PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Noah Payne (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cheick Kongo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cheick Kongo told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Payne
vs
Kongo

188 cm
29
266 lbs
16 - 7 - 0

193 cm
30
240 lbs
22 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
KO power

Decent wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

[CBK] Legal Highs ↑ 160Q STAMINA + ENERGY
Popeye’s Spinach - 159 + 158 Proof Supps

Steel Penn's Laundry 93%
Milwaukee's Best 160

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 16 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Noah Payne!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Cheick Kongo!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Yuuki Gou and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Payne blocks a head kick by Kongo.
Kongo throws a low kick, looking for Payne's leg but Payne calmly moves out of range.
Payne slips under a jab.
Kongo feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Payne's calf.
Payne swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Payne lands a slapping body shot.
A solid body kick from Kongo.
Kongo thows a body shot but no joy.
Payne finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Payne pushes Kongo away with a front kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Payne crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Kongo - the referee stops the clock and Payne gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Kongo. Payne manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Payne lands a two punch combo.

It looks like Cheick Kongo has been cut.
Kongo lands a nice shot that snaps Payne's head back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kongo avoids a kick to the body.
Cheick Kongo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A big right from Payne misses.
Kongo ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Noah Payne seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Payne looking to score a takedown here. Kongo is defending well but Payne drives through and ends up in Kongo's guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Payne lands a couple of elbows.
Kongo wants to sweep but no luck.
Payne with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Payne with a flurry of punches that miss.
Payne trying to control but Kongo is working from the bottom.
Payne 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kongo looking to control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kongo avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Payne throws an elbow that misses. Kongo uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Payne's guard. Nice move by Kongo!
Kongo is looking to stand up but Payne won't let him.

Payne working for a triangle but Kongo defends it easily.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kongo got a little sloppy there for a moment and Payne has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kongo has managed to get both his arms back between Payne's legs - danger averted.
Kongo is looking to stand up but Payne won't let him.

Payne is looking for a triangle but Kongo pushes his legs off easily.
Kongo wants to stand but Payne has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Payne looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kongo is one step ahead there.

Payne throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Kongo preventing the sweep.
Kongo really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Payne. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Kongo must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's five minutes gone in the round.

Payne is working actively from the bottom, looking for submissions. He's escaped his hips to the side and he's going for an armbar! Kongo has his hands clasped together but Payne extends an breaks Kongo's desperate grasp, forcing a tap out due to armbar! Nice BJJ displayed there by Payne.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5:21 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Noah Payne!
Noah Payne really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that [CBK] The Smashwear Corporation logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.