PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Matija Marinic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dante Payne (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dante Payne will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Marinic
vs
Payne

175 cm
23
220 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

186 cm
20
265 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Matija Marinic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Dante Payne!
The judges for this bout are Winston Alpacca, Sandra Marshall and Santiago Holmes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Payne looks for a takedown but Marinic sprawls well.
Marinic misses with a low kick as Payne jumps back.
Marinic circles away from the clinch attempt

and Marinic counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Payne's guard now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Payne looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Marinic showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Marinic wants to control from the top but Payne keeps moving.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Payne has eaten all the pies!
Marinic controlling from the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Matija Marinic wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Marinic looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Payne connects with a good right hand that stumbles Marinic. Marinic circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Marinic displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Payne.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Marinic.
Payne keeps the fight on the outside.
Payne tries to clinch up but Marinic circles away and keeps his distance.

Marinic gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Payne gets control of Marinic's arms and successfully pulls guard. Payne will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Marinic trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Payne wants to sweep here but Marinic controlling him for the moment.
Marinic trying to control the position from guard on top but Payne is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Payne working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Marinic doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Marinic manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Marinic trying to control the position from guard on top but Payne is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Marinic is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Payne working a defensive guard here.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Matija Marinic wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Payne tries for a takedown but Marinic sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Matija Marinic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dante Payne.
Marinic fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Payne avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Left hook, right uppercut from Payne.

It looks like Matija Marinic has been cut.

Payne closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Marinic might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Payne is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Payne looks winded!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marinic is pressing down on Payne's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Marinic is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
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!
Marinic manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Payne manages to get himself to full guard.
Marinic trying to control the position from guard on top but Payne is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Marinic distracts Payne with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Marinic stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Payne swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Payne being controlled here, momentarily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matija Marinic dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Matija Marinic'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.

Marinic throws a head kick but Payne moves out of range.

Payne closes the distance and clinches.
Marinic is trying to stall.
Marinic has Payne pressed against the cage, preventing Payne from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Marinic drops down looking for an ankle pick but Payne pulls his leg out and moves away.
Payne closes the distance and clinches up with Marinic, looking for a takedown. Payne pushes Marinic against the cage but Marinic circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Payne fails with a takedown attempt.
Payne fails with a takedown attempt.
Matija Marinic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dante Payne.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marinic throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Payne.
Marinic tries for a takedown but Payne sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Payne misses with a head kick.

Marinic dives in and scores a takedown into Payne's guard.
Payne is breathing heavily.
Marinic stands and throws Payne's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Marinic decides to stand up, so the ref orders Payne to his feet.
Payne misses with a head kick.

Payne pushes Marinic up against the cage in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Marinic pulls guard successfully.
Payne pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Marinic is keeping the position for now.
Marinic wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

Payne avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Payne distracts Marinic with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Payne must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Marinic managing to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Marinic has his foot on Payne's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Payne works his way back into a safe position though.

Payne stands up from guard. Let's bang!
A solid leg kick lands there for Marinic.
Payne wants to clinch up but Marinic keeps it at a distance.

Payne clinches.

Marinic's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Payne is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Marinic clinches up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marinic fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Marinic trying to stall but Payne improves his position.
Payne tries to pull guard but Marinic forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Marinic is trying to break free.

Payne has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Marinic is trying to keep an underhook but Payne manages to get the takedown into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Marinic looking for submissions off his back.
Payne is trying to control the action in half guard but Marinic is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Payne lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matija Marinic dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Matija Marinic's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Payne circles away from the clinch attempt.
Marinic circles away from the clinch attempt.
Marinic looks to land a combination but Payne avoids it well.
Marinic tries for a takedown but Payne sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Marinic dodges the punch combination from Payne.

Payne drives through with a takedown into Marinic's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Marinic wants to sweep but no luck.
Payne sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Marinic's guard.
Marinic missing with punches from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marinic works his way to full guard. Good work.
Payne trying to control the position from guard on top but Marinic is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Payne trying to move into half guard but instead Marinic has managed to sweep!
Payne takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Payne is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Marinic is aware though and is defending well.
Payne keeping moving, preventing Marinic from controlling successfully.
Marinic passes Payne's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Marinic is looking to stall here but Payne recovers full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Payne keeping moving, preventing Marinic from controlling successfully.
Marinic is stalling in the full guard.
Marinic is pushing down on Payne's leg trying to pass to half guard. Payne is fighting to maintain full guard but Marinic has managed to sneak the leg through.
Well, if Marinic 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Payne is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Matija Marinic wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Payne misses the shot to the body.
Payne closes this distance looking for a takedown but Marinic circles away.
Marinic tries to clinch up but Payne circles away and keeps his distance.

Payne scores with a takedown into Marinic's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marinic has a closed guard, preventing Payne from standing up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Marinic looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Marinic is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

Marinic escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Marinic tries to clinch but Payne moves out of range.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Payne blocks the body kick.
Dante Payne has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Matija Marinic is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Marinic closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Payne quickly recovers to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matija Marinic showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Marinic has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Winston Alpacca scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sandra Marshall scores the fight 30:27
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matija Marinic!