PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Max Payne (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tiago Nero (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Payne
vs
Nero

174 cm
18
187 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

184 cm
24
191 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

BlackStar Athletics

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Max Payne!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tiago Nero!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Bruno Lombardi and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Payne moves in looking to clinch but Nero pushes him off.
Payne throws a head kick that misses.

Nero looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Nero stands up over Payne, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Payne 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.
Nero makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Nero's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Payne is trying to control the position but Nero postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Payne keeping full guard, as Nero tries to pass.
Nero slips nicely into half guard.
Nice strikes from Nero there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nero sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Nero landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Nero is looking to advance position but Payne won't allow it.
Nero looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nero works his foot free and advances to mount.
Nero working the ground and pound effectively.
Nero landing strikes from the mount and Payne is in trouble!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nero looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Nero has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Payne is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Nero breaks from Payne's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Payne wants to control but Nero is having none of it.
Payne is bucking up trying to escape but Nero cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Payne in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Payne trying desperately to get to his feet.
Nero prevents Payne from getting the reversal.
Nero landing strikes from the mount and Payne is in trouble!

Nero working for a guillotine from mount but Payne is in no mood to give up.
Nero sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Let's hope that Nero has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Nero is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Payne taking shots to the head.
Nero raining down shots from the mount!
Payne is working to get back to half guard.
Payne takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.

Nero is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Payne is surviving well by controlling Nero's body position as best he can.

Nero with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nero trying to control but he's not successful this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Nero working from mount. He moves in close and looks like he might be going for an arm triangle... He's hopped off to the side and he's transitioned into an Anaconda choke. Payne turning a nasty shade of purple. He's refusing to tap but he's gone! He's out! The ref rips Nero off and cradles Payne's limp body as Nero celebrates with his corner.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:41 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Anaconda Choke). Tiago Nero!