PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rosco Ladd (ranked 320 p4p, 48 weight class) and Evan Payton (ranked 1234 p4p, 154 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Ladd
vs
Payton

176 cm
31
198 lbs
21 - 12 - 1

180 cm
37
192 lbs
22 - 20 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
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 21 - 12 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rosco Ladd!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 20 - 0, fighting out of New York, Evan Payton!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Gwen Towbar and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Payton looks to throw the jab but Ladd is out of range.
Payton misses with a low kick.
Payton takes a swing at Ladd's ribcage but misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ladd. Payton does a little dance to reset his feet.
Payton will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Payton bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Payton is looking to take a break and control but Ladd is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Payton looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Ladd is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Payton tries to advance position but instead Ladd slips a leg back in to half guard.
Payton wants to take a breather but Ladd is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Payton wants to free his trapped foot but Ladd is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Ladd wants to get back to full guard.
Ladd has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Payton is working away from the top position though.
Payton thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Ladd's head.

Ladd looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Payton thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Ladd is trying to stand back up but Payton is controlling him
Payton is pressing down on Ladd's thigh, looking to free his foot. Ladd is holding on for now.

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 looking to take a break and control but Ladd is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Ladd tries to get to full guard but Payton has control of the leg.
Ladd is holding on to half guard well.
Ladd continues to stall.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Ladd wants to control but Payton is keeping busy.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Ladd tests Payton's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Ladd punishes Payton's body with a nice straight punch.
Ladd changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Ladd throws a lazy right hand but Payton sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ladd swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Ladd misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Payton.
Ladd misses with a looping left.
Payton defending well as Ladd loads up on a big left hand.
Payton changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Payton ducks under a wild hook from Ladd.
Payton is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.

Payton looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
We've been hearing good reports from Ladd's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Payton passes into half guard.
Payton is trying to control. Ladd wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Ladd is positioning himself well to prevent Payton advancing to mount.
Ladd is looking for a sweep. Payton is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Payton has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Payton can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Ladd is looking to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Payton avoids the attempt from Ladd to control.
Ladd slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Payton not doing much here.
Payton trying to pass the guard but Ladd defending well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Payton is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Ladd doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Payton.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Evan Payton will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Payton lands the left hand.
Payton avoids a punch combination nicely.
Ladd changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Ladd throws a body punch but Payton moves out of range.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Payton misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ladd.
Payton bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Ladd's head.
Ladd uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ladd lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

Payton rushes Ladd and presses him up against the cage.
Ladd is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
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.
Payton misses with a punch to the body.
Payton prevents Ladd from breaking the clinch.
Payton has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Ladd avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Ladd blocks a body shot from Payton.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ladd breaks the clinch.
Payton swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Payton moves away from the strike by Ladd.
Rosco Ladd is winning the standup battle so far.
Payton throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Ladd slips a jab and a cross from Payton.
Payton throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ladd sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Ladd tests Payton's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Payton throws a looping overhand right but Ladd ducks down to avoid it.
Payton throws a hook but Ladd blocks it.
Ladd scores with a jab to the head.
Ladd fails to land with a series of punches.
Payton takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Ladd swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Payton closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Ladd to the mat! Ladd manages to get full guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Payton pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ladd is keeping the position for now.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ladd trying to control the action but Payton is working from the bottom.
Payton tries to buck Ladd off but Ladd is having none of it.

Ladd is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Payton knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Payton is trying to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ladd is looking to take a break and control but Payton is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Ladd is staying tight to Payton's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Payton is trying to control Ladd's posture but Ladd avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Payton tries to buck Ladd off but Ladd is having none of it.
Ladd in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Ladd trying to control the action but Payton is working from the bottom.

Ladd working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Payton is looking to regain half guard here but Ladd keeps moving and retains side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rosco Ladd dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Ladd throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Ladd checks the leg kick nicely there.
Ladd moves out of range of the body kick.
Payton throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ladd throws a hook to the side of Payton's head but Payton sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Payton looks to throw the jab but Ladd is out of range.
Payton fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Payton lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Ladd misses with a right hand
and Payton counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Ladd scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

Payton dives in and scores a takedown into Ladd's guard.

Ladd pushes Payton off and gets back to his feet.
Rosco Ladd seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ladd scores with a jab to the head.
Payton misses with an uppercut.
Ladd was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Ladd lands with a hook. Payton tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Ladd throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Payton's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Ladd connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Payton scrambles back to his feet.
Payton is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Payton uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ladd.
Ladd lands a right hook to the body.
Ladd lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Payton tries to clinch up but Ladd circles away and keeps his distance.
Ladd swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Payton looks to land a body kick but Ladd moved away.
Ladd uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Payton.
Payton shoots in but no luck this time.
Ladd is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Payton can do to turn this around?
Ladd misses with a hook. Payton ducked under it nicely.
Jab by Ladd.
Payton uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Ladd.
Payton moves away from the strike by Ladd.
Ladd throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Payton counters with a stiff right hand.
That kick from Payton tenderised Ladd's leg. Ladd is trying to keep his angry face on.
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!
Payton misses with a straight left.
Ladd misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Payton.
Rosco Ladd is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Payton throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Payton tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ladd paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Payton's jab looks to have found its range, popping Ladd under the eye.
A big left from Ladd misses.
Ladd looks to score with a jab to the body but Payton is just out of range.
Ladd swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Payton.
Ladd looks to score with a jab to the body but Payton is just out of range.
Payton wants to clinch.
Ladd throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Decent striking displayed by Ladd there.
Nice sprawl there from Ladd as Payton shoots in.
Ladd swinging wildly here.
Payton misses with a leg kick.
Ladd lands a jab.
Payton throws a hook but Ladd avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Payton on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Payton tries to clinch but Ladd is having none of it.
Ladd moves out of range as Payton strikes.
A jab lands there for Payton.
Ladd throws a shot to the body.
Ladd lands a slapping body shot.
Payton doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Ladd lands with a nice combination. Payton backs away looking to recover.
Payton takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Payton rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ladd moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Payton slips a jab and a cross from Ladd.
Payton tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ladd lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Payton circles away quickly and effectively.
Payton throws a body shot but no joy.
Ladd ducks under a wild hook from Payton.
Payton looks to score with a jab to the body but Ladd is just out of range.
Ladd's jab looks to have found its range, popping Payton under the eye.
Ladd misses with the combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ladd misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Payton.
Ladd lunges at Payton with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Payton's hand.
Ladd takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Payton tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ladd was well out of range. Poor timing from Payton.
Ladd throws a lazy right hand but Payton sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A little jabbing left from Payton on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Ladd looks to score with a jab to the body but Payton is just out of range.
Payton swings for the body but Ladd moves out of range.
Ladd appears to be looking for a big counter.
A punch combination from Ladd misses.
Payton takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Payton walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Ladd checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Payton throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ladd throws a body shot but no joy.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ladd displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Payton.
Rosco Ladd has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Evan Payton.
Payton misses with a hook.
Ladd throwing a counter right hand but Payton manages to avoid it.
Payton tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rosco Ladd showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Ladd 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 29:28
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rosco Ladd!