PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Miquel Ayala (ranked 24003 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kevin Owens (ranked 4784 p4p, 489 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Ayala
vs
Owens

162 cm
19
278 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

195 cm
25
265 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Miquel Ayala!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Kevin Owens!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Dillan Fox and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ayala tries for a takedown but Owens circles away easily
and Ayala takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

It looks like Miquel Ayala has been cut.

Owens gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Owens breaks from the clinch.
Ayala is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Owens looking to score a takedown here. Ayala is defending well but Owens drives through and ends up in Ayala's guard.
Ayala could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Ayala looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Owens controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Ayala is trying to control the position but Owens postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Owens preventing the sweep.
Ayala manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Owens manages to get himself to full guard.

Ayala is looking to work some ground and pound but Owens has wrist control.
Owens working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ayala.
Ayala trying to control the position from guard on top but Owens is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ayala throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Owens working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Ayala has passed into half guard!
Ayala lands strikes from half guard.
Owens pushes Ayala off looking to stand but Ayala dives back in and keeps control.

Ayala seems to be working for a kimura but Owens defends the submission attempt.
Owens looks winded!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ayala wants to lay and pray for a moment but Owens keeps working.
Owens is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Ayala scores with a couple of nice shots.
Ayala throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Owens punching from the bottom.

Ayala is looking for a kimura but Owens is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Ayala to get the leverage.
Ayala has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Ayala wants to work for an arm triangle but Owens is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Ayala decides to return to a standing position.
Owens throws a series of punches but Ayala avoids them all with ease.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Owens scores with a takedown into Ayala's guard.

Ayala throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Ayala might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Ayala will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Ayala managing to control the position.
Owens in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Ayala is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Owens is controlling him.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Ayala is on top in guard.

Ayala with a nice head shot there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Owens wants to sweep but no luck.

Ayala stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Ayala gets caught flat footed, as Owens shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Ayala looking to control.
Ayala wants to sweep here but Owens controlling him for the moment.
Owens loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Owens postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Owens prevents Ayala from getting back to 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 Miquel Ayala will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Miquel Ayala's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Ayala misses with a takedown attempt
and Owens counters with a left to the body.
Ayala avoids the head kick by Owens.
Owens tries to land a leg kick but Ayala saw it coming and moves away.

Owens has taken the fight to the clinch.

Owens gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Ayala desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Owens stops Ayala from getting back to his feet.
Owens is breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Owens throwing shots but Ayala is blocking nicely.
Owens prevents Ayala from standing back up.
Owens wants to pass to mount but Ayala is defending the position.
Ayala trying to control from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Owens thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Ayala trying to control from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ayala is doing well to control the position and prevent Owens from advancing to side control.
Ayala moves into full guard.
Ayala manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Owens manages to get himself to full guard.

Owens keeping moving, preventing Ayala from controlling successfully.
Ayala missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Ayala got a little sloppy there for a moment and Owens has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Ayala has managed to get both his arms back between Owens's legs - danger averted.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ayala stands and steps away. Owens gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Ayala shoots in looking for a takedown. Owens tries to sprawl out of it but Ayala keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Owens manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Ayala moves into the clinch.

Ayala pulls Owens into guard.
Ayala 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.
Owens trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Miquel Ayala overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Owens missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Ayala keeping full guard, as Owens tries to pass.
Owens wants to control from the top but Ayala keeps moving.
Ayala is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Ayala pulls Owens in to control the position.

Ayala is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Owens throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Ayalas head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ayala wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Miquel Ayala. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ayala tries to pull guard but Owens forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Owens misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Ayala.
A right hand to the body from Owens.

Owens ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Owens no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Ayala wants to control from the top but Owens keeps moving.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Ayala is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Owens bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Ayala's guard.

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kevin Owens showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Miquel Ayala's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Owens throws a body shot but no joy.
Ayala changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

Owens moves into range and clinches up with Ayala.
Ayala keeps control of Owens as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Ayala is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Owens is defending well.

Owens wants the takedown. Ayala is fighting it off but Owens persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Ayala's guard against the cage.
Ayala has his hands on Owens's head, controlling the position.

Owens avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Owens cracks Ayala with a solid left hand.
Ayala manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Owens manages to get himself to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Owens looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Ayala's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Owens really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Ayala. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Ayala trying to control the position from guard on top but Owens is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Owens wants to control the position but Ayala says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Ayala sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Owens defending well though.

Ayala decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Owens misses with a head kick.
Ayala shoots in for a double leg but Owens sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ayala shoots in and drives through. Owens sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Miquel Ayala. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Owens closes the distance and clinches.
Ayala wants a takedown but no success here.

Owens breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ayala tries to clinch up.
Owens tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Ayala moves into the clinch.
Ayala goes for a takedown in the clinch but Owens prevents it.
Ayala tries to pull guard but Owens forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Owens just leaning against Ayala, taking a breather.

Ayala pulls guard effortlessly.
Owens lands a couple of elbows.
Ayala looking to control.
Owens postures up and lands a big shot to Ayala's brow.
Ayala wants to get back to his feet but Owens is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Owens seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Owens stands up over Ayala, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Owens trying to control the position from guard on top but Ayala is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ayala looking to hit a scissor sweep but Owens is one step ahead there.
Ayala is trying to keep Owens in close.
Ayala working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Owens.
Owens distracts Ayala with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Ayala controls Owens momentarily but Owens frees himself.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Owens stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ayala swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Owens scoring with punches to the head and body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kevin Owens comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Owens 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 28:29
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kevin Owens!
Kevin Owens was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.