PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Badou Baha (ranked 1769 p4p, 239 weight class) and Franky Page (ranked 3103 p4p, 402 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Baha
vs
Page

187 cm
23
215 lbs
7 - 0 - 0

192 cm
24
210 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Mockstar Energy Drinks 160Q
Blue Moon

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Badou Baha!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Franky Page!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Taro Takaoka and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Page ducks under a wild hook from Baha.
Page shoots in and drives through. Baha sprawls well.
Page throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Baha pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Baha misses with a double jab

and Page counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Page takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Page missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Baha avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Page.
Baha blocking the ground and pound attempt from Page.
Page seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Baha does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Page working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Page scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
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. Page connects with a nice short shot to Baha's temple.
Page thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Baha's head.
Page has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baha blocking the ground and pound attempt from Page.
Page is trying to control the action in half guard but Baha is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Baha wants to improve his position but Page is controlling well.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Page working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Page seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Page throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Page throwing shots but Baha is blocking nicely.
Page with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Page prevents Baha from standing back up.
Page works his way into side control.

Page has worked his way into a potential kimura here. Baha is trying to get out of the position but his squirming has just got him deeper into trouble. Page yanks on the arm and Baha is forced to tap due to a very painful looking submission! Nice work by Page.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:18 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Franky Page!
Franky Page is the new light heavyweight champion!