PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Samart Payakaroon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe Ruden (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Payakaroon
vs
Ruden

203 cm
25
207 lbs
10 - 4 - 0

187 cm
25
215 lbs
10 - 0 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Great elbows
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Perkele!
Milwaukee's Best Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Samart Payakaroon!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Joe Ruden!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, Lou da Vinci and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ruden circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ruden on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Payakaroon. Payakaroon obviously looking to wear him down.
Ruden takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Payakaroon motions for Ruden to come forward. Payakaroon throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.

Ruden gets a double leg takedown into Payakaroon's guard.
Payakaroon controlling the position.

Payakaroon looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Payakaroon managing to control the position.
Payakaroon can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Ruden controls the pace.

Ruden drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Ruden jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ruden postures up in Payakaroon's guard and throws a big left but Payakaroon blocks it.
Payakaroon has control of Ruden's left arm, preventing Ruden from doing any damage.
Ruden wants to pass the guard but Payakaroon is keeping the position.
Payakaroon pulls Ruden in close to his closed guard and prevents Ruden from doing any damage or advancing position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Samart Payakaroon.
Payakaroon misses with a head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Payakaroon works Ruden's body with a nice hook.
Ruden swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Payakaroon lands with a right hand.
Payakaroon fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Ruden has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Ruden punishes Payakaroon's body with a nice straight punch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Payakaroon ducks right into an uppercut from Ruden.
Ruden takes a swing at Payakaroon's ribcage but misses.
Payakaroon throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Some bone on bone action there as Ruden checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Ruden jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ruden swings for the body but Payakaroon moves out of range.
Payakaroon moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
A punch combination from Payakaroon misses.

Ruden shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Payakaroon's guard.
Payakaroon will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Ruden with a flurry of punches that miss.
Ruden trying to control but Payakaroon is working from the bottom.
Payakaroon looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Payakaroon is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Payakaroon is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Ruden connects with a couple of short punches.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Payakaroon holds on and takes a little breather.

We're going to have a standup here because Samart Payakaroon wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
A leg kick checked by Ruden.
An inside leg kick lands from Ruden.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Payakaroon checks a leg kick nicely.
Payakaroon with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Payakaroon with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Ruden to score with a decent uppercut.
A looping hook to the body misses from Payakaroon. Ruden does a little dance to reset his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Samart Payakaroon will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Payakaroon lands with a thumping leg kick.
Payakaroon misses with a low kick as Ruden jumps back.
Payakaroon misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Ruden decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Payakaroon's guard.
Ruden working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Payakaroon's head.
Ruden working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Payakaroon keeping moving, preventing Ruden from controlling successfully.
Ruden has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Ruden trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Ruden advances to half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ruden scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Payakaroon won't allow Ruden to pass to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Payakaroon is pressing down on Ruden's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Payakaroon not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Payakaroon really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Ruden throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Payakaroon works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Ruden scoring with punches to the head and body.
Payakaroon keeping moving, preventing Ruden from controlling successfully.
Ruden with a flurry of punches that miss.
Ruden with a flurry of punches that miss.
Payakaroon pulls Ruden in close to prevent any damage.
Payakaroon trying to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ruden landing some decent shots from guard.
Ruden trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Ruden postures up.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Ruden wants to control from the top but Payakaroon keeps moving.
Payakaroon keeping full guard, as Ruden tries to pass.
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!

Payakaroon working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Ruden doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Ruden manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Ruden trying to control the position from guard on top but Payakaroon is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Payakaroon is trying to keep Ruden in close.
Payakaroon is really struggling to control Ruden but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Payakaroon has control of Ruden's left arm, preventing Ruden from doing any damage.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Samart Payakaroon just wasn't active enough.
Payakaroon bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Ruden stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Samart Payakaroon is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ruden steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Payakaroon.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ruden shoots in but Payakaroon avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Payakaroon moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Payakaroon connects with a leg kick. Ruden looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Payakaroon misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Ruden misses with a straight right.
Ruden misses with a hook
and Payakaroon counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Payakaroon throws a leg kick that is checked

so Ruden counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ruden working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Ruden working his ground and pound in the gym.
Ruden trying to control but Payakaroon is working from the bottom.
Payakaroon is trying to control the position from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Ruden showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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.

Payakaroon connects with a leg kick. Ruden looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Payakaroon throws a body punch but Ruden moves out of range.
Payakaroon checks the leg kick nicely there.
Ruden shoots in but Payakaroon avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Payakaroon dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Ruden connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Payakaroon attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.

