PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jeremy Sullivan (ranked 95 p4p, 12 weight class) and Max Payne (ranked 189 p4p, 30 weight class). Payne is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Bad Company. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Sullivan
vs
Payne

180 cm
41
170 lbs
32 - 19 - 0

174 cm
34
184 lbs
24 - 16 - 1

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
KO power

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Sin City Allstars
Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 32 - 19 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jeremy Sullivan!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 16 - 1, fighting out of New York, Max Payne!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Shigeki Sano and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Payne scores with a jab. Sullivan acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

Sullivan drives through with a takedown into Payne's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Payne really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Sullivan. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Sullivan trying to control the position from guard on top but Payne is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Payne pushes Sullivan off and scrambles back to his feet.
Payne throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sullivan takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Decent striking displayed by Payne there.
Sullivan has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Payne.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Payne throws a big shot that misses.
Payne looks to throw the jab but Sullivan is out of range.
Sullivan shoots and misses
and Payne counters with a leg kick.
Sullivan is looking to clinch but Payne is avoiding it.
Payne misses with a wild body shot.
Payne scores with a kick to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sullivan on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
A jab lands there for Payne.
Sullivan takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

Payne gets caught napping as Sullivan dives in and scores a takedown. Payne manages to retain guard.
Payne is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Sullivan dives into side control.

Payne is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Payne is holding Sullivan down, trying to stall.
Payne is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Sullivan has knee on belly and moves into mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Payne is just holding on here. Sullivan manages to take his back.

Sullivan patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
A lull in the action here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Payne is defending well here and trying to improve his position.

Sullivan is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Payne defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Will Sullivan go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
Payne trying to get back to his feet but Sullivan is in full control for now.
Payne trying to control the hands but Sullivan breaks the grip.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sullivan tightening his grip on Payne, looking for the choke.
Payne trying to control the position but Sullivan manages to sink in the hooks.
Payne can't escape the position.
Payne looking very determined here, making life difficult for Sullivan.

Sullivan looking for the choke from the back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Payne trying to get back to his feet but Sullivan is in full control for now.

Sullivan patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Payne tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Payne felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.

Sullivan moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Payne has worked his arm free - good work by Payne!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Payne prevents Sullivan from moving into mount.
Payne tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Sullivan happy to just control the position for now.
Payne pushes Sullivan away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Sullivan gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Sullivan controls the position.
Payne wants to control but Sullivan postures up.
Payne is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Payne is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Sullivan off and has taken his back!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Max Payne will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Sullivan slips a straight right by Payne.
Payne fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Jab, jab by Payne - just one landing.
Payne lands with a slapping head kick.

It looks like Jeremy Sullivan has been cut.
Payne throws a sloppy head kick and Sullivan moves out of range easily.
Payne throws a right hand that misses

and Sullivan counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Sullivan.
Payne looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sullivan pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Payne is keeping the position for now.

Sullivan drops back looking for a leg! Payne is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Payne manages to kick Sullivan off! Sullivan jumps back into Payne's guard.
Payne working a defensive guard but Sullivan passes into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sullivan wants to work for an arm triangle but Payne is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Sullivan is taking a breather. Payne says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Sullivan is pressing down on Payne's thigh, looking to free his foot. Payne is holding on for now.
Payne tries to get to full guard but Sullivan has control of the leg.

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

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Sullivan trying to control from half guard but Payne is working away.
Payne is trying to get back to full guard.
Sullivan wants to control but Payne is keeping him busy.

Payne manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Nice sprawl there from Payne as Sullivan shoots in.
Payne looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
A bone on bone clash there as Sullivan blocks the leg kick.
Sullivan changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Payne looks to land a combination. Sullivan sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Payne misses with a looping right.
Payne misses with a looping left.
Sullivan attempts a counter takedown but Payne avoids it well and moves away.
Payne catches Sullivan with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Payne throws the kick towards the body but Sullivan avoids it.
The fighters circle momentarily. Payne darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Payne uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Sullivan has time to react.
Payne thuds his shin into the meat of Sullivan's side.
Sullivan moves away from the strike by Payne.
Sullivan blocks the body kick.
Sullivan tries to counter with a takedown but Payne is quick to defend against it.
Sullivan blocks a jab.
Payne stuffs the takedown attempt from Sullivan. Sullivan gets slowly back to his feet.
Payne has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sullivan takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Sullivan takes one to the chin there.
Sullivan takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Payne gets caught napping as Sullivan dives in and scores a takedown. Payne manages to retain guard.

Payne uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Payne fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Sullivan on the side of the head.
Sullivan shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Payne pinned against the cage. Payne gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jeremy Sullivan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Payne wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

A solid leg kick lands there for Payne.
Payne throws a nice head kick!
Payne buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Sullivan darts in looking for a takedown but Payne gets double underhooks and turns Sullivan into the cage.
Sullivan is looking to clinch.
Payne dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Sullivan. That did some damage!
Payne misses with a head kick.
Sullivan drops down looking for a counter takedown but Payne sprawls and moves away.
Sullivan takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
A low kick from Payne is predictable there

and Sullivan counters with a nice double leg into side control. Payne won't be happy with that.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Payne wants to get back to his feet.
Payne prevents Sullivan from improving position.

Sullivan is trying to get an arm triangle but Payne is defending well.
Jeremy Sullivan overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sullivan is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.

