PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Corey Payne (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Ledder (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Corey Payne could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to James Ledder's chin.

Payne
vs
Ledder

190 cm
24
240 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

210 cm
18
278 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent knees
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Corey Payne!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, James Ledder!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Lou da Vinci and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ledder tries to clinch there but Payne circles away.

Ledder moves into the clinch successfully.

Payne breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Payne on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

Ledder rushes Payne and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Payne drops down looking for an ankle pick but Ledder pulls his leg out and moves away.

Ledder tries to keep at a distance but Payne has taken the fight into the clinch.
Ledder creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Payne changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Ledder fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Ledder shoots for a double leg takedown but Payne sprawls well. He's pushed Ledder's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Nice sprawl there from Ledder as Payne shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Corey Payne. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ledder throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ledder keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Ledder tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Payne manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ledder fails in his attempt to clinch.

Payne closes the distance and clinches.
Ledder landing knees to the head.
Payne letting Ledder take a breather here.

Ledder pulls guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Ledder looking for a sweep. Not yet Ledder, not yet.
Payne advances to half guard.
Payne is keen to just control but Ledder is a slippery customer.
Payne wants to stand up but Ledder is controlling the position.
Payne prevents Ledder from improving his position.

Payne is trying to work for a kimura but Ledder is defending well.
Payne prevents Ledder from improving his position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ledder won't allow Payne to pass to mount.
Payne wants to control but Ledder is keeping him busy.
Ledder is trying to control but can't.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Ledder is trying to get back to full guard.
Ledder is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Payne moves into full mount! Ledder won't be happy about that!
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Ledder can do anything to dispel that myth.
Payne trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Payne is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Ledder is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Payne thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Payne scoring with strikes but Ledder is staying in there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Payne thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Payne wants to control the pace but Ledder is squirming around nicely.
Payne controlling the pace for now.
Ledder is squirming around, avoiding Payne's attempts to control the action.
Payne dominating with strikes here.
Ledder is working to get back to half guard.
Ledder really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Payne. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
You get the feeling that Ledder really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Payne wants to control the pace but Ledder is squirming around nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Payne controlling from the full mount.
Payne blocks Ledder's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Ledder can't escape the position.
Payne is in the full mount, landing strikes.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ledder avoids a series of strikes thrown by Payne.
Payne trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Ledder tries to hold on but Payne pushes him away.
Ledder tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Payne thowing shots but they're missing.
Payne trying to control but he's not successful this time.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Payne raining down shots from the mount!
Ledder tries to buck Payne off but he can't manage it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Corey Payne dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Payne dodges the punch combination from Ledder.
Payne misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Ledder moves in looking to clinch but Payne pushes him off.
Ledder leaves Payne with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Ledder defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Payne.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Corey Payne. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ledder doesn't manage to clinch there - Payne circles away.

Ledder gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Ledder blocks an uppercut.
Ledder using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Payne has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
A knee to the head by Ledder.

It looks like Corey Payne has been cut.

Ledder decides to pull guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Payne trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Payne has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Payne stands up from Ledder's guard - Payne perhaps looking for a knockout.
Ledder fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ledder moves into range and clinches up with Payne.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Ledder.
Ledder misses with a knee to the head.
Payne takes a knee right on the jaw!
Ledder blocks the elbow strike.
Payne has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Ledder avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Payne is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Ledder pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Ledder lands a right hand that snaps the head of Payne backwards.
Ledder scores a nice knee to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ledder connects with a nasty looking knee right to Payne's face.
Ledder stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ledder throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Payne blocks it with crossed arms.
Ledder using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Ledder tries a knee to the head but Payne blocks it.
Payne avoids the elbow strike from Ledder, against the cage.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Ledder.
Ledder connects with a nasty looking knee right to Payne's face.

Ledder manages to break the clinch.
Ledder tries to close the distance and clinch but Payne swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Ledder tries to close the distance and clinch up but Payne swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Ledder gets a clinch.

Ledder breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Payne tries to keep at a distance but Ledder has taken the fight into the clinch.
Stalling in the clinch from Ledder.
Payne drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Ledder gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Ledder effectively controlling the action here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ledder connects with a nasty looking knee right to Payne's face.
Payne tries for a takedown but Ledder manages to get underhooks.
Ledder with a knee to the head.
Ledder lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Ledder landing knees to the head.
Ledder lands a left hand that snaps the head of Payne backwards.
Ledder connects with a knee to the head.
Ledder lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Ledder with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Payne is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Ledder gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Payne tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Ledder smiles and moves away.

Ledder closes the distance and clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A short right from Ledder.
Ledder tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Ledder missing with knees to the body.
Ledder controlling the action here for a moment.
Payne lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

Payne jumps guard and drags Ledder to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Payne keeping moving, preventing Ledder from controlling successfully.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Payne is trying to control the position but Ledder postures up.
Payne keeping moving, preventing Ledder from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Ledder showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Corey Payne's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. 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.

Ledder is looking to clinch but Payne is avoiding it.
Corey Payne is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ledder wants to clinch.
Ledder fails with an attempt to clinch.

Ledder clinches with his opponent.
Payne misses with a punch to the body.
Ledder lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Ledder working aggressively here.
A frustrated look appears on Payne's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Ledder breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Ledder gets caught napping as Payne dives in and scores a takedown. Ledder manages to retain guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ledder utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Payne accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Ledder controls Payne momentarily but Payne frees himself.
Ledder seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Payne pushes down on Ledder's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Ledder tries to roll over but Payne keeps him under control.
Ledder wants to control but Payne is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Ledder desperately trying to maintain half guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

Payne is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Ledder has managed to free his arm - good work.
Ledder holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.

Payne is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Ledder sees it coming and defends easily.
Ledder is looking for a sweep. Payne is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ledder holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Ledder wants to control but Payne is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Payne seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Ledder does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Payne decides to stand and escape the position.
The crowd cheers as Payne lands an impressive looking overhand right. Ledder doesn't seem phased though.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ledder closes this distance looking for a takedown but Payne circles away.
Ledder tries to close the distance and clinch but Payne swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Payne keeps the fight on the outside.
Ledder tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Payne paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ledder is looking to clinch but Payne is avoiding it.
Ledder shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Payne defends it nicely.
Ledder shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Payne as he jumps to the side.
Corey Payne has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Ledder.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Payne lands a nice looking body kick.

Payne clinches up against the cage.
Ledder landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Ledder landing knees to the head.
Ledder lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Payne tries to pull guard but Ledder won't allow it.

Ledder pulls Payne into guard.
Ledder wants to sweep here but Payne controlling him for the moment.
Ledder managing to control the position.
Payne wants to control from the top but Ledder keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Ledder working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Payne.
Payne stopping the sweep attempt from Ledder.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ledder utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Ledder 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.
Payne wants to control from the top but Ledder keeps moving.
Payne might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Corey Payne just wasn't active enough.
Ledder tries to close the distance and clinch up but Payne swats him away and circles back towards the center.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Payne shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Ledder as he jumps to the side.

Ledder has taken the fight to the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to James Ledder.
I think Ledder 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 John Kavanagh scores the fight 28:29
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 28:29
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Ledder!