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). Payne comes to the cage accompanied by Bad Company. Max Payne has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Payne
vs
Nero

174 cm
21
187 lbs
3 - 5 - 0

184 cm
27
202 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Héritage!
Voodoo Nutrition

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 3 - 5 - 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 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tiago Nero!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Columbo Gatti and Alyssa Summers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nero moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Payne tries to score a power double leg takedown but Nero sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Payne somewhat.
Nero is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Nero lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Payne at a distance.
Payne misses with a wild combination.

Nero moves into the clinch.
Nero misses with some punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nero wants to break free but Payne has control.

Nero's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nero connects with the punch.
Payne wants to land a leg kick but Nero is out of range.
Payne looks to throw the jab but Nero is out of range.
Payne cracks the inside of Nero's front leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nero lands the left hand.
Payne throws a shot to the body.
Nero's coach down at Midnight MMA was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Nero's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Nero lands with a nice body punch.
Good exchange - Nero coming out on top.
Nero slips a straight right by Payne.
It seemed like Nero was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Payne misses with a looping left.
Max Payne seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Payne tries to clinch but Nero moves out of range.
Payne scores with a jab to the jaw.
Nero uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Payne.
Payne tried to score with a low kick but Nero checks it.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Nero! But no joy.
Payne throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Nero uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Payne.
Payne takes one on the button.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Payne misses with a hook. Nero ducked under it nicely.
Nero swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nero's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Payne connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Nero scrambles back to his feet.
Payne uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nero.
Nice cross by Payne.
Nero has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Nero defending well as Payne loads up on a big left hand.
Nero ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Nero scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Payne doesn't seem bothered though.
A lazy left from Nero finds it's target.
Payne doesn't manage to clinch there - Nero circles away.
Payne throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Nero connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Payne scores with a kick to the body.
Nero checks a leg kick.
Nero walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Payne scores with a jab.
Nero takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nero connects with the punch.
Nero is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Payne had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Nero circles away from the clinch attempt.
Payne looks to throw the jab but Nero is out of range.
No joy there for Nero, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Nice takedown defense from Nero. No joy for Payne on that attempt.
Payne scores with a leg kick.
Payne slips a straight right by Nero.
Crunch! Payne slams his shin into Nero's torso.
Nero looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Payne rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Nero moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Payne takes one to the chin there.
Payne takes a swing at Nero's ribcage but misses.
A jab from Nero misses.
Nero avoids the head kick by Payne.
A little jabbing left from Nero on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nero on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Payne. Payne obviously looking to wear him down.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nero takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Nero uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Payne.
Nero lands with a cross.
No joy there for Payne, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Payne throws out a loose jab but Nero uses good head movement to avoid it.
A slow jab from Payne misses its intended target.
Payne throws the kick towards the body but Nero avoids it.
A big right from Payne misses.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Nero! But no joy.
Nero tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Payne was well out of range. Poor timing from Nero.
And Payne counters with a quick kick to the body but Nero blocks it.
Payne misses the jab.
Nero missing with a left hand there. Payne was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Nero tries to keep at a distance but Payne has taken the fight into the clinch.

Nero breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
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 Max Payne will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Nero scores with a body shot.
Max Payne is winning the standup battle so far.
Nero blocks a leg kick.
Payne takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Nice straight punches there by Nero. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Nero.
Payne scores with a leg kick.
Payne takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Payne throws a jab but it's blocked by Nero.
Nero scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Payne fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Payne pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Payne uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Nero.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Payne clinches.
Nero wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Payne has him pressed against the cage.

