PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Super Phoenix (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tiago Lobato (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Lobato's choice of entrance music: SDF. Tiago Lobato is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Phoenix
vs
Lobato

180 cm
23
143 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

150 cm
22
130 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Likes ground

Nutrition 101

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Super Phoenix!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Tiago Lobato!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Thiago Cunha and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lobato misses with a jab, cross combination.
Phoenix dodges the punch combination from Lobato.
Lobato wants to clinch up but Phoenix keeps it at a distance.
Phoenix lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Phoenix really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Phoenix wants to land a leg kick but Lobato is out of range.
Lobato shoots in for a double leg but Phoenix sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Lobato fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Lobato is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
No joy there for Lobato, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Phoenix misses with a few strikes there.
A combination from Phoenix does no damage.
Lobato misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Lobato lands the left hand.
Lobato misses with a wild body shot.
Lobato falls off balance throwing a combination

and Phoenix counters with a series of strikes that sends Lobato to the canvas! Phoenix follows down into guard, looking to finish the fight!

Lobato is rocked!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Phoenix is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Lobato is still in real trouble! Can Phoenix finish him?

Phoenix gets to his feet - Lobato follows without any prompting.
Lobato seems to have recovered his senses.
Lobato misses with a jab, cross combination.
A head kick misses from Phoenix.
Phoenix connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Lobato tries to clinch there but Phoenix circles away.
Lobato showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Phoenix.
A punch combination from Phoenix misses.
Lobato misses with a double jab
letting Phoenix counter with a right hand.
Lobato swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Lobato takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Phoenix keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Lobato.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lobato shoots in but no luck this time.
A head kick misses from Phoenix.
Lobato fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Super Phoenix has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tiago Lobato.
Lobato looks gassed!
Lobato shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Phoenix as he avoids it easily.
Lobato shoots in and drives through. Phoenix sprawls well.
Phoenix is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Lobato.
Lobato has a takedown stuffed.
Phoenix misses with a takedown attempt - Lobato sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Phoenix throws a sloppy head kick

and Lobato counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Lobato.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lobato throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Phoenix wants to stand up but Lobato is controlling him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lobato wants to control from the top but Phoenix keeps moving.
Phoenix avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Lobato has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Lobato in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Lobato trying to control the position from guard on top but Phoenix is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lobato working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Lobato landing with the ground and pound.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Lobato takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lobato shoots for a double leg takedown but Phoenix sprawls well. He's pushed Lobato's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Phoenix lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Lobato backs up against the cage.
Phoenix will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.

Phoenix has taken the fight to the clinch.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Phoenix is looking to break free of the clinch but Lobato has double underhooks.
Phoenix tries to break the clinch but Lobato is controlling the position.
Phoenix tries to circle away but Lobato has him pinned against the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lobato tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Phoenix is trying to break the clinch but Lobato is controlling him.
Phoenix has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Lobato using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Phoenix has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Super Phoenix dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Lobato wants to clinch but Phoenix slips to the side
and Phoenix counters with a stiff right hand.
Lobato avoids the head kick by Phoenix.
Lobato throws a combination that misses
enabling Phoenix to counter with a crisp jab.
Lobato changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Phoenix tries to avoid it but Lobato manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Phoenix to the ground. Phoenix escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Lobato is trying hard to land a takedown here. Phoenix sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Lobato misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Lobato checks the leg kick nicely there.
Phoenix will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Super Phoenix is winning the standup battle so far.
Phoenix thuds his right hand into Lobato's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Phoenix swinging wilding here.
Lobato throws a combination that misses
and Phoenix counters with a one-two to the body.
Phoenix throws a series of punches but Lobato moves out of range.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Phoenix misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Phoenix throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lobato fails with a takedown attempt.
Super Phoenix has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tiago Lobato.
Lobato tries to clinch but Phoenix moves away
and Phoenix counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Phoenix keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Phoenix throws a series of punches but Lobato moves out of range.
Phoenix avoids the head kick by Lobato.
Phoenix misses with a two punch combination.
Lobato misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Phoenix moves in looking to clinch but Lobato pushes him off.
Phoenix misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Lobato checks the leg kick.
Lobato with a poor takedown
and Phoenix counters with a left and a right that stings Lobato.
Lobato changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Phoenix tries to avoid it but Lobato manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Phoenix to the ground. Phoenix escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Lobato swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Some wild striking there from Lobato.
Phoenix swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Lobato takes a swing at Phoenix's ribcage but misses.
Lobato throws a left and a right that both miss
and Phoenix makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.

