PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Devin Styles (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Linkin Portier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Styles comes to the cage accompanied by Wrecking Ball. Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Styles
vs
Portier

187 cm
34
196 lbs
34 - 13 - 0

185 cm
33
186 lbs
24 - 14 - 2

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Grand Champion Apparel
KAISER Nutrition (160!/220$)

Hellbent
Mohito Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 34 - 13 - 0, fighting out of New York, Devin Styles!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 14 - 2, fighting out of New York, Linkin Portier!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Timothy Bukovac and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Styles shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Portier as he avoids it easily.
Linkin Portier seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Portier uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Styles.
Styles sets himself, and Portier steps forward looking for the clinch! Styles avoids it this time.
Styles throws out a loose jab but Portier uses good head movement to avoid it.
Styles throws a half hearted mid kick.
Portier checks a low kick from Styles.
Styles tries to land a body kick
and Portier cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Styles misses with a body kick.
Portier takes one on the button.
Portier checks a low kick from Styles.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Portier misses with a series of wild punches.
Styles half committed to a counter leg kick.
Portier fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Portier is looking to clinch.
Portier scores with the left hand. Styles knows he should have avoided that one.
Portier thuds a left hand into Styles's body.
Portier misses the shot to the body.
A shot to the liver by Portier. Beautiful body shot.
Styles on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Portier tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Styles paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Styles throws a body kick despite being completely out of range

and Portier counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Portier stalling in the clinch but Styles improves position.
Portier's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Styles is trying to break the clinch but Portier has him pressed against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Styles is trying to push Portier away but Portier has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Styles's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Portier tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Portier lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Styles backwards.
Styles misses with the head strike.
Portier is pushing Styles up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Styles wants to get back to striking at distance but Portier won't allow it.
Portier softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Portier tries to work over Styles's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Portier lands a left hand that snaps the head of Styles backwards.
Styles lands with a short shot to the head.
Portier throws a head punch that misses.
A right hand to the body from Styles.
A head punch on the inside from Portier fails to land.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Portier.
Styles lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Styles softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Styles goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A short right from Styles on the inside.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Portier as Styles tries to tie him up.
Portier misses with a short punch on the inside.
Portier lands with a left to the head.
Styles blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Styles is looking to control Portier's arms but Portier gets an underhook and turns him. Now Styles has his back to the cage.
Styles prevents a body shot from Portier.
Portier goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Portier is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Portier working aggressively here.
A nice right hand lands inside from Portier.
A body shot lands from Portier.
Portier misses with a short punch on the inside.
Portier throws a head punch that misses.
Portier tries a body shot but Styles blocks it.
Portier makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Styles lands a right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Styles manages to break the clinch.
Portier throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Styles.
Styles misses with a straight right.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Portier moves out of range of the leg kick from Styles.
Styles lets loose with a powerful body kick. Portier will feel that in the morning.

Portier moves into the clinch.

Styles pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Portier tries to clinch but Styles moves out of range.
Portier ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Portier is looking to clinch.
Styles fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Styles throws a jab when Portier was well out of range.
Portier steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Styles.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Portier throws a hook but Styles blocks it.
Portier throws a leg kick
and Styles counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Portier fails to land with a series of punches.
Styles appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Portier!

Portier takes the fight into the clinch.
Portier is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Styles is keeping busy.
Styles throws a head punch that misses.
Styles dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Styles blocks an uppercut.
Portier lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Styles backwards.
Portier tries to throw a body punch but Styles avoids it by throwing Portier back against the cage.
Styles pushes Portier back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Styles tries to stall but Portier uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Styles misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Styles as Portier tries to tie him up.
Portier scores with a hook to the body.
Styles fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Portier digs a right hand underneath Styles's ribcage. Styles let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Portier misses with a hook from the clinch.
Portier lands a nice shot to the body.
Portier lands a shoulder strike.
Portier is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Portier scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Portier tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Portier working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Portier scores with a shoulder strike.
Portier throws a punch but it's blocked by Styles.
Portier throws a head punch that misses.
Styles lands a hook to the side of the head.
Portier lands a right hand.
Styles tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Styles pressing his opponent against the cage.
A short uppercut from Styles.
Portier has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A right hook to the body lands for Styles.
Portier tries to stall but Styles uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Portier.
Portier misses with a body punch.
Portier misses with the head strike.
Portier fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Portier is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Styles is keeping busy.
Portier swings wildly with an uppercut but Styles uses good head movement to avoid it.
Portier misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Styles tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Portier's elbow.
A head punch on the inside from Portier fails to land.
Portier pushes Styles back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Styles wants a takedown but no success here.
Portier tries to throw a body punch but Styles avoids it by throwing Portier back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Portier tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Styles has a couple of punches blocked by Portier.
Styles is trying to force a seperation but Portier has the dominant position.
Styles throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Portiers head.
Portier lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Styles tries to throw a body punch but Portier avoids it by throwing Styles back against the cage.
Portier lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
A body shot lands from Portier.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Portier.
Styles lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Portier misses with the head strike.
Portier lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Styles makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Linkin Portier seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Portier scores with a shoulder strike.
Portier digs a right hand underneath Styles's ribcage. Styles let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Styles blocks a body shot from Portier.
Portier lands with a left to the head.
Portier looking to slow down the pace here.
Styles lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Portier misses with a punch to the body.
Portier looking to slow down the pace here.
Styles blocks a body shot from Portier.
Portier scores with a hook to the body.
Styles wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Portier has him pressed against the cage.
Portier holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Portier lands with a short shot to the head.
Portier lands a left hand.
Styles wants a takedown but no success here.
Portier lands a body shot.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Portier.
Portier doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Styles misses with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Styles.
Portier working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Portier prevents a body shot from Styles.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Linkin Portier showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action!

