PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Trond Asmundsen (ranked 750 p4p, 491 weight class) and Blake Phoenix (ranked 113 p4p, 73 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Asmundsen
vs
Phoenix

188 cm
31
190
19 - 14 - 0

194 cm
33
201
33 - 17 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Voodoo Nutrition

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 19 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Trond Asmundsen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 33 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Blake Phoenix!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, James Glass and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Asmundsen throws a leg kick that is checked
and Phoenix counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Nice defenses there by Phoenix.
Asmundsen throws a solid leg kick but Phoenix takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Asmundsen.
Asmundsen just misses with a punch to the body.
Phoenix throws out a counter right but Asmundsen avoids it with no problem.
Phoenix moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Asmundsen slips a jab from Phoenix.
Phoenix stuffs the takedown.
Phoenix dips to his left and cracks Asmundsen with an uppercut!
Phoenix digs a good body shot into Asmundsen's ribs.
Asmundsen with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Phoenix to score with a decent uppercut.
A jab from Phoenix does it's job there.
Phoenix misses with a wild body shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Phoenix misses the target.
Asmundsen blocks a jab.
Asmundsen tries to counter with a takedown but Phoenix is quick to defend against it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Phoenix throws a hook to the side of Asmundsen's head but Asmundsen sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
We've been informed that Phoenix has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Asmundsen throws a body shot but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Asmundsen takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Asmundsen keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Phoenix.
A telegraphed right hand from Phoenix misses the target.
Asmundsen throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Phoenix wants to slow Asmundsen down by chopping away at his legs.
A big right from Phoenix misses.
Asmundsen lands a body shot.
Phoenix throws a hook but Asmundsen avoids it easily.
Asmundsen keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Phoenix gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
A punch combination from Asmundsen misses.
Blake Phoenix seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Phoenix will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Asmundsen bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Phoenix misses its intended target.
Asmundsen avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Phoenix jabs Asmundsen to the body, keeping him at a distance.
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 pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Asmundsen just misses with a punch to the body.
Phoenix misses with a straight right.
Asmundsen thows a left - swing and a miss!
Phoenix changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Phoenix lands with a nice body punch.
Asmundsen gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Phoenix.
Asmundsen will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Phoenix connects with a right hand. Asmundsen shakes it off.
Phoenix throws a lazy right hand but Asmundsen sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Phoenix has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Asmundsen finds it's way round the side to connect with Phoenix's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Phoenix misses.
An inside leg kick lands from Phoenix.
Nice defenses there by Asmundsen.
Asmundsen throws a body punch but Phoenix moves out of range.
Asmundsen scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Asmundsen dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Phoenix throws a good cross that connects.
Asmundsen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Phoenix was well out of range. Poor timing from Asmundsen.
Asmundsen takes a swing at Phoenix's ribcage but misses.
Phoenix lands with a good body shot.
Asmundsen stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Phoenix.
Asmundsen moves away from the strike by Phoenix.
A big right from Phoenix misses.
Asmundsen is looking to slow Phoenix down with leg kicks.
Asmundsen moves out of range of the strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix throws a hook but Asmundsen blocks it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Phoenix rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Asmundsen cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Asmundsen loads up on a big right hand but Phoenix slips the punch.
Phoenix looks to land a right hand but Asmundsen moved out of range.
Phoenix ducks under a wild hook from Asmundsen.
Asmundsen lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Phoenix throws a leg kick but Asmundsen moved away.
Asmundsen throws a series of strikes that have Phoenix backpedaling.
Asmundsen shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Phoenix counters with a leg kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Trond Asmundsen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Asmundsen with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Phoenix just misses with a punch to the body.
Phoenix misses with a hook. Asmundsen ducked under it nicely.
Asmundsen displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Phoenix throws out the jab.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

A clash of legs there as Phoenix blocks the low kick.
Nice body punch from Asmundsen.
Asmundsen takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Phoenix scores with a jab to the body.
Asmundsen is looking to wear down Phoenix with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
A jab from Asmundsen misses.
Phoenix swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Phoenix misses with a body punch
and Asmundsen cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A slow jab from Phoenix misses its intended target.
Phoenix stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Phoenix slips under a jab.
Phoenix misses with a body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Phoenix fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Asmundsen rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Phoenix counters with a low kick, right behind Asmundsen 's knee.
Asmundsen with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A jab from Asmundsen finds it's way through Phoenix's defenses.
A swing and a miss from Phoenix.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Phoenix thuds his right hand into Asmundsen's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Asmundsen shoots and misses
and Phoenix counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Phoenix tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Asmundsen was well out of range. Poor timing from Phoenix.
Phoenix misses with a straight right.
Phoenix has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Phoenix looks to throw the jab but Asmundsen is out of range.
Phoenix displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Asmundsen throws out the jab.
Asmundsen takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Phoenix swings for the body but Asmundsen moves out of range.
Asmundsen feints and then cracks Phoenix's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Phoenix down.
Nice shot by Phoenix.
Asmundsen ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Phoenix scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Phoenix thows a left - swing and a miss!
Nice defenses there by Asmundsen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Phoenix keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Asmundsen.
Phoenix looks like he wants to counter punch here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Phoenix connects with a right hand. Asmundsen shakes it off.
Asmundsen throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Phoenix sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Asmundsen moves out of range of the strikes.
Asmundsen shoots in but Phoenix avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Phoenix misses with a low kick.
Blake Phoenix is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Asmundsen throws a chopping leg kick but Phoenix manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Phoenix connects with a solid leg kick.
Phoenix keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Asmundsen.
Asmundsen throws an ugly left hook that misses
letting Phoenix counter with a right hand.

