PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Leo Howe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cole Slaw (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Howe
vs
Slaw

203 cm
18
140 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

150 cm
18
135 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Leo Howe!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Cole Slaw!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Konstantin Menshow and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Slaw misses with a takedown attempt
and Howe counters with a left and a right that stings Slaw.
Howe throws the left hand but Slaw avoids the punch easily.
Slaw should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Slaw misses with a takedown attempt
and Howe counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Slaw misses with a takedown
and Howe counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Leo Howe has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cole Slaw.
Slaw tries to clinch but Howe moves away

and Howe counters by moving into the clinch.
Slaw is looking to take this one to the mat.

Howe is trying to trip Slaw. He has hold of a leg but Slaw is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Howe persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Howe throwing strikes from guard but Slaw blocks nicely.
Howe scoring with some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Howe postures up.
Howe lands a couple of elbows.
Slaw is trying to keep Howe in close.
Slaw avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Howe drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Slaw manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Howe has Slaw in his guard.

Howe pushes Slaw off and scrambles back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Slaw shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Howe sprawls well. Howe wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Slaw gets slowly back to his feet.
Slaw shoots in for a takedown but Howe shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Slaw shoots for a takedown but Howe saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Slaw shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
enabling Howe to counter with a crisp jab.

Slaw tries to keep at a distance but Howe has taken the fight into the clinch.

Howe breaks the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Slaw tries to clinch
and Howe counters with a stiff right hand.
Slaw tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Howe counters by clinching up.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Slaw has eaten all the pies!

Howe's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Slaw tries to clinch but Howe moves away

and Howe counters by clinching up.
Slaw drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Howe gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Howe has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Slaw regains guard immediately.
Howe postures up in Slaw's guard and throws a big left but Slaw blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Slaw is trying to control the position from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Howe accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Howe landing with the ground and pound.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Slaw working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Howe.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Leo Howe dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Slaw fails with the takedown
and Howe counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Slaw misses with a takedown attempt
and Howe counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Slaw gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Howe counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Leo Howe has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cole Slaw.
Slaw tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Howe counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

Howe looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Howe wants to work for an arm triangle but Slaw is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Slaw manages to get to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Howe postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Slaw avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Slaw looking for a sweep. Not yet Slaw, not yet.
Howe throws a big elbow that misses.
Howe landing with the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Slaw avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Howe throws an elbow that misses. Slaw uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Howe's guard. Nice move by Slaw!

Howe pushes Slaw off and scrambles back to his feet.
Slaw gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Howe counters by clinching up.
Slaw is breathing heavily.

Howe wants the takedown. Slaw is fighting it off but Howe persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Slaw's guard against the cage.
Slaw is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Howe scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Howe throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Slaw works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Howe postures up.
Slaw working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Howe.
Leo Howe overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Howe in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Cole Slaw was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Howe shoots in and bounces Slaw off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Howe throws a big elbow that misses.
Howe throws a strike but Slaw rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Slaw trying to control the position from guard on top but Howe is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Howe wriggles free and stands up.
Slaw shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Howe counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Slaw's guard now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Leo Howe dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Slaw fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Howe avoids it really well and circles away.
Howe leaves Slaw with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Slaw doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Howe counters by clinching up.
Leo Howe has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cole Slaw.

Howe has hold of one of Slaw's legs. Slaw is fighting the takedown attempt but Howe gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Slaw working a defensive guard here.

Howe drops back, looking for a kneebar! Slaw looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Slaw looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Slaw!
Slaw takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Howe is looking for a sweep.
Slaw tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Howe wants to get back to his feet but Slaw drags him back down.

Slaw thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Howe gets back to half guard.
Howe is looking to escape.
Howe knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Slaw on the ground.
Howe tries to roll over but Slaw keeps him under control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Slaw works his way into side control.
Slaw has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Howe!
Howe is in all sorts of trouble here.
Slaw wants to take his opponent's back but he's not managed it.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Slaw can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Howe is looking to escape.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Howe is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Slaw mounts Howe! Really nice guard pass there!
Howe is desperately trying to improve his position but Slaw has a good base and remains in mount.
Howe is working hard here to advance position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Slaw can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Howe is looking to escape.
Slaw is dominating on the ground here - he's now on his opponent's back, looking to sink in the hooks. Howe is in real trouble.
Howe wants to get back to his feet.

Slaw is working for a rear naked choke. Howe is not defending it well and Slaw has tightened it up quickly! This could be all over! Howe refuses to tap and goes to sleep, forcing the referee to intervene. A little trickle of blood came out of Howe's nose as his head slumped to the floor. That is naaaasty!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:44 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Cole Slaw!