PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Thomas Payne (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jeffy Jefferson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jefferson has chosen Fette's Vette as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Payne
vs
Jefferson

177 cm
22
149 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

164 cm
19
149 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Thomas Payne!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jeffy Jefferson!
The judges for this bout are , Jack Bonds and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jefferson stuffs the takedown.
Jefferson doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Payne counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Jefferson's guard now.

Payne postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Jefferson is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Payne, into his guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Payne looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Jefferson passes into side control.

Jefferson stands up and beckons Payne to his feet.
Jefferson with a poor takedown

and Payne counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Payne prevents Jefferson from improving his position.

Jefferson actively working from the bottom here.
Jefferson has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Payne is working away from the top position though.
Jefferson gets back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Payne passes Jefferson's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Jefferson manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Jefferson has his foot on Payne's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Payne works his way back into a safe position though.
Jefferson looks gassed!
Payne trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Payne has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Jefferson 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.
Payne wants to pass the guard but Jefferson is keeping the position.

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

Payne postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Jefferson is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Payne, into his guard.
Jefferson wants to pass the guard but Payne is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jefferson passes into half guard.

Payne looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Jefferson wants to pass to mount but Payne is defending the position.
Jefferson is looking to take a break and control but Payne is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Jefferson 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Payne looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Jefferson wants to control but Payne is keeping him busy.
Jefferson frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Jefferson can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Payne is looking to escape.
Payne looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
Payne manages to reverse the position and now he's in Jefferson's guard. Nice work there by Payne.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Payne thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Payne pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Jefferson is keeping the position for now.

Jefferson had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Payne is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Jefferson Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Payne's back instead.

Payne fending off the submission attempt from Jefferson.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Jefferson is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Payne has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
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 Thomas Payne will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Payne shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Jefferson counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Payne's guard now.

Payne has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Jefferson is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Payne.

Jefferson tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Jefferson trying to control the action but Payne is working from the bottom.
Payne is trying to control Jefferson's posture but Jefferson avoids it.
Payne tries to improve position but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jefferson trying to control the action but Payne is working from the bottom.
Jeffy Jefferson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Payne is trying to improve his position.

Jefferson thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Jefferson is breathing heavily.
Payne tries to buck Jefferson off but Jefferson is having none of it.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Jefferson shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Jefferson fails to take his opponent's back.
Payne regains half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Jefferson is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Payne is just riding it out for now. Jefferson eventually gives up the hold.
Payne is trying to get back to full guard.

Jefferson is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Payne tries to get to full guard but Jefferson has control of the leg.

Jefferson is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Payne gets full guard.

Payne had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Jefferson is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Payne Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Jefferson's back instead.

Payne looking for the RNC.
Jefferson trying to control the hands but Payne breaks the grip.

Payne looking for the choke but no joy.
Payne is not going to allow Jefferson to sit and survive in this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Payne looking for the RNC.
Jefferson tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Jefferson working to try and regain half guard.
Jefferson bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

Payne has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Jefferson can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Jefferson chips away with some ground and pound.
Jefferson stays in close to Payne's body and controls the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jeffy Jefferson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Jefferson gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Payne counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Jefferson!
Payne trying to control but Jefferson is having none of it.
Jefferson is desperately trying to improve his position but Payne has a good base and remains in mount.

Payne is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Jefferson is surviving well by controlling Payne's body position as best he can.
Jefferson wants to hold on but Payne pushes him away.
Jefferson can't escape the position.
Jefferson tries to hold on but Payne pushes him away.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jefferson is trying to escape the mount.
Payne lands a big shot there that rocks Jefferson but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.

Payne looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Jefferson is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

Payne looking to secure an arm triangle but Jefferson defends it well.
Jefferson regains half guard.

Payne is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Jefferson doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Payne.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Jefferson manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Jefferson working a defensive guard here.
Payne tries to free his leg and advance position but Jefferson is retaining full guard.

Payne drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Jefferson manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Payne has Jefferson in his guard.
Jefferson passes Payne's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Payne wants to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jefferson passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Payne!
Jefferson breaks from Payne's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Jefferson is landing with some decent strikes but Payne is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Jefferson lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Jefferson takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

Jefferson has hold of Payne's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Payne manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Payne sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

Payne actively working from the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Payne tries to roll over but Jefferson keeps him under control.
Jefferson winds up and cracks Payne with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

Jefferson is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Payne is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Jefferson pulls his head out easily.
Payne is looking to improve his position.

Jefferson is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thomas 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 Suge Night scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thomas Payne!