PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Lil James Lightning (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Noah Payne (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

James Lightning
vs
Payne

210 cm
25
299 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

188 cm
24
266 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent MT
Very strong

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Powerful

•‡• LION Clothing •‡• [CBK]
•‡• LION Clothing •‡• [CBK]

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the super heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Lil James Lightning!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Noah Payne!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Hogan, Skip Squint and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lightning throws a head kick but Payne moves out of range.
Payne lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Lightning throws a head kick that misses.
Lightning tried to score with a low kick but Payne checks it.
A head kick misses from Lightning.
Lightning keeps the fight on the outside.
Lightning pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Lightning tries a head kick but it misses.
Lightning ducks under a wild hook from Payne.
Lightning throws a half hearted mid kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lightning tries a head kick but it misses.
Lightning goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Payne cracks Lightning with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Lightning throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Payne.

It looks like Noah Payne has been cut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Payne fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Lightning manages to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Payne crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Lightning - the referee stops the clock and Payne gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Lightning. Payne manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
No luck for Payne with that takedown attempt.
Lightning leaves Payne with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Lightning lands with a slapping head kick.
Payne misses with a looping right.
Lightning throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Lightning tries a head kick but it misses.
Lightning on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Payne stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Lightning.
Lil James Lightning seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lightning throws a head kick but Payne moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lightning uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Payne.
A big left from Payne misses.
Payne throws a hook but Lightning avoids it easily.
Payne misses with a jab, cross combination.
Lightning throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Payne avoids the head kick by Lightning.
Lightning throws a sloppy head kick and Payne moves out of range easily.
Payne blocks a head kick by Lightning.
Lightning throws a head kick that misses.
Payne avoids the head kick by Lightning.
Payne avoids the head kick by Lightning.
Lightning doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Payne looks to score with a jab to the body but Lightning is just out of range.
Lightning scores with a head kick.
Lightning throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Lightning misses with a body kick.
A head kick by Payne misses
and Lightning makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Payne really felt that one!
Payne lands an overhand right.
Payne takes a kick to the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Payne fails with an attempt to clinch.
Lightning does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Payne takes a kick to the side of the head.
Lightning throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Payne avoids the head kick by Lightning.
Lightning misses with a head kick.
A head kick misses from Lightning.
Payne just misses with a punch to the body.
Payne darts in trying to clinch
and Lightning counters with an outside leg kick.
Lightning throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Lightning misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Lightning throws a head kick that misses.
Lightning takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Lightning tries a head kick but it misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lil James Lightning dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Noah Payne's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Lightning throws a head kick that Payne semi-blocks.

Payne clinches up with Lightning and pushes him back against the cage.
Payne blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Payne.
Lightning throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Payne blocks it with crossed arms.
Lightning pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Lightning missing with knees to the body.
Lightning misses with an elbow over the top.
Lightning throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Lightning misses with an elbow over the top.
Payne drops down looking for an ankle pick but Lightning pulls his leg out and moves away.
Payne fails to land with a series of punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lightning throws a head kick but Payne moves out of range.
Lightning throws a sloppy head kick
and Payne counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Payne misses with a few strikes there.
Payne looks to throw the jab but Lightning is out of range.
Lightning throws a sloppy head kick and Payne moves out of range easily.
Payne connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Lightning plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
No joy there for Payne, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Payne throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lightning ducks under a wild hook from Payne.
Payne lands a jab to the nose.
Lightning throws a head kick but Payne moves out of range.
Payne changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Lightning tries to avoid it but Payne manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Lightning to the ground. Lightning escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Payne blocks a head kick by Lightning.
Payne wants to clinch.
Payne scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Lightning throws a body kick that misses.
Lightning throws a sloppy head kick and Payne moves out of range easily.
Lightning slips a jab from Payne.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lightning throws a head kick that misses.
Lightning walks into a jab.
Payne rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Lightning moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Payne, as that shot connected.
Lightning throws a head kick but Payne moves out of range.
A head kick misses from Lightning.
Lightning slips under a jab.
Lightning pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Lightning stuffs the takedown.
Lil James Lightning has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Noah Payne.
Lightning connects with a solid leg kick.
Lightning tries a head kick but it misses.
Lil James Lightning is winning the standup battle so far.
Lightning throws a sloppy head kick
and Payne counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lightning misses with a head kick.
Lightning takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
A head kick misses from Lightning.
Payne tests Lightning's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Payne misses with a hook.
A head kick misses from Lightning.
Lightning avoids the body shot from Payne.
Lil James Lightning is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Lightning tries a head kick but it misses.
Lightning throws a sloppy head kick and Payne moves out of range easily.
Payne throws a big shot that misses.
Lightning pulls out of a head kick attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lil James Lightning dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Noah Payne's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Lightning misses with a body kick.
Payne throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Lightning throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Lightning pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Lightning moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Lightning throws a head kick that misses.
Lightning fakes the leg kick and cracks Payne in the body.
Lightning connects with a high kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Lightning lands a big head kick that sends Payne tumbling to the mat! Lightning takes a step backwards and waves Payne back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Payne is rocked!
Payne takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Lightning misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Payne blocks a head kick by Lightning.
Lightning throws a sloppy head kick and Payne moves out of range easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lightning throws a half hearted mid kick.
A slapping leg kick lands for Lightning.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Lightning.
Lightning throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Payne's head.
Lightning throws the kick towards the body but Payne avoids it.
Lightning throws a head kick that misses.
Payne throws a hook but Lightning avoids it easily.
Lightning pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A head kick from Lightning lands but Payne takes it in his stride.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lightning defending well as Payne loads up on a big left hand.
Payne throws a jab when Lightning was well out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Payne takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Lightning pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Lightning throws a wild body kick that Payne sees coming a mile off.

