PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Walter Payton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eric Martin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Payton
vs
Martin

183 cm
22
195 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

195 cm
22
190 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Walter Payton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Eric Martin!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Colin Fotheringham and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Payton ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Martin moves away.
Payton stuffs the takedown attempt from Martin. Martin gets slowly back to his feet.
Payton scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Martin throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
No luck for Martin with that takedown attempt.
Horrible takedown by Martin or perhaps it was just good defense by Payton which made him look bad.
Walter Payton has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eric Martin.
Payton tries to close the distance and clinch but Martin swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Martin keeps the fight on the outside.
Payton tries to clinch but Martin is having none of it.

Payton has managed to clinch.
Martin fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Payton lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Payton tries to pass to full mount but Martin defends it.
Payton thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Martin's head.

Payton is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Martin works his way to full guard. Good work.
Payton wants to pass the guard but Martin is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Payton is working hard here to advance position.
Payton 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.
Martin looking for a sweep. Not yet Martin, not yet.
Payton might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Martin keeping moving, preventing Payton from controlling successfully.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Payton misses with a few strikes there.
Payton shoots in for a double leg but Martin sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Martin tries to keep at a distance but Payton has taken the fight into the clinch.
Payton gets underhooks to prevent Martin's takedown attempt.
Payton leaning against his opponent.
Martin drops down looking for an ankle pick but Payton pulls his leg out and moves away.
Martin pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Martin looks gassed!
Payton ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Martin moves away.
Payton throws a half hearted mid kick.

Payton drives through and clinches with Martin against the cage.
Payton misses with a short punch on the inside.

Payton manages to pull guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Payton not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Payton tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Payton trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

Payton is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Martin is pushing down on Payton's leg trying to pass to half guard. Payton is fighting to maintain full guard but Martin has managed to sneak the leg through.
Payton on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Payton tries to get out of the position.
Ground and pound from Martin.
Payton is trying to maintain the position but Martin is very close to passing his half guard.
Payton tries to roll over but Martin keeps him under control.
Martin is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Payton tries to roll over but Martin keeps him under control.
Payton has hold of Martin's hands but Martin slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

Martin is looking for a kimura but Payton is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Martin to get the leverage.
Payton tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Payton looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Payton trying to hold on to Martin's head to control him but Martin postures up.
Payton slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Payton looking to hit a scissor sweep but Martin is one step ahead there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Payton bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Martin's guard.
Payton thows a big elbow that misses.
Payton trying to control the position from guard on top but Martin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Payton stands up over Martin, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Payton forces his way into half guard.
Martin wants to get back to his feet.
Martin keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Martin is trying to stand up here but Payton is controlling him well.
Martin regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Payton.

Martin is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Payton swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Martin.
Payton prevents the takedown attempt.
Payton lands a left hand.
Payton scores with a shot to the side of Martin's head.
Payton missing with knees to the body.
Payton scores with a knee to the head.
Payton misses with some punches.
Stalling in the clinch from Payton.
Martin prevents a body shot from Payton.
Payton holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Payton misses with a body punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Payton gets the takedown into side control.
Martin manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Payton works his way to full guard. Good work.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Payton is on top in guard.
Payton is pushing down on Martin's leg trying to pass to half guard. Martin is fighting to maintain full guard but Payton has managed to sneak the leg through.
Martin is refusing to be controlled, as Payton sits in half guard.
Payton missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Martin blocking the ground and pound attempt from Payton.
Martin is looking to improve his position.

Payton is trying to work for a kimura but Martin is defending well.
Martin is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Payton's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Payton's back!
Payton rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Martin is trying to control the action in half guard but Payton is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Martin blocks the strikes from Payton.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Martin trying to control from half guard but Payton is working away.
Payton is looking to control Martin's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Payton avoid being mounted?
Payton wants to improve his position but Martin is controlling well.
Payton gets full guard.
Martin won't allow Payton to sweep him here.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Payton tries to clinch up but Martin circles away and keeps his distance.

Payton has closed the distance and engaged Martin in a clinch.

Payton turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Payton manages to end up in side control.

Payton tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Payton has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Payton working the head and body with strikes.
Payton landing a few strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Payton looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Payton wants to lay and pray for a moment but Martin keeps working.
Martin gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Payton working Martin over with strikes here.

Payton looking for a guillotine from mount but Martin is having none of it.
Payton works his way to his opponent's back.

Payton looking to break Martin's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Martin remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Payton will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Martin controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
Martin covers up after taking a massive shot to the side of the head.
Payton is punishing Martin with strikes - can he finish him?!
Martin wants to get back to his feet.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Payton is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Even with his hooks in, Payton manages to miss with strikes from the back.
Martin turns into Payton and is now in his guard.
Payton wants to sweep here but Martin controlling him for the moment.

Payton keeping busy on the bottom but Martin has passed one foot through into half guard.
Martin wants to lay and pray for a moment but Payton keeps working.
Walter Payton overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Payton is looking to improve his position.

Martin is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Martin prevents Payton from improving his position.
Payton trying to hold on to Martin's head to control him but Martin postures up.
Payton is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Martin's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Martin's back!
Martin tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Martin is working to get back to half guard.
Payton punishing his opponent with strikes.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Payton goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Martin turns into him and now he's in Payton's guard.
Payton is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Walter Payton dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Payton drives through and clinches with Martin against the cage.
Payton stalling.
Nice body punch from Payton - that landed with a thud.

Payton lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Martin keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Martin blocking the ground and pound attempt from Payton.
Payton prevents Martin from improving his position.
Martin is trying to stand back up but Payton is controlling him
Martin tries to roll over but Payton keeps him under control.
Payton looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Martin with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Payton connects with a nice short shot to Martin's temple.
Payton throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Martin is refusing to be controlled, as Payton sits in half guard.
Martin throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

Payton wants to work for an arm triangle but Martin is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Payton looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Martin with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Martin manages to get to full guard.
Payton stands up out of Martin's guard for a moment - Martin manages to land a nice upkick.
Martin keeping moving, preventing Payton from controlling successfully.
Payton won't allow Martin to get back to his feet.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Payton's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Payton postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Martin is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Payton, into his guard.
Martin trying to control the position from guard on top but Payton is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Payton trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Martin throwing strikes from guard but Payton blocks nicely.
Martin tries to stand but Payton is controlling from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Payton 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.
Martin lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Payton has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Martin can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Martin distracts Payton with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Payton is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Martin circles away from the clinch attempt.

Payton decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Payton scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Payton is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Payton looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Payton working over Martin with some ground and pound. Martin looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Martin keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Payton is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Martin!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Payton punishing his opponent with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Poor strikes thrown by Payton there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Martin is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Payton blocks Martin's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Payton tries to control but Martin wriggling away.
Martin gets back to half guard.

Payton 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.
Martin works his way to full guard. Good work.
Martin tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Martin looking to control.
Martin throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Payton drops back looking for a leg! Martin is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Martin manages to kick Payton off! Payton jumps back into Martin's guard.
Payton wants to control from the top but Martin keeps moving.
Payton trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Payton passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Payton is putting a hurting on Martin here, landing some big shots from side control.
Eric Martin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Payton laying and praying for a moment but Martin takes advantage and regains half guard.
Payton works his way into full mount!
Martin is desperately trying to improve his position but Payton has a good base and remains in mount.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Martin wants to control but Payton is having none of it.
Martin is squirming around, avoiding Payton's attempts to control the action.

And that's the end of the fight!
Walter Payton showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Payton 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 William Gold scores the fight 30:27
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Walter Payton!