PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ashton Knuckles (ranked 2193 p4p, 105 weight class) and Palaktingpuet Payakarakatong (ranked 2722 p4p, 132 weight class). Payakarakatong has chosen "Song For The Dead" as his entrance music. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Knuckles
vs
Payakarakatong

160 cm
26
135 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

161 cm
22
135 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

Good takedowns
Decent elbows
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Juggernaut And Gladiators

Sully's Bar & Grill
IniTech Nutrition

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 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ashton Knuckles!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Palaktingpuet Payakarakatong!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Stewart Dunkirk and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Payakarakatong punishes Knuckles's body with a nice straight punch.
Payakarakatong scores with a hook to the body. Knuckles takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Payakarakatong scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Payakarakatong lands with a shot to the body.
Knuckles is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Payakarakatong lands a slapping body shot.
Knuckles looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Payakarakatong throws a body shot but no joy.
Payakarakatong thumps Knuckles with a low kick.
Payakarakatong misses the shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Knuckles fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Payakarakatong has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Payakarakatong takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Knuckles takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Good shot there by Payakarakatong.
Payakarakatong avoids the body shot from Knuckles.
Palaktingpuet Payakarakatong seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knuckles fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Knuckles changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Payakarakatong looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Knuckles swings around for an armbar but Payakarakatong sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Knuckles's guard.
Payakarakatong has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Knuckles is proving hard to escape from.
Payakarakatong controlling from the top position.
Payakarakatong is continuing to stall.
Payakarakatong trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Knuckles is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Payakarakatong is aware though and is defending well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Knuckles working a defensive guard here.
Payakarakatong seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

Knuckles throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Payakarakatong escapes and throws Knuckles's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Knuckles is looking to reverse the position.
Payakarakatong tries to move to mount but Knuckles blocks the move with his legs.
Payakarakatong controlling the position from side mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knuckles is looking for a sweep.
Knuckles seems a little lost for a moment, as Payakarakatong dominates the positioning.
Knuckles manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Knuckles tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Payakarakatong looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

Knuckles actively working from the bottom here.

Knuckles looking for submissions off his back.
Payakarakatong controlling the action here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

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.
Knuckles makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Knuckles.

Knuckles looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Payakarakatong passes into side control.
Knuckles is looking for a sweep.
Payakarakatong controls the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Payakarakatong working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Knuckles tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Payakarakatong wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Palaktingpuet Payakarakatong dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Payakarakatong stuffs the takedown.
Knuckles throws a head kick but Payakarakatong moves out of range.
Knuckles blocks a low kick nicely.
Payakarakatong just misses with a punch to the body.
Palaktingpuet Payakarakatong seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Payakarakatong takes a swing at Knuckles's ribcage but misses.

Knuckles throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Payakarakatong was covering up waiting for the punch and Knuckles finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Payakarakatong wants to sweep here but Knuckles controlling him for the moment.
Knuckles throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Knuckles working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Payakarakatong holds on and takes a little breather.
Payakarakatong controls Knuckles momentarily but Knuckles frees himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knuckles wants to control from the top but Payakarakatong keeps moving.
Payakarakatong has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Payakarakatong looking for a guillotine here but Knuckles defends easily.
Knuckles throws an elbow that misses. Payakarakatong uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Knuckles's guard. Nice move by Payakarakatong!

Payakarakatong must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Knuckles controls Payakarakatong momentarily but Payakarakatong frees himself.

Knuckles is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Knuckles looking for a guillotine here but Payakarakatong defends easily.
Knuckles is trying to keep Payakarakatong in close.
Payakarakatong controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knuckles is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Payakarakatong's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Payakarakatong trying to control from half guard but Knuckles is working away.
Payakarakatong is controlling the pace.
Knuckles is in trouble now - Payakarakatong has advanced to mount!
Knuckles is wriggling around trying to escape.

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.
Payakarakatong controlling from the full mount.

Payakarakatong gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
Payakarakatong scoring well with a low kick there.
Payakarakatong throws a body punch but Knuckles moves out of range.

Knuckles closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Payakarakatong's guard.
Palaktingpuet Payakarakatong has got the better of the ground game so far.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Knuckles throwing strikes but missing.

Knuckles drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Payakarakatong manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Knuckles has Payakarakatong in his guard.

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Palaktingpuet Payakarakatong showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Knuckles tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Palaktingpuet Payakarakatong is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Payakarakatong throws a hook but Knuckles blocks it.
A good leg kick by Knuckles.
Knuckles takes a shot right to the bread basket.
A bone on bone clash there as Knuckles blocks the leg kick.
Payakarakatong throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Knuckles seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Knuckles checks a low kick from Payakarakatong.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Payakarakatong fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Knuckles misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Knuckles moves out of range of the leg kick from Payakarakatong.
Knuckles walks into a straight right hand from Payakarakatong.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knuckles on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Payakarakatong. Payakarakatong obviously looking to wear him down.
Palaktingpuet Payakarakatong is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Knuckles closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Knuckles is thwarting Payakarakatong's attempts to control the position.
Knuckles throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Payakarakatong has hold of Knuckles's hands but Knuckles slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Knuckles lands a nice short elbow.
Payakarakatong is trying to control but can't.

Knuckles is looking for a kimura but Payakarakatong is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Knuckles to get the leverage.
Knuckles with the ground and pound but Payakarakatong uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Payakarakatong keeping moving, preventing Knuckles from controlling successfully.
Knuckles scoring with some ground and pound.

Payakarakatong is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knuckles loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Payakarakatong managing to control the position.
Knuckles throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Payakarakatong works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Payakarakatong is pulling down on Knuckles's head to control his posture.
Knuckles loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Knuckles throwing strikes from guard but Payakarakatong blocks nicely.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Payakarakatong holds on and takes a little breather.
Knuckles postures up in Payakarakatong's guard and throws a big left but Payakarakatong blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Payakarakatong utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Knuckles is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Payakarakatong is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Payakarakatong has escaped and now he's on top!

Knuckles is looking for a triangle but Payakarakatong pushes his legs off easily.

Knuckles working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Payakarakatong doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Payakarakatong manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Payakarakatong slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Knuckles looking for subs off his back but Payakarakatong has passed one foot through into half guard.
Payakarakatong perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

Payakarakatong is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Knuckles sees it coming and defends easily.
Ashton Knuckles has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Payakarakatong wants to control but Knuckles is keeping him busy.

And that's the end of the fight!
Palaktingpuet Payakarakatong comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Payakarakatong has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Palaktingpuet Payakarakatong!
A very excited looking Palaktingpuet Payakarakatong rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.