It looks like Trond Asmundsen has been cut.
Asmundsen slips under a jab from Phoenix.
Asmundsen takes a swing at Phoenix's ribcage but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Asmundsen takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Phoenix slaps away a takedown attempt from Asmundsen, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Trond Asmundsen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Asmundsen takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Phoenix misses with a hook. Asmundsen ducked under it nicely.
Nice defenses there by Asmundsen.
A jab from Phoenix misses.
Asmundsen lands a nice hook to Phoenix's body. Phoenix takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Asmundsen takes a swing at Phoenix's ribcage but misses.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Asmundsen, as that shot connected.
Asmundsen moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Phoenix throws a right hand that misses
and Asmundsen counters with a left and a right that stings Phoenix.

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 lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Asmundsen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Phoenix moves away.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Phoenix! But no joy.
Asmundsen ducks under a wild hook from Phoenix.
Asmundsen swings for the body but Phoenix moves out of range.
Asmundsen throws a push kick but Phoenix slaps the foot to one side.
Phoenix throws a big shot that misses.
Phoenix throws an off balance right hand

and Asmundsen counters with a nice double leg into side control. Phoenix won't be happy with that.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Asmundsen throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Asmundsen throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Phoenix avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Asmundsen.
Asmundsen has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Phoenix tries to get back to half guard but can't.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Blake Phoenix showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Trond Asmundsen's cut.
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. 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.

Jab from Phoenix.
Phoenix throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Asmundsen stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

Asmundsen decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Phoenix manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Phoenix is pulling down on Asmundsen's head to control his posture.
Asmundsen trying to control but Phoenix is working from the bottom.
Phoenix trying to control the position here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Asmundsen is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Phoenix working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Asmundsen.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Phoenix working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Asmundsen.
Phoenix pulls Asmundsen in close to prevent any damage.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Blake Phoenix seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Asmundsen has a takedown stuffed.
Phoenix fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Asmundsen on the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Phoenix scores with a body shot.
Asmundsen blocks a jab.
Asmundsen fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Phoenix connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Phoenix scores with a decent looking hook.
Asmundsen throws a sloppy body shot
and Phoenix counters with a stiff right hand.
Phoenix misses with a straight left.
Asmundsen uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Phoenix.
Phoenix slips under a jab from Asmundsen.
Asmundsen throws a body shot but no joy.
Asmundsen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Phoenix manages to avoid it.
Phoenix fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Asmundsen manages to avoid it.
Trond Asmundsen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Asmundsen throws a shot from downtown. Phoenix moves away and avoids it.
Asmundsen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Phoenix throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Asmundsen sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Phoenix scores with a sloppy right hand. Asmundsen should have avoided that one.
Asmundsen finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Horrible takedown attempt by Asmundsen or perhaps it was just good defense by Phoenix, which made it look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Trond Asmundsen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The fighters circling - Asmundsen throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Phoenix was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Phoenix looks to score with a jab to the body but Asmundsen is just out of range.
Asmundsen misses with a looping left.
A big left from Phoenix misses.
Asmundsen misses with a looping right.
Phoenix throws out a counter right but Asmundsen avoids it with no problem.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix misses with an uppercut.
Phoenix tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Asmundsen was well out of range. Poor timing from Phoenix.
A jab from Phoenix misses.
Asmundsen has a takedown stuffed.
Phoenix connects with a body shot.
Phoenix throws a hook but Asmundsen blocks it.
Asmundsen changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Asmundsen throws a predictable looking body shot
and Phoenix makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Asmundsen misses with an uppercut
and Phoenix counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Asmundsen misses with a takedown
enabling Phoenix to counter with a crisp jab.
Asmundsen ducks right into an uppercut from Phoenix.
Phoenix missing with a left hand there. Asmundsen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

And that's the end of the fight!
Blake Phoenix comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Phoenix winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Chris Edwards scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 27:30

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.