PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Niten Dōraku (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hugues De Payens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dōraku comes to the cage accompanied by Ides Of Light - Jucifer. De Payens has chosen Rage against the machine - Bombtrack as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Dōraku
vs
De Payens

190 cm
33
201 lbs
19 - 13 - 0

187 cm
36
194 lbs
35 - 12 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Lion Fightwear
Perkele!

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 19 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Niten Dōraku!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 35 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Hugues De Payens!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dōraku lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Dōraku misses with a series of wild punches.
De Payens has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
De Payens misses with a series of wild punches.

Dōraku darts in and clinches De Payens up against the cage.
Dōraku misses with a punch to the body.
De Payens doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
De Payens tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Dōraku's elbow.
De Payens lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Dōraku misses with a hook from the clinch.
De Payens working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
De Payens scores a nice knee to the body.
Dōraku gets through De Payens's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A nice left hand lands by De Payens.
De Payens tries to throw a body punch but Dōraku avoids it by throwing De Payens back against the cage.
De Payens with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Dōraku lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Dōraku lands a hook to the side of the head.
Dōraku working aggressively here.
De Payens misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Dōraku.
Dōraku has a couple of punches blocked by De Payens.

That's one minute gone in the round.
De Payens landing some nice looking knees to the body.
A nice left hand lands by De Payens.
Dōraku misses with a hook from the clinch.
Dōraku misses with a punch on the inside.
De Payens tries to throw a body punch but Dōraku avoids it by throwing De Payens back against the cage.
Dōraku blocking some punches.
Dōraku goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Dōraku lands with a left to the head.
De Payens misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Dōraku lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Dōraku fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Dōraku misses with a hook to the ribs.
Dōraku swings wildly with an uppercut but De Payens uses good head movement to avoid it.
Dōraku lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt De Payens or not.
De Payens goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Dōraku tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Dōraku prevents a body shot from De Payens.
De Payens misses with a punch on the inside.

De Payens breaks the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

De Payens has taken the fight to the clinch.
Dōraku misses with a punch on the inside.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Dōraku lands a nice uppercut.
De Payens with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Dōraku misses with a hook to the ribs.
De Payens lands a right hand that snaps the head of Dōraku backwards.
De Payens blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Dōraku swings wildly with an uppercut but De Payens uses good head movement to avoid it.
Dōraku fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A short right from Dōraku.
De Payens misses with some punches.
Our sources have told us that Dōraku has been working on his knees in the buildup to the fight.
Dōraku managing to block the knees to the body from De Payens.
Dōraku lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Dōraku lands with a left to the head.
Dōraku blocks an uppercut.
De Payens blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Good body shot from De Payens.
De Payens tries to work over Dōraku's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Dōraku takes a knee right on the jaw!
Dōraku's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice left hand lands by De Payens.
A head punch on the inside from Dōraku fails to land.
Dōraku digs a right hand into De Payens's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on De Payens's gas tank.
De Payens landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Dōraku misses with a hook from the clinch.
Dōraku gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from De Payens.
A right handed body shot lands from De Payens.
Dōraku working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Dōraku tried to land a shot to the body but connects with De Payens's elbow.
De Payens lands a knee to the body.
Dōraku misses with a shot to the kidneys.
De Payens's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Dōraku fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

De Payens successfully pulls guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Dōraku wants to stand but De Payens has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
De Payens working a defensive guard here.
De Payens might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Dōraku haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
De Payens wants to sweep but no luck.
Dōraku is looking to stand up but De Payens won't let him.
De Payens seems keen to control Dōraku's posture.
Dōraku wants to stand but De Payens has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
De Payens seems keen to control Dōraku's posture.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
De Payens misses with a wild combination.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
De Payens moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Dōraku showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from De Payens.
Dōraku slips under a jab from De Payens.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
De Payens throws a sloppy head kick and Dōraku moves out of range easily.
De Payens walks into a stiff left hand from Dōraku.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Hugues De Payens will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

De Payens has closed the distance and engaged Dōraku in a clinch.
De Payens tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Dōraku doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Dōraku misses with a punch to the body.
Dōraku working aggressively here.
A short right from Dōraku on the inside.
Still in the clinch, De Payens scores with a nice short uppercut.
De Payens trying to land knees to the body.
Dōraku struggles to land a body shot inside as De Payens controls his hands.
De Payens lands a knee to the body.
De Payens has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
De Payens is struggling to control the position.
Dōraku misses with a body punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
De Payens lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Dōraku.
De Payens tries to throw a body punch but Dōraku avoids it by throwing De Payens back against the cage.
De Payens blocking some punches.
Dōraku tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
De Payens scores with an uppercut up the middle.
De Payens looking to slow down the pace here.
Dōraku misses with a body punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
De Payens works on Dōraku's body with a couple of short punches.

De Payens pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Dōraku missing with a left hand there. De Payens was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
De Payens throws a sloppy head kick and Dōraku moves out of range easily.
Dōraku takes a swing at De Payens's ribcage but misses.
A slow jab from De Payens misses its intended target.
De Payens uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Dōraku.
De Payens avoids the body shot from Dōraku.
Dōraku lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
A shot to the liver by De Payens. Beautiful body shot.
Hugues De Payens is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A jab from De Payens does it's job there.

