PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Elton Knapp (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alex Slagter (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.

Knapp
vs
Slagter

171 cm
24
215 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Elton Knapp!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Alex Slagter!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Nard Betker and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Slagter throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Knapp is looking to counter with head kicks.
Slagter throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Knapp makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Slagter really felt that one!
Knapp with a lazy takedown attempt

and Slagter counters by clinching up.
Knapp being controlled against the cage.
Knapp is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Slagter pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Slagter stalling against the cage.
Knapp can't get the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Elton Knapp. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Slagter manages to break the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Slagter rushes Knapp and presses him up against the cage.
Slagter gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Knapp.
Knapp tries to pull guard but Slagter holds him up against the cage and eventually Knapp drops back down to his feet.
Knapp can't break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Slagter is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Knapp can't fight it off and eventually Slagter manages to take the fight to the floor. Knapp looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Knapp is looking to stand back up but Slagter counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Knapp.

Slagter is nestled in close to Knapp, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Slagter sitting and controlling from the half guard.

Knapp manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Slagter keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Slagter fails to pull guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Slagter working Knapp over with knees to the body.
Slagter is pressed up against the cage. Knapp has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Slagter down to the mat. Slagter avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Slagter gets in close and instigates a clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Slagter is pressed up against the cage. Knapp has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Slagter down to the mat. Slagter avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Knapp fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Slagter avoids it really well and circles away.
Knapp is breathing heavily.

Knapp instigates a clinch.
Slagter gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Knapp.

Slagter pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Slagter closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Slagter lands in his opponent's guard.

Slagter is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Slagter showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Slagter slips nicely into half guard.
Well, if Slagter is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.

Slagter is working for a kimura but Knapp is defending it quite comfortably.
Slagter is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Knapp gets tackled into the cage by Slagter. Slagter maintains the clinch.
Slagter is pressed up against the cage. Knapp has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Slagter down to the mat. Slagter avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Knapp tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Knapp sets himself, and Slagter steps forward looking for the clinch! Knapp avoids it this time.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Slagter.
Slagter wants to stand but Knapp is controlling his arm.

Slagter stands up and beckons Knapp to his feet.
Knapp really is a fat lump.
Slagter throws a half hearted mid kick.
Nice body kick there by Knapp.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Knapp shoots in but no luck this time.
Slagter is looking to clinch but Knapp is avoiding it.
Slagter lands a leg kick that knocks Knapp off balance momentarily.
Knapp tries to clinch

and Slagter counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Knapp has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Slagter is on him like a limpet, forcing Knapp back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knapp wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Slagter has him pressed against the cage.
Knapp tries to pull guard but Slagter forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Elton Knapp. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Slagter stops a takedown attempt from Knapp.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Slagter pulls Knapp into guard.

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

Slagter working for a triangle but Knapp defends it easily.
Knapp working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Slagter is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Knapp is controlling Slagter's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Knapp wants to control but Slagter is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Slagter drops an elbow to the side of Knapp's head.
Knapp wants to control but Slagter is keeping busy.
Slagter is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Knapp trying to control from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knapp is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Knapp wants to get back to his feet.
Alex Slagter has got the better of the ground game so far.
Knapp trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

Slagter seems to be working for a kimura but Knapp defends the submission attempt.
Slagter is trying to control. Knapp wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Slagter is thwarting Knapp's attempts to control the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Slagter scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Knapp is looking to get back to his feet here but Slagter is keeping cool and he's managed to take Knapp's back.
Knapp tries to escape but Slagter has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Slagter working for a choke but Knapp is defending well.
Knapp trying to control the position but Slagter manages to sink in the hooks.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Slagter controlling the positon.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Slagter showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Slagter keeps the fight on the outside.
Slagter leaves Knapp with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Slagter misses the jab.
Knapp tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Slagter swivels and escapes.
Slagter throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Slagter has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Slagter shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Knapp is looking for a sweep. Slagter is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Slagter content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Knapp trying to hold on to Slagter's head to control him but Slagter postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Slagter stalling.
Slagter wants to pass the guard but Knapp is defending well.

Knapp looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Slagter wants to free his trapped foot but Knapp is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Slagter is keen to just control but Knapp is a slippery customer.
Knapp is trying to maintain the position but Slagter is very close to passing his half guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Knapp throws a head kick that misses.

Slagter manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Knapp on his heels. He'll look to pass Knapp's guard now, I'm sure.
Slagter looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Slagter wants to get up but he can't break Knapp's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Slagter is working Knapp over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Slagter scoring with some ground and pound.

Knapp is rocked!

Slagter stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Slagter closes the distance looking for a takedown. Knapp stuffs it but Slagter still has hold of him. Slagter picks Knapp up in a fireman's lift! The crowd roars in approval. Slagter slams Knapp to the floor and that's really hurt Knapp - he doesn't know where he is! Slagter throws a couple of strikes and the referee steps in to save him! This one is in the books!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:19 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Alex Slagter!