PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Mark Downer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Morris Payne (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Payne has chosen Kardinal Offishall Ft. Elephant Man - Clear (Official Remix) as his entrance music. Morris Payne is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Downer
vs
Payne

189 cm
22
152 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

185 cm
22
145 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Prefers standup

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Mark Downer!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Morris Payne!
The judges for this bout are Wagner Zegers, Saam Ante and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Payne lands with an overhand left.
Payne wants to clinch up but Downer keeps it at a distance.
A combination from Downer does no damage.
Payne moves in looking to clinch but Downer pushes him off.
Danga de danga de dang - Payne scores with a four punch combination!
Payne circles away from the clinch attempt
and Payne counters with a straight right hand.

Payne darts in and clinches Downer up against the ropes.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Downer is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Payne is keeping busy.
Downer is trying to break the clinch but Payne is controlling him.
Payne slows down the pace here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Downer has had enough of the clinch but Payne keeps him there for the moment.

Payne breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Downer closes the distance but Payne moves to the side
and Payne counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Downer is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Payne is looking to clinch.

Downer tries to keep at a distance but Payne has taken the fight into the clinch.
Downer is looking to break free of the clinch but Payne has double underhooks.
Payne trying to land knees to the body.

Downer breaks from the clinch.
Payne chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Payne tries to clinch up.
Downer wants to clinch
and Payne counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Downer is lucky that one didn't land flush.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Downer wants to clinch
and Payne counters with a stiff right hand.
Downer tries to clinch
and Payne counters with a two punch combo.
A left lands for Payne.
Payne misses with a double jab.

Payne rushes Downer and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.
Payne throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

Payne pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Payne throws a sloppy head kick and Downer moves out of range easily.
Payne looks gassed!
Payne circles away from the clinch attempt.
Downer throws a leg kick

and Payne counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Payne.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Downer with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Payne blocks an elbow strike.
Payne crunches a lovely knee into Downer's ribcage.

Payne manages to break the clinch.
Downer keeps the fight on the outside.
Payne fails in his attempt to clinch.
Downer avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Downer pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Downer tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Payne counters with a two punch combo.
Downer tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Downer takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Payne throws a combination. Downer tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Payne scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Downer throws a sloppy head kick
and Payne counters with a body kick.
Payne fails with an attempt to clinch.
Downer tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
The fight stays on the outside here - Payne looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Downer tries to clinch but Payne moves away
and Payne counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Downer tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Payne counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Morris Payne dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Downer tries to clinch up.
Downer is looking to clinch.
Downer darts in trying to clinch

and Payne counters by moving into the clinch.
Payne wants to stall.
Downer misses with a hook to the ribs.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Downer wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Downer tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Payne's elbow.
Downer looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Payne pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Downer closes the distance looking to clinch

and Payne counters by moving into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Payne trying to stall but Downer improves his position.
Downer has had enough of the clinch but Payne keeps him there for the moment.
Payne is looking to control Downer's arms but Downer gets an underhook and turns him. Now Payne has his back to the ropes.
Payne seems frustrated at his inability to get double underhooks.
Downer has a couple of punches blocked by Payne.
Come on Payne - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Downer lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Downer tries a body shot but Payne blocks it.
Payne keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Downer's efforts to push away.
Payne wants to get back to striking at distance but Downer won't allow it.
Downer wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Payne has him pressed against the ropes.
Payne tries to stall but Downer uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
A body shot lands from Payne.
Downer pushes Payne back against the ropes and unloads with a body punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Downer looking to stall.
Downer lands with a short shot to the head.
Downer really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Downer breaks the clinch.
Payne circles away from the clinch attempt

and Payne counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Payne.

Payne breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Payne doesn't manage to clinch there - Downer circles away.
Payne lands a two punch combo.
Downer darts in trying to clinch
and Payne counters with a left and a right that stings Downer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Payne closes the distance but Downer moves to the side

and Downer counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Downer.

Downer's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Downer throws a left and a right that both miss

and Payne counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Downer is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Downer is trying to break free.
Payne is stalling here.
Payne softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.
Payne wants to break the clinch but can't.
Payne digs a right hand into Downer's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Downer's gas tank.
Downer leaning his opponent against the ropes.
Downer is trying to stall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Downer working hard to break the clinch.
Downer is trying to break the clinch but Payne has him pressed against the ropes.
Downer is trying to stall.
Downer wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Payne has him pressed against the ropes.
Payne landing some nice looking knees to the body.

Payne breaks the clinch.

Downer closes the distance and clinches.
Payne using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Payne lands a body shot.
Payne lands a damaging elbow.
Downer wants to break the clinch but can't.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Downer wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Payne has him pressed against the ropes.

Payne's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Payne misses with a combination
and Downer counters with a left to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Morris Payne showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Payne rushes Downer and presses him up against the ropes.
Downer is trying to break the clinch but Payne has him pressed against the ropes.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Payne takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Downer has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Payne lands an elbow inside that Downer shrugs off.

Downer pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Payne throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Downer darts in trying to clinch

and Payne counters by clinching up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Payne wants to break free but Downer has control.
Payne stalling in the clinch but Downer improves position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Downer is trying to force a seperation but Payne has the dominant position.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Downer wants to get back to striking at distance but Payne won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Downer is trying to maintain a safe position but Payne gets an underhook and turns Downer into the ropes.
Payne taking a breather.
Payne is persisting with his attempts to control the action in the clinch, rather than do any real damage.
A frustrated look appears on Payne's face as he tries to break the clinch.
The referee is keeping an eye on Downer - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Downer tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Payne's elbow.

Payne breaks from the clinch.
Payne tries to clinch up but Downer circles away and keeps his distance.

