PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Samart Payakaroon (ranked 2529 p4p, 2081 weight class) and The Ole Dick Twist (ranked 280 p4p, 230 weight class). Payakaroon kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Wai khru ram muay. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Payakaroon
vs
Dick Twist

180 cm
26
180
3 - 0 - 0

184 cm
21
170
3 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid Muay Thai
Very strong

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Samart Payakaroon!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, The Ole Dick Twist!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Roosa Järviläinen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Dick Twist gets a double leg takedown into Payakaroon's guard.
Payakaroon being controlled here, momentarily.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Dick Twist working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Dick Twist being controlled here momentarily.
Payakaroon trying to keep a closed guard but Dick Twist is proving a slippery customer.
Dick Twist is working Payakaroon over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dick Twist pushes down on Payakaroon's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Dick Twist trying to control the pace.
Payakaroon definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Dick Twist thows a huge punch but Payakaroon dodges it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Payakaroon tries to kick Dick Twist off but Dick Twist keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Dick Twist is taking a breather. Payakaroon says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Payakaroon blocking the ground and pound attempt from Dick Twist.
Payakaroon on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Payakaroon tries to get out of the position.
Dick Twist is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Dick Twist throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

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.
Payakaroon controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Dick Twist working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Dick Twist not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Dick Twist is controlling the pace.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Payakaroon keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dick Twist has a takedown stuffed.
Payakaroon throws a body kick that misses.
Dick Twist shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Payakaroon as he avoids it easily.
Samart Payakaroon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of The Ole Dick Twist.
Payakaroon tries to work over Dick Twist's front leg with a kick but Dick Twist checks it.
Dick Twist let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Dick Twist dives in for a single leg takedown but Payakaroon sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Dick Twist walks forward, straight into a front kick from Payakaroon.
Payakaroon throws a chopping leg kick but Dick Twist manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Samart Payakaroon is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Dick Twist feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Payakaroon looking for a sweep. Not yet Payakaroon, not yet.
Payakaroon pulls Dick Twist in close to his closed guard and prevents Dick Twist from doing any damage or advancing position.
Payakaroon wants to control the position but Dick Twist says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dick Twist sitting and controlling from the half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dick Twist trying to mount his opponent but Payakaroon defends it.
Dick Twist looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Dick Twist is thwarting Payakaroon's attempts to control the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

The Ole Dick Twist dominated that round.
That's time! Payakaroon's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Nice takedown defense from Payakaroon. No joy for Dick Twist on that attempt.
Payakaroon tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Dick Twist manages to circle out of the way.
Payakaroon stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Payakaroon wants it to stay on the feet.
Dick Twist shoots in for a takedown but Payakaroon shows good takedown defense.
Samart Payakaroon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of The Ole Dick Twist.

Payakaroon forces Dick Twist back against the cage and clinches.
Payakaroon misses with the head strike.
Dick Twist's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Payakaroon scores with a shoulder strike.
Dick Twist is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Payakaroon is defending well.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Payakaroon.
Dick Twist blocks a body shot from Payakaroon.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dick Twist tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Payakaroon smiles and moves away.
A bone on bone clash there as Dick Twist blocks the leg kick.
Dick Twist steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Payakaroon misses with an attempted mid kick.
Dick Twist darts in looking for a takedown but Payakaroon gets double underhooks and turns Dick Twist into the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Payakaroon fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Dick Twist has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

Payakaroon pushes Dick Twist up against the cage in a clinch.
Payakaroon is leaning against Dick Twist and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Dick Twist drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Payakaroon gets the underhooks and prevents it.
A right hook to the body lands for Payakaroon.
Payakaroon softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Dick Twist has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Payakaroon avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Payakaroon cracks Dick Twist with a nice body shot.
Dick Twist is trying to maintain a safe position but Payakaroon gets an underhook and turns Dick Twist into the cage.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Payakaroon manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Payakaroon lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Dick Twist backwards.
A shot in the inside from Payakaroon.
Payakaroon tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Dick Twist jumps guard but Payakaroon stands there with Dick Twist around his waist. Dick Twist gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Payakaroon has Dick Twist pressed against the cage.
Payakaroon lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Samart Payakaroon has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Payakaroon holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Payakaroon is pressed up against the cage. Dick Twist has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Payakaroon down to the mat. Payakaroon avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Dick Twist shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Dick Twist was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Payakaroon is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Payakaroon tries to buck Dick Twist off but Dick Twist is having none of it.
Dick Twist working away.
Payakaroon looking for a sweep but Dick Twist has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Dick Twist tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Payakaroon keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Payakaroon tries to hold on but Dick Twist pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dick Twist takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Let's hope that Dick Twist has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Payakaroon can't escape the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Samart Payakaroon dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

Payakaroon moves into range and clinches up with Dick Twist.
Payakaroon is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Dick Twist is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Dick Twist has Payakaroon pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Payakaroon manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Dick Twist wants to take the fight to the mat but Payakaroon manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Samart Payakaroon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of The Ole Dick Twist.
Payakaroon makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Payakaroon misses with a punch to the body.
Dick Twist stalling in the clinch but Payakaroon improves position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Payakaroon throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Dick Twists head.
Payakaroon fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Dick Twist jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Payakaroon walks away with a smile on his face. Dick Twist gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Dick Twist fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Payakaroon clinches up against the cage.
Dick Twist fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Payakaroon tries a body shot but Dick Twist blocks it.

Dick Twist has hold of one of Payakaroon's legs. Payakaroon is fighting the takedown attempt but Dick Twist gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Payakaroon being controlled here, momentarily.
Dick Twist preventing the sweep.
Dick Twist controlling from the top position.
Payakaroon is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Dick Twist can do to turn this around?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dick Twist is looking to work some ground and pound but Payakaroon has wrist control.
Dick Twist makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Dick Twist's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Dick Twist's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Dick Twist scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Payakaroon trying to control the position.
Dick Twist cracks Payakaroon with a solid left hand.
Dick Twist has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dick Twist showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Payakaroon is trying to keep Dick Twist in close.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Dick Twist listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Payakaroon looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

Payakaroon rushes Dick Twist and presses him up against the cage.
Payakaroon misses with a hook to the ribs.
Payakaroon misses with a punch on the inside.
Payakaroon is stalling here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dick Twist jumps guard but Payakaroon turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Payakaroon lands a right hand.
A hook to the body from Payakaroon.

Dick Twist drags the fight down to the ground.
Dick Twist has his hands on Payakaroon's head, controlling the position.
Payakaroon is looking to stand up but Dick Twist won't let him.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Dick Twist has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Payakaroon can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Payakaroon looking to sit in guard and control but Dick Twist gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

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 Samart Payakaroon.
I think Payakaroon 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 29:28
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Samart Payakaroon!
A relieved looking Samart Payakaroon thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.