Phoenix clinches.
Lobato looking for a takedown.
Phoenix is looking to break free of the clinch but Lobato has double underhooks.
Come on Phoenix - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Lobato is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Phoenix is defending well for now.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Lobato drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Phoenix gets the underhooks and prevents it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Phoenix wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Lobato is trying to stall.
Phoenix wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Lobato has him pressed against the cage.
Lobato using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Phoenix has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Phoenix wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Phoenix breaks the clinch.
Lobato slips a jab and a cross from Phoenix.
Lobato falls off balance throwing a combination
and Phoenix counters with a one-two to the body.
Phoenix misses with a double jab.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Lobato is defended easily by Phoenix.
Tiago Lobato seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Lobato.
Danga de danga de dang - Phoenix scores with a four punch combination!
Lobato shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Phoenix pinned against the cage. Phoenix gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Lobato misses with a head kick.
Lobato shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lobato displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Phoenix misses with a double jab.
Phoenix tries a head kick but it misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Super Phoenix dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Some wild striking there from Phoenix.
Lobato throws a head kick but Phoenix moves out of range.
Lobato shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Phoenix as he jumps to the side.
Lobato takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Lobato tries to clinch up
and Phoenix cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Phoenix throws a combination. Lobato tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Lobato tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Phoenix swivels and escapes.
Lobato looks to clinch
and Phoenix connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Super Phoenix is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Lobato misses with a double jab
and Phoenix counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Phoenix's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Phoenix duly obliges.
Phoenix scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Lobato throws a combination that misses
letting Phoenix counter with a right hand.
Phoenix tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A nice leg kick lands there from Lobato.
Phoenix lands a jab to the head.
Phoenix avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Phoenix moves in looking to clinch but Lobato pushes him off.
Lobato misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Phoenix lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Phoenix moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Lobato tries to clinch up
and Phoenix counters with a three punch combo that has Lobato backing up. Lobato nods at Phoenix to acknowledge the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lobato tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Lobato showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Phoenix.
Lobato is looking to land body kicks.
Phoenix throws out a powerful jab.

Phoenix clinches up against the cage.
Lobato is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Phoenix blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Phoenix can't break the clinch.
Lobato being controlled against the cage.
Phoenix avoiding damage as Lobato throws knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lobato unloads a knee to the mid-section. Phoenix lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Lobato tries to land a knee to the head but Phoenix blocks with his arms.
Lobato looking to stall.
Phoenix wants to break free but Lobato has control.
Phoenix is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Lobato is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Phoenix is trying to break the clinch but Lobato has him pressed against the cage.
Phoenix looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Lobato wants to stall.
Phoenix can't break the clinch.
Lobato has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Phoenix is trying to break the clinch but Lobato is controlling him.
Lobato trying to control the position but instead, Phoenix has worked for underhooks and has pushed Lobato into the cage.
Phoenix wants to get back to striking at distance but Lobato won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Phoenix looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Phoenix tries to circle away but Lobato has him pinned against the cage.
Phoenix has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Lobato prevents Phoenix from breaking the clinch.
Tiago Lobato has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Lobato jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Phoenix walks away with a smile on his face. Lobato gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Super Phoenix has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tiago Lobato.

Phoenix has Lobato up against the cage in a clinch.
Phoenix is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Lobato trying to control the position but instead, Phoenix has worked for underhooks and has pushed Lobato into the cage.
Phoenix has had enough of the clinch but Lobato keeps him there for the moment.
Lobato with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Phoenix is trying to force a seperation but Lobato has the dominant position.
Lobato trying to land knees to the body.
Phoenix is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Super Phoenix is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Lobato trying to stall but Phoenix improves his position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Super 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 Seu Braga scores the fight 30:27
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 30:27
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Super Phoenix!