PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Blake Phoenix (ranked 689 p4p, 865 weight class) and Harry Winston (ranked 95 p4p, 119 weight class). Blake Phoenix has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Phoenix
vs
Winston

194 cm
30
205
26 - 11 - 0

187 cm
34
207
15 - 8 - 2

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Brooklyn Apothecary

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 26 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Blake Phoenix!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 8 - 2, fighting out of Los Angeles, Harry Winston!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Chris Downing and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Phoenix defending well as Winston loads up on a big left hand.
Phoenix digs a good hook to Winston's body.

Phoenix darts in and clinches Winston up against the cage.
Phoenix takes a shot to the head.
Winston blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Winston working hard to break the clinch.
Winston blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Winston blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Phoenix has a couple of punches blocked by Winston.
Phoenix lands a right hand that snaps the head of Winston backwards.

Winston pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Phoenix connects with a nice looking jab.
Winston moves out of range of the strikes.
Phoenix is looking to clinch.
Winston throws a right hand that misses
and Phoenix connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Phoenix lands a nice shot to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Phoenix tries to close the distance and clinch but Winston swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Phoenix throws a predictable looking body shot
and Winston connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Winston pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Winston gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Phoenix is looking to chop away at Winston's legs.
Winston feints a counter leg kick.
Phoenix lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Phoenix swings for the body but Winston moves out of range.
Winston throws a counter combo.
Blake Phoenix seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Phoenix throws a lazy right hand but Winston sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Phoenix throws a body shot but no joy.
Phoenix bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Phoenix scores with a crisp jab that stopped Winston in his tracks.
Phoenix stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Winston.
Winston throws the left hand but Phoenix avoids the punch easily.
Phoenix keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Phoenix tests Winston's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Phoenix is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix throws a hook but Winston blocks it.
Winston looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
A chopping leg kick lands by Winston.
Winston takes one on the button.
Phoenix misses the shot to the body.
Phoenix takes a swing at Winston's ribcage but misses.
Winston gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Phoenix throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Phoenix throws an overhand right that lands on Winston's shoulder, as Winston tries to avoid the shot.
Winston lands an overhand right.
Phoenix tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Winston was well out of range. Poor timing from Phoenix.
No joy there for Phoenix, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Phoenix takes a swing at Winston's ribcage but misses.
Phoenix digs a good body shot into Winston's ribs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Winston takes a jab right on the kisser.
Phoenix looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Winston needs to keep his hands up - Phoenix had a free shot at his head there.
Winston throws a nice inside leg kick.
Phoenix is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Phoenix scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Phoenix throws a poor cross that misses
and Winston counters with an inside leg kick.
Phoenix lands with a straight right. Winston didn't see that one coming.
Phoenix fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Winston manages to avoid it.
Winston takes a swing at Phoenix's ribcage but misses.
Phoenix waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Winston.
Winston fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Phoenix.
Winston missing with a left hand there. Phoenix was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Phoenix is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Winston feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Phoenixs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Winston lands a jab-cross combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix misses with a body shot.
Winston looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Phoenix tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Winston was well out of range. Poor timing from Phoenix.
Winston looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Winston displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Phoenix throws out the jab.
Phoenix connects with a body shot that sends Winston's belly button to the back.
Phoenix moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Winston looks to score with a jab to the body but Phoenix is just out of range.
Phoenix connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Phoenix scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Phoenix avoids the body shot from Winston.
Blake Phoenix is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Winston pulls out of a head kick attempt.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Winston tightens his grip and picks Phoenix up, before dumping him to the ground. Phoenix manages to land in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Blake Phoenix dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Winston takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Phoenix checks a leg kick.
Phoenix throws a hook but Winston avoids it easily.
Winston lands a lovely overhand right.
Winston misses with a hook
and Phoenix counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Winston thinking.
Phoenix misses the jab.
Winston thows a left - swing and a miss!
A little feinted left hand from Phoenix on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Phoenix cracks Winston with a good jab.
Phoenix scores with a jab.
Phoenix bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Phoenix ducks under a wild hook from Winston.
Winston avoids the body shot from Phoenix.
Phoenix cracks Winston with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Phoenix cracks Winston with a good jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Winston tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Phoenix was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Winston dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Winston slips under a jab.
Winston scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Phoenix misses with a right hand
enabling Winston to counter with a crisp jab.
Phoenix fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Winston looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Phoenix throws a lazy right hand but Winston sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Winston misses with an uppercut. Phoenix saw that one coming.
Blake Phoenix is winning the standup battle so far.
Winston throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Phoenix sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Some wild striking there from Phoenix.
Winston tried to score with a low kick but Phoenix checks it.
Phoenix throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Winston looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Phoenix swings for the body but Winston moves out of range.
Winston looks like he wants to counter punch here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Winston fails to land with a series of punches.
Phoenix throws an overhand right that lands on Winston's shoulder, as Winston tries to avoid the shot.
Phoenix misses with a wild body shot.
Winston on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Phoenix throws an off balance right hand
and Winston counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Winston uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Phoenix.
Winston moves out of range as Phoenix strikes.
Winston swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Winston uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Phoenix.
A low kick from Winston is predictable there
and Phoenix makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Winston on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Winston throws a hook but Phoenix avoids it easily.
A punch combination from Winston misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Winston.
Phoenix throws a right and a left that both miss.
Winston has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Phoenix swinging wildly here.
It seemed like Winston was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Phoenix tries to clinch but Winston is having none of it.
Winston is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Phoenix with a body shot.
Phoenix lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Winston lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Phoenix misses with an uppercut
and Winston counters with a straight right hand.
Winston tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Winston looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Phoenix jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Phoenix connects with a nice looking jab.

