PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Happy Hands (ranked 1337 p4p, 1972 weight class) and Gerald Phoenix (ranked 122 p4p, 168 weight class). Hands kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Pharoahe Monch- Simon Says. 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.

Hands
vs
Phoenix

169 cm
21
154
5 - 3 - 0

167 cm
21
152
6 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Powerful

Honest Apparel ($30 SPECIAL Hoodie!)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Happy Hands!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Gerald Phoenix!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Yves DeLean and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hands lands a jab to the nose.
Phoenix chopping away at his opponent's legs.
A swing and a miss from Hands.
Hands throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Hands throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hands definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Nice defenses there by Hands.
The fighters circling - Hands throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hands bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Phoenix's head.
Phoenix chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Phoenix throws a wild body kick that Hands sees coming a mile off.
Hands is looking to score with low kicks.
Phoenix throws a good cross that connects.
Phoenix blocks a leg kick.
Phoenix uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hands.
Hands misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Phoenix.
An inside leg kick lands from Hands.
Phoenix misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Phoenix with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Hands throws a head kick that half lands.
A thudding body kick lands there by Phoenix!
Hands misses the jab.
An inside leg kick from Hands misses.
Phoenix checks a leg kick nicely.
Hands has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Hands there as he acknowledges the shot.
Hands missing with a left hand there. Phoenix was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Phoenix throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Phoenix lands a nice looking body shot.
Phoenix stuns Hands with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Hands misses with a kick to the body.
Phoenix swings for the body but Hands moves out of range.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Phoenix takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Phoenix tries to clinch up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Hands takes a swing at Phoenix's ribcage but misses.
Hands swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Phoenix tried to score with a low kick but Hands checks it.
Hands with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Phoenix lands a slapping body shot.
Hands throws a leg kick that is checked
and Phoenix counters with a left and a right that stings Hands.
Phoenix blocks a leg kick.
Phoenix misses with a leg kick
and Hands makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Phoenix really felt that one!
Phoenix doesn't manage to clinch there - Hands circles away.
Phoenix uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hands.
Phoenix thuds his right hand into Hands's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Hands throws a head kick that misses
and Phoenix counters with a nice uppercut.
A lazy left from Phoenix finds it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hands misses with a low kick as Phoenix jumps back.
Nice defenses there by Phoenix.
Phoenix misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hands.
Hands lands a lovely overhand right.
Hands blocks a leg kick.
Hands throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Phoenix counters with a body kick.
Hands tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Phoenix swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Hands counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Hands throws a solid leg kick but Phoenix takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Hands.
Hands uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Phoenix.
Phoenix lands the left hand.
The fighters circling - Hands throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Phoenix throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hands tried to counter with a leg kick but Phoenix avoided it.
Phoenix has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Phoenix jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix throws a body punch but Hands moves out of range.
Hands thinks about countering with a body kick.
Phoenix staying out of range there.
Phoenix misses with a hook
and Hands counters with a stiff right hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Phoenix misses with an attempted mid kick.
Phoenix throws a low kick, looking for Hands's leg but Hands calmly moves out of range.
A quick step to the side and Hands tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Phoenix thows a left - swing and a miss!
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Phoenix.
A head kick misses from Phoenix.
Phoenix misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nice body kick there by Hands.
Phoenix takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Hands is looking to land body kicks.
Hands throws a body shot but no joy.
Phoenix steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Hands.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Phoenix lands a lovely overhand right.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Gerald Phoenix will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Phoenix throws a leg kick which misses Hands's front leg but catches the back leg as Hands tries to avoid it.
Hands looks to throw the jab but Phoenix is out of range.
Hands on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Phoenix misses with a two punch combination.
Phoenix scores with a kick to the midsection.
Hands misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A nice side step and Phoenix releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Hands waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Phoenix.
Phoenix takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.

