Crawford was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.