Payne darts in and clinches Lightning up against the cage.
Payne managing to block the knees to the body from Lightning.
Lightning tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Lightning misses with an elbow over the top.
Lightning throws a knee to the head but misses.
Lightning misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Payne.
Payne avoids the elbow strike from Lightning, against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Payne fails to land.
Lightning tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Payne avoids it.
Lightning missing with knees to the body.
Payne stalls.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lightning utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Lightning tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Payne avoids it.
Lightning misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Payne.
Lightning lands a nice knee to the body.
Lightning trying to land knees to the body.
Lightning tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Lightning throws a punch but it's blocked by Payne.
Payne misses with the head strike.
Lightning with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Lightning tries to land knees in the clinch but Payne avoids the damage to the body.
Payne avoiding damage as Lightning throws knees to the body.
Lightning lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Lightning.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A bit of stalling here from Lightning.
Lightning throws an elbow but it misses.
Lightning throws a knee to the head but misses.
Payne avoiding damage as Lightning throws knees to the body.

Payne gets control of Lightning's arms and successfully pulls guard. Payne will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Payne is trying to control the position but Lightning postures up.

Payne is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Lightning defends well.
Lightning will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Payne is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Lightning defends well.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Lightning gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lil James Lightning clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Noah Payne's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Lightning throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Payne.
Lightning tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Payne checks a leg kick nicely.
Lightning is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Payne can do to turn this around?
Lightning is looking to land body kicks.
Lightning lands with a kick to the temple. Payne shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Lightning tries a head kick but it misses.
Payne throws a right hand that Lightning ducks under and follows up with a left that Lightning also avoids with ease.
Lightning tries a head kick but it misses.
Lightning pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Payne blocks the body kick.
Payne scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lightning looks for the body kick but Payne saw that one coming.
Lightning takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Lightning tries a head kick but it misses.
Payne throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Payne throws a looping overhand right but Lightning ducks down to avoid it.
Payne waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Lightning.
Lightning tries a head kick but it misses.
Payne blocks a head kick by Lightning.
Lightning misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Lightning tries a head kick but it misses.
Lightning misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Payne avoids the head kick by Lightning.

That's two 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.
Payne is looking to clinch but Lightning is avoiding it.
Lightning throws a sloppy head kick and Payne moves out of range easily.
Payne blocks a head kick by Lightning.
Lightning staying out of range there.
Payne throws a jab but it's blocked by Lightning.
Payne blocks a head kick by Lightning.
Lightning misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Payne works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Payne with a nice cross.
A looping hook to the body misses from Payne. Lightning does a little dance to reset his feet.
Lightning takes a shot right to the bread basket.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Payne changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Lightning misses with a head kick.
Lightning throws a sloppy head kick and Payne moves out of range easily.
Payne tries to close the distance and clinch up but Lightning swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Lightning throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Payne scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Lightning doesn't seem bothered though.
Lightning looks to land a body kick but Payne moved away.
Payne tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Lightning moves out of range as Payne strikes.
Lightning throws a front kick that sends Payne stumbling back into the cage.
Payne throws an overhand right that lands on Lightning's shoulder, as Lightning tries to avoid the shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lightning throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Payne's head.
Payne swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Lightning moves away from the strike by Payne.
Lightning throws a head kick that misses.
Payne uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Lightning misses with a head kick.
Lightning uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Payne.
Lightning throws a push kick but Payne slaps the foot to one side.
Lightning throws a wild body kick that Payne sees coming a mile off.

Payne drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Lightning prevents Payne from improving position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Noah Payne dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Noah Payne's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Payne throws a head kick that misses
and Lightning counters with a head kick. That will keep Payne thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Payne fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Lightning is out of range.
Lightning lands with a slapping head kick.
Payne jabs at Lightning's body.
Lightning misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Payne is looking to clinch but Lightning is avoiding it.
Payne shoots in and drives through. Lightning sprawls well.
Lightning throws a head kick that misses
and Payne counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Lightning tries a head kick but it misses.
Payne lands with a shot to the body.
Lightning throws a low kick but it's checked well by Payne.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lightning scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A head kick misses from Payne.
Payne throws a hook but Lightning blocks it.
Payne is looking to score with low kicks.
Payne throws a sloppy head kick and Lightning moves out of range easily.
Lightning circles away from the clinch attempt.
Payne wants to clinch up but Lightning keeps it at a distance.
Payne takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Payne is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Payne takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Payne takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Lightning throws a head kick but Payne moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lightning connects with a high kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lightning tries a head kick but it misses.
Lightning is looking to land body kicks.
Lightning is looking to land body kicks.
Lightning connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Lightning throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Lightning throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Lightning throws a lazy head kick
and Lightning takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Payne throws out a loose jab but Lightning uses good head movement to avoid it.
Lightning lands with a slapping head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lightning tries a head kick but it misses.
Lightning throws a head kick that misses.
Payne avoids the head kick by Lightning.
Payne avoids the head kick by Lightning.
Lightning throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Lightning keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Noah Payne has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Payne feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Lightning not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Payne with a flurry of punches that miss.
Lightning looking to control.
Payne content to stall in guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lightning working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Payne doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Payne manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Payne pushes down on Lightning's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Payne thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Payne is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Lightning has managed to free his arm - good work.
Lightning moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lil James Lightning showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Lightning has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Bruno Hogan scores the fight 49:46
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 49:46
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lil James Lightning!
Lil James Lightning retains his super heavyweight title!