PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Evan Payton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Albert Tumenov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tumenov comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Natan ft. Timati - Дерзкая kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Albert Tumenov enters the cage!

Payton
vs
Tumenov

180 cm
20
192 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

180 cm
19
187 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

Spartan Nutrition

GREEN!160
Mohito Fightwear

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Evan Payton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Albert Tumenov!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Robert Twigg and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Tumenov instigates a clinch.
Tumenov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Payton working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Payton tries to score a body lock takedown but Tumenov shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Payton takes a shot to the head.
Payton avoids a wild elbow strike from Tumenov.
Tumenov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A head punch on the inside from Payton fails to land.
Payton fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Tumenov working aggressively here.
Tumenov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Payton has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Tumenov regains guard immediately.
Payton won't allow Tumenov to get back to his feet.
Payton works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Payton prevents Tumenov from standing back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Payton is trying to control the action in half guard but Tumenov is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Payton is trying to work for a kimura but Tumenov is defending well.

Payton seems to be looking for submissions.
Payton trying to control the pace.

Payton is looking for a kimura here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Payton looking for a submission but Tumenov manages to get full guard, putting an end to that submission attempt.

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.
Payton stays in close to Tumenov's body and controls the position.
Payton stops Tumenov from standing up.
Payton wants to control from the top but Tumenov keeps moving.
Payton tries to free his leg and advance position but Tumenov is retaining full guard.
Payton is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Payton won't allow Tumenov to get back to his feet.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Payton fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Albert Tumenov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Payton keeps the fight on the outside.
It looked like Payton wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Tumenov tries to clinch there but Payton circles away.
Payton avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Tumenov gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Payton lands a right hand.
Payton throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Tumenovs head.
Payton goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Payton goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Payton fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tumenov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Payton is defending well for now.
Tumenov throws a head punch that misses.
Tumenov lands a right hand.
Tumenov lands a left hand.
Tumenov lands a nice uppercut.

Payton gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Tumenov regains guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Payton wants to pass the guard but Tumenov is keeping the position.
Payton sitting in guard here, content to control.
Payton trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Tumenov manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Tumenov wants to stand and escape but instead Payton has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Evan Payton dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Tumenov has Payton up against the cage in a clinch.
Stalling in the clinch from Tumenov.
A head punch on the inside from Tumenov fails to land.
Tumenov stalling in the clinch but Payton improves position.

Payton gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Tumenov keeping moving, preventing Payton from controlling successfully.
Payton looking to sit in guard and control but Tumenov gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
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.
Payton working a defensive guard here.
My spies in LOD: Contenders inform me that Tumenov has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tumenov has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Payton is proving hard to escape from.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Albert Tumenov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Payton fails with the takedown
and Tumenov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Tumenov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Payton was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Tumenov rushes Payton and presses him up against the cage.
Payton blocks an uppercut.
Tumenov taking a breather.
Payton tries for a takedown but Tumenov manages to get underhooks.
Tumenov has a couple of punches blocked by Payton.
Payton drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Tumenov gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Evan Payton. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Payton dodges an elbow strike from Tumenov.
Payton has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Tumenov is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Payton misses with a short punch on the inside.
Tumenov taking a breather.
Payton lands with a left to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tumenov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Tumenov throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Paytons head.
Payton is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Tumenov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Knees in the clinch landing for Tumenov.
Tumenov throws an elbow that misses.
Payton scores with a shot to the side of Tumenov's head.
The referee is keeping an eye on Tumenov - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Tumenov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Tumenov pushes Payton back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Payton softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Tumenov swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tumenov lands a right hand that snaps the head of Payton backwards.
A nice left hand lands by Tumenov.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Payton tries to pull guard but Tumenov forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Tumenov misses with some punches.
Payton looking for a takedown.
Payton tries for a takedown. No joy.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Payton.
Payton jumps guard but Tumenov stands there with Payton around his waist. Payton gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
A short right from Tumenov.
Tumenov lands a hook that snaps the head of Payton backwards.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Payton has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Tumenov avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Tumenov misses with the head strike.
Tumenov misses with the head strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Albert Tumenov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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!

Payton misses with a lunging right hand
and Tumenov counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Payton goes for a double leg but Tumenov avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Tumenov continues to drive forward.

Payton moves into range and clinches up with Tumenov.
Payton lands a nice uppercut.
Tumenov is trying to force a seperation but Payton has the dominant position.
Payton has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Tumenov after a bit of a struggle.
Tumenov lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Payton missing with knees to the body.
Payton is trying to drag Tumenov to the mat but Tumenov just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Evan Payton. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tumenov is pushing Payton up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Payton lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Tumenov backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tumenov trying to land knees to the body.
A short right from Tumenov.
Tumenov is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Payton throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Tumenovs head.
Tumenov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Payton makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Tumenov lands a nice shot to the body.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Payton as Tumenov tries to tie him up.
Payton throws a head punch that misses.
Tumenov taking a breather.
Payton blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Payton wants a takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Payton lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Tumenov misses with a body punch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Payton as Tumenov tries to tie him up.
Tumenov wants to get back to striking at distance but Payton won't allow it.

Payton successfully pulls guard.
Tumenov wanted to stand there but Payton had control of the position.
Payton controlling Tumenov's posture.
Tumenov tries to stand but Payton is controlling from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Payton wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Tumenov is now in half guard.
Payton wants to control but Tumenov is keeping busy.
Payton wants to get back to full guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Tumenov wants to stand but Payton has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Tumenov misses the jab.
A big right from Payton misses.
Payton avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Tumenov tries to clinch but Payton moves out of range.
A little feinted left hand from Payton on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.

Payton closes the distance and pushes Tumenov back into the cage.
Albert Tumenov seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Still in the clinch, Payton scores with a nice short uppercut.
Tumenov pushes Payton back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Payton looking for a takedown.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tumenov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Payton takes a shot to the head.
Payton throws a head punch that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Evan Payton.
I think Payton has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 29:28
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Evan Payton!
A relieved looking Evan Payton thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.