PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Bobby Baccalieri (ranked 1024 p4p, 139 weight class) and Evan Payton (ranked 1178 p4p, 161 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.

Baccalieri
vs
Payton

185 cm
33
196 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

180 cm
37
192 lbs
23 - 21 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Bobby Baccalieri!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 21 - 0, fighting out of New York, Evan Payton!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Tiny Johnson and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Payton lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Payton's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Baccalieri connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Payton scrambles back to his feet.
Baccalieri throws a shot to the body.
Payton tries to clinch there but Baccalieri circles away.
Baccalieri moves forwards but Payton connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Baccalieri looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Baccalieri uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Payton.
Baccalieri throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
The fighters circle momentarily. Payton darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Baccalieri walks into a jab.
Payton is looking to clinch.
Baccalieri takes a jab right on the kisser.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Payton connects with the punch.
Payton works Baccalieri's body with a nice hook.
Baccalieri connects with a body shot that sends Payton's belly button to the back.

Payton forces Baccalieri back against the cage and clinches.
Baccalieri misses with the head strike.
Payton scores with a shot to the side of Baccalieri's head.
Baccalieri misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Payton tries a body shot but Baccalieri blocks it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Payton.
Baccalieri misses with some punches.
Payton blocking some punches.
Baccalieri working aggressively here.
Baccalieri scores with a shot to the side of Payton's head.
A head punch on the inside from Baccalieri fails to land.
Baccalieri makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Baccalieri working aggressively here.
Payton blocking some punches.
Payton pushes Baccalieri back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Payton tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Baccalieri avoids it.
Baccalieri swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Baccalieri fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Baccalieri fails to land.
Baccalieri misses with the head strike.
Baccalieri misses with a short punch on the inside.
Baccalieri misses with some punches.
Payton tries to work over Baccalieri's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Baccalieri is fighting off a takedown attempt but Payton is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Baccalieri to the mat. Baccalieri regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Baccalieri is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Payton is controlling him.
Baccalieri keeping moving, preventing Payton from controlling successfully.
Payton trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Payton passes into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Payton looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Payton is looking to stall here but Baccalieri recovers full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Payton is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Payton showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Payton drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Payton jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Baccalieri keeping full guard, as Payton tries to pass.
Payton works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Baccalieri is trying to control but can't.

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.
Baccalieri is not content to let Payton control the position.
Payton stops Baccalieri from getting back to his feet.
Payton is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Baccalieri won't allow Payton to pass to mount.
Baccalieri is trying to stand.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A looping hook to the body misses from Baccalieri. Payton does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nice jab there from Baccalieri.
Baccalieri will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Payton manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Baccalieri on his heels. He'll look to pass Baccalieri's guard now, I'm sure.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Evan Payton dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Payton lands the left hand.
Payton tries to clinch up but Baccalieri circles away and keeps his distance.
Baccalieri throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Baccalieri throws a big shot that misses.
Payton's corner calls for a 1-2. Payton obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Baccalieri connects with a single shot there.
Baccalieri steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Payton.
Payton doesn't manage to clinch there - Baccalieri circles away.
Payton connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
A punch combination from Baccalieri misses.
Baccalieri takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Baccalieri throws a big shot that misses.
Baccalieri takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Baccalieri looks to throw the jab but Payton is out of range.
Baccalieri avoids the body shot from Payton.
Baccalieri swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Payton misses with a straight right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baccalieri throws a predictable looking body shot
and Payton counters with a straight right hand.

Payton closes the distance and clinches.
Payton has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Baccalieri after a bit of a struggle.

Payton turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Baccalieri tries to control but end up mounted... ooooh, that's bad.
Payton controlling the pace for now.
Payton tries to control but Baccalieri wriggling away.
Payton avoids the attempt from Baccalieri to control.
Baccalieri is bucking up trying to escape but Payton cracks him with another couple of good strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baccalieri is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
We've been informed that Payton has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Payton has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Baccalieri is squirming around, avoiding Payton's attempts to control the action.

Payton working for a submission but Baccalieri is keeping him at bay.
Baccalieri wants to control but Payton is having none of it.
Baccalieri tries to reverse the position but Payton maintains control.
Evan Payton has got the better of the ground game so far.
Baccalieri tries to lock up and control but Payton gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Payton looking to control but Baccalieri is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Baccalieri wants to control but Payton is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baccalieri really wants to buck Payton off and get back to his feet.
Baccalieri wants to control but Payton is having none of it.

Payton working for a submission but Baccalieri is keeping him at bay.
Payton avoids the attempt from Baccalieri to control.

Payton moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Baccalieri has worked his arm free - good work by Baccalieri!
Payton advances nicely into full mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Payton has hold of Baccalieri's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Baccalieri manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Payton looking to control but Baccalieri is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Baccalieri is working to get back to half guard.
Payton can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Baccalieri is looking to escape.
Baccalieri is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
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 referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Baccalieri circles away from the clinch attempt.
Payton takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
No joy there for Payton, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Payton takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Payton tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Baccalieri is able to avoid easily.
Payton throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Baccalieri.
Payton missing with a left hand there. Baccalieri was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Baccalieri was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Payton avoids the body shot from Baccalieri.
Baccalieri lands a jab.
Payton lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Baccalieri circles away quickly and effectively.
Baccalieri throwing a counter right hand but Payton manages to avoid it.
Nice defenses there by Payton.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baccalieri swats away the attempt to clinch by Payton.
Baccalieri misses with a combination
enabling Payton to counter with a crisp jab.
Baccalieri swings away with a body shot that misses

and Payton counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Payton.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Payton advances position into side control!
Baccalieri manages to get back to half guard.
Baccalieri is trying to stand back up but Payton is controlling him

Payton is working for a kimura but Baccalieri is defending it quite comfortably.
Payton controlling the action here.

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

Payton is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baccalieri wants to improve his position but Payton is controlling well.
Baccalieri is trying to stand back up but Payton is controlling him
Baccalieri tries to roll over but Payton keeps him under control.
Payton is thwarting Baccalieri's attempts to control the position.
Payton trying to control the action but Baccalieri is working from the bottom.
Bobby Baccalieri has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Payton is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Payton wants to control but Baccalieri is keeping him busy.
Baccalieri keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.

Payton is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Baccalieri defends it well.
Payton frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Baccalieri is trying to escape the mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Payton is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Baccalieri to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Baccalieri shrugs it off.
Baccalieri tries to reverse the position but Payton maintains control.
Baccalieri throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Evan Payton is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Payton has control of Baccalieri's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Baccalieri regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Payton fails to move to back control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Baccalieri swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.

And that's the end of the fight!
Evan Payton comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Payton winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Evan Payton!
A very excited looking Evan Payton made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.