PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Oliver Macarenco (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Max Payne (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Oliver Macarenco has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Macarenco
vs
Payne

150 cm
25
134 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

225 cm
27
130 lbs
1 - 10 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Dangerous knees
Determined

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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Oliver Macarenco!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Max Payne!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Frank Dennis and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Macarenco throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Payne stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Jab, jab by Macarenco - just one landing.
Payne bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Payne is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Horrible takedown by Payne or perhaps it was just good defense by Macarenco which made him look bad.
Macarenco could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Macarenco misses the jab.
Payne dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Macarenco. That did some damage!
Macarenco swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Macarenco misses with a straight right.
Payne shoots in looking for a takedown. Macarenco tries to sprawl out of it but Payne keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Macarenco manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Macarenco throws a hook but Payne blocks it.
Macarenco is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Payne.
Payne wants to clinch up but Macarenco keeps it at a distance.
Macarenco rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Payne moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Macarenco throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Macarenco is breathing heavily.
Macarenco misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Payne.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Macarenco fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Payne manages to avoid it.
Payne scores with a one two! Macarenco had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

It looks like Oliver Macarenco has been cut.

Payne looking to score a takedown here. Macarenco is defending well but Payne drives through and ends up in Macarenco's guard.
Macarenco might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Payne wants to control from the top but Macarenco keeps moving.
Macarenco wants to stand and escape but Payne is having none of it.
Macarenco working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Payne.
Payne with a flurry of punches that miss.
Payne with a flurry of punches that miss.
Payne really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Macarenco. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Payne trying to control but Macarenco is working from the bottom.
Macarenco wants to stand but Payne is controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Payne trying to control but Macarenco is working from the bottom.
Payne throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Macarenco is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Payne is controlling him.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Payne wants to control from the top but Macarenco keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Max Payne.
Nice takedown defense from Macarenco. No joy for Payne on that attempt.
Oliver Macarenco has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Max Payne.
Payne ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Payne shoots in and drives through. Macarenco sprawls well.
Macarenco throws a right hand that Payne ducks under and follows up with a left that Payne also avoids with ease.
Macarenco throws a shot from downtown. Payne moves away and avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Macarenco changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Macarenco throws a lazy uppercut
and Payne counters with a head kick.
Payne is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Payne closes the distance and clinches up with Macarenco, looking for a takedown. Payne pushes Macarenco against the cage but Macarenco circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Payne shoots for a double leg takedown but Macarenco sprawls well. He's pushed Payne's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Payne shoots in looking for a takedown but Macarenco manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Payne's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Nice shot by Payne.
Payne staying out of range there.
Payne with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Macarenco to score with a decent uppercut.
Payne ducks under a wild hook from Macarenco.
Macarenco connects with a body shot that sends Payne's belly button to the back.
Macarenco is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Payne's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Payne uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Macarenco.
Macarenco missing with a left hand there. Payne was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Payne shoots in and bounces Macarenco off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Macarenco wants to get back to his feet but Payne is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Payne is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Macarenco keeping moving, preventing Payne from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Max Payne dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Oliver Macarenco's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Macarenco swinging wildly here.
Payne misses with a takedown attempt - Macarenco sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Oliver Macarenco seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Macarenco misses with a hook
and Payne counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Macarenco misses with an uppercut.
Payne dodges the punch combination from Macarenco.
Macarenco keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Macarenco throws a left and a right that both miss
and Payne counters with a good low kick that Macarenco was not able to check.
Payne fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Macarenco avoids it really well and circles away.
Oliver Macarenco has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Max Payne.
Macarenco misses with a wild body shot.
A slow jab from Macarenco misses its intended target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Payne fails with the takedown.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Payne shoots in looking for a takedown but Macarenco manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Payne's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Macarenco tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Payne was well out of range. Poor timing from Macarenco.
Macarenco looks to land a left hand but Payne moved out of range nicely.
Payne shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Macarenco pinned against the cage. Macarenco gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Macarenco scores with a nice right hand.
Oliver Macarenco is winning the standup battle so far.
Macarenco swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Payne bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Macarenco throws a body punch but Payne moves out of range.
Macarenco misses with a straight left.
Macarenco misses with a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Payne misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Payne moves in looking to clinch but Macarenco pushes him off.
Macarenco throws a right and a left that Payne avoids nicely.
Payne moves out of range as Macarenco strikes.
Macarenco swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Macarenco tries to bum rush Payne with a series of wild strikes but Payne uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Payne looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
A nice combination there by Payne.
Macarenco looks to land a right hand but Payne moved out of range.
Macarenco throws a series of punches but Payne moves out of range.
Payne lands with a nice combination. Macarenco backs away looking to recover.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Macarenco stuffs the takedown.
Nice defenses there by Payne.
Macarenco takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Macarenco throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Payne cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Payne shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Macarenco but Macarenco pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Macarenco misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Payne.
Macarenco avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Macarenco throws a lazy right hand but Payne sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Payne blocks a jab.
Payne is looking to clinch.
Macarenco digs a good body shot into Payne's ribs.
Macarenco rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Payne counters with a flying knee. Nice.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Payne shoots in and drives through. Macarenco sprawls well.
Macarenco swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Macarenco fails to land with a series of punches.
Payne dives in and grabs Macarenco's left leg, looking for a takedown. Macarenco pushes down on Payne's head and hops out.
Payne tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Macarenco swivels and escapes.
Macarenco fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Macarenco throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Macarenco throws a poor cross that misses
and Payne counters with a head kick.
A big right from Macarenco misses.
Payne fails in his attempt to clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Macarenco misses with a hook
and Payne counters with a nice low kick that buckles Macarenco's knee momentarily.
Macarenco avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Macarenco throws a series of punches but Payne moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Oliver Macarenco will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Oliver Macarenco's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Payne shoots in but no luck this time.
Payne tries to clinch up.
Payne ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Payne bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Payne shoots in but Macarenco avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Payne uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Macarenco.
Macarenco rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Macarenco takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Macarenco misses with a right hand
and Payne counters with a body kick.
Macarenco takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Oliver Macarenco is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Macarenco connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Payne throws a head kick that Macarenco semi-blocks.