Ruden 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.
Payakaroon is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Payakaroon has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Ruden wants to control from the top but Payakaroon keeps moving.
Payakaroon working a defensive guard here.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Samart Payakaroon has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Payakaroon misses with a head kick.
Ruden lands an overhand right.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Payakaroon's corner calls for a 1-2. Payakaroon obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Payakaroon throws a low kick but it's checked well by Ruden.
A solid leg kick lands there for Payakaroon.
Ruden scores with the left hand. Payakaroon knows he should have avoided that one.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ruden thows a body shot but no joy.
Ruden on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Ruden's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Ruden cracks Payakaroon with an open hand slap.
Nice sprawl there from Payakaroon as Ruden shoots in.
Payakaroon tries to clinch up but Ruden circles away and keeps his distance.
Payakaroon takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Payakaroon takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Payakaroon tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Ruden manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Payakaroon tests Ruden's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Payakaroon is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Payakaroon scoring well with a low kick there.
Payakaroon takes a swing at Ruden's ribcage but misses.
Payakaroon lands a really nice looking cross but Ruden seems unphased.
Payakaroon is looking to clinch.
Ruden shoots in and drives through. Payakaroon sprawls well.
Samart Payakaroon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joe Ruden.
Ruden misses with a body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Payakaroon cracks Ruden with an open hand slap.
Ruden cracks Payakaroon with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Ruden moves out of range of the leg kick from Payakaroon.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Payakaroon displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Ruden.
Ruden avoids a punch combination nicely.
Payakaroon throws an overhand right that lands on Ruden's shoulder, as Ruden tries to avoid the shot.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Payakaroon throws a hook but Ruden avoids it easily.
Payakaroon fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Ruden checks it well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Samart Payakaroon did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Payakaroon throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ruden sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Payakaroon waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ruden.
No joy there for Payakaroon, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Payakaroon feints and then cracks Ruden's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Ruden down.
Payakaroon lands a nice leg kick that just misses Ruden's sensitive parts.
Payakaroon takes a jab right on the kisser.
A solid leg kick lands there for Payakaroon.
A jab from Ruden does it's job there.
A punch combination from Ruden misses.
Payakaroon swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Payakaroon throws a body punch but Ruden moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ruden throws a hook to the side of Payakaroon's head but Payakaroon sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Ruden throws a predictable looking body shot
and Payakaroon counters with a nice uppercut.
Payakaroon looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Ruden misses with a lunging right hand
and Payakaroon counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Payakaroon throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Ruden scores with a body shot.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Payakaroon.
Samart Payakaroon is winning the standup battle so far.
Payakaroon tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ruden misses with a low kick as Payakaroon jumps back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Payakaroon.
Payakaroon throws a leg kick that misses.
Good shot there by Ruden.
Payakaroon dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ruden. Payakaroon does a little dance to reset his feet.
Payakaroon moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Payakaroon tries to clinch up.
Payakaroon throws a leg kick but Ruden sees it coming and moves out of range.
Ruden swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Payakaroon counters by clinching up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ruden controlling the action here for a moment.
Ruden goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ruden fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ruden wants a takedown.
Payakaroon trying to control the position but instead, Ruden has worked for underhooks and has pushed Payakaroon into the cage.
Ruden misses with a short punch on the inside.

Ruden has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Payakaroon clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Will Ruden go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
Ruden gets his hooks in and is throwing strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Payakaroon can't escape the position.
Payakaroon is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at Outlaws Clubhouse , so we'll see if he gets out of it.
Payakaroon rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Payakaroon trying to control from the bottom.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ruden working the head and body with strikes.
Payakaroon trying to control from the bottom.
Ruden is keen to just control but Payakaroon is a slippery customer.
Ruden is nestled in close to Payakaroon, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ruden stalling away here and it's allowed Payakaroon to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Payakaroon is trying to control the position but Ruden postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Ruden dominated that fourth round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Payakaroon throws a body punch but Ruden moves out of range.
Ruden scores with a body shot.
Payakaroon keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Ruden shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Ruden was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Joe Ruden has got the better of the ground game so far.
Sloppy strikes there by Ruden.
Payakaroon is not content to let Ruden control the position.
Ruden connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Payakaroon some visible discomfort.
Payakaroon prevents Ruden from moving into mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Payakaroon's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Ruden trying to control the position but Payakaroon is working away.
Ruden tries to score with some ground and pound. Payakaroon controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Payakaroon stops Ruden from passing to mount.
Ruden trying to control the action but Payakaroon is working from the bottom.

Ruden is trying to get an arm triangle but Payakaroon is defending well.
Ruden laying and praying for a moment but Payakaroon takes advantage and regains half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Payakaroon is trying to control but can't.

Ruden is looking for a kimura here.
Ruden working Payakaroon over with strikes.
Ruden working Payakaroon over with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Payakaroon avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Ruden.
Ruden performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

Ruden 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.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Payakaroon wants to get back to full guard but Ruden has mounted him!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ruden content just to control the position here.
Payakaroon is wriggling around trying to escape.
Payakaroon wants to hold on but Ruden pushes him away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Ruden goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Payakaroon turns into him and now he's in Ruden's guard.
Ruden is looking to sweep but instead, Payakaroon has passed into half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The fighters are battling for position here. Ruden manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joe Ruden comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Ruden has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Joseph Jones scores the fight 47:48
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 46:50
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joe Ruden! Joe Ruden retains his light heavyweight title!
After winning the bout, Joe Ruden thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.