PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Yoshihiro Asai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Evan Payton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Asai
vs
Payton

172 cm
21
192 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

180 cm
24
192 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Bullet Proof System

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Yoshihiro Asai !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Evan Payton!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Dean Styles and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Asai thumps Payton with a low kick.
Evan Payton seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Good exchange - Asai coming out on top.
We've been told by Asai 's head coaches at The Shark Tank that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Payton works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

Asai gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Payton lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Payton has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Asai landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Payton throws an elbow that misses.
Payton tries to pull guard but Asai won't allow it.
Asai is trying to maintain a safe position but Payton gets an underhook and turns Asai into the cage.
Payton lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Payton creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Asai working Payton over with knees to the body.
Payton fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Asai misses with a hook from the clinch.
Asai lands a right hand that snaps the head of Payton backwards.
Payton is looking for a takedown.
Payton misses with the head strike.
Asai avoiding damage.

Payton pulls guard effortlessly.
Asai showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Payton had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Asai defends it easily.
Asai slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

Payton has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Asai can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Payton trying to keep a closed guard but Asai is proving a slippery customer.

Payton looking for a guillotine here but Asai defends easily.

Payton is working an open guard so Asai takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Payton tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Asai was well out of range. Poor timing from Payton.
Payton jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Payton blocks a jab.
Asai uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Payton.
Asai throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nice uppercut there from Payton.
Asai throws a hook but Payton blocks it.
Payton looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Payton thuds his right hand into Asai 's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Payton misses with a looping right.
Payton scores with a nice strike.
Payton throws a looping overhand right but Asai ducks down to avoid it.
A little feinted left hand from Asai on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Payton closes the distance and clinches up with Asai , looking for a takedown. Payton pushes Asai against the cage but Asai circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Yoshihiro Asai has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Evan Payton.
Asai takes a shot right to the bread basket.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Payton misses with a hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Asai misses the target.
Payton slips a jab from Asai .
Asai looks to land a right hand but Payton moved out of range.
Payton tries to clinch but Asai moves out of range.
Asai ducks under a wild hook from Payton.
An attempted straight right counter from Asai misses the target.
Payton moves forwards but Asai connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Payton throws a good cross that connects.
Asai throws a low kick but it's checked well by Payton.
Payton connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Payton lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Asai buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Asai lands a nice looking body shot.
Nice defenses there by Asai .
Payton jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Asai misses.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Payton thuds his right hand into Asai 's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Payton is looking to clinch but Asai is avoiding it.
Asai dodges the punch combination from Payton.
Payton connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Payton keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Asai .
Payton swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Asai throws the kick towards the body but Payton avoids it.
Payton stuns Asai with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Payton throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Payton throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Payton misses the jab.
Payton lands the left hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Evan Payton dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Payton throws a hook to the side of Asai 's head but Asai sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Asai looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Payton scoring well with a low kick there.
A big left from Asai misses.
Asai throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Payton slips a jab from Asai .
The fighters circle momentarily. Payton darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Payton shoots in but Asai avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Asai throws a looping overhand right but Payton ducks down to avoid it.
It seemed like Payton was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
The crowd cheers as Payton lands an impressive looking overhand right. Asai doesn't seem phased though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Asai walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Asai throws a leg kick that misses.
Payton changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Payton has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Asai throws a front kick aimed at Payton's knee but Payton avoids it well.
Asai loads up on a big right hand but Payton slips the punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Asai uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Payton.
Yoshihiro Asai is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Asai on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Payton swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Asai thows a body kick. Payton tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Payton might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Payton jabs Asai right on the nose. Asai blinks but takes it well.
Payton has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Payton tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Asai is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Payton's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.

