PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rufus Speed (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jonathan Payet (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rufus Speed had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Speed
vs
Payet

177 cm
22
159 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

173 cm
21
164 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Perkele!

CEC Nutrition Q160 *Christmas Sale*
Vitality

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Rufus Speed!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Jonathan Payet!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, James Atkins and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fight stays on the outside here - Payet looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Payet fails with an attempt to clinch.
Payet tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Speed counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Payet!
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Payet is trying to reverse the position but instead Speed has taken his back - oops!

Despite having Payet's back, Speed says stuff this ground business - let's go for a knockout! Payet seems baffled but is happy to be out of the difficult position!
Payet tries to close the distance and clinch but Speed swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Speed circles away from the clinch attempt.
Speed misses with a takedown attempt - Payet sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Speed tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Payet swivels and escapes.
Payet tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Speed manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Speed misses with a takedown attempt - Payet sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rufus Speed. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Payet is looking to clinch but Speed is avoiding it.
Payet tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Speed paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Payet defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Speed.

Speed looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Payet!
Payet looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Payet is trying to break free.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Speed stands up.
Payet throws a leg kick that is checked

and Speed counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Speed.
Payet wants to hit a switch here but Speed passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Payet there!
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Payet can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Payet can't escape the position.
Payet has given up his back here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Payet wants to control his opponent's hands but Speed gets his hands free.
Payet rolls, trying to escape but Speed keeps control of the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Payet tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Speed doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Payet displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Speed.
Payet throws a leg kick but Speed sees it coming and moves out of range.
A low kick from Payet is predictable there

and Speed decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Payet's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Speed stopping the sweep attempt from Payet.

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.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Rufus Speed.
Payet fails in his attempt to clinch.
Jonathan Payet is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Speed shoots for a double leg takedown but Payet sprawls well. He's pushed Speed's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Payet looks to clinch

and Speed counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Payet is looking to improve his position.

Speed escapes and gets back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Payet rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Speed moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Payet falls off balance throwing a combination

and Speed counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Payet's guard now.
Speed wants to stand but Payet has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Speed decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Payet, up you get!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Payet is looking to land body kicks.
Payet throws a leg kick

and Speed counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Payet's guard now.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Speed is looking to stand up but Payet won't let him.

Payet is working an open guard so Speed takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Payet throws a leg kick that is checked

and Speed counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Speed.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rufus Speed dominated that second round.
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. This is the final round!

Payet tries to clinch

and Speed counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Payet!

Speed is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
Speed is trying hard to land a takedown here. Payet sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Payet doesn't manage to clinch there - Speed circles away.
Payet wants to clinch.
Speed takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Payet is looking to land body kicks.
Payet wants to clinch

and Speed decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Payet's guard.
Payet is looking to sweep but instead, Speed has passed into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Speed stands up and beckons Payet to join him on the feet.
Payet tries to close the distance and clinch up but Speed swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Payet throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Speed shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Payet but Payet pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Payet rushes Speed and presses him up against the cage.
Payet lands a shoulder strike.
Payet has a couple of punches blocked by Speed.
Speed has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Payet is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rufus Speed. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Speed.
Speed can't get the takedown.
Speed can't get the takedown.
Payet misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Payet struggles to land a body shot inside as Speed controls his hands.
Payet lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Speed blocking some punches.
Payet looking to slow down the pace here.
Speed blocking some punches.
Payet stops a takedown attempt from Speed.
Payet can't find room to land a body shot as Speed controls the action.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Payet misses with a short punch on the inside.
Jonathan Payet has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Speed blocks an uppercut.
Payet tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Speed blocks a punch to the side of the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Rufus Speed.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Speed, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Andrew Berry scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rufus Speed!