That's four 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!
Phoenix blocks a jab.
Phoenix pivots, looking for a leg kick but Winston is out of range and Phoenix settles back down.
Phoenix misses with a hook to the body
enabling Winston to counter with a crisp jab.
Winston bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Phoenix swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Winston swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Winston slips under a jab.
Phoenix lands a glancing blow to the side of Winston's head.
Phoenix misses with a low kick.
Phoenix scores with a jab to the head.
Phoenix fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Winston on the side of the head.
Phoenix is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Winston can do to turn this around?
Winston displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Phoenix throws out the jab.
Winston fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Phoenix manages to avoid it.
Winston keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Phoenix.
Phoenix displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Winston throws out the jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Blake Phoenix dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Phoenix lands with a right hand.
Winston lands an overhand right.
Winston tries to land a leg kick but Phoenix saw it coming and moves away.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Phoenix jabs Winston right on the nose. Winston blinks but takes it well.
Winston defending well as Phoenix loads up on a big left hand.
Winston is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Winston circles away from the clinch attempt.
Phoenix looks to throw the jab but Winston is out of range.
Phoenix misses the jab.
Winston swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Phoenix moves out of range as Winston strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Phoenix scores with a nice head shot.
Phoenix throws a body shot but no joy.
Winston uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Phoenix.
Winston fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Phoenix does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Phoenix throws a big shot that misses.
Winston throws a counter combo.
Phoenix looks to land a left hand but Winston moved out of range nicely.
Phoenix throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Phoenix scores with a decent looking hook.
Phoenix scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Winston doesn't seem bothered though.
Winston avoids the body shot from Phoenix.
Winston throws a big counter head kick but Phoenix avoids it with no problem.
Phoenix works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Phoenix misses with a looping left.
Winston slips a jab from Phoenix.
Winston throws out a counter right but Phoenix avoids it with no problem.
A big left from Phoenix misses.
Winston's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Phoenix connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Winston scrambles back to his feet.
Phoenix looks to score with a jab to the body but Winston is just out of range.
Winston connects with a good right hand that stumbles Phoenix. Phoenix circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big left from Phoenix misses.
Winston is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Phoenix with a body shot.
Winston avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Winston shapes to counter with a head kick.
Phoenix throws a looping overhand right but Winston ducks down to avoid it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Winston throws a hook but Phoenix blocks it.
Phoenix throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Phoenix fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Winston on the side of the head.
Phoenix throws a hook to the side of Winston's head but Winston sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Phoenix just misses with a punch to the body.
Phoenix moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Winston misses with a looping left.
Phoenix tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Winston was well out of range. Poor timing from Phoenix.
Phoenix throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Winston misses with a low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Winston misses with a low kick.
Phoenix misses with a jab, cross combination.
Phoenix moves out of range of the strikes.
Phoenix throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Phoenix throws an overhand right that lands on Winston's shoulder, as Winston tries to avoid the shot.
Phoenix stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Phoenix tries a low kick but Winston avoids it.
Phoenix throws a good cross that connects.
Some wild striking there from Phoenix.
Phoenix moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Winston slips a straight right by Phoenix.
Harry Winston has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Nice jab there from Phoenix.
Winston looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Jab, jab by Phoenix - just one landing.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Phoenix throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Phoenix fails with an attempt to clinch.
Nice body punch from Phoenix.
Phoenix's corner calls for a 1-2. Phoenix obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Winston bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Winston moves out of range of the strikes.
Phoenix tests Winston's chin there with a solid looking shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Blake Phoenix showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Phoenix, 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Blake Phoenix!
Our winner, Blake Phoenix, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.