PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Max Power (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Liam Payne (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Power
vs
Payne

181 cm
18
220 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

199 cm
21
280 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Tends to cut

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Max Power!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Liam Payne!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, Steve Erwin and Winston Howard.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Power shoots in for a double leg but Payne sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Payne closes the distance and clinches.

Power's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Payne throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Power.
Payne scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

It looks like Max Power has been cut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Power fails with a takedown attempt.
Power tries to clinch there but Payne circles away.
Payne throws a head kick that misses.
Power gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Payne.
Power closes the distance and clinches up with Payne, looking for a takedown. Power pushes Payne against the cage but Payne circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Max Power. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Power moves into the clinch successfully.

Power has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Payne uses from the top position.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Payne tries to stand but Power is controlling from the bottom.
Power looking to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Payne chips away with some ground and pound.
Payne must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Payne missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Payne in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Payne trying to control but Power is working from the bottom.

Power is working an open guard so Payne takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Power is breathing heavily.
Power shoots in but Payne avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Payne closes the distance and clinches.
Power avoids the elbow strike from Payne, against the cage.
Payne is trying to push Power away but Power has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Payne is fighting off a takedown attempt but Power is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Payne to the mat. Payne regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Power not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Payne can do anything to dispel that myth.
Payne controls Power momentarily but Power frees himself.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Payne has Power pulled in close to control his posture.
Payne wants to stand up but Power is controlling him.
Payne tries to land a sweep but no joy.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Payne misses with a jab, cross combination.
Power throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Payne throws a lazy head kick

and Power counters with a single leg into guard. Payne didn't expect that.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Payne scrambles and gets back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Payne misses.
Payne swats away the attempt to clinch by Power.
Power shoots in but no luck this time.
Payne fails with a takedown attempt.
Power shoots in for a double leg but Payne sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Payne moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

Payne forces Power back against the cage and clinches.
Payne wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Payne fails to pull guard.
Power tries a knee to the head but Payne blocks it.
Payne looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Payne goes for a takedown attempt but Power pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Payne!
Power punishes Payne's body with a nice straight punch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Payne is trying to force a seperation but Power has the dominant position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Payne misses with a jab, cross combination.
Payne throws a combination. Power tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

Payne moves into the clinch successfully.
Power tries to pull guard but Payne holds him up against the cage and eventually Power drops back down to his feet.
Payne wants to break free but Power has control.
A short right from Payne.
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!
Power tries to pull guard but Payne won't allow it.
Payne gets underhooks to prevent Power's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Max Power. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Power is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Payne is defending well.
Power keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Payne's efforts to push away.
Payne has Power pressed against the cage, preventing Power from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Power drops down looking for an ankle pick but Payne pulls his leg out and moves away.
Power keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Payne throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Payne throws a lazy head kick

and Power counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Power.
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!
Payne wants to get back to his feet but Power is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Payne has control of Power's left arm, preventing Power from doing any damage.

Payne working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Power doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Power manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Payne pulls Power in to control the position.
Power scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Payne not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Payne is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Power wants to pass the guard but Payne is keeping the position.
Payne is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Liam Payne wasn't active enough on the ground.
Power shoots in looking for a takedown but Payne manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Power's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Payne shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Power sprawls well. Power wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Payne gets slowly back to his feet.
Payne shoots in but no luck this time.

Power has closed the distance and engaged Payne in a clinch.
Payne creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Power takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Payne is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Payne gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Power.

Power breaks from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Power tries to score a power double leg takedown but Payne sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Power somewhat.
Payne misses with a few strikes there.
Payne pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Power fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Danga de danga de dang - Payne scores with a four punch combination!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Payne!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Payne works over Power's head and body with a nice combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Liam Payne showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Max Power's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Power moves into the clinch.
A short right from Power.
A body shot lands from Power.
Payne is trying to force a seperation but Power has the dominant position.

Power gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Power would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Power stands and steps away. Payne gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Payne lands a left and a right that send Power crashing to the mat, dazed. Payne thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!

Power is rocked!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Power stuffs the takedown.
Oh Power is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Payne lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Power circles away quickly and effectively.
Power tries to clinch up but Payne circles away and keeps his distance.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Payne throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Power seems to have got his legs back now.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Power gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Payne breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Max Power is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Power shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Payne as he avoids it easily.
Payne throws a one two combo.
Payne misses with a double jab.
Payne lands a right hook to the body.
Payne keeps the fight on the outside.
Payne fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Payne looks to land a combination but Power avoids it well.
Payne waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Power.
Payne stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Payne wants it to stay on the feet.
Payne throws a series of punches but Power avoids them all with ease.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A left and a right from Payne both land. Nice combination.
Payne has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Payne drives through and clinches with Power against the cage.
Payne prevents a takedown attempt there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Max Power. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Payne is trying to break the clinch but Power is controlling him.
Power has Payne pressed against the cage, preventing Payne from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Power breaks from the clinch.
Power on the wrong end of a nice hook.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A combination from Payne does no damage.
A jab from Payne misses.
Power fails with a takedown attempt.
Payne lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Power circles away quickly and effectively.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Power is looking to clinch but Payne is avoiding it.
Liam Payne seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Payne swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Power misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Payne has closed the distance and engaged Power in a clinch.
Payne tries to break free but Power pushes him back against the cage.
Power prevents Payne from breaking the clinch.

Power turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Power taking a break here but Payne is having none of it and regains half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Payne punching from the bottom.
Power stops Payne from getting back to his feet.
Power is taking a breather. Payne says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Payne gets back to full guard.

Payne wriggles free and stands up.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Power slips a jab and a cross from Payne.

And that's the end of the fight!
Liam Payne comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Payne winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Skip Squint scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Liam Payne!