PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Harry Slater (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Roddy Piper (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Slater
vs
Piper

174 cm
30
161 lbs
13 - 4 - 0

180 cm
32
187 lbs
12 - 11 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

//buriedALIVE// Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Harry Slater!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Roddy Piper!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Jack Bonds and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Piper throws a body shot but no joy.
Piper looks for a takedown but Slater sprawls well.
Piper shoots in for a takedown but Slater shows good takedown defense.
Piper scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Piper tries for a takedown but Slater sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Harry Slater has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Roddy Piper.
Piper shoots in for a double leg but Slater sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Piper shoots in looking for a takedown but Slater manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Piper's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Slater appears to be looking for a counter takedown.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Slater enables Piper to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Slater manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Slater working for a triangle but Piper defends it easily.

Slater throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Slater is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Piper throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Piper told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Piper is looking to advance position but Slater has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Slater controlling from mount.
Slater thowing shots but they're missing.
Piper slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Slater throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Slater misses with a head shot. Piper uses the momentum to regain guard.
Slater slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Slater wants to control from the top but Piper keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Slater looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Piper pulls Slater in to control the position.
Slater looking to sit in guard and control but Piper gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Piper stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Slater swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Slater keeping moving, preventing Piper from controlling successfully.
Piper distracts Slater with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Piper working some strikes from top position.
Piper in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Piper trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Piper cracks Slater with a solid left hand.
Piper postures up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Danga de danga de dang - Slater scores with a four punch combination!

Piper scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Piper working the strikes but Slater uses the opportunity to regain half guard.

Slater looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Slater has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Piper is working away from the top position though.
Slater is looking to improve his position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Piper misses with a head shot. Slater uses the momentum to regain guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Roddy Piper will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Piper closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Slater quickly recovers to half guard.
Piper stalling away here and it's allowed Slater to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Slater is on top in guard.

Slater is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Piper is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Piper has escaped and now he's on top!

Slater keeping moving, preventing Piper from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Piper looking to sit in guard and control but Slater gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Slater sitting in guard here, content to control.
Slater throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Piper works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Piper keeping moving, preventing Slater from controlling successfully.
We've been hearing that Slater has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Slater throws a big right hand that misses.
Piper utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Slater seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Piper tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Piper utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Slater wants to control from the top but Piper keeps moving.
Slater content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Slater looking to pass the guard.
Roddy Piper has got the better of the ground game so far.
Piper avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Slater throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Piper moves out of range as Slater strikes.
Piper tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Slater was well out of range. Poor timing from Piper.
Slater throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Slater lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Piper shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Slater sprawls well. Slater wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Piper gets slowly back to his feet.
Piper on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Piper looks for a takedown but Slater sprawls well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Slater stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Slater wants it to stay on the feet.
Harry Slater has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Roddy Piper.
Piper shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Piper lands with a good body shot.
Piper shoots in looking for a takedown but Slater manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Piper's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Slater attempts a counter takedown but Piper avoids it well and moves away.
Slater moves into range and connects with a jab.
Slater stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Slater wants it to stay on the feet.
Slater pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Piper looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Piper looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Piper trying to control from half guard but Slater is working away.
Slater gets full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Harry Slater dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Piper uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Slater.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Slater enables Piper to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Slater manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
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.
Slater is trying to control the position but Piper postures up.

Slater working for a triangle but Piper defends it easily.
Piper won't allow Slater to sweep him here.
Piper stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Slater swivels though and keeps the full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Piper working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Piper postures up in Slater's guard and throws a big left but Slater blocks it.
Piper loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Piper trying to control the position from guard on top but Slater is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Piper preventing the sweep.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Piper shoots in for a takedown but Slater shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Nice takedown defense from Slater. No joy for Piper on that attempt.
Slater looks to throw the jab but Piper is out of range.

Slater closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Slater lands in his opponent's guard.
Slater wants to pass the guard but Piper is keeping the position.
Slater forces his way into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Slater is trying to control. Piper wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Piper trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Piper is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Slater can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Piper is looking to escape.
Piper blocking the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Piper working to try and regain half guard.
Piper is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Slater can't control as he wanted to and Piper manages to get the fight back to his half guard.
Slater sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Piper defending well though.
Slater looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

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.
The fighters are battling for position here. Piper manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Slater here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Piper is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Slater is controlling him.
Slater pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Piper is keeping the position for now.
Slater throws an elbow that misses. Piper uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Slater's guard. Nice move by Piper!

Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Piper pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Slater is keeping the position for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Harry Slater clearly takes that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Piper misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Piper closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Slater to the mat! Slater manages to get full guard.
Piper looking to sit in guard and control but Slater gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Slater throws a strike but Piper rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Slater is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Slater throwing shots but Piper is blocking nicely.
Slater thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Piper is staying active underneath Slater, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Piper tries to get to full guard but Slater has control of the leg.
Slater is keen to just control but Piper is a slippery customer.
Piper wants to improve his position but Slater is controlling well.

Slater is working for a submission of some sort.
Slater missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's two 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 stalling away here and it's allowed Piper to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Piper keeping full guard, as Slater tries to pass.
Piper trying to control the position here.
Slater trying to control but Piper is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Slater is looking to work some ground and pound but Piper has wrist control.
Slater wants to control from the top but Piper keeps moving.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Slater slaps away a takedown attempt from Piper, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Harry Slater is winning the standup battle so far.
Slater shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Piper eats them both and turns towards Slater to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Slater fails to land with a series of punches.

Slater feints and as Piper raises his hands in defense, Slater changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Piper wants to sweep but no luck.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Slater throws an elbow that misses. Piper uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Slater's guard. Nice move by Piper!

Piper pushes down on Slater's leg and manages to get into half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Slater manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Piper trying to control the position from guard on top but Slater is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Piper throws a big right hand that misses.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Piper trying to control but Slater is working from the bottom.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Slater is on top in guard.

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

Harry Slater had his way with Roddy Piper in that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Piper shoots in but no luck this time.
Piper fails to land the takedown.
Slater keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Piper shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Slater as he jumps to the side.
Harry Slater has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Roddy Piper.
Slater throws a jab when Piper was well out of range.
Piper shoots in looking for a takedown. Slater tries to sprawl out of it but Piper keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Slater manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Slater lands a nice shot to the body.

Slater gets caught napping as Piper dives in and scores a takedown. Slater manages to retain guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Piper makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Piper trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Piper preventing the sweep.
Piper working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Piper wants to control from the top but Slater keeps moving.
Piper is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Slater working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Piper.
Slater has momentary wrist control but Piper slips an elbow through the middle.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Slater punishes Piper's body with a nice straight punch.

That's two 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.
Slater throws a good cross that connects.
Slater keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Slater tries to counter with a takedown but Piper is quick to defend against it.
Slater scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Nice sprawl there from Slater as Piper shoots in.

Piper looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Slater!
Piper working the strikes but Slater uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Slater makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Slater.
Piper with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Slater had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Piper defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Piper wants to control from the top but Slater keeps moving.
Slater manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Piper manages to get himself to full guard.

Piper looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Slater tries to free his leg and advance position but Piper is retaining full guard.
Slater slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Slater is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Piper can do to turn this around?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Slater is looking to take a break and control but Piper is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Piper defending against the ground and pound.
Roddy Piper has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
An elbow from Slater crashes against the mat.
Slater remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The ground and pound from Slater seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.

And that's the end of the fight!
Harry Slater showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Slater 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight for Harry Slater!
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight for Harry Slater!
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight for Harry Slater!

Harry Slater wins by unanimous decision!
In his post fight interview, Harry Slater started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.