PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Boryenka Stepanov (ranked 3372 p4p, 4630 weight class) and Micheal Page (ranked 0 p4p, 507 weight class). Stepanov kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Положение (2 Remix). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Stepanov
vs
Page

188 cm
25
181
2 - 0 - 0

190 cm
25
170
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Boryenka Stepanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Micheal Page!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Chris Downing and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stepanov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Page as he jumps to the side.
Stepanov moves in looking to clinch but Page pushes him off.
Stepanov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Page pinned against the cage. Page gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Page looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Stepanov darts in looking for a takedown but Page gets double underhooks and turns Stepanov into the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Boryenka Stepanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Page is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Stepanov drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Page gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Page is pressed up against the cage. Stepanov has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Page down to the mat. Page avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Stepanov shoots and misses
and Page cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Page misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stepanov wants to clinch up but Page keeps it at a distance.
Stepanov doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Page counters with a left and a right that stings Stepanov.

Stepanov scores with a takedown into Page's guard.
Page really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Stepanov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Page pulls Stepanov in close to prevent any damage.
We've been hearing that Stepanov has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stepanov working some strikes from top position.
Page keeping full guard, as Stepanov tries to pass.
Page is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Stepanov postures up in Page's guard and throws a big left but Page blocks it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Page is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Stepanov defends well.

Page is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Stepanov is aware though and is defending well.
Page is trying to keep Stepanov in close.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Stepanov works over Page with some ground and pound from guard.
Stepanov tries to free his leg and advance position but Page is retaining full guard.
Stepanov wants to control from the top but Page keeps moving.
Stepanov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Stepanov landing some decent shots from guard.
Stepanov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Stepanov passes Page's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Stepanov is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Stepanov lands with a punch from half guard.
Stepanov seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Page does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Page on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Page is in trouble now - Stepanov has advanced to mount!
Stepanov landing punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stepanov has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Page's face.
Stepanov is landing with some decent strikes but Page is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Stepanov loads up on a couple of big shots to the head that have Page scrambling to escape. He can't get free though and several more unanswered shots from Stepanov land to the head. The referee has no choice but to stop the fight. Stepanov stands and salutes the crowd.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:34 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Boryenka Stepanov!
Boryenka Stepanov thanked the fans post fight for their support.