PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Evan Payton (ranked 1049 p4p, 157 weight class) and Shark Attack (ranked 1444 p4p, 227 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Payton
vs
Attack

180 cm
34
192 lbs
17 - 15 - 0

180 cm
39
201 lbs
28 - 32 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Heavy handed

Urban Fighter

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 17 - 15 - 0, fighting out of New York, Evan Payton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 32 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Shark Attack!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Alan Glass and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Payton is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
We've been told by Payton's head coaches at Midnight MMA that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Attack misses with a double jab.
Shark Attack seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice shot by Attack.
Sloppy strikes from Attack. Those never looked like landing.
Attack drops his hands momentarily and Payton takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Attack on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Attack throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Attack thows a left - swing and a miss!
Payton takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Attack has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Payton misses with a wild combination.
Payton scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Attack moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Payton jabs at Attack's body.
Payton feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Attacks jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Attack tries a head kick but it misses.
Payton circles away from the clinch attempt
enabling Payton to counter with a crisp jab.
Payton keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Payton looks to land a combination. Attack sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

It looks like Shark Attack has been cut.
Payton connects with a nice looking jab.
Attack throws a combination that misses
and Payton cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Attack takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

Attack is rocked!
Payton steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Attack.
Attack is still on wobbly legs! Can Payton finish him?
Attack lands a glancing blow to the side of Payton's head.
Payton bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Attack's head backwards.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Payton, right into the meat.

Attack gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Attack seems to have recovered his senses.
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!
Attack swings wildly with an uppercut but Payton uses good head movement to avoid it.
Payton struggles to land a body shot inside as Attack controls his hands.
Attack misses with a hook to the ribs.
Payton misses with a hook to the ribs.
A short left from Attack.
Payton lands a left hand.
Payton can't find room to land a body shot as Attack controls the action.
Payton blocking some punches.
Nice body punch from Attack.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Payton doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Payton misses with a punch to the body.
Attack unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Attack blocks a body shot from Payton.
Payton takes a knee right on the jaw!
Payton lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Payton tries to work over Attack's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Payton has Attack pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Attack manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Payton tries a body shot but Attack blocks it.
Attack tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Attack lands an elbow that stopped Payton in his tracks for a moment.

It looks like Evan Payton has been cut.
A short body shot lands from Payton as the two fighters clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Attack fails to land.
Attack working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Payton misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Payton blocks an elbow strike.
Payton misses with a body punch.
A short uppercut from Payton.
Payton lands with a short shot to the head.
Payton digs a right hand underneath Attack's ribcage. Attack let out a lung full of air as it connected.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Attack misses with a punch to the body.
Payton tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Attack's elbow.
Attack has a couple of punches blocked by Payton.
Attack struggles to land a body shot inside as Payton controls his hands.
Attack misses with a punch to the body.
Attack misses with a short punch on the inside.
Payton drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Nice body punch from Payton - that landed with a thud.
Payton misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Attack misses with a knee to the head.
Payton goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Attack gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Payton.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Evan Payton. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Payton presses Attack against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
A short left from Payton.
Attack throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Payton blocks it with crossed arms.
Payton drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Payton gets through Attack's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Attack lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

Payton breaks the clinch.
Payton lands with a good body shot.
Payton uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Attack.
Payton punishes Attack's body with a nice straight punch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Payton throws a shot to the body.
Payton steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Attack.
Payton throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Attack stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Attack throws a lazy right hand but Payton sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Attack has closed the distance and engaged Payton in a clinch.
Payton tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Attack gets through Payton's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Attack misses with a punch on the inside.
Payton lands a hook to the side of the head.
Payton tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Attack lands an elbow just above Payton 's eye.
Attack with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
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 Evan Payton will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Payton has managed to clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Payton.
Attack stops a takedown attempt from Payton.
Attack stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Payton tries a body shot but Attack blocks it.
Shark Attack seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Payton digs a right hand into Attack's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Attack's gas tank.
Payton lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Payton blocks a body shot from Attack.
Attack lands a shoulder strike.
Attack can't find room to land a body shot as Payton controls the action.
Payton lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A short right from Attack on the inside.
Payton scores with a nice hook to the head.
Attack lands a shoulder strike.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Attack misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Attack fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A short right from Attack on the inside.

Payton has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Attack is trying to keep an underhook but Payton manages to get the takedown into half guard.

Attack is defending against the submission attempts here by Payton.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Payton prevents Attack from improving his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Payton is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Attack has managed to free his arm - good work.

Payton is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Payton is controlling the pace.

Payton is trying to work for a kimura but Attack is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Payton is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Attack is just riding it out for now. Payton eventually gives up the hold.
Attack tries to roll over but Payton keeps him under control.
Attack wants to control but Payton is keeping busy.

Payton is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Attack tries to get to full guard but Payton has control of the leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Attack trying to get back to full guard but Payton takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!

Payton has control of Attack's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Attack regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Attack has given up his back, trying to stand up. Not clever.
Attack is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Payton off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.

Payton has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.

Payton is looking for the choke from the back position but Attack is controlling his hands well.
Payton keeps control of the position as Attack tries to break free.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Attack is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
Attack is keeping busy.

Payton is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Attack knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Attack for a finish.
Attack manages to reverse the position and now he's in Payton's guard. Nice work there by Attack.

Payton looking for a guillotine here but Attack defends easily.
Attack trying to control but Payton is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Evan Payton dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

Attack swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Attack swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Some wild striking there from Payton.
Payton avoids the body shot from Attack.
Payton scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Payton moves out of range of the strikes.
Payton blocks a head kick by Attack.
Payton bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Payton connects with a looping right hand.
Payton throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Attack takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Attack swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Attack takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Payton circles away from the clinch attempt.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

A jab-cross combination lands for Payton and sends Attack crashing to the mat! Payton follows him down to the mat - Attack regains half guard but he's not out of trouble yet!

Attack is defending against the submission attempts here by Payton.
Attack moves into full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Payton is stalling in the full guard.

Payton drops back, looking for a kneebar! Attack looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Attack looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Attack!

Attack is working Payton over with some ground and pound from side control.
Attack scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Payton to see if he's OK.
Payton takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Attack scores with punches from side control.
Attack in side control lands a decent elbow.
Attack lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Payton down.

Payton is rocked!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Payton is looking for a sweep.
Oh Payton is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Attack working away.
Attack landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Payton taking a bit of punishment here - Attack scoring with strikes.
Attack working away.
Payton is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Attack wants to control but Payton is keeping him busy.
Payton seems to have got his legs back now.
Attack is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Payton is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Attack off and has taken his back!
Evan Payton overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Attack is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Payton gets his way!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Attack is trying to stand back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Payton misses with an elbow to the head.
Payton struggling to keep hold of the position.

Payton has the hooks in. Attack is starting to panic. He's trying to push off one of the legs but he's left his neck open to attack. Payton passes his arm under Attack's neck and tightens up a rear naked choke! This one is surely all over! Yes, Attack taps!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:44 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Evan Payton!
Evan Payton seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.