Payne moves into the clinch successfully.
Downer lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Payne backwards.
Downer is pushing Payne up against the ropes, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Payne trying to stall but Downer improves his position.

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.
Payne with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Downer pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Downer misses with a combination

and Payne counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Payne.

Downer breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Downer is looking to clinch but Payne is avoiding it.
Downer fails in his attempt to clinch.

Payne moves into range and clinches up with Downer.
Payne keeps control of Downer as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Downer is trying to break free.
Downer tries to throw a body punch but Payne avoids it by throwing Downer back against the cage.

Payne manages to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Downer checks the leg kick.

Downer rushes Payne and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.
Downer pressing his opponent against the ropes.
Payne keeps control of Downer as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Payne trying to control the position but instead, Downer has worked for underhooks and has pushed Payne into the ropes.

Payne escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Downer clinches but Payne breaks the clinch

and Payne holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Downer is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Payne is trying to force a seperation but Downer has the dominant position.

Downer pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Payne tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Downer closes the distance and clinches.
A frustrated look appears on Downer's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Downer is trying to maintain a safe position but Payne gets an underhook and turns Downer into the ropes.
Payne wants to break the clinch but can't.

Downer breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Payne lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Downer tries to clinch but Payne is having none of it.
Downer misses with a double jab

and Payne holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Payne breaks the clinch.
Payne throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Morris Payne really dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Downer throws a body kick the misses
and Payne counters with a leg kick.
Payne fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Downer manages to avoid it.
Downer is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Downer throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Payne thuds a left hand into Downer's body.
Payne lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Downer tries to clinch up
and Payne connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Downer throws a head kick that misses
and Payne counters with a two punch combo.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Payne throws a one two combo.
Downer throws a head kick that misses
and Payne counters with a nice body kick.
Payne scores with a three punch combo!
Payne throws a nice inside leg kick.
Payne slips under a jab from Downer.

Downer has managed to clinch.

Payne breaks the clinch.
Payne tries to clinch up but Downer circles away and keeps his distance.
Payne throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Downer.
A head kick misses from Payne.

That's two 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.
Downer throws a leg kick
and Payne counters with a straight right hand.
Downer misses with a body kick.
Payne wants to clinch up but Downer keeps it at a distance.
Downer tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Payne counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Payne throws a lazy right hand but Downer sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Downer is looking to clinch but Payne is avoiding it.
Morris Payne seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Downer swats away the attempt to clinch by Payne.

Downer closes the distance and clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Payne is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Downer is defending well for now.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Downer is looking to break free of the clinch but Payne has double underhooks.
Payne misses with a punch to the body.
Downer wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Downer controlling the action here for a moment.
Payne displaying some good clinch control by pressing Downer up against the ropes.
Payne throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Downer blocks it with crossed arms.
Downer tries to land knees in the clinch but Payne avoids the damage to the body.
Downer has had enough of the clinch but Payne keeps him there for the moment.

That's four 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.
Payne stalling in the clinch but Downer improves position.

Downer escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Payne tries to close the distance and clinch but Downer swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Payne throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Downer throws a leg kick
and Payne counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Payne changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Downer doesn't manage to clinch there - Payne circles away.
Downer misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Payne feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Downer's calf.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Payne is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
No joy there for Downer, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Morris Payne dominated that fourth round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Downer looks to clinch
and Downer takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Downer tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Payne counters with a straight right hand.
Downer tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Downer closes the distance but Payne moves to the side
and Payne counters with a left to the body.
Payne lands with a right hand.
Payne moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Downer tries to close the distance and clinch but Payne swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Payne digs a good hook to Downer's body.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Payne throws a right hand that Downer ducks under and follows up with a left that Downer also avoids with ease.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Payne stuns Downer with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Downer tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Payne counters by moving into the clinch.
Payne is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Downer is keeping busy.

Downer breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Payne lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Downer circles away quickly and effectively.
Downer throws a head kick but Payne moves out of range.
Downer throws a leg kick but Payne moved away.
Downer throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Downer misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Payne.
Payne lands with a nice combination. Downer backs away looking to recover.

That's two 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.
Downer dodges the punch combination from Payne.
A jab from Downer misses.

Downer drives through and clinches with Payne against the ropes.
Payne slows down the pace here.
Downer scores with a shot to the side of Payne's head.
Payne is looking to control Downer's arms but Downer gets an underhook and turns him. Now Payne has his back to the ropes.

Downer breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Downer tries to clinch up but Payne circles away and keeps his distance.
Payne lands a nice looking body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice body kick from Downer.
Downer looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Downer throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Payne counters with a slapping leg kick.
Downer drops his hands momentarily and Payne takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Downer fails with an attempt to clinch.
Payne throws a head kick that misses
and Downer counters with an outside leg kick.
Downer misses with a double jab
and Payne counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Downer tries to clinch but Payne is having none of it.
Downer looks to clinch

and Payne holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Payne breaks the clinch.
Downer wants to clinch but Payne slips to the side
and Downer takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Payne displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Payne looks to clinch

and Downer holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Downer misses with a hook to the ribs.
Payne wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Downer has him pressed against the ropes.

Payne escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Mark Downer has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Downer tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Payne tries to close the distance and clinch up but Downer swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Morris Payne is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Downer lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Downer.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Downer misses with a kick to the body

and Payne counters by moving into the clinch.
Downer looking to stall.
Payne is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

And that's the end of the fight!
Morris Payne comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Payne has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Wagner Zegers scores the fight 44:50
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 44:50
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 44:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Morris Payne! Morris Payne retains his featherweight title!