PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Samart Payakaroon (ranked 708 p4p, 744 weight class) and Conor Butcher (ranked 108 p4p, 116 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Payakaroon might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to ปากหมา (Dog Mouth). Butcher has chosen Eaten by Bloodbath as his entrance music. On his way into the cage it seems that Samart Payakaroon has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Samart Payakaroon seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Payakaroon
vs
Butcher

178 cm
21
170
8 - 0 - 0

173 cm
21
169
7 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Conviction
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Samart Payakaroon!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Conor Butcher!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Mauricio Rocha and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Butcher drives through with a takedown into Payakaroon's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Butcher working some strikes from top position.
Payakaroon has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Payakaroon wants to get back to his feet but Butcher is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Butcher scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Butcher trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Butcher trying to control the position from guard on top but Payakaroon is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Payakaroon looking to hit a scissor sweep but Butcher is one step ahead there.
Butcher wants to control from the top but Payakaroon keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Butcher working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Payakaroon is looking to stand up but Butcher isn't so interested in that idea.
Payakaroon has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Butcher not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Butcher working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Butcher postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Payakaroon wants to stand up but Butcher is controlling him.
Butcher postures up in Payakaroon's guard and throws a big left but Payakaroon blocks it.
Butcher looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Butcher defending well as Payakaroon loads up on a big left hand.
Nice jab there from Butcher.
Butcher goes for a double leg but Payakaroon avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Payakaroon continues to drive forward.
Butcher fails with a takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Butcher shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Payakaroon manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Payakaroon kicks Butcher off and gets to his feet.
Butcher shoots in for a takedown but Payakaroon shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Payakaroon is looking to counter punch.
Samart Payakaroon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Conor Butcher.
Butcher shoots for a takedown but Payakaroon saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Butcher looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Butcher is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Payakaroon wants to improve his position but Butcher is controlling well.
Butcher uses his free foot to push down on Payakaroon's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Payakaroon.
Butcher unloads with some shots from mount but Payakaroon bucks and avoids them well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Payakaroon regains half guard.
Butcher thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Payakaroon's head.
Butcher slips a nice elbow through Payakaroon's hands, connecting with Payakaroon's forehead.
Butcher wants to control but Payakaroon is keeping him busy.
Payakaroon wants to improve his position but Butcher is controlling well.
Payakaroon trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Butcher unloads with some shots from mount but Payakaroon bucks and avoids them well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Butcher working some short elbows here. He postures up to throw some more ground and pound but Payakaroon slips a leg through to get back to half guard. Nice work.
Payakaroon is trying to control but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Payakaroon wants to get back to his feet.
Butcher seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Payakaroon does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Payakaroon is trying to maintain the position but Butcher is very close to passing his half guard.
Butcher is looking to take a break and control but Payakaroon is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Butcher not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Butcher thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Butcher throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Butcher slips a nice elbow through Payakaroon's hands, connecting with Payakaroon's forehead.
Butcher missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Payakaroon keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Butcher working the head and body with strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Conor Butcher dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Butcher thows a left - swing and a miss!
Butcher shoots in looking for a takedown. Payakaroon tries to sprawl out of it but Butcher keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Payakaroon manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Payakaroon smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

Butcher looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Payakaroon!
Payakaroon is looking for a sweep.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Payakaroon tries to escape but Butcher is in control.
Butcher with the ground and pound but Payakaroon regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Payakaroon keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Butcher wants to control but Payakaroon is keeping him busy.
Payakaroon blocking the ground and pound attempt from Butcher.
Payakaroon is not content to let Butcher control the position.
Butcher not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Payakaroon looks like he's trying to stand up.
Butcher scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Payakaroon wants to get back to his feet.
Butcher lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Payakaroon keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Payakaroon is refusing to be controlled, as Butcher sits in half guard.
Well, if Butcher is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Butcher drops an elbow to the side of Payakaroon's head.
Nice strikes from Butcher there.
Butcher sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Payakaroon defending well though.
Butcher thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Payakaroon wants to improve his position but Butcher is controlling well.
Butcher winds up and cracks Payakaroon with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Butcher not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Butcher wants to pass the guard but Payakaroon is defending well.
Payakaroon tries to roll over but Butcher keeps him under control.
Butcher is just content to waste time from the top position. Payakaroon takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Butcher trying to control but Payakaroon is working from the bottom.
Butcher is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Butcher works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Butcher missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Butcher trying to control the action but Payakaroon is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Butcher throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Payakaroon to regain full guard.
Butcher postures up and lands a big shot to Payakaroon's brow.
Butcher is looking to work some ground and pound but Payakaroon has wrist control.
Butcher tries to free his leg and advance position but Payakaroon is retaining full guard.
Butcher working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Payakaroon keeping moving, preventing Butcher from controlling successfully.
Payakaroon can't keep his opponent in guard - Butcher advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Payakaroon has hold of Butcher's hands but Butcher slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Butcher works his way into full mount!
Butcher raining down shots from the mount!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Conor Butcher showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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.

A looping hook to the body misses from Butcher. Payakaroon does a little dance to reset his feet.
Butcher closes this distance looking for a takedown but Payakaroon circles away.
Butcher tries to clinch up
letting Payakaroon counter with a right hand.

Butcher closes the distance and clinches.
Payakaroon looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Butcher misses with a punch to the body.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Payakaroon.

