PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Mana Festation (ranked 1111 p4p, 56 weight class) and Palaktingpuet Payakarakatong (ranked 329 p4p, 15 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Festation
vs
Payakarakatong

166 cm
34
140 lbs
24 - 9 - 1

161 cm
28
136 lbs
18 - 11 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Groove Gear
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 24 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Mana Festation!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 11 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Palaktingpuet Payakarakatong!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Yukihiro Shimada and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Festation thumps Payakarakatong with a low kick.
Payakarakatong throws a shot from downtown. Festation moves away and avoids it.
Festation fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Payakarakatong manages to avoid it.
Payakarakatong tests Festation's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Payakarakatong throws a big shot that misses.
Nice body kick there by Festation.
A bone on bone clash there as Festation blocks the leg kick.
Payakarakatong moves in looking to clinch but Festation pushes him off.
Payakarakatong closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Festation is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Payakarakatong wants to slow Festation down by chopping away at his legs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Payakarakatong throws a body punch but Festation moves out of range.
A left lands for Payakarakatong.
Palaktingpuet Payakarakatong seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Festation moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Payakarakatong misses with a lunging right hand
letting Festation counter with a right hand.
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!
Payakarakatong just misses with a punch to the body.
Festation fires out a quick counter leg kick but Payakarakatong just manages to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Festation lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Payakarakatong circles away quickly and effectively.
Payakarakatong displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Festation throws out the jab.
Jab, jab by Payakarakatong - just one landing.
Payakarakatong punishes Festation's body with a nice straight punch.
Festation looks for the body kick but Payakarakatong saw that one coming.
Payakarakatong lands a jab to Festation's midsection.
Payakarakatong thows a left - swing and a miss!
Payakarakatong moves into range and connects with a jab.
That kick from Payakarakatong tenderised Festation's leg. Festation is trying to keep his angry face on.
Payakarakatong swings widly with a right hand
and Festation counters with a straight right hand.
A jab lands there for Payakarakatong.
Jab from Payakarakatong.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Festation tries to close the distance and clinch but Payakarakatong swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Festation goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Payakarakatong throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Festation is looking to slow Payakarakatong down with leg kicks.
Festation lands an overhand right.
Festation throws a leg kick but Payakarakatong sees it coming and moves out of range.
Festation has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Payakarakatong.
Good work by Payakarakatong as he checks the leg kick.
Payakarakatong uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Festation.
Festation bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Festation throws a leg kick but Payakarakatong checks it.
Payakarakatong connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

Festation forces Payakarakatong back against the cage and clinches.
Festation tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Payakarakatong avoids it.
Payakarakatong misses with a hook to the ribs.
Festation lands a right hand.
Festation misses with some punches.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Festation obliges.
Payakarakatong softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Festation misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Festation misses with a knee strike.
Festation lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Payakarakatong digs a right hand underneath Festation's ribcage. Festation let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Festation lands with a right to the head.
Payakarakatong jumps guard but Festation turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Festation fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Payakarakatong throws a head punch that misses.
Festation swings wildly with an uppercut but Payakarakatong uses good head movement to avoid it.
Payakarakatong working aggressively here.

Payakarakatong pulls guard successfully.

Payakarakatong is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Festation defends well.
Payakarakatong is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Payakarakatong wants to hit a switch here but Festation passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Payakarakatong there!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Payakarakatong is desperately trying to improve his position but Festation has a good base and remains in mount.
Payakarakatong is still trying to improve position.
Festation definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Festation can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Payakarakatong is looking to escape.
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 Mana Festation will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Payakarakatong closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Festation to the mat! Festation manages to get full guard.
Payakarakatong looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Festation looking for a sweep. Not yet Festation, not yet.
Festation not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Festation is adopting a defensive guard.
Festation wants to stand but Payakarakatong is controlling the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Payakarakatong wants to pass the guard but Festation is keeping the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Festation trying to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Festation seems keen to control Payakarakatong's posture.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Payakarakatong looking to pass the guard.
Festation looking for a sweep. Not yet Festation, not yet.
Payakarakatong wants to control from the top but Festation keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Festation misses with a body shot.
Payakarakatong misses with a low kick.
Palaktingpuet Payakarakatong seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Payakarakatong shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Festation counters by clinching up.
Payakarakatong lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Festation blocks an uppercut.
Payakarakatong blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Payakarakatong goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Payakarakatong tries to throw a body punch but Festation avoids it by throwing Payakarakatong back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Payakarakatong misses with a hook to the ribs.
Festation misses with a knee to the head.
Festation stalling in the clinch but Payakarakatong improves position.
Festation with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Nice body punch from Festation.
Festation goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Festation manages to break the clinch.
Festation lands with a nice combination. Payakarakatong backs away looking to recover.
Festation moves out of range of the body kick from Payakarakatong.
Palaktingpuet Payakarakatong has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Festation throws a right hand that Payakarakatong ducks under and follows up with a left that Payakarakatong also avoids with ease.
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!
Payakarakatong connects with a jab.
Festation steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Payakarakatong.
Payakarakatong scores with a nice right hand.
Payakarakatong throws a big shot that misses.
Payakarakatong tests Festation's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Festation thumps Payakarakatong with a low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Festation on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Payakarakatong avoids a punch combination nicely.
Payakarakatong lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Festation lands a high kick!
Payakarakatong lands a jab to Festation's midsection.
Payakarakatong tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Payakarakatong cracks the inside of Festation's front leg.

