PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rolger Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Noah Payne (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Gracie
vs
Payne

195 cm
24
250 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

188 cm
23
266 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Powerful

•‡• LION Clothing •‡• [CBK]

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Rolger Gracie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Noah Payne!
The judges for this bout are Summer Carpenter, Winston Howard and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Gracie closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Payne did well to prevent Gracie getting side control.
Payne tries to get to full guard but Gracie has control of the leg.
Gracie missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Payne avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Gracie.
Payne regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Gracie.
Gracie working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Payne wants to sweep here but Gracie controlling him for the moment.

Payne looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Gracie working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Payne utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Gracie working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Gracie scoring with some ground and pound.
Gracie throws and elbow that misses. Payne uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Gracie's guard. Nice move by Payne!
Payne wants to control from the top but Gracie keeps moving.
Gracie on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Gracie tries to get out of the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Payne has gone for a leg lock! Gracie slips out almost immediately though and dives into Payne's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gracie trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Gracie is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Payne manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Gracie manages to get himself to full guard.
Payne controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Payne wants to control from the top but Gracie keeps moving.
Payne postures up in Gracie's guard and throws a big left but Gracie blocks it.
Payne stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Gracie swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Payne postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Gracie is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Payne, into his guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Payne utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Payne works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

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

Payne has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Gracie can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Payne preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Gracie thows a big elbow that misses.
Payne preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Payne has managed to work for a loose triangle. I think Gracie should be able to defend this one pretty easily though. Oh, Payne has tightened it up now! Gracie should have reacted faster there - he's in big trouble and yes, he's tapped out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:04 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Noah Payne!