PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between James Townsend (ranked 7165 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Page (ranked 25081 p4p, 0 weight class). James Townsend has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Townsend
vs
Page

169 cm
23
193 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

191 cm
20
187 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Solid chin

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 London, James Townsend!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Michael Page !
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Daniel Bishop and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Page doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Townsend holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Page tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Townsend just stands there and leans against the cage.
Page is looking to control Townsend's arms but Townsend gets an underhook and turns him. Now Page has his back to the cage.
Page looking to stall.

Townsend pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Page has a takedown stuffed.
James Townsend has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Page .
Page shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Townsend as he jumps to the side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Page tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Townsend manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Page darts in trying to clinch

and Townsend counters with a single leg into guard. Page didn't expect that.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Townsend engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Townsend could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Townsend'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.
Page controls Townsend momentarily but Townsend frees himself.
Townsend seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Townsend seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Page for as long as he can get away with.
Townsend scoring with some ground and pound.
Page has momentary wrist control but Townsend slips an elbow through the middle.
Page has momentary wrist control but Townsend slips an elbow through the middle.
Townsend looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Townsend cracks Page with a solid left hand.
Townsend seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Page is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Townsend slips nicely into half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Page is looking to improve his position.
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. Townsend connects with a nice short shot to Page 's temple.
Townsend performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

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.

Townsend postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Page to stand up.

Townsend drives through and clinches with Page against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Townsend.

Townsend has hold of one of Page 's legs. Page is fighting the takedown attempt but Townsend gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Townsend slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Townsend might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Townsend continues to stall.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Townsend dominated that round.
That's time! Townsend's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Townsend circles away from the clinch attempt.
Townsend circles away from the clinch attempt.
Townsend is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Page .
A lazy left from Page finds it's target.
Page misses the shot to the body.
Page misses with a shot to the body

and Townsend counters with a takedown into side control.
Townsend happy to just control the position for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Townsend scores with punches from side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Townsend lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Page down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Townsend moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Page is looking for a sweep.
Townsend cracks Page with a big right hand but Page just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Page tries to buck Townsend off but Townsend is having none of it.
You can see the frustration on Page 's face as Townsend controls the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Townsend is putting a hurting on Page here, landing some big shots from side control.

Townsend decides to stand up, so the ref orders Page to his feet.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Page enables Townsend to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Page manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Townsend sitting in guard, not really doing much.

Page has his foot on Townsend's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Townsend works his way back into a safe position though.
Page is breathing heavily.
Townsend looking to pass the guard.
Townsend is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Townsend gets to his feet - Page follows without any prompting.
No luck for Page with that takedown attempt.
Page closes this distance looking for a takedown but Townsend circles away.
Page fails with the takedown
and Townsend counters with a body kick.
James Townsend has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Page .

Townsend looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Page !

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Townsend controlling from side mount.
Townsend creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Townsend happy to just control the position for now.
James Townsend overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Townsend is working Page over with some ground and pound from side control.
Page trying to remain calm as Townsend controls from the top position.
Page tries to bench press Townsend off him but Townsend keeps the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Townsend dominated that second round.
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 misses with a two punch combination.

Page gets caught flat footed, as Townsend shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Townsend is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Page can do to turn this around?
Page throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Townsend seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

Townsend stands up and waves to Page to follow him.

Townsend looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Townsend stalling.

Townsend decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Page takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Townsend swats away the attempt to clinch by Page .

Townsend feints and as Page raises his hands in defense, Townsend changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Townsend controlling from the top position.
Townsend pushes down on Page 's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Townsend controlling the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Page wants to control but Townsend is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Townsend slows the pace down in half guard.
More hug and hope from Townsend.

Townsend decides to return to a standing position.
Page moves to clinch but Townsend breaks away

and Townsend decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Page 's guard.
Townsend is stalling in the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Page trying to keep a closed guard but Townsend is proving a slippery customer.
Townsend not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Townsend avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Townsend looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

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.

Townsend throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Page was covering up waiting for the punch and Townsend finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Townsend seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Page wants to sweep but no luck.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Townsend is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Michael Page has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
James Townsend is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

And that's the end of the fight!
James Townsend showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Townsend has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Richard Clark scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Glass scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Townsend!