Festation drives through and clinches with Payakarakatong against the cage.
Festation goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A body shot lands from Payakarakatong.

Payakarakatong tightens his grip and picks Festation up, before dumping him to the ground. Festation manages to land in guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Festation is adopting a defensive guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Festation wants to get back to his feet but Payakarakatong is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Payakarakatong stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Festation swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Festation looking for a sweep. Not yet Festation, not yet.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Festation is on top in guard.

Payakarakatong pulls Festation in to control the position.

Payakarakatong is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Payakarakatong looking for a guillotine here but Festation defends easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Palaktingpuet Payakarakatong will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

A big right from Festation misses.
Festation scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Festation throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Payakarakatong counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Payakarakatong looks to land a left hand but Festation moved out of range nicely.
Festation throws a body shot but no joy.
Payakarakatong lands a nice shot that snaps Festation's head back.
Festation tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Payakarakatong paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Festation misses with a wild body shot.
A little jabbing left from Payakarakatong on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Mana Festation is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Payakarakatong keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Payakarakatong gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Festation.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Payakarakatong checks a leg kick.
Payakarakatong takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Payakarakatong takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
The fight stays on the outside here - Festation looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Payakarakatong steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jab, jab by Payakarakatong - just one landing.
Payakarakatong fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Festation is out of range.
Payakarakatong is looking to land body kicks.
Payakarakatong misses with an uppercut. Festation saw that one coming.
Festation misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Payakarakatong.
Festation swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Festation tries to clinch but Payakarakatong is having none of it.
Festation works the jab nicely.
Festation tries to bum rush Payakarakatong with a series of wild strikes but Payakarakatong uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Festation misses with a body kick.
Payakarakatong pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Festation tries to clinch but Payakarakatong moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Payakarakatong lands a jab to the nose.
Festation jabs Payakarakatong to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Payakarakatong fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Festation manages to avoid it.
Festation seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Decent striking displayed by Payakarakatong there.
Payakarakatong lands a leg kick that knocks Festation off balance momentarily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Payakarakatong rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Festation counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Festation ducks under a wild hook from Payakarakatong.
A nice inside leg kick there by Festation. That's going to slow Payakarakatong down.
Festation misses with an uppercut. Payakarakatong saw that one coming.
Festation pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Payakarakatong back to the cage. Festation follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Festation drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Festation walks forward, straight into a front kick from Payakarakatong.
Payakarakatong takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Festation avoids the body shot from Payakarakatong.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Festation throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Festation throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Payakarakatong counters with a straight right hand.
Festation moves in looking to clinch but Payakarakatong pushes him off.
Payakarakatong throws a nice inside leg kick.
A jab from Payakarakatong does it's job there.
Festation misses with a wild combination.
Festation is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Good exchange - Payakarakatong coming out on top.
Payakarakatong throws a poor cross that misses
and Festation counters with a thumping low kick.
Festation takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Festation is looking to clinch but Payakarakatong is avoiding it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Payakarakatong buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Festation tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Payakarakatong is able to avoid easily.
Payakarakatong on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Festation. Festation obviously looking to wear him down.
Payakarakatong scores with a jab. Festation acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Payakarakatong tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Payakarakatong looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Festation pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Payakarakatong feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Festations jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Festation thumps Payakarakatong with a low kick.
Festation wants to clinch up but Payakarakatong keeps it at a distance.
Payakarakatong's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
A low kick from Festation misses
and Payakarakatong cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Payakarakatong is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Festation.
Payakarakatong is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Mana Festation.
I think Festation 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 29:29
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Palaktingpuet Payakarakatong!
During a confident post fight interview, Palaktingpuet Payakarakatong thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.