Styles ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Portier moves away.
Styles throws a head kick but Portier moves out of range.
Portier misses with a looping right.

Portier clinches up against the cage.
Portier lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Styles.
Styles swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Styles throws a head punch that misses.
Styles misses with the head strike.
Styles is trying to break the clinch but Portier is controlling him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Portier.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Portier.
Portier throws a head punch that misses.
Portier blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Styles is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Portier misses with a hook from the clinch.
Portier lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Portier prevents a body shot from Styles.
Portier misses with a punch to the body.
Nice body punch from Portier.
Portier tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Styles's elbow.
Portier fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Styles misses with a punch to the body.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Portier struggles to land a body shot inside as Styles controls his hands.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Portier.
Portier tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Portier effectively controlling the action here.
Portier lands a left hand.
Styles misses with a body punch.
Styles blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Styles blocks an uppercut.

Styles gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Portier controlling the position for now.
Portier taking some punishment here, with Styles in his half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Styles prevents Portier from improving his position.
Portier is concentrating on defense, preventing Styles from advancing position.
Styles 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.
Portier slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Styles landing with the ground and pound.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Portier keeping moving, preventing Styles from controlling successfully.
Portier has control of Styles's left arm, preventing Styles from doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Portier is continuing to stall.
Styles wants to control from the top but Portier keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Styles loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Styles is working Portier over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Portier wants to sweep but no luck.
Portier bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Styles's guard.

Portier is fighting to break Styles's control of his arms but Styles is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Styles looking to control.
Styles is adopting a defensive guard.
Styles is trying to control the position but Portier postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Styles being controlled here, momentarily.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Linkin Portier really dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Styles missing with a left hand there. Portier was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Portier looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Styles throws a nice inside leg kick.
Portier tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A leg kick checked by Portier.

Portier takes the fight into the clinch.

Styles's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Styles throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A big right from Portier misses.
Styles changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Portier throws a right and a left that Styles avoids nicely.
Styles is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
Styles walks into a straight right hand from Portier.
Portier lands an overhand right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Portier lands a jab to Styles's midsection.
Portier's jab looks to have found its range, popping Styles under the eye.
Styles throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Portier on the side of the head.
Portier scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Styles swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Portier unleashes a big counter combination but Styles bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Portier lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Portier tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Styles counters with a straight right hand.
Portier feints and then cracks Styles's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Styles down.

Styles shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Portier tries to get to full guard but Styles has control of the leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Portier trying to control here.
Styles works his way into full mount!
Portier is trying desperately to improve position.
Styles landing strikes from the mount and Portier is in trouble!
Styles looking to ground and pound but Portier is blocking nicely.
Portier is looking to get to half guard.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Portier tries to hold on but Styles pushes him away.
Portier tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Styles throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Styles lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Styles landing strikes, looking to finish!
Styles avoids the attempt from Portier to control.
Portier manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Portier is looking for a sweep. Styles is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Styles missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Portier is trying is best to control the position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Portier wants to get back to full guard.
Styles is trying to control. Portier wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Styles not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Devin Styles overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Portier is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Styles trying to control the action but Portier is working from the bottom.
Portier is positioning himself well to prevent Styles advancing to mount.
Styles not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Styles throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Devin Styles will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Portier bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Styles's head.
Styles lands a nice leg kick that just misses Portier's sensitive parts.
Styles throws a push kick but Portier slaps the foot to one side.
Portier connects with a body shot.
Styles swinging wildly here.
Styles defending well as Portier loads up on a big left hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Portier avoids the head kick by Styles.
Portier avoids the head kick by Styles.
Styles misses the shot to the body.
Portier wants to counter with a clinch but Styles pushes him away.
Portier lands with a nice body punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Portier ducks under a wild hook from Styles.
Styles misses with a lunging right hand
and Portier counters with a low kick, right behind Styles 's knee.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

Portier has Styles up against the cage in a clinch.
Styles blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Styles's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Portier tries to clinch up but Styles circles away and keeps his distance.
Styles fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Styles keeps the fight on the outside.
Portier moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Styles circles away from the clinch attempt.
Devin Styles has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Linkin Portier is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Styles gets tackled into the cage by Portier. Portier maintains the clinch.

Styles's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Styles avoids a punch combination nicely.
Portier lands an overhand right.
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!
Styles looks to land a left hand but Portier moved out of range nicely.
Linkin Portier seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Styles missing with a left hand there. Portier was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Portier tries to close the distance and clinch up but Styles swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Portier moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A good leg kick by Styles.
Styles lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Portier tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Good work by Styles as he checks the leg kick.
Styles feinted with a counter takedown.
Styles comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Nice defenses there by Styles.
Portier just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromStyles.
Linkin Portier is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Styles tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Portier was well out of range. Poor timing from Styles.
Portier flicks out a counter leg kick but Styles steps away.
Styles takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Styles takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Styles throws a low kick but Portier avoids it.
Portier tries to clinch up but Styles circles away and keeps his distance.
Styles throws a body punch but Portier moves out of range.
Portier cracks Styles with a right hand to the side of the head.
Portier dodges the punch combination from Styles.
Styles slips a jab and a cross from Portier.
A counter left hand to the body from Styles misses its target.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Portier misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Portier has taken the fight to the clinch.
Portier looking to slow down the pace here.
Styles misses with a punch to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Linkin Portier comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Portier 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 46:49
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 46:49
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Linkin Portier!
After winning the bout, Linkin Portier thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.