PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jeff Fayaj (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Walter Payton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Fayaj
vs
Payton

194 cm
19
197 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

183 cm
23
195 lbs
4 - 2 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Convicted

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Jeff Fayaj!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 1, fighting out of London, Walter Payton!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Sam Margolis and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A combination from Fayaj does no damage.
The fight stays on the outside here - Payton looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Fayaj tries a head kick but it misses.
Walter Payton seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Payton fails with an attempt to clinch.
Payton tries to close the distance and clinch but Fayaj swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Fayaj throws a right and a left that Payton avoids nicely.
The fight stays on the outside here - Payton looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Payton is looking to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fayaj fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Fayaj moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fayaj closes the distance but Payton moves to the side

and Payton moves into the clinch.
Payton with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Payton will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Fayaj up against the cage.
Payton stops a takedown attempt from Fayaj.
Payton stalls.
Fayaj has Payton pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Payton manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Fayaj looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jeff Fayaj. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Payton just leaning against Fayaj, taking a breather.

Payton jumps into guard, dragging Fayaj to the mat.
Fayaj wants to control from the top but Payton keeps moving.
Fayaj looking to pass the guard.
Fayaj wants to get up but he can't break Payton's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Payton can do anything to dispel that myth.
Fayaj is breathing heavily.
Payton tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Payton has a closed guard, preventing Fayaj from standing up.
Fayaj postures up.
Payton has a closed guard, preventing Fayaj from standing up.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Payton looks to clinch
and Fayaj counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Payton circles away from the clinch attempt

and Payton counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Payton.
Payton is working Fayaj over against the cage.
Fayaj jumps guard but Payton stands there with Fayaj around his waist. Fayaj gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
A right handed body shot lands from Payton.
Payton lands a knee to the head.
Payton landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Fayaj tries to pull guard but Payton won't allow it.
Payton works on Fayaj's body with a couple of short punches.
Payton with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Payton lands a shoulder strike.
Payton wants a takedown but no success here.
Payton throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Fayaj blocks it with crossed arms.
Fayaj has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Payton avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Fayaj gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Payton.

Payton successfully pulls guard.
Fayaj stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Payton swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Payton is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Fayaj stands and steps away. Payton gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Payton is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Payton tries to clinch up

and Fayaj counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Fayaj.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Payton goes for a takedown in the clinch but Fayaj prevents it.
Still in the clinch, Payton scores with a nice short uppercut.
Payton has Fayaj pressed against the cage.
Payton lands with a short shot to the head.
Fayaj working aggressively here.

Fayaj manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Fayaj wants to stand but Payton is controlling the position.
Fayaj will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Payton works over Fayaj with some ground and pound from guard.
Fayaj wants to get back to his feet but Payton is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Fayaj wants to sweep here but Payton controlling him for the moment.
Payton really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Fayaj. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Payton looking to pass the guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Walter Payton will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Payton gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Payton misses with a knee to the head.
Payton prevents a takedown attempt there.
Fayaj wants to get back to striking at distance but Payton won't allow it.
Payton is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Payton scores with a hook to the body.
Fayaj tries to pull guard but Payton holds him up against the cage and eventually Fayaj drops back down to his feet.
Fayaj is looking to control Payton's arms but Payton gets an underhook and turns him. Now Fayaj has his back to the cage.
Payton looking to stall.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Payton prevents a takedown attempt there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jeff Fayaj. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Fayaj drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Fayaj tries for a takedown. No joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fayaj tries for a takedown. No joy.
Payton digs a right hand into Fayaj's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Fayaj's gas tank.
A short body shot lands from Payton as the two fighters clinch.
The referee calls for Payton to work.
Payton using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Payton with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Payton works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Fayaj lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Payton!
Payton keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Fayaj is standing up, even though he is in mount.
Jeff Fayaj is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Payton shoots in but Fayaj avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Payton looks to clinch
and Fayaj counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Fayaj circles away from the clinch attempt

and Fayaj counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Payton content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Fayaj drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Payton using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Fayaj has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Payton is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Fayaj can't fight it off and eventually Payton manages to take the fight to the floor. Fayaj looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Payton slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Payton tries for a kimura but Fayaj is defending well.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Payton working the ground and pound from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Payton advances nicely into full mount.
Payton trying to control but Fayaj is having none of it.
Payton scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Fayaj?
Fayaj is working to get back to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Payton with a couple of short strikes.
Fayaj regains half guard.
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. Payton connects with a nice short shot to Fayaj's temple.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Payton is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Fayaj defends it well.

Payton is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Fayaj has managed to free his arm - good work.

Payton is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
The fighters are battling for position here. Fayaj manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Payton wants to control from the top but Fayaj keeps moving.

Payton 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.
Payton trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Walter Payton showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Fayaj throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Payton's waist but Payton gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Fayaj off to one side.
Payton tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Payton shoots in for a takedown but Fayaj shows good takedown defense.
No luck for Payton with that takedown attempt.
Payton tries to clinch up

and Fayaj counters by moving into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Payton has Fayaj pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Payton pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Fayaj tumbling to the mat - Payton dives into Fayaj's guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Payton throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Fayaj working for a triangle but Payton defends it easily.
Payton trying to control but Fayaj is working from the bottom.

Fayaj looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Payton connects with a couple of short punches.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Payton chips away with some ground and pound.
Payton trying to control the position from guard on top but Fayaj is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Payton connects with a couple of short punches.

Fayaj escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Payton gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Fayaj has momentary wrist control but Payton slips an elbow through the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Payton stops Fayaj from standing up.
Payton stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Fayaj swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Fayaj wants to get back to his feet but Payton is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Fayaj clinches but Payton breaks the clinch

and Payton counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Payton looks to land a strike but Fayaj avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Fayaj wants to stand and escape but Payton is having none of it.
Fayaj keeping full guard, as Payton tries to pass.

Fayaj manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Payton tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Fayaj counters with a nice low kick that buckles Payton's knee momentarily.
Payton fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Jeff Fayaj has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Walter Payton.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Payton tries to clinch but Fayaj is having none of it.
Payton is looking to clinch.
Payton fails to land the takedown.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Payton prevents the takedown attempt.
Payton's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Payton tries for a takedown but Fayaj manages to get underhooks.
Fayaj goes for a takedown attempt but Payton pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Payton tries to close the distance and clinch up but Fayaj swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's four 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.
Payton tries to clinch up.
Fayaj tries to clinch but Payton moves away

and Payton counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Payton.
Payton softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A right hook to the body lands for Payton.
Payton with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Payton has a couple of punches blocked by Fayaj.
Fayaj fails to pull guard.
Fayaj is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Fayaj wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Jeff Fayaj has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Fayaj throws an elbow but it misses.
Payton lands with a short punch from the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Walter Payton comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Payton 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 Donald Grub scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Walter Payton!