PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Paul Phoenix (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gary Emmitt Jr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Phoenix comes to the cage accompanied by Phoenix. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Phoenix
vs
Emmitt Jr

187 cm
22
250 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

194 cm
22
250 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

Dangerous GnP
Counter striker
Granite chin

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Paul Phoenix!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Gary Emmitt Jr!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, George Francis and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Phoenix feints and as Emmitt Jr raises his hands in defense, Phoenix changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Phoenix wants to get up but he can't break Emmitt Jr's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Phoenix tries to free his leg and advance position but Emmitt Jr is retaining full guard.
Phoenix content to stall in guard here.
Phoenix seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Emmitt Jr for as long as he can get away with.
Phoenix could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Phoenix wants to get up but he can't break Emmitt Jr's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Phoenix stands and steps away. Emmitt Jr gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Phoenix closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Emmitt Jr to the mat! Emmitt Jr manages to get full guard.
Emmitt Jr wants to stand and escape but Phoenix is having none of it.
Phoenix is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Phoenix tries to stand but Emmitt Jr is controlling from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Phoenix postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Emmitt Jr is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Phoenix, into his guard.
Phoenix is breathing heavily.
Phoenix has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix looking for a sweep. Not yet Phoenix, not yet.
Phoenix is trying to keep Emmitt Jr in close.
Phoenix looking for a sweep. Not yet Phoenix, not yet.
Phoenix working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Emmitt Jr.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Emmitt Jr is looking to stand up but Phoenix won't let him.
Phoenix is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Phoenix is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Phoenix is defended easily by Emmitt Jr.
Emmitt Jr misses with a two punch combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Phoenix dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Emmitt Jr tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Phoenix paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Phoenix has taken the fight to the clinch.
Phoenix tries to pull guard but Emmitt Jr holds him up against the cage and eventually Phoenix drops back down to his feet.
Phoenix tries a knee to the head but Emmitt Jr blocks it.
Phoenix keeps control of Emmitt Jr as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Phoenix blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Phoenix turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

Phoenix decides to stand up, so the ref orders Emmitt Jr to his feet.
Emmitt Jr fails to land the takedown.
Emmitt Jr lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Emmitt Jr.

It looks like Paul Phoenix has been cut.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Phoenix looks for a takedown but Emmitt Jr sprawls well.
Emmitt Jr misses with a two punch combination.
Emmitt Jr misses with a takedown

and Phoenix counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Emmitt Jr keeping full guard, as Phoenix tries to pass.
Emmitt Jr is looking to stand up but Phoenix isn't so interested in that idea.
Phoenix slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Emmitt Jr's guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Phoenix lands a nice short elbow.
Phoenix stalling.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix throwing shots but Emmitt Jr is blocking nicely.
Phoenix tries to pass to full mount but Emmitt Jr defends it.

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.

Phoenix is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Emmitt Jr has managed to free his arm - good work.
Emmitt Jr is trying to stand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Phoenix dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Paul Phoenix's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. And we move into the final round!

Emmitt Jr clinches but Phoenix breaks the clinch

and Phoenix counters by moving into the clinch.
Emmitt Jr has had enough of the clinch but Phoenix keeps him there for the moment.
Emmitt Jr wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Emmitt Jr is pressed up against the cage. Phoenix has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Emmitt Jr down to the mat. Emmitt Jr avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Emmitt Jr falls off balance throwing a combination

and Phoenix counters with a takedown into side control.
Phoenix is staying tight to Emmitt Jr's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Emmitt Jr is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Phoenix asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Phoenix lands some shots froms side control.
Emmitt Jr is trying to escape the position but Phoenix is controlling the position.
Emmitt Jr prevents Phoenix from improving position.

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.
Phoenix slows the pace down.
Phoenix working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Phoenix decides to stand back up.
Phoenix doesn't succeed with the takedown

so Emmitt Jr counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Emmitt Jr trying to control the position from guard on top but Phoenix is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Phoenix is looking to stand up but Emmitt Jr isn't so interested in that idea.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix pulls Emmitt Jr in close to prevent any damage.
Emmitt Jr preventing the sweep.
Gary Emmitt Jr has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Phoenix has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Emmitt Jr off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Paul Phoenix is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Emmitt Jr darts in trying to clinch

and Phoenix counters with a shoot takedown. Emmitt Jr fights it but they end up in guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Paul 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 30:27
Judge George Francis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 30:27

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