PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Paul Alexander (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Payne (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Paul Alexander has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Alexander
vs
Payne

225 cm
29
300 lbs
9 - 6 - 0

197 cm
20
286 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very strong

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Paul Alexander!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, John Payne!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Robert Twigg and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Payne gets a double leg takedown into Alexander's guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Alexander working a defensive guard but Payne passes into half guard.

Alexander actively working from the bottom here.
Alexander is not content to let Payne control the position.
Alexander moves into full guard.
Payne throwing strikes but missing.
Alexander will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Alexander avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Alexander looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Payne working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Alexander preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Alexander will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Alexander keeping moving, preventing Payne from controlling successfully.
Alexander is trying to control the position but Payne postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Alexander working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Payne.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Payne postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Payne trying to control but Alexander is working from the bottom.
Alexander will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Alexander keeping moving, preventing Payne from controlling successfully.
Alexander tries to strike from the bottom.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Payne's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Alexander is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Alexander throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Alexander working a defensive guard here.

Alexander 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.
Alexander wants to improve his position but instead Payne has moved into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Payne slips a nice elbow through Alexander's hands, connecting with Alexander's forehead.
Payne prevents Alexander from improving his position.
Payne working the head and body with strikes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Payne thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Alexander's head.
Payne has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Alexander looking for submissions off his back.
Payne wants to take a breather but Alexander is having none of it.
Alexander tries to get to full guard but Payne has control of the leg.
Payne lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Payne lands with a punch from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alexander trying to hold on to Payne's head to control him but Payne postures up.
Payne prevents Alexander from improving his position.
Alexander knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Payne on the ground.
Payne scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Alexander is refusing to be controlled, as Payne sits in half guard.
Payne not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Payne is working for a kimura but Alexander is defending it quite comfortably.
Payne is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Alexander is looking for a sweep. Payne is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alexander is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Payne scores with a couple of nice shots.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Alexander wants to improve his position but Payne is controlling well.
Payne passes the guard and advances to mount!
Alexander is trying desperately to improve position.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Payne cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!

Alexander is rocked!
Payne blocks Alexander's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Payne tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Payne is in full mount looking to finish with strikes. He lands a big shot, followed by another and Alexander goes limp! The ref jumps in to end the fight - a big win for Payne!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). John Payne!
An out of breath and clearly excited John Payne thanked The Dark Side for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).