PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between John Locke (ranked 1699 p4p, 201 weight class) and Evan Payton (ranked 1143 p4p, 138 weight class). Locke's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, What Makes a Good Man. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Locke
vs
Payton

175 cm
31
183 lbs
25 - 13 - 0

180 cm
35
192 lbs
18 - 16 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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 25 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, John Locke!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 16 - 0, fighting out of New York, Evan Payton!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Cecil Peabody and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Payton fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Locke to the ground. Payton is now in Locke's guard.
Payton passes into half guard.
Payton content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Payton wants to pass to mount but Locke is defending the position.
Payton slows the pace down in half guard.
Payton is looking to take a break and control but Locke is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Locke is pressing down on Payton's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

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.
Payton is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Locke keeping moving, preventing Payton from controlling successfully.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Locke throws a big shot that misses.

Payton bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Payton controls the position.
Payton wants to control for a moment but Locke uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Payton is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Payton is looking to advance position but Locke won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Locke wants to control but Payton is keeping busy.

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

Payton is looking for a kimura but Locke is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Payton to get the leverage.

Payton is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Payton is looking to advance position but Locke won't allow it.

That's four 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 sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Payton is looking to take a break and control but Locke is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Locke is defending against the submission attempts here by Payton.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Evan Payton dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Locke misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Locke, as that shot connected.
Locke misses with a body punch
and Payton counters with a nice uppercut.
Payton swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Locke appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Payton's coach down at Midnight MMA was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Payton's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
A lazy left from Payton finds it's target.
Locke uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Payton.
A solid leg kick lands there for Payton.
Locke staying out of range there.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Locke - that will leave a mark!
Locke misses the shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Payton paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Locke throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Payton has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Locke scores with a jab. Payton acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Locke is looking to score with low kicks.
Evan Payton seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Payton scores with a shot to the body.
Nice body punch from Locke.
We've been told by Locke's head coaches at whitey's gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Locke takes a swing at Payton's ribcage but misses.
Payton throws a hook but Locke blocks it.
Locke misses with an uppercut.
Payton throws an off balance right hand
and Locke counters with a nice kick to the body.
Payton misses the jab.
The fighters circling - Payton throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Payton ducks under a wild hook from Locke.
Locke bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Payton misses the jab.
Locke doesn't manage to clinch there - Payton circles away.
Payton connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Payton scores with a crisp jab that stopped Locke in his tracks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Payton misses its intended target.
Payton looks to land a left hand but Locke moved out of range nicely.
Payton throws a good cross that connects.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Payton moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Payton throws a big shot that misses.
Payton connects with a leg kick. Locke looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Payton throws a low kick but Locke avoids it.
Locke scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
John Locke is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Locke scoring well with a low kick there.
Locke uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Payton.
Locke is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Locke keeps the fight on the outside.
A swing and a miss from Payton.
Payton throws an overhand right that lands on Locke's shoulder, as Locke tries to avoid the shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Locke fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Payton.
Locke tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Payton looks to land a left hand but Locke moved out of range nicely.
Locke is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Payton.
Payton stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Some wild striking there from Locke.
Payton with a hook.
Payton throws a lazy right hand but Locke sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Locke avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Payton avoids the head kick by Locke.
Locke throws a series of punches but Payton moves out of range.

Payton throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Locke tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Payton is in Locke's guard.
Payton passes Locke's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Payton trying to pass the guard but Locke defending well.
Payton controlling the action here.
The fighters are battling for position here. Locke manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Locke keeping full guard, as Payton tries to pass.
Payton looking to sit in guard and control but Locke gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

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

Evan Payton 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!

Payton shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Locke manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Payton forces his way into half guard.
Payton stalling.

Payton is trying to work for a kimura but Locke is defending well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Payton takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Payton's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Payton wants to control but Locke is keeping him busy.
Locke is looking to improve his position.
Evan Payton has got the better of the ground game so far.
Locke is staying active underneath Payton, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

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.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Payton misses with an uppercut.
Locke tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Payton was well out of range. Poor timing from Locke.
Payton is trying to counter with his kicks.
Payton misses with a hook.
Locke swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Payton misses with a hook
and Locke counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Payton throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Payton shoots in and drives through. Locke sprawls well.
Locke walks into a left hand.
Locke swings widly with a right hand
and Locke takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Payton has a takedown stuffed.
Locke misses with a body shot.
Payton misses with a takedown
and Locke counters with a head kick.
John Locke has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
John Locke has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Evan Payton.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Payton shoots in for a double leg but Locke sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Locke was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Locke lands a slapping body shot.
Payton tries to bum rush Locke with a series of wild strikes but Locke uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Payton ducks under a wild hook from Locke.
Locke swings for the body but Payton moves out of range.
No joy there for Payton, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Payton showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Locke.
Payton throws a hook but Locke avoids it easily.
Locke throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Payton cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Locke misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Payton.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Payton throws a body shot but no joy.
Payton misses with a looping left.
Payton connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Payton moves out of range of the leg kick from Locke.
Locke slips a straight right by Payton.
Payton connects with a good right hand that stumbles Locke. Locke circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Payton is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Evan Payton is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
A slow jab from Payton misses its intended target.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Locke will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Payton lands with an overhand left.

And that's the end of the fight!
Evan Payton comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Payton has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 27:30
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Evan Payton!
An out of breath Evan Payton thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.