Payne darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Macarenco tries to kick Payne off but Payne keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Payne is trying to control. Macarenco wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Payne tries to stand and escape but Macarenco is controlling the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Payne prevents Macarenco from standing back up.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Payne tries to stand but his arm is trapped.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Max Payne wasn't active enough on the ground.
Macarenco misses the shot to the body.
Macarenco misses with a double jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Payne avoids a punch combination nicely.
Payne fails with an attempt to clinch.
Payne tries to clinch but Macarenco is having none of it.
Macarenco throws an off balance right hand
and Payne counters with a low kick, right behind Macarenco 's knee.
Macarenco lands the left hand.
Payne shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Macarenco pinned against the cage. Macarenco gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Oliver Macarenco has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Max Payne.
Macarenco misses with a looping left.
Macarenco lands a nice shot that snaps Payne's head back.
Payne shoots for a double leg takedown but Macarenco sprawls well. He's pushed Payne's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Macarenco throws out a loose jab but Payne uses good head movement to avoid it.
Oliver Macarenco is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Macarenco looks to score with a jab to the body but Payne is just out of range.
Payne tries for a takedown but Macarenco sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Macarenco wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Macarenco looks to land a right hand but Payne moved out of range.
Macarenco lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Macarenco lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Payne shoots in looking for a takedown. Macarenco tries to sprawl out of it but Payne keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Macarenco manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Macarenco loads up on a big right hand but Payne slips the punch.
Payne keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Macarenco throws a poor cross that misses
and Payne counters with a head kick.

Macarenco gets caught napping as Payne dives in and scores a takedown. Macarenco manages to retain guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Payne prevents Macarenco from getting back to his feet.
Payne wants to control from the top but Macarenco keeps moving.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Macarenco is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Max Payne has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
A looping hook to the body misses from Macarenco. Payne does a little dance to reset his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Max Payne.
I think Payne has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 George Francis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 28:29

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