It looks like Niten Dōraku has been cut.
De Payens lets loose with a powerful body kick. Dōraku will feel that in the morning.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nice defenses there by De Payens.
De Payens throws a series of strikes that have Dōraku backpedaling.
This has been an exciting period of action!
De Payens delivers a nice body kick.
De Payens throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
It looked like Dōraku was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from De Payens.
Hugues De Payens seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Dōraku defending well as De Payens loads up on a big left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
De Payens bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
De Payens throws a series of punches but Dōraku moves out of range.
Dōraku tries to clinch up.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from De Payens.
Niten Dōraku is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Dōraku gets tackled into the cage by De Payens. De Payens maintains the clinch.
A left hand lands to the body for De Payens.
De Payens scores with a nice hook to the head.
De Payens working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Dōraku lands a left hand.
Dōraku misses with a short punch on the inside.
Dōraku has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
A nice left hand lands by Dōraku.
De Payens struggles to land a body shot inside as Dōraku controls his hands.
Dōraku has a couple of punches blocked by De Payens.
De Payens blocks an uppercut.
Dōraku misses with the head strike.
De Payens misses with a punch to the body.
A hook to the body from De Payens.
De Payens fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short right hand to the side of the head by De Payens.
De Payens can't get the takedown.
Dōraku struggles to land a body shot inside as De Payens controls his hands.
A short body shot lands from De Payens as the two fighters clinch.
Dōraku lands a nice uppercut.
Dōraku misses with a punch to the body.

De Payens has hold of one of Dōraku's legs. Dōraku is fighting the takedown attempt but De Payens gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
De Payens has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Dōraku is working an open guard so De Payens takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
De Payens misses with a hook.

De Payens darts in and clinches Dōraku up against the cage.
Dōraku tried to land a shot to the body but connects with De Payens's elbow.
Nice body punch from De Payens - that landed with a thud.
A right hook to the body lands for De Payens.
Dōraku has a couple of punches blocked by De Payens.
Dōraku tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Dōraku misses with a short punch on the inside.
De Payens is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Dōraku pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Hugues De Payens seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Dōraku blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Dōraku lands with a light punch inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
De Payens is looking for a takedown.
Niten Dōraku has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hugues De Payens.
Dōraku tries to work over De Payens's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
De Payens is trying to drag Dōraku to the mat but Dōraku just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
De Payens misses with a body punch.
De Payens struggles to land a body shot inside as Dōraku controls his hands.
Dōraku lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of De Payens backwards.
Dōraku misses with the head strike.
Nice body punch from De Payens - that landed with a thud.

De Payens breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Dōraku walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Dōraku misses the shot to the body.
Dōraku takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from De Payens. Dōraku shrugs it off though.

De Payens has taken the fight to the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
De Payens crunches a lovely knee into Dōraku's ribcage.
De Payens lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Dōraku or not.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hugues De Payens showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Niten Dōraku'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!

De Payens misses with a jab, cross combination.
Dōraku misses with a looping right.
De Payens throws a head kick but Dōraku moves out of range.
No joy there for Dōraku, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

De Payens fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Dōraku, pushing him back against the cage.
Dōraku can't find room to land a body shot as De Payens controls the action.
Dōraku tries to work over De Payens's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
De Payens lands a nice uppercut.
De Payens doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
De Payens blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Dōraku as De Payens tries to tie him up.
A head punch blocked on the inside by De Payens.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dōraku avoiding damage as De Payens throws knees to the body.
Dōraku lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Dōraku working aggressively here.
Dōraku lands a body shot.
Dōraku struggles to land a body shot inside as De Payens controls his hands.
Dōraku swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dōraku swings wildly with an uppercut but De Payens uses good head movement to avoid it.
Dōraku lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Dōraku blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
De Payens tries to circle away but Dōraku has him pinned against the cage.
De Payens tries to break the clinch but Dōraku is controlling the position.
Dōraku is pressed up against the cage. De Payens has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Dōraku down to the mat. Dōraku avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
De Payens takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Dōraku is looking to clinch but De Payens is avoiding it.
De Payens lands a nice shot to the body.
Dōraku uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from De Payens.
Dōraku swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
De Payens looks to land a body kick but Dōraku moved away.
A left and a right from Dōraku both land. Nice combination.
De Payens looks for the body kick but Dōraku saw that one coming.
De Payens fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Dōraku walks into a straight right hand from De Payens.
De Payens takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Dōraku comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Hugues De Payens is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Dōraku misses the shot to the body.
De Payens misses with a double jab

and Dōraku counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Dōraku lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of De Payens backwards.
A head punch on the inside from Dōraku fails to land.
Dōraku misses with a punch to the body.
Dōraku misses with a punch to the body.
Dōraku tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Dōraku misses with a body punch.
The referee calls for Dōraku to work.
De Payens missing with knees to the body.
Dōraku swings wildly with an uppercut but De Payens uses good head movement to avoid it.
Dōraku misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
De Payens gets through Dōraku's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Dōraku fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
De Payens blocks a body shot from Dōraku.
Dōraku misses with the head strike.
De Payens prevents a body shot from Dōraku.

De Payens breaks the clinch.
De Payens keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Dōraku.
Niten Dōraku has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Dōraku's hands are dropping dangerously low here and De Payens connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Dōraku scrambles back to his feet.

De Payens gets a double leg takedown into Dōraku's guard.
Dōraku bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in De Payens's guard.

De Payens seems keen to control Dōraku's posture.
Dōraku wants to stand but De Payens is controlling his posture from full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
De Payens is trying to keep Dōraku in close.
Dōraku has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of De Payens is proving hard to escape from.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
De Payens is pulling down on Dōraku's head. It's preventing any offense from Dōraku, at least for the moment.
De Payens manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Dōraku manages to get himself to full guard.

This has been an exciting period of action!

Dōraku has managed to work for a loose triangle. I think De Payens should be able to defend this one pretty easily though. Oh, Dōraku has tightened it up now! De Payens 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 4:59 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Niten Dōraku!
Niten Dōraku seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
Hugues De Payens spoke after the fight, saying 'Not only do you not understand my divine purpose, you judge me and cast stones. I will return, the time of judgement is upon your self, you are gods , wake up and realize you are the suffering you create, you are the love, we are one!'.