PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Korey Cote (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ricky Slade (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Cote
vs
Slade

180 cm
23
215 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

187 cm
25
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Korey Cote!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ricky Slade!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, Lou da Vinci and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Cote gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Slade to score an easy takedown into full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Cote has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Slade has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Cote is trying to drag Slade to the mat but Slade just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Cote could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Slade tries to land knees in the clinch but Cote avoids the damage to the body.

Slade turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

Cote throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Slade shoots in for a takedown but Cote shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Slade misses with a takedown

and Cote holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Cote is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Slade can't fight it off and eventually Cote manages to take the fight to the floor. Slade looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cote in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cote is looking to work some ground and pound but Slade has wrist control.
Cote postures up in Slade's guard and throws a big left but Slade blocks it.
Slade doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Cote in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Cote is looking to work some ground and pound but Slade has wrist control.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Cote accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Slade is trying to keep Cote in close.
Cote postures up in Slade's guard and throws a big left but Slade blocks it.
Cote throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Slade works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Cote throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Slade works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Cote with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Slade not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Cote missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Slade is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Cote is aware though and is defending well.
Cote distracts Slade with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Cote is looking to work some ground and pound but Slade has wrist control.
Cote lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Cote postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Cote working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Slade looks winded!
Slade working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Cote.
Cote throwing strikes but missing.
Cote landing with the ground and pound.
Cote stands up over Slade, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Slade wants to hit a switch here but Cote passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Slade there!
Slade can't escape the position.
Cote lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Slade hang on?
BOOM! Cote connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Cote landing shots from mount.
Cote raining down shots from the mount!
Cote lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Slade hang on?
Slade tries to hold on but Cote pushes him away.
Cote lands a nice shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cote raining down hammerfists from mount.
Slade taking shots to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cote lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Slade hang on?
Slade is bucking up trying to escape but Cote cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Slade in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Slade takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
A nice elbow there by Cote.
Cote looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
BOOM! Cote connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Cote breaks from Slade's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Cote connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Cote punishing his opponent with strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Korey Cote dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Korey Cote's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Slade with a poor takedown

and Cote counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Cote.
Cote lands with a light punch inside.

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

Slade bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Cote sneaks out the side door and pushes Slade away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
A right-left combo lands from Slade.
Korey Cote is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Slade closes the distance and clinches.

Slade manages to pull guard.
Cote throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Slade works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Cote throws a big elbow that misses.
Slade is breathing heavily.
Cote works over Slade with some ground and pound from guard.
Cote postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cote preventing the sweep.
Cote cracks Slade with a solid left hand.
Cote lands a couple of digs.
Cote trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Cote's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Slade avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Cote throws a big elbow that misses.
Slade avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Cote in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Slade working a defensive guard but Cote passes into half guard.
Cote lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Cote scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Slade is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Cote lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Slade on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Slade is looking to improve his position.
Cote lands with a punch from half guard.
Cote winds up and cracks Slade with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Slade avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Cote.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Cote connects with a nice short shot to Slade's temple.
Cote landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Slade wants to control but Cote is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cote lands strikes from half guard.
Cote lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Cote working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Cote slips a nice elbow through Slade's hands, connecting with Slade's forehead.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Cote connects with a nice short shot to Slade's temple.
Slade is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Cote scores with a couple of nice shots.
Cote lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Cote thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Slade blocking the ground and pound attempt from Cote.
Slade keeping control of the position.
Cote thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Slade's head.
Korey Cote overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cote is nestled in close to Slade, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Cote lands with a punch from half guard.
Cote throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Cote lands with a punch from half guard.
Slade on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Cote landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Cote scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Cote not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Cote thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Slade on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Korey Cote dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Korey Cote's cut.
That's time! Cote's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Cote goes for a double leg but Slade avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Slade continues to drive forward.
Slade motions for Cote to come forward. Slade throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Cote appears to be looking for a big counter.
Slade tries for a takedown but Cote circles away easily
enabling Cote to counter with a crisp jab.
Cote is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Slade can do to turn this around?
Slade closes the distance looking to clinch
and Cote counters with a nice body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Slade fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Slade takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Slade connects with a body shot that sends Cote's belly button to the back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Slade shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Cote as he jumps to the side.
Korey Cote has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ricky Slade.
Slade tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Cote circles away from the clinch attempt.
As Slade looks to move away, Cote throws a big counter combo bu Slade just gets out of the way.
Slade tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Cote shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Slade defends it nicely.

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.
Cote closes the distance and clinches up with Slade, looking for a takedown. Cote pushes Slade against the cage but Slade circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Slade feints the counter takedown.

Slade shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Cote manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Slade keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Slade wants to stall.

Cote successfully pulls guard.
Cote looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Cote wants to sweep here but Slade controlling him for the moment.
Slade wants to stand but Cote has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cote looking to hit a scissor sweep but Slade is one step ahead there.

Cote uses the cage to get back to his feet.

Cote clinches up with Slade and pushes him back against the cage.

Cote jumps guard and drags Slade to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Cote is looking for a triangle but Slade pushes his legs off easily.
Slade being controlled here momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Slade wants to control from the top but Cote keeps moving.

Cote has his foot on Slade's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Slade works his way back into a safe position though.
Cote pulls Slade in close to his closed guard and prevents Slade from doing any damage or advancing position.

Cote is working an open guard so Slade takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Ricky Slade has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Korey Cote is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
No joy there for Slade, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Cote half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Korey Cote showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Cote, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 30:27
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 30:27
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Korey Cote!