PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Gruff Dragon (ranked 4234 p4p, 195 weight class) and Joe Slasher (ranked 7040 p4p, 245 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Dragon
vs
Slasher

150 cm
18
130 lbs
2 - 0 - 1

162 cm
18
140 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Sportivité

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Gruff Dragon!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Joe Slasher!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dragon fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Slasher manages to avoid it.
Dragon is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Slasher.

It looks like Gruff Dragon has been cut.
Dragon has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Slasher finds it's way round the side to connect with Dragon's head.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Slasher enables Dragon to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Slasher manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Slasher looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Slasher wants to stand but Dragon is controlling the position.
Dragon is looking to work some ground and pound but Slasher has wrist control.
Slasher keeping moving, preventing Dragon from controlling successfully.
Dragon looking to pass the guard.
Dragon is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dragon's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Dragon prevents Slasher from getting back to his feet.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Dragon shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Slasher manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Dragon prevents Slasher from getting back to his feet.
Dragon pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Slasher is keeping the position for now.
Slasher preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Dragon drops back, looking for a kneebar! Slasher looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Slasher looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Slasher!

I wouldn't like to be where Dragon is right now.
Dragon is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Dragon is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Slasher seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Dragon wants to control but Slasher is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Dragon is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Slasher pulls his head out easily.
Dragon trying to control here.
Dragon might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Dragon is trying to get back to full guard.

Dragon looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Dragon has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Slasher is working away from the top position though.
Dragon controlling the position well.
It looks like Slasher is going to stand back up.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Dragon walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

Dragon closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Slasher quickly recovers to half guard.
Slasher looks like he's trying to stand up.

Slasher manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Slasher paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

Dragon gets a double leg takedown into Slasher's guard.
Dragon is looking to work some ground and pound but Slasher has wrist control.

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

Slasher got a little sloppy there for a moment and Dragon has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Slasher has managed to get both his arms back between Dragon's legs - danger averted.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Slasher trying to stand up but can't free himself from Dragon's guard.
Dragon could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Dragon is trying to control the position but Slasher postures up.

Dragon is looking for a triangle but Slasher pushes his legs off easily.
Dragon on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Dragon tries to get out of the position.
Dragon has a closed guard, preventing Slasher from standing up.

That's six 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.

Dragon has his foot on Slasher's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Slasher works his way back into a safe position though.

Dragon is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Slasher is aware though and is defending well.

Dragon throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Dragon has a closed guard, preventing Slasher from standing up.

Dragon is looking for a triangle here but Slasher uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Slasher working away.
Slasher tries to stand but Dragon is controlling his head.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Dragon is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Dragon struggling a bit here.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Dragon gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
enabling Slasher to counter with a crisp jab.
Dragon is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Joe Slasher is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Dragon wants to clinch up but Slasher keeps it at a distance.
Slasher looks to land a combination but Dragon avoids it well.
Slasher comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Slasher is looking to clinch.
Slasher is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Slasher jabs Dragon right on the nose. Dragon blinks but takes it well.
Slasher rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Dragon moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Dragon shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

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

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Slasher is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Dragon thows a huge punch but Slasher dodges it nicely.
Dragon wants to take a breather but Slasher is having none of it.
Dragon content to control rather than advance.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Slasher wants to get back to his feet.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Dragon fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Slasher checks it well.
Dragon seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Dragon fails in his attempt to clinch.
Dragon misses with a right hand
and Slasher counters with a stiff right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Slasher dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Gruff Dragon's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Dragon gets a double leg takedown into Slasher's guard.
Dragon is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Dragon is standing up over Slasher. Slasher looks to escape but Dragon dives into side control.

Dragon thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Slasher is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Dragon lands an elbow.
Gruff Dragon overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Dragon goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Slasher rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Dragon's guard! Nice work there by Slasher!

Dragon has his foot on Slasher's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Slasher works his way back into a safe position though.
Slasher has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Dragon has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Slasher can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Dragon escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Slasher gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Dragon looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Dragon is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Slasher is aware though and is defending well.
Slasher tries to stand but Dragon is controlling from the bottom.

Dragon throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Slasher escapes and throws Dragon's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Slasher tries to stand but Dragon is controlling his head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dragon tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Slasher wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Dragon is working hard here to advance position.
Slasher tries to stand but Dragon is controlling his head.
Dragon manages to work his way to half guard, despite Slasher's best efforts.
Dragon trying to control but Slasher postures up.
Slasher tries to stand and escape but Dragon is controlling the position.
Dragon wants to control but Slasher is keeping busy and won't allow it.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

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.

Dragon shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Dragon was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Dragon is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Slasher tries to escape but Dragon is in control.
Dragon postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.

Dragon tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Dragon wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Slasher, who protects the arm well.

That's five minutes gone in the round.

Dragon tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Dragon has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Slasher is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Dragon has just dragged him back down to the mat.
The referee asks Dragon politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Dragon prefers to stall for the moment though.
Slasher is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Dragon asserts his dominance and retains side control.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Slasher tries to sprawl but Dragon drives through with a takedown into half guard.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Dragon is trying to control the action in half guard but Slasher is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Dragon wants to work for an arm triangle but Slasher is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Slasher is looking to escape.
Dragon not doing much here.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Dragon showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Slasher.
Dragon changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Slasher dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Slasher wants to clinch up but Dragon keeps it at a distance.
Slasher swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Dragon.
Slasher misses with a jab, cross combination.
Dragon changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

Dragon shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Slasher is trying to defend but Dragon finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Dragon throwing shots but Slasher is blocking nicely.
Joe Slasher is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Slasher looks like he's trying to stand up.
Dragon throwing shots but Slasher is blocking nicely.
Slasher tries to push off, looking to stand up, but Dragon manages to move to mount!

Slasher somehow manages to escape the mount and get back to his feet!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Slasher catches Dragon with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

Dragon has taken the fight to the clinch.

Dragon manages to break the clinch.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.

Dragon shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Slasher's guard.
Slasher is looking to stand up but Dragon isn't so interested in that idea.
Dragon trying to control the position from guard on top but Slasher is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Slasher wants to get back to his feet but Dragon is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Dragon postures up in Slasher's guard and throws a big left but Slasher blocks it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Dragon throws a big right hand that misses.
Slasher wants to stand and escape but Dragon is having none of it.
Gruff Dragon has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Gruff Dragon.
I have no idea who won that fight. Let's wait and see whether the judges are as confused as me! Time for a split decision perhaps?!. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight for Joe Slasher!
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight for Joe Slasher!
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight for Joe Slasher!

Joe Slasher wins by unanimous decision!
A victorious Joe Slasher thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.