Asai has managed to clinch.
Payton throws a punch but it's blocked by Asai .
Asai has Payton pressed against the cage.
Nice body punch from Asai - that landed with a thud.
A short uppercut from Asai .
Asai landing knees to the body.
Payton is breathing heavily.
Asai displaying some good clinch control by pressing Payton up against the cage.
Payton swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for Asai to work.
Payton tries a body shot but Asai blocks it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A nice right hand lands inside from Asai .
A quick uppercut on the inside from Asai .
Asai is working Payton over against the cage.
Payton swings wildly with an uppercut but Asai uses good head movement to avoid it.
Asai blocks an uppercut.
Payton working hard to break the clinch.
Payton pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Asai throws a knee to the head but misses.
Asai blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Payton throws a head punch that misses.
Nice body punch from Payton - that landed with a thud.
Payton tries to pull guard but Asai forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Asai blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Payton jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Asai walks away with a smile on his face. Payton gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Yoshihiro Asai has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Evan Payton.
A big left from Payton misses.
Asai swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Payton shoots in for a double leg but Asai sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Asai connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Payton's hands.
Payton shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Asai pinned against the cage. Asai gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Asai throws a chopping leg kick but Payton manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Asai misses with a right hand
and Payton counters with a straight right hand.
Payton rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Payton throws a hook but Asai blocks it.
Payton throws a leg kick
letting Asai counter with a right hand.
Asai lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Payton at a distance.
Payton takes a swing at Asai 's ribcage but misses.
A low kick from Payton is predictable there
and Asai makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Payton misses the shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Payton has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Asai .
Payton swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Asai .
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 uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Asai .
Asai swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Payton throws a hook but Asai avoids it easily.
Asai slips under a jab from Payton.
Nice jab there from Asai .
Asai misses with a series of wild punches.
Payton swings for the body but Asai moves out of range.
It looked like Asai wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Payton just misses with a punch to the body.
Payton takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Payton feints and then cracks Asai 's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Asai down.
Asai throws a body kick that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yoshihiro Asai dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Payton looks for a takedown but Asai sprawls well.
A nice leg kick lands there from Asai .
Payton scores with the left hand. Asai knows he should have avoided that one.
Asai looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Asai misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Payton counters with a stiff right hand.
Payton looks to land a left hand but Asai moved out of range nicely.
Asai swings widly with a right hand

and Payton counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Payton is looking for a kimura here.

Payton is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Asai wants to control but Payton is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Payton is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Asai preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Asai gets back to full guard.
Asai knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Payton on the ground.

Payton drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Payton jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Payton wants to control from the top but Asai keeps moving.
Payton throws a big right hand that misses.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Asai lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Payton had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Asai defends it easily.
Payton looking for a sweep. Not yet Payton, not yet.
Payton is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Asai wants to stand but Payton is controlling his posture from full guard.

Asai stands and steps away. Payton gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Asai thumps Payton with a low kick.
Payton's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Payton looks to land a combination but Asai avoids it well.
And Asai counters with a quick kick to the body but Payton blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Payton misses with a takedown attempt - Asai sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
A combination from Payton does no damage.
Asai is looking to counter punch.
Asai missing with a left hand there. Payton was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Asai misses with a straight left.
Payton throws a right hand that Asai ducks under and follows up with a left that Asai also avoids with ease.
Payton throws a low kick but Asai moves out of range easily.
Asai steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Payton.
Payton avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Payton misses with a looping left.
Payton displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Asai throws out the jab.
Evan Payton seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Payton misses with a straight left.
Payton thows a left - swing and a miss!
Payton closes the distance and clinches up with Asai , looking for a takedown. Payton pushes Asai against the cage but Asai circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Yoshihiro Asai has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Evan Payton.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Asai avoids the body shot from Payton.
Asai throwing a counter right hand but Payton manages to avoid it.
Good exchange - Asai coming out on top.
Payton bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

Payton clinches up with Asai and pushes him back against the cage.
Payton blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Payton breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Payton misses with a left hand
and Asai counters with an inside leg kick.
Payton takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Payton cracks Asai with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Asai misses with a straight right.
Asai takes a jab right on the kisser.
Payton scores with a hook to the body. Asai takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Payton thows a left - swing and a miss!
Payton misses with an uppercut
and Asai counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Asai clinches with his opponent.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Evan Payton.
I think Payton has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Jonathan Paton scores the fight 28:29
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 28:29
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Evan Payton!
Evan Payton very nearly forgot to thank GREEN!160 amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.