Payakaroon is fighting off a takedown attempt but Butcher is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Payakaroon to the mat. Payakaroon regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Butcher wants to control from the top but Payakaroon keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Payakaroon is pulling down on Butcher's head. It's preventing any offense from Butcher, at least for the moment.
Payakaroon 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Butcher wants to control from the top but Payakaroon keeps moving.
Payakaroon looking for a sweep. Not yet Payakaroon, not yet.
Butcher in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Butcher has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Payakaroon keeping moving, preventing Butcher from controlling successfully.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Samart Payakaroon is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Butcher tries for a takedown but Payakaroon sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Butcher tries to clinch up.

Butcher scores with a takedown into Payakaroon's guard.
Butcher wants to control from the top but Payakaroon keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Butcher cracks Payakaroon with a solid left hand.
Butcher lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Payakaroon looking to control.
Butcher missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Butcher trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Butcher has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Butcher cracks Payakaroon with a solid left hand.
Butcher postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Butcher throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Payakaroon works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Butcher wants to control from the top but Payakaroon keeps moving.
Payakaroon preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Payakaroon utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Butcher is looking to work some ground and pound but Payakaroon has wrist control.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Butcher's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Butcher looking to sit in guard and control but Payakaroon gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Butcher looking to hit a scissor sweep but Payakaroon is one step ahead there.
Butcher lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Butcher sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Butcher forces his way into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Butcher missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Butcher trying to pass the guard but Payakaroon defending well.
Payakaroon is staying active underneath Butcher, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Payakaroon has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Butcher is working away from the top position though.
Butcher throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Butcher thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Payakaroon's head.
Butcher thows a huge punch but Payakaroon dodges it nicely.
Butcher lands strikes from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Conor Butcher really dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Butcher closes the distance and clinches.
Butcher throws a punch but it's blocked by Payakaroon.

Butcher manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Butcher wants to sweep but no luck.
Conor Butcher has got the better of the ground game so far.

Butcher has his foot on Payakaroon's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Payakaroon works his way back into a safe position though.
Butcher tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Butcher is looking for a triangle but Payakaroon pushes his legs off easily.

Payakaroon decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Butcher, up you get!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Payakaroon stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Payakaroon wants it to stay on the feet.
Payakaroon keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
A jab lands there for Payakaroon.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Butcher blocks a head kick by Payakaroon.
A jab from Butcher misses.
Payakaroon throws a head kick but Butcher moves out of range.
Payakaroon misses the jab.
Butcher tries to clinch up but Payakaroon circles away and keeps his distance.

Butcher instigates a clinch.
Butcher working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Payakaroon wants to break free but Butcher has control.

Butcher gets control of Payakaroon's arms and successfully pulls guard. Butcher will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Butcher wants to sweep here but Payakaroon controlling him for the moment.
Butcher wants to hit a sweep here but Payakaroon passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Butcher there!
Butcher can't escape the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Butcher wants to control but Payakaroon is having none of it.
Butcher is working to get back to half guard.
Payakaroon fails to advance to Butcher's back.
Butcher can't escape the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Butcher regains half guard.
Butcher wants to improve his position but Payakaroon is controlling well.
Butcher is pressing down on Payakaroon's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Butcher has a closed guard, preventing Payakaroon from standing up.
Butcher is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Butcher looking for a sweep. Not yet Butcher, not yet.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Butcher lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Hammerfist, elbow! yells Butcher's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Butcher looking to sit in guard and control but Payakaroon gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Payakaroon won't allow Butcher to sweep him here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Conor Butcher will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Butcher takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Butcher fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Payakaroon throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Payakaroon throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Payakaroon keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Butcher slips a straight right by Payakaroon.
Payakaroon misses with a left hand

and Butcher counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Butcher pushes down on Payakaroon's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Butcher looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Payakaroon with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Butcher tries to pass the half guard into mount. Payakaroon knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Payakaroon gets back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Payakaroon wants to stand but Butcher is controlling the position.
Butcher scoring with punches to the head and body.
Butcher slips nicely into half guard.
Payakaroon blocking the ground and pound attempt from Butcher.
Butcher is looking to pass Payakaroon's guard but actually Payakaroon recovers to full guard.
Payakaroon wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Butcher advances position into side control!
The ground and pound from Butcher seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Payakaroon is working to avoid the ground and pound but Butcher connects with a decent elbow.
Butcher wants to control but Payakaroon is keeping him busy.
Butcher tries to score with some ground and pound. Payakaroon controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Samart Payakaroon has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Butcher lands some shots froms side control.
Payakaroon is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Butcher lands an elbow.
Butcher throws a strike aimed at the side of Payakaroon's head but Payakaroon avoids it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Payakaroon tries to improve position but can't.
Payakaroon trying to remain calm as Butcher controls from the top position.
Payakaroon avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Butcher.
Butcher wants to control for a moment but Payakaroon uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Butcher missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Conor Butcher is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Butcher controlling the action here.

That's four 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.
Butcher prevents Payakaroon from standing back up.
Payakaroon is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Butcher perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Butcher throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Payakaroon counters with a good, hard body kick but Butcher shrugs it off.
Payakaroon misses with a straight right.
Payakaroon swings and misses with a hook to the body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A nice combination there by Payakaroon.
Samart Payakaroon is winning the standup battle so far.
Decent striking displayed by Payakaroon there.

Butcher drives through with a takedown into guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Conor Butcher.
I've got Butcher 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 45:50
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 45:50
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Conor Butcher!
Conor Butcher is the new welterweight champion!
A very excited looking Conor Butcher made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.