PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ashley Covington (ranked 4613 p4p, 2696 weight class) and Samart Payakaroon (ranked 476 p4p, 320 weight class). Covington comes to the cage accompanied by .... Payakaroon has chosen Wai khru ram muay as his entrance music. Samart Payakaroon has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Covington
vs
Payakaroon

179 cm
21
175
3 - 5 - 0

180 cm
28
180
5 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Powerful

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 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ashley Covington!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Samart Payakaroon!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Eddie Farnsworth and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Covington dives in and grabs Payakaroon's left leg, looking for a takedown. Payakaroon pushes down on Covington's head and hops out.
A slapping leg kick lands for Payakaroon.
Payakaroon lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Covington shoots in for a double leg but Payakaroon sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Payakaroon moves into range and connects with a jab.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
We've been hearing reports that Covington has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Covington is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Payakaroon is defending well for now.
Payakaroon lands a nice uppercut.

It looks like Ashley Covington has been cut.
Covington tries for a takedown but Payakaroon manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ashley Covington. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Covington dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Payakaroon stops a takedown attempt from Covington.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Payakaroon scores with a shot to the side of Covington's head.
Payakaroon stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Payakaroon swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Covington is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Payakaroon is defending well.
Covington has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Payakaroon avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Covington blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Payakaroon misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Covington misses with an elbow strike.
Payakaroon blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Payakaroon lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Payakaroon avoiding damage.
Payakaroon's coach down at was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Payakaroon's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Payakaroon doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Payakaroon misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Payakaroon is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Covington lands with a left to the head.
Covington drops down looking for an ankle pick but Payakaroon pulls his leg out and moves away.
Covington chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Payakaroon can pounce on him.
Covington looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Covington dives in and grabs Payakaroon's left leg, looking for a takedown. Payakaroon pushes down on Covington's head and hops out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Payakaroon lands a brutal head kick. Covington looks out on his feet and Payakaroon throws more strikes until the ref is forced to stop the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:06 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Kick and Punches). Samart Payakaroon!
Samart Payakaroon seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.