PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Buddy Phillips (ranked 5995 p4p, 479 weight class) and Fathis Aren (ranked 5338 p4p, 449 weight class). Buddy Phillips has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Phillips
vs
Aren

178 cm
18
163 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

180 cm
18
155 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Buddy Phillips!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Fathis Aren!
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, John Kavanagh and Eddie Farnsworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Aren fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Phillips missing with a left hand there. Aren was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Aren throws a lazy uppercut
and Aren takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Aren misses with a shot to the body
enabling Phillips to counter with a crisp jab.
Phillips dodges the punch combination from Aren.
Phillips thuds his right hand into Aren's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Aren uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Phillips has time to react.
Aren throws a lazy uppercut
and Phillips counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Phillips rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Aren moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Phillips on the wrong end of a nice hook.
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!
Phillips looks to throw the jab but Aren is out of range.
Aren lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Phillips sizes up Aren with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Aren misses with a lunging right hand
and Phillips counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Phillips ducks under a wild hook from Aren.
Aren throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Phillips counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Aren takes a jab right on the kisser.
Phillips throws a big shot that misses.
Aren is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Phillips.
Phillips is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.

Aren fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Phillips, pushing him back against the cage.
Phillips is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Aren tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Aren jumps guard.
Phillips sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Phillips has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Phillips knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Aren on the ground.

Aren is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Phillips defends well.
Phillips tries to free his leg and advance position but Aren is retaining full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phillips is stalling in the full guard.

Aren is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Aren has control of Phillips's left arm, preventing Phillips from doing any damage.
Phillips trying to control but Aren is working from the bottom.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Aren working for a triangle but Phillips defends it easily.
Phillips stopping the sweep attempt from Aren.
Our spies down at at Oblivion Gate inform us that Aren has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Aren looking for subs off his back but Phillips has passed one foot through into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Aren has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Phillips is working away from the top position though.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Phillips wants to take a breather but Aren is having none of it.
Phillips definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Phillips stalling.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Aren throws a right hand that misses
and Phillips connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Buddy Phillips will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Aren misses with an uppercut
enabling Phillips to counter with a crisp jab.
Aren connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Phillips misses with a hook.
Aren misses with a jab to the body
and Phillips counters with a nice uppercut.
Phillips swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Aren misses with a lunging right hand
and Phillips counters with a straight right hand.
Aren steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Phillips.
Phillips slips a jab from Aren.
Nice straight punches there by Aren. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Aren.
Aren misses with a hook
and Phillips counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Phillips scores with a decent looking hook.
Aren connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Aren misses with a right hand
and Phillips counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Aren moves into range and connects with a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Phillips walks into a left hand.
A slow jab from Aren misses its intended target.
Aren takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Phillips bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Aren displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Phillips throws out the jab.
Aren throws a counter combo.
Phillips takes a swing at Aren's ribcage but misses.
Aren wants to counter the offense by Phillips and move into the clinch position.
A punch lands to the side of Aren 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Phillips looks to throw the jab but Aren is out of range.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Aren, as that shot connected.
A combination from Aren does no damage.
Aren rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Phillips counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Phillips takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
No joy there for Aren, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Aren misses with an uppercut
and Phillips counters with a stiff right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Phillips looks to land a left hand but Aren moved out of range nicely.
Nice uppercut lands for Phillips. That snapped Aren's head back.
Aren misses the jab.
Phillips throws a big counter combination but Aren scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Aren defending well as Phillips loads up on a big left hand.
Aren is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Aren throws a body shot but no joy.
Aren fails with an attempt to clinch.
Aren moves out of range as Phillips strikes.
Aren on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Aren tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Phillips counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Aren closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Aren lands an overhand right.
Phillips missing with a left hand there. Aren was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Aren throws a shot from downtown. Phillips moves away and avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phillips works Aren's body with a nice hook.
Aren fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Phillips was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Buddy Phillips is winning the standup battle so far.
Phillips looks to land a right hand but Aren moved out of range.
Phillips slips a jab from Aren.
A looping hook to the body misses from Aren. Phillips does a little dance to reset his feet.
Aren misses with a combination
and Phillips counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A looping hook to the body misses from Phillips. Aren does a little dance to reset his feet.
Aren tries to counter with a clinch but Phillips shakes him off and moves away.
Aren slips a straight right by Phillips.
Aren slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Phillips throws a jab but it's blocked by Aren.
Aren looks to clinch
and Phillips counters with a straight right hand.
Aren lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phillips stuns Aren with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Aren ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Phillips moves away.
Phillips was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Aren with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Phillips to score with a decent uppercut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A big right from Phillips misses.
Aren looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Phillips will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Aren keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Phillips.
Phillips pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Aren back to the cage. Phillips follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Phillips throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nice defenses there by Aren.
Aren scores with a nice strike.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A jab lands there for Aren.
Aren missing with a left hand there. Phillips was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
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 Buddy Phillips will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Aren moves into range and clinches up with Phillips.
Phillips wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Aren fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Aren jumps guard but Phillips turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Aren pushes Phillips back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Aren tries to pull guard but Phillips won't allow it.
Aren has a couple of punches blocked by Phillips.
Aren has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Aren tries to pull guard but Phillips forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Buddy Phillips has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fathis Aren.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Phillips blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A short left from Aren.
Phillips blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Aren.
Aren throws a head punch that misses.
Phillips blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Aren misses with some punches.
Aren working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Aren fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Phillips blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Aren swings wildly with an uppercut but Phillips uses good head movement to avoid it.
Phillips blocking some punches.
Aren tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Fathis Aren has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Phillips wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Aren has him pressed against the cage.
Aren misses with some punches.
A head punch on the inside from Aren fails to land.
Phillips blocking some punches.
Aren is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Phillips to keep the fight standing.
Aren tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Phillips smiles and moves away.
Aren rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Phillips cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Aren throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Phillips counters with a nice uppercut.
Aren is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Phillips.
Phillips is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Aren wants to clinch but Phillips slips to the side
and Phillips makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A left lands for Phillips.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aren throws a right hand that misses
and Phillips counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Aren tries to bum rush Phillips with a series of wild strikes but Phillips uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Phillips is looking to counter punch.
Aren throws a left and a right that both miss
and Phillips counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Aren displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Phillips throws out the jab.
Aren throws out a loose jab but Phillips uses good head movement to avoid it.
Phillips throws a shot from downtown. Aren moves away and avoids it.
A big right from Phillips misses.
Phillips lands a glancing blow to the side of Aren's head.
Aren moves forwards but Phillips connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Aren avoids the body shot from Phillips.
Aren clobbers Phillips with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Phillips tests Aren's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Aren misses with a hook
and Phillips counters with a nice uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Aren takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Aren throws a lazy uppercut
and Phillips counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Aren rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Phillips counters with a nice uppercut.
Aren rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
letting Phillips counter with a right hand.
Aren throws a right hand that misses
and Phillips counters with a straight right hand.
Aren misses with an uppercut
enabling Phillips to counter with a crisp jab.
Aren throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Phillips connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Aren tries to clinch
and Phillips counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Aren throws the left hand but Phillips avoids the punch easily.
Aren swings widly with a right hand
and Phillips counters with a stiff right hand.
Phillips looks to land a combination. Aren sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Aren throws a right hand that misses
and Phillips counters with a straight right hand.
Buddy Phillips is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Phillips lands an overhand right.

And that's the end of the fight!
Buddy Phillips showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Phillips, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Jorge Garcia scores the fight 30:27
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 30:27
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Buddy Phillips!