PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Cleo Page (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bernard Hoolihan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Page
vs
Hoolihan

174 cm
18
150 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

172 cm
18
145 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Cleo Page!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Bernard Hoolihan!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Phil Schofield and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Page slaps away a takedown attempt from Hoolihan, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Page was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.

Hoolihan gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Page is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Hoolihan is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Page is defending well for now.
Page avoids the elbow strike from Hoolihan, against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hoolihan stalling the fight.

Page gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Page thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Hoolihan's head.
Hoolihan wants to improve his position but Page is controlling well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hoolihan wants to control but Page is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Page is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Hoolihan tries to get to full guard but Page has control of the leg.
Page perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hoolihan is controlling Page's position as best he can from this difficult position.

Hoolihan is defending against the submission attempts here by Page.
Page keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Ground and pound from Page.
Hoolihan is looking to control Page's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Hoolihan avoid being mounted?
Well, if Page is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Hoolihan dives in and grabs Page's left leg, looking for a takedown. Page pushes down on Hoolihan's head and hops out.

Hoolihan moves into range and clinches up with Page.
Hoolihan can't get the takedown.
Cleo Page has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bernard Hoolihan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hoolihan wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Hoolihan has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Page uses from the top position.
Page is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Page has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Hoolihan not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Page content to stall in guard here.
Hoolihan 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 referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hoolihan throws a head kick that misses.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Bernard Hoolihan will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Some bone on bone action there as Page checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Hoolihan just misses with a punch to the body.

Hoolihan drives through and clinches with Page against the cage.
Hoolihan using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Page has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Page has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Hoolihan clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Page keeps control of the position as Hoolihan tries to break free.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hoolihan is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Page biding his time, controlling Hoolihan.
This is a sustained period of stalling by Page.
Hoolihan can't escape the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Page working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Hoolihan rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Page in particular looking to stall.

Page is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Hoolihan is just riding it out for now. Page eventually gives up the hold.
Page is taking a breather. Hoolihan says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hoolihan wants to control but Page is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Page is trying to control the action in half guard but Hoolihan is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Hoolihan trying to control here.

Hoolihan pushes Page off and gets back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hoolihan misses with a takedown
and Page counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

Hoolihan pushes Page up against the cage in a clinch.
Hoolihan tries to pull guard but Page holds him up against the cage and eventually Hoolihan drops back down to his feet.
Hoolihan has Page pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Page manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Cleo Page has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bernard Hoolihan.
Hoolihan is breathing heavily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hoolihan wants to break the clinch but can't.

Hoolihan manages to break the clinch.
Hoolihan has his takedown stuffed
and Page counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Page shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Hoolihan manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Hoolihan preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Hoolihan being controlled here, momentarily.
Page postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Hoolihan working for a triangle but Page defends it easily.
Hoolihan is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Page stands up and waves to Hoolihan to follow him.

Hoolihan has managed to clinch.
Hoolihan swings wildly with an uppercut but Page uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hoolihan tries to pull guard but Page forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Hoolihan manages to break the clinch.
Hoolihan throws a left and a right that both miss

and Page counters with a single leg into guard. Hoolihan didn't expect that.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Hoolihan manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Hoolihan takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Page has hold of one of Hoolihan's legs. Hoolihan is fighting the takedown attempt but Page gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Page won't allow Hoolihan to get back to his feet.
Page stays in close to Hoolihan's body and controls the position.
Page continues to hold on tight.
Page's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Page won't allow Hoolihan to sweep him here.
Page is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Hoolihan misses with a takedown
and Page counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Hoolihan shoots in for a double leg but Page sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
It looked like Page was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Cleo Page has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bernard Hoolihan.
Hoolihan will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Page appears to be looking for a big counter.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Page fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Hoolihan, pushing him back against the cage.

Page turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
You can see the frustration on Hoolihan's face as Page controls the position.
Hoolihan wants to get back to his feet.
Hoolihan can't do much from the bottom here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Page sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Hoolihan is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.

Page wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Hoolihan, who protects the arm well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cleo Page showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Page 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 Chris Edwards scores the fight 29:28
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 29:29
Judge James Glass scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!