Sullivan tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Sullivan has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Payne is trying to improve his position.
Sullivan just content to control the position.
Payne is looking for a sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Payne is being controlled here.
Payne is looking to regain half guard here but Sullivan keeps moving and retains side control.
Payne wants to control but Sullivan postures up.

Sullivan is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Payne is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Payne is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Sullivan taking a break here but Payne is having none of it and regains half guard.
Payne pushes Sullivan off looking to stand but Sullivan dives back in and keeps control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Payne wants to sweep but Sullivan has passed to side control!
Payne struggling a bit here.
Payne is not content to let Sullivan control the position.

Sullivan is trying to get an arm triangle but Payne is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Sullivan is looking to take a break and control but Payne is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Payne tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Sullivan wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Sullivan trying to control the action but Payne is working from the bottom.
Payne tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.
Sullivan wants to control but Payne is keeping busy.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
You can see the frustration on Payne's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

Sullivan is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Payne defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Jeremy Sullivan did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The cut man is working on Jeremy Sullivan's cut.
That's time! Sullivan's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Payne jabs Sullivan right on the nose. Sullivan blinks but takes it well.
Max Payne seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Payne wants to land a leg kick but Sullivan is out of range.
Sullivan appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Sullivan moves out of range as Payne strikes.
Payne loads up on a big right hand but Sullivan slips the punch.
Sullivan goes for a double leg but Payne avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Payne continues to drive forward.
Sullivan on the wrong end of a nice jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The crowd cheers as Payne lands an impressive looking overhand right. Sullivan doesn't seem phased though.
Payne looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Sullivan changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Sullivan blocks a jab.
Sullivan changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Payne lands with a right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Payne chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Sullivan is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
A big right from Payne misses.
Sullivan tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Payne swivels and escapes.
Payne takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Sullivan fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jeremy Sullivan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Payne fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Sullivan.
Sullivan shoots for a double leg takedown but Payne sprawls well. He's pushed Sullivan's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Payne lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Payne misses its intended target.
Payne scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Max Payne seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Payne cracks Sullivan with an open hand slap.
A punch lands to the side of Sullivan 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Payne lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Payne connects with a crisp jab.
Payne is looking to land body kicks.
Payne throws a head kick that misses

and Sullivan counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Payne!
Payne wants to get back to his feet but Sullivan is dominant here and he's now got Payne's back!

Sullivan working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.

Payne manages to escape to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Payne is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Sullivan.
Sullivan appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
A slow jab from Payne misses its intended target.
Payne throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Sullivan drops down looking for a counter takedown but Payne sprawls and moves away.

Sullivan scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Payne pushes Sullivan off and gets back to his feet.
Payne misses with a double jab.
Payne is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

Payne gets caught flat footed, as Sullivan shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sullivan trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Payne is looking to stand up but Sullivan isn't so interested in that idea.
Sullivan trying to control the position from guard on top but Payne is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sullivan trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Sullivan trying to control but Payne is working from the bottom.
Payne is looking to stand up but Sullivan isn't so interested in that idea.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Payne misses with a straight right.
Payne thows a left - swing and a miss!
Sullivan throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Payne's waist but Payne gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Sullivan off to one side.
Payne scores with a nice right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Max Payne dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Jeremy Sullivan's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Payne throws an overhand right that lands on Sullivan's shoulder, as Sullivan tries to avoid the shot.
Sullivan attempts a counter takedown but Payne avoids it well and moves away.
Sullivan has a takedown stuffed.
Payne looks like he wants to counter punch here.
That kick from Payne tenderised Sullivan's leg. Sullivan is trying to keep his angry face on.
Sullivan steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Payne.
Payne cracks Sullivan with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
No joy there for Payne, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Payne lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Sullivan circles away quickly and effectively.
Sullivan drops down looking for a counter takedown but Payne sprawls and moves away.
Sullivan shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Payne as he avoids it easily.
Payne now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Sullivan tries for a takedown but Payne circles away easily
and Payne counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jeremy Sullivan. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Payne fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Payne throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Sullivan takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Payne works the jab nicely.

Sullivan shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Payne napping and manages to drive through into side control!
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Sullivan trying to control the action but Payne is working from the bottom.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Payne wants to get back to his feet but Sullivan drags him back down.
Payne is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Payne is trying to escape the position but Sullivan is controlling the position.
Payne wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Sullivan passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Payne!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sullivan is looking to work his way around to Payne's back. He needs to be careful though, as he's in danger of losing this dominant position.
Sullivan takes his opponent's back. Perhaps a chance to lock up a rear naked choke here.
Sullivan has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Payne's body.
Payne wants to control his opponent's hands but Sullivan gets his hands free.
Payne is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Sullivan off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.

Sullivan patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

Sullivan looking for the choke from the back.
What can Payne do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!
Payne tries to escape but Sullivan has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Payne is trying to stand back up.
Sullivan trying to control momentarily.
Jeremy Sullivan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sullivan is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
You can see the frustration on Payne's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Payne trying to get back to his feet but Sullivan is in full control for now.
Max Payne is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Payne tries to break free.
Sullivan biding his time, controlling Payne.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Payne is trying to stand back up.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Max Payne.
I think Payne 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 47:49
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 47:48
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 46:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Max Payne!
Max Payne is the new welterweight champion!
Max Payne decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.