Phoenix rushes Hands and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Hands takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Phoenix tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hands's elbow.
Hands lands a right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Phoenix - that landed with a thud.
A short uppercut from Phoenix.
Phoenix tries a body shot but Hands blocks it.
Hands effectively controlling the action here.
Phoenix lands an elbow that stopped Hands in his tracks for a moment.
Phoenix tries to work over Hands's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Phoenix swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Phoenix throws an elbow but it misses.
Phoenix throws an elbow but it misses.
Hands takes a shot to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix misses with a short punch on the inside.
Phoenix misses with the head strike.
Phoenix tries a body shot but Hands blocks it.
Phoenix misses with a body punch.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Phoenix goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Phoenix throws a punch but it's blocked by Hands.
Hands takes a knee to the side of the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix has a couple of punches blocked by Hands.
Hands taking a breather.
Hands is struggling to control the position.
Hands taking a breather.
Phoenix misses with an elbow strike.
Phoenix misses with an elbow strike.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Phoenix lands a body shot.
Hands avoiding damage as Phoenix throws knees to the body.
Phoenix has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Phoenix lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix has a couple of punches blocked by Hands.
Phoenix misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hands fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Hands blocks an uppercut.
Phoenix has a couple of punches blocked by Hands.
Phoenix tries to throw a body punch but Hands avoids it by throwing Phoenix back against the cage.
Hands tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Phoenix misses with a punch to the body.
Phoenix misses with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Phoenix fails to land.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Gerald Phoenix showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Hands's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Phoenix lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Hands throws a nice outside leg kick.
Phoenix misses with a head kick.
Phoenix misses with a double jab
and Hands cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Hands misses with a wild body shot.
Phoenix wants to counter with a clinch but Hands pushes him away.
Phoenix has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Hands.
Hands takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Hands checks the leg kick.
Hands throws a hook to the side of Phoenix's head but Phoenix sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hands throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Hands wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Good leg kick by Phoenix.
Phoenix looks for the body kick but Hands saw that one coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hands takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

Phoenix rushes Hands and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Phoenix throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Handss head.
With the fighters up against the cage, Phoenix throws an elbow but misses.
Phoenix working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Phoenix working aggressively here.
Phoenix tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Phoenix using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Hands is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Phoenix misses with a punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Hands.
A short body shot lands from Phoenix as the two fighters clinch.
Phoenix struggles to land a body shot inside as Hands controls his hands.
Phoenix goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Phoenix misses with a knee strike.
Hands prevents a body shot from Phoenix.
Hands swings wildly with an uppercut but Phoenix uses good head movement to avoid it.
Phoenix with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Phoenix trying to land knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Phoenix misses with the head strike.

Hands breaks from the clinch.
Hands throws a half hearted mid kick.
Phoenix misses with the body kick
and Hands counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Hands throws a nice head kick!
A nice inside leg kick there by Hands. That's going to slow Phoenix down.

Phoenix has closed the distance and engaged Hands in a clinch.
Hands is pushing Phoenix up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Phoenix prevents a body shot from Hands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix letting Hands take a breather here.
Phoenix tries to work over Hands's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Phoenix misses with a knee to the head.
Phoenix landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Phoenix with an attempt at a knee that misses.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Phoenix creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hands is stalling here.
Phoenix misses with a punch on the inside.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Gerald Phoenix really dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Hands misses with a body shot.
Phoenix takes a swing at Hands's ribcage but misses.
Hands throws a shot from downtown. Phoenix moves away and avoids it.
Hands moves out of range as Phoenix throws a body kick.
As Phoenix backs away, Hands returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Sloppy strikes from Phoenix. Those never looked like landing.
Hands throwing a counter right hand but Phoenix manages to avoid it.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Hands.
Good shot there by Hands.
Hands uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Phoenix.
Phoenix tries to clinch but Hands is having none of it.
Phoenix slips under a jab from Hands.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Phoenix.
Phoenix stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Hands.
Phoenix ducks under a wild hook from Hands.
Hands throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Phoenix misses with a low kick.
Hands lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Hands misses with a body punch
and Phoenix counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Phoenix throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Phoenix lands a jab.
Hands swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Phoenix tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hands was well out of range. Poor timing from Phoenix.
Hands throws a big shot that misses.
Hands tries a head kick but it misses.
Hands tries a head kick but it misses.

