PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Tim Slater (ranked 2550 p4p, 139 weight class) and Justin Magnum (ranked 2876 p4p, 152 weight class). Justin Magnum will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Slater
vs
Magnum

170 cm
24
137 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

169 cm
24
136 lbs
8 - 7 - 1

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)

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 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Tim Slater!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Justin Magnum!
The judges for this bout are Steve Erwin, Winston Howard and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Slater forces Magnum back against the cage and clinches.
Magnum tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Slater is trying to pull guard but Magnum has him pressed against the cage.
Magnum lands a body punch in the clinch.
Magnum throws a head punch that misses.
Slater is trying to pull guard but Magnum turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Slater jumps guard but Magnum turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tim Slater. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Magnum swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Magnum swings wildly with an uppercut but Slater uses good head movement to avoid it.

Slater pulls guard effortlessly.
Magnum has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Slater is proving hard to escape from.
Slater wants to sweep here but Magnum controlling him for the moment.
Magnum has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Slater is proving hard to escape from.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Slater pulls Magnum in close to prevent any damage.
Magnum postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Slater working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Magnum doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Magnum manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Magnum wants to get up but he can't break Slater's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Slater looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Slater wants to sweep here but Magnum controlling him for the moment.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Slater holds on and takes a little breather.
Slater controls Magnum momentarily but Magnum frees himself.
We've been hearing good reports from Slater's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

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.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Magnum wants to stand but Slater is controlling his posture from full guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Magnum jabs Slater to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Magnum swings for the body but Slater moves out of range.

Slater drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Slater looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Magnum is not content to let Slater control the position.

Slater working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Slater wants to lay and pray for a moment but Magnum keeps working.

Magnum wants to improve his position, back to half guard but Slater has ideas of his own. He's got hold of Magnum's far side arm and it looks like he's got an Americana. Ohh! Ohhhh! OOOOOOOOOH! A human being's arm is not meant to bend like that! Magnum is tapping like a morse code operator on the Titanic! SOS SOS! He's out of here! Great win for Slater!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:41 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Tim Slater!
In his post fight interview, Tim Slater started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.