PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Alejandro Sepulveda (ranked 3737 p4p, 2401 weight class) and Palaktingpuet Payakarakatong (ranked 182 p4p, 132 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Sepulveda might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Lady Gaga - Alejandro. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Sepulveda
vs
Payakarakatong

159 cm
41
141
36 - 27 - 2

161 cm
34
136
25 - 21 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
KO power

Good wrestler
World class MT
Heavy handed

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 36 - 27 - 2, fighting out of New York, Alejandro Sepulveda!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 21 - 1, fighting out of London, Palaktingpuet Payakarakatong!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Don Winkell and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Payakarakatong pivots, looking for a leg kick but Sepulveda is out of range and Payakarakatong settles back down.
Sepulveda avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Decent striking displayed by Sepulveda there.
Payakarakatong takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Payakarakatong throws a head kick but Sepulveda moves out of range.
It looked like Sepulveda was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Payakarakatong.
Payakarakatong uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sepulveda.
Payakarakatong tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Sepulveda paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Payakarakatong blocks a low kick nicely.
Sepulveda 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.
Payakarakatong tries to clinch up.
Sepulveda is looking to counter punch.

Payakarakatong pushes Sepulveda up against the cage in a clinch.
Sepulveda lands a hook to the side of the head.
Payakarakatong tries to circle away but Sepulveda has him pinned against the cage.

Payakarakatong escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Sepulveda closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Sepulveda is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Payakarakatong tries to roll over but Sepulveda keeps him under control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sepulveda is trying to work for a kimura but Payakarakatong is defending well.

Sepulveda is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Sepulveda seems to be working for a kimura but Payakarakatong defends the submission attempt.

Sepulveda is working for a kimura but Payakarakatong is defending it quite comfortably.
Payakarakatong wants to improve his position but Sepulveda is controlling well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Payakarakatong is looking to control Sepulveda's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Payakarakatong avoid being mounted?

Sepulveda is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Sepulveda seems to be working for a kimura but Payakarakatong defends the submission attempt.

Sepulveda looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sepulveda is trying to control. Payakarakatong wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Sepulveda looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
We've been informed that Payakarakatong has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.

Sepulveda looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Sepulveda is trying to work for a kimura but Payakarakatong is defending well.

Payakarakatong is defending against the submission attempts here by Sepulveda.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Sepulveda seems to be looking for submissions.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alejandro Sepulveda dominated that round.
That's time! Sepulveda's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Payakarakatong is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Payakarakatong is looking to clinch but Sepulveda is avoiding it.
Sepulveda scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Sepulveda bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Sepulveda throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Payakarakatong stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Sepulveda throws a half hearted mid kick.
Payakarakatong is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Sepulveda with a body shot.
Sepulveda throws a body kick that misses.
Payakarakatong waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Sepulveda.
Sepulveda tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Payakarakatong was well out of range. Poor timing from Sepulveda.

Sepulveda looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Payakarakatong!

Sepulveda working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Sepulveda wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Payakarakatong, who protects the arm well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Payakarakatong struggling a bit here.

Sepulveda is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Payakarakatong knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Sepulveda looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Alejandro Sepulveda overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Sepulveda goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Payakarakatong has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Sepulveda but great work by Payakarakatong.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sepulveda wants to control but Payakarakatong postures up.
Sepulveda is trying to get back to half guard.

Payakarakatong decides to stand back up.
Payakarakatong takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Sepulveda slips a straight right by Payakarakatong.
Payakarakatong stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Palaktingpuet Payakarakatong is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Payakarakatong has managed to clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Payakarakatong.
Sepulveda lands with a right to the head.

Payakarakatong breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A looping hook to the body misses from Sepulveda. Payakarakatong does a little dance to reset his feet.
Payakarakatong tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Sepulveda manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sepulveda drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Sepulveda is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Sepulveda drops back looking for a leg! Payakarakatong is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Payakarakatong manages to kick Sepulveda off! Sepulveda jumps back into Payakarakatong's guard.
Payakarakatong keeping moving, preventing Sepulveda from controlling successfully.
Sepulveda controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Payakarakatong controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Payakarakatong keeping moving, preventing Sepulveda from controlling successfully.
Payakarakatong looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Sepulveda dives in and grabs Payakarakatong's left leg, looking for a takedown. Payakarakatong pushes down on Sepulveda's head and hops out.
Sepulveda is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Payakarakatong can do to turn this around?
Sepulveda digs a good hook to Payakarakatong's body.
Sepulveda is looking to wear down Payakarakatong with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Sepulveda.
Sepulveda takes a swing at Payakarakatong's ribcage but misses.
Payakarakatong scores with a punch to the head.
Payakarakatong tries to score with a low kick but Sepulveda moves his leg out of the way.
A counter left hand to the body from Sepulveda misses its target.
Sepulveda throws a head kick but Payakarakatong moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Alejandro Sepulveda will probably get the nod.
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. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Sepulveda misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Payakarakatong.
Payakarakatong connects with the punch.

Payakarakatong has Sepulveda up against the cage in a clinch.

Sepulveda pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Payakarakatong throws an overhand right that lands on Sepulveda's shoulder, as Sepulveda tries to avoid the shot.
Payakarakatong throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Sepulveda attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Payakarakatong wants to clinch up but Sepulveda keeps it at a distance.
An attempted straight right counter from Sepulveda misses the target.
Sepulveda shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Payakarakatong fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Sepulveda looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Payakarakatong bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Sepulveda's head backwards.
Payakarakatong blocks the body kick.
Payakarakatong scores with a jab to the jaw.
Payakarakatong loads up on a big right hand but Sepulveda slips the punch.
Sepulveda is looking to counter with head kicks.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Payakarakatong throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Sepulveda counters with a nice uppercut.
Payakarakatong with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Sepulveda to score with a decent uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sepulveda ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Payakarakatong moves away.
Sepulveda shoots in for a double leg but Payakarakatong sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Payakarakatong gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Sepulveda lands a right hand that snaps the head of Payakarakatong backwards.
Payakarakatong blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Sepulveda lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Payakarakatong backwards.
Sepulveda has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Payakarakatong avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alejandro Sepulveda. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Payakarakatong's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Payakarakatong tries to clinch there but Sepulveda circles away.
Payakarakatong throws a wild body kick that Sepulveda sees coming a mile off.
Payakarakatong throws a head kick but Sepulveda moves out of range.
Payakarakatong takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Sepulveda scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Sepulveda wants to work for an arm triangle but Payakarakatong is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Payakarakatong is looking to get back to is feet but Sepulveda passes into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Sepulveda working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Payakarakatong wants to control but Sepulveda postures up.
Sepulveda wants to control but Payakarakatong is keeping him busy.
Payakarakatong wants to get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Sepulveda thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sepulveda is looking to take a break and control but Payakarakatong is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Payakarakatong is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Alejandro Sepulveda is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Sepulveda stalling.
Sepulveda's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

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.

Sepulveda is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Payakarakatong is just riding it out for now. Sepulveda eventually gives up the hold.

Sepulveda looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Palaktingpuet Payakarakatong has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A jab from Sepulveda misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Palaktingpuet Payakarakatong.
Well Sepulveda 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alejandro Sepulveda!
Alejandro Sepulveda decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.