PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Franklin Stein (ranked 3828 p4p, 3406 weight class) and Michael Page (ranked 406 p4p, 374 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.

Stein
vs
Page

193 cm
19
195
2 - 2 - 0

187 cm
20
190
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Franklin Stein!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Michael Page!
The judges for this bout are Steve Erwin, Donatello Bradman and Skip Squint.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Page misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Stein tries to counter by clinching up but Page breaks away and moves out of range.
Stein throws a big shot that misses.
Page scores with a hook.
Stein scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
A jab from Page misses.
A telegraphed right hand from Page misses the target.
Page pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Stein back to the cage. Page follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Page shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Stein eats them both and turns towards Page to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Page takes a jab right on the kisser.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Page swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Stein counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Page throws the left hand but Stein avoids the punch easily.
Stein throwing a counter right hand but Page manages to avoid it.
Stein throws a big shot that misses.
Stein throws a body shot but no joy.
Stein tries to clinch up.
Page jabs at Stein's body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stein gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Stein thows a left - swing and a miss!
Stein throws a series of strikes that have Page backpedaling.
Page misses with a hook. Stein ducked under it nicely.
No joy there for Page, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Stein misses with a hook
and Page makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Page throws a low kick, looking for Stein's leg but Stein calmly moves out of range.
Page throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Page uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Stein.
Page looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Nice defenses there by Page.
Page looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Stein blocks a low kick nicely.
A quick step to the side and Stein tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Page swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Stein throws a lazy right hand but Page sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Page misses with a wild combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Page throws a right and a left that Stein avoids nicely.
Michael Page seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Page lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Stein throws the left hand but Page avoids the punch easily.
Stein slips a jab and a cross from Page.
Page throws a series of punches but Stein moves out of range.
Page throws a low kick but Stein avoids it.
Page moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Stein looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Page tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Stein was well out of range. Poor timing from Page.
Page misses with a hook
letting Stein counter with a right hand.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Stein fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Stein misses with some punches.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Stein creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stein misses with a hook to the ribs.
Stein misses with a short punch on the inside.
Stein tries to work over Page's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Page taking a breather.
Stein tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Page's elbow.
A short right from Stein.
Stein can't find room to land a body shot as Page controls the action.
A nice right hand lands inside from Stein.
Stein blocking some punches.
Page blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Page's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

Stein escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Stein throws a big shot that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stein throws a right hand that Page ducks under and follows up with a left that Page also avoids with ease.
Page with a nice cross.
Page throws a right hand that Stein ducks under and follows up with a left that Stein also avoids with ease.
Stein swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Page misses with an uppercut. Stein saw that one coming.
Page defending well as Stein loads up on a big left hand.
Page throws a hook but Stein avoids it easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Page moves out of range of the strikes.
A punch combination from Stein misses.
Stein fails to land with a series of punches.
Page goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Page shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Page rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Stein moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Stein misses with a jab, cross combination.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stein thows a left - swing and a miss!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Michael Page will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

A jab from Stein misses.
Stein on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
A clash of legs there as Stein blocks the low kick.
Stein ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Stein throwing a counter right hand but Page manages to avoid it.
Page throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Page misses with a few strikes there.
A big left from Page misses.
Page digs a good body shot into Stein's ribs.
Stein is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Stein with a hook.
Stein throws a hook but Page blocks it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Page missing with a left hand there. Stein was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A little feinted left hand from Stein on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Page lands with a straight right. Stein didn't see that one coming.
Page slips under a jab from Stein.
Page getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Page scores with a sloppy right hand. Stein should have avoided that one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big right from Stein misses.
Page swats away the attempt to clinch by Stein.
Page appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Stein bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Page throws an off balance right hand
and Stein counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Page misses with a wild combination.
Page swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Stein counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Stein lands with a hook. Page tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Stein throws an overhand right that lands on Page's shoulder, as Page tries to avoid the shot.
Page looks to land a left hand but Stein moved out of range nicely.
Page lands a head shot.

Stein clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Page manages to break the clinch.
Stein moves forwards but Page connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Page looks to land a right hand but Stein moved out of range.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Page misses with a double jab.
Page lunges at Stein with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Stein's hand.
Page displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Stein throws out the jab.
Page ducks under a wild hook from Stein.
Page looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Page misses with an uppercut.
It looked like Stein was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Stein throws a hook but Page blocks it.
Stein loads up on a big right hand but Page slips the punch.
Stein tries to clinch but Page moves out of range.
Page punishes Stein's body with a nice straight punch.
A punch combination from Page misses.
Stein was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Page fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stein lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Stein takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Sloppy strikes from Stein. Those never looked like landing.
Stein moves out of range as Page strikes.
Stein wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Stein slips a straight right by Page.
Stein has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Stein throws a front kick that sends Page stumbling back into the cage.
Page misses with a looping left.
Page punishes Stein's body with a nice straight punch.
Page misses with a jab to the body
and Page takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Stein blocks a head kick by Page.
Page looks to land a combination but Stein avoids it well.
Page misses with a low kick.
Page throws out a leg kick but Stein moves out of range and Page only half commits.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Stein closes the distance and clinches.
Stein lands an uppercut.
A short right from Stein on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Stein fails to land.
Stein has a couple of punches blocked by Page.
Stein misses with a punch on the inside.
Stein lands with a right to the head.
Page wants to get back to striking at distance but Stein won't allow it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Page.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Page.
Stein lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Stein digs a right hand underneath Page's ribcage. Page let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Page blocking some punches.
Page blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Michael Page will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Page tries to bum rush Stein with a series of wild strikes but Stein uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Stein lands a jab to the nose.
Page throws a low kick but Stein avoids it.
Stein misses with a wild combination.
Stein slips a straight right by Page.
Page misses with a straight right.
Nice shot by Page.
Page stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stein throws a combination. Page tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Stein ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Stein blocks a low kick nicely.

Stein has managed to clinch.
Stein misses with the head strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stein tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Stein tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Page working hard to break the clinch.
Page is trying to stall.
Stein throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Pages head.
Stein tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Stein lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Page backwards.
Page blocking some punches.
A frustrated look appears on Page's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Page wants to get back to striking at distance but Stein won't allow it.
Stein tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Page blocking some punches.
Page stalling in the clinch but Stein improves position.
Franklin Stein has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Page creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Stein tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Page's elbow.
Stein tries a body shot but Page blocks it.
Stein lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Page trying to stall but Stein improves his position.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Page.
Stein has a couple of punches blocked by Page.
A shot in the inside from Stein.
Stein struggles to land a body shot inside as Page controls his hands.
Stein misses with some punches.
Page is trying to break the clinch but Stein is controlling him.
Stein misses with the head strike.
Page blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Stein has a couple of punches blocked by Page.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stein tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Nice body punch from Stein - that landed with a thud.
Page pressing his opponent against the cage.
Page blocks an uppercut.
Stein lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Stein works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Page will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Stein up against the cage.
Page blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Stein fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Page is trying to maintain a safe position but Stein gets an underhook and turns Page into the cage.
Stein misses with some punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Page on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Page's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Page with a hook.
Page throws a hook but Stein avoids it easily.
As Page backs away, Stein returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Page misses with a leg kick
and Stein counters with a nice leg kick.
A punch lands to the side of Stein 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Page digs a good hook to Stein's body.

Stein closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stein pushes Page back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Stein misses with a short punch on the inside.
Stein scores with a shot to the side of Page's head.
Stein working aggressively here.
Michael Page is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Page trying to stall but Stein improves his position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Franklin Stein showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Page 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 30:29
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 28:29
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Michael Page!
A less than humble Michael Page misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.