PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Henry The Rat (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Justin Page (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Justin Page was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

The Rat
vs
Page

170 cm
22
150 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

170 cm
19
145 lbs
1 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Henry The Rat!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Justin Page!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Daniel Franklin and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice takedown defense from Page. No joy for The Rat on that attempt.
The Rat dives in and grabs Page's left leg, looking for a takedown. Page pushes down on The Rat's head and hops out.
Page doesn't succeed with the takedown

and The Rat counters with a takedown into side control.
The Rat lands a decent elbow from side control.
The Rat lands a nice forearm strike.
Page is working to avoid the ground and pound but The Rat connects with a decent elbow.
Page tries to bench press The Rat off him but The Rat keeps the position.
Page takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Page can do anything to dispel that myth.
The Rat working the ground and pound but Page is defending the strikes.
The Rat throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
You can see the frustration on Page's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
The Rat working the ground and pound from side control.
Page managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by The Rat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The Rat lands an elbow.
Sloppy strikes there by The Rat.
The Rat cracks Page with a big right hand but Page just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
The Rat in side control, throwing shots but Page defends.
The Rat landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
The Rat is breathing heavily.
Page wants to control but The Rat postures up.
The Rat is chipping away with strikes.
You can see the frustration on Page's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
The Rat landing a few strikes.
Page defending against the ground and pound.
The Rat wants to control but Page is keeping him busy.
Page sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The Rat not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Page desperately trying to maintain half guard.
The Rat is just content to waste time from the top position. Page takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Page is trying to control the position from the bottom.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Page is on top in guard.
The Rat has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Page with a flurry of punches that miss.
The Rat controls Page momentarily but Page frees himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The Rat trying to strike off his back.
Page really doesn't want to stay on the ground with The Rat. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Page accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Page trying to control but The Rat is working from the bottom.
Page won't allow The Rat to sweep him here.
The Rat tries to strike from the bottom.
The Rat will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Page digs a good hook to The Rat's body.

Page closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Page softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
The Rat has Page pressed against the cage, preventing Page from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Page lands a nice elbow.

Page pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
The Rat takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

Page clinches with his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Page.
Page fails to pull guard.
Page is looking for a takedown up against the cage. The Rat gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Henry The Rat has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Justin Page.
Page tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Page scores with a shoulder strike.
Page jumps guard but The Rat stands there with Page around his waist. Page gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Page stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.

Page pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Page lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

Page clinches with his opponent.
Page lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
The Rat keeps control of Page as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Page comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

Page manages to pull guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Page is on top in guard.
The Rat tries to strike from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Henry The Rat 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.

The Rat avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Page gets caught flat footed, as The Rat shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
The Rat throwing strikes from guard but Page blocks nicely.
The Rat loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Page not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Page utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The Rat in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The Rat cracks Page with a solid left hand.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
The Rat trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Page looking to control.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Page lands a with a good body shot.
Page throws a series of strikes that have The Rat backpedaling.
Page shoots in for a takedown but The Rat shows good takedown defense.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Page cracks The Rat with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

Page gets a clinch.

Page manages to pull guard.
The Rat throws a big right hand that misses.
The Rat postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The Rat throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Page works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The Rat working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as The Rat accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The Rat won't allow Page to get back to his feet.
The Rat content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
The Rat lands a couple of decent looking shots.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
The Rat fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Henry The Rat seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice sprawl there from Page as The Rat shoots in.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Page clinches.
Page takes an elbow to the temple.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Page.
Page looking for a takedown.
The Rat jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Page walks away with a smile on his face. The Rat gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Henry The Rat. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Page clinches.
Page fails to pull guard.
The Rat dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Page is trying to break the clinch but The Rat is controlling him.

Page pulls guard.
The Rat working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Page's head.
The Rat lands a couple of decent looking shots.
The Rat lands a couple of digs.
The Rat working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Page's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The Rat working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The Rat with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
The Rat connects with a couple of short punches.
Page avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The Rat in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The Rat trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Page utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

The Rat closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Page can't do much from the bottom here.
The Rat controls the position.
The Rat lands a nice forearm strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Page on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Page manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
The Rat is thwarting Page's attempts to control the position.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. The Rat connects with a nice short shot to Page's temple.
Nice strikes from The Rat there.
Page keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Page manages to get to full guard.
The Rat thows a big elbow that misses.
The Rat with a flurry of punches that miss.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Henry The Rat dominated that second round.
That's time! The Rat's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Page pushes The Rat up against the cage in a clinch.

The Rat jumps guard and drags Page to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
The Rat will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
The Rat throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
The Rat tries to strike from the bottom.
The Rat throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Page trying to control but The Rat is working from the bottom.
The Rat trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Page trying to control but The Rat is working from the bottom.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
The Rat will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Henry The Rat is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Page clinches up against the cage.
Page has The Rat pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. The Rat manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Page breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Page fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with The Rat, pushing him back against the cage.
The Rat on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Page has had enough of the clinch but The Rat keeps him there for the moment.
The Rat is pressed up against the cage. Page has hold of a leg and is looking to drag The Rat down to the mat. The Rat avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
The Rat shoots for a double leg takedown but Page sprawls well. He's pushed The Rat's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Nice cross by Page.
Page stalks The Rat and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into The Rat's face. The Rat staggers backwards, shaken.

Page takes the fight into the clinch.
The Rat tries for a takedown but Page manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Henry The Rat. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Page manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
The Rat is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Page is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
The Rat postures up in Page's guard and throws a big left but Page blocks it.
The Rat chips away with some ground and pound.
The Rat preventing the sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The Rat scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
The Rat distracts Page with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Page tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The Rat postures up in Page's guard and throws a big left but Page blocks it.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Nice uppercut there from Page.
Page is looking to clinch but The Rat is avoiding it.
The Rat shoots for a double leg takedown but Page sprawls well. He's pushed The Rat's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Page forces The Rat back against the cage and clinches.
Page is struggling to control the position.
The Rat changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Page fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Page takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

Page breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Page closes the distance and clinches.
The Rat has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Page avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Page breaks the clinch.
Page lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Page looks to land a combination. The Rat sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

Page gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Page lands a nice shot to the body.
A right hook to the body lands for Page.
A shot in the inside from Page.
Page lands a right hand that snaps the head of The Rat backwards.

Page jumps guard.
The Rat throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Page works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Page wants to stand up but The Rat is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The Rat trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Page preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The Rat lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
The Rat lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Page working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from The Rat.
The Rat postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Page tries to clinch but The Rat is having none of it.
Page fails with a takedown attempt.
Page takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
The Rat walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Justin Page has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Henry The Rat is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The Rat misses with a takedown attempt - Page sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Justin Page comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think The Rat 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Henry The Rat!