Nero breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nero tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Nero misses with a double jab.
Payne throws a leg kick which misses Nero's front leg but catches the back leg as Nero tries to avoid it.
Nero throws a body shot but no joy.
Payne feinted with a counter takedown.
Payne misses with an uppercut.
Nero throws out a counter right but Payne avoids it with no problem.
Payne tries a head kick but it misses.
Nero looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Nero scores with a nice strike.
Payne walks into a straight right hand from Nero.
Nero doesn't manage to clinch there - Payne circles away.
Payne throws a body kick that misses.
Payne throws a head kick but Nero moves out of range.
A little jabbing left from Nero on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
A left lands for Nero.
Payne throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Payne misses with a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Payne misses the target.
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!
A big right from Payne misses.
Nero ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Payne is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Nero.
A little jabbing left from Nero on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
A big right from Nero misses.
Payne throws a shot from downtown. Nero moves away and avoids it.
That kick from Payne tenderised Nero's leg. Nero is trying to keep his angry face on.
Payne looks to land a combination but Nero avoids it well.

Nero has closed the distance and engaged Payne in a clinch.
Payne gets through Nero's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

Nero escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Payne's jab looks to have found its range, popping Nero under the eye.
Nero connects with a body shot.
Payne looks to throw the jab but Nero is out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A leg kick checked by Nero.
Payne throws a hook but Nero avoids it easily.
Nero is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Payne lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Payne throws an off balance right hand
and Nero makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Payne dodges the punch combination from Nero.
Nero changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Payne throws a lazy right hand but Nero sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A low kick from Payne is predictable there

and Nero counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Nero.
Nero trying to control but Payne is working from the bottom.
Payne knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Nero on the ground.
Nero with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Payne looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Nero content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Nero postures up in Payne's guard and throws a big left but Payne blocks it.
Nero throws a big right hand that misses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nero scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Payne keeping full guard, as Nero tries to pass.
Nero throws a big elbow that misses.
Nero slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Payne is trying to control Nero's posture but Nero avoids it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tiago Nero showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Payne misses the jab.
Payne listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Nero blocks a jab.
Payne fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Nero has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Nero comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Nero blocks a jab.
Nero uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Payne.
Payne thuds his shin into the meat of Nero's side.
Nero throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Payne.
Nero ducks under a wild hook from Payne.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nero defending well as Payne loads up on a big left hand.
Payne looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Nero fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Payne on the side of the head.
Nero ducks under a wild hook from Payne.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A slow jab from Payne misses its intended target.
Nero wants to clinch.
Payne drops down looking for a counter takedown but Nero sprawls and moves away.
Payne lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Nero rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Payne moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
It looked like Payne was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Payne connects with a solid leg kick.
Payne misses with a body kick.
Nero takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Nero fails to land with a series of punches.
Payne half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Payne misses with a straight right.
Payne scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Payne wants to clinch but Nero slips to the side
and Nero counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Nero uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Payne.
Nero tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A telegraphed right hand from Payne misses the target.
Nero blocks a head kick by Payne.
Payne throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nero lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nero blocks a low kick nicely.
Nero checks a low kick from Payne.
Nero connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Nero lands a jab to Payne's midsection.
Nero's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Payne lands a head shot.
Payne swings away with a leg kick that misses.
A little jabbing left from Nero on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nero misses with a wild body shot.
Payne sizes up Nero with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Nero takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Payne misses with a low kick.
Payne throws a lazy body kick
and Nero counters with a stiff right hand.
A solid body kick from Payne.
Nero scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Payne tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Payne cracks Nero with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Nero tries to clinch but Payne is having none of it.
Nero uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Payne.
Nero checks a leg kick nicely.
Payne misses with a wild combination.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Good shot there by Nero.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nero comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Payne takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Payne misses with a hook
and Nero counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Payne throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Nero throws a counter combo.
Nero uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Payne.
The fighters circle momentarily. Nero darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Nero uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Payne.
Payne scoring well with a low kick there.
Payne misses the shot to the body.
Nero unleashes a big counter combination but Payne bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
A solid leg kick lands there for Payne.

And that's the end of the fight!
Max Payne showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Payne has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 John Roberts scores the fight 29:28
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Max Payne!
Max Payne thanked the fans post fight for their support.