Phoenix drives through and clinches with Hands against the cage.
Phoenix misses with a hook from the clinch.
Phoenix lands a body punch.
Phoenix tries to work over Hands's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Phoenix missing with knees to the body.
Phoenix blocking some punches.
Phoenix throws a punch but it's blocked by Hands.

Hands breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hands throws a body punch but Phoenix moves out of range.
Hands is looking to slow Phoenix down with leg kicks.
Hands throws the kick towards the body but Phoenix avoids it.
Phoenix misses with a wild body shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Good standup being displayed there by Hands as he connects with a hook.
Phoenix misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good leg kick by Hands.
Hands fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Phoenix manages to avoid it.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Hands - that will leave a mark!
Happy Hands is winning the standup battle so far.
Hands avoids a punch combination nicely.
Phoenix moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Phoenix looks to throw the jab but Hands is out of range.
Phoenix throws a nice looking combination but Hands bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Phoenix throws a hook to the side of Hands's head but Hands sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Hands throws a body kick that misses
and Phoenix cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A punch lands to the side of Hands 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Hands moves away from the strike by Phoenix.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hands moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hands throws a sloppy head kick
and Phoenix counters with a nice kick to the body.
Phoenix blocks a jab.
Hands throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
It seemed like Phoenix was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Hands tries to work over Phoenix's front leg with a kick but Phoenix checks it.
Phoenix clobbers Hands with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Phoenix jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Hands misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Phoenix.
Phoenix pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Phoenix lands with a slapping head kick.

It looks like Happy Hands has been cut.
Hands lands a nice hook to Phoenix's body. Phoenix takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Phoenix tries to clinch up.
Hands swings and misses with a hook to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Gerald Phoenix will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Happy Hands's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Phoenix looks to land a left hand but Hands moved out of range nicely.
Phoenix throws a shot to the body.
Hands keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Phoenix. Hands does a little dance to reset his feet.
A little feinted left hand from Hands on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Phoenix misses with a right hand
and Hands counters with a left to the body.
Hands missing with a left hand there. Phoenix was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Phoenix moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Hands lands with a thumping leg kick.
Hands takes one to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fighters circling - Phoenix throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Phoenix tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Phoenix fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Donk. Phoenix catches Hands right on the button with a cross.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hands tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Phoenix was well out of range. Poor timing from Hands.
A head kick misses from Hands.
Hands will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Hands throws a head kick that misses
and Phoenix connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Hands. Phoenix shrugs it off though.
Phoenix takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Nice body punch from Hands.
Hands lands a head kick. Phoenix smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Nice shot by Hands.
Hands paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Hands throws a low kick but Phoenix avoids it.
Phoenix tries to counter by closing the distance.

Phoenix moves into the clinch.
Hands taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Phoenix tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hands fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Phoenix misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Phoenix throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Handss head.
Phoenix struggles to land a body shot inside as Hands controls his hands.
Phoenix being controlled against the cage.
Phoenix lands a left hand.
Hands managing to block the knees to the body from Phoenix.
Gerald Phoenix seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hands wants to break free but Phoenix has control.
Phoenix throws a punch but it's blocked by Hands.
Phoenix's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Phoenix lands a shoulder strike.
Hands lands with a light punch inside.
Phoenix missing with knees to the body.
Phoenix prevents Hands from breaking the clinch.
Phoenix lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Hands.
A bit of stalling here from Hands.
Hands blocking some punches.
A shot in the inside from Phoenix.
Gerald Phoenix is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Hands is looking to control Phoenix's arms but Phoenix gets an underhook and turns him. Now Hands has his back to the cage.
Phoenix tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Happy Hands has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hands's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Hands misses with a hook to the ribs.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Gerald Phoenix.
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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 45:50
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 45:50
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 47:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gerald Phoenix!
Gerald Phoenix is the new featherweight champion!
Post fight, Gerald Phoenix took to the microphone: 'Respet to Happy Hands, but the Title belongs to me! This has been long overdue. Anyone wants to come for the belt, good luck! '.
The defeated Happy Hands had this to say: '...(Nothing... he just stared intensely into the cameraman and then threw down the mic.)'.