PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Paul Phoenix (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Al Deal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Phoenix comes to the ring accompanied by Phoenix. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Phoenix
vs
Deal

187 cm
22
250 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

198 cm
23
245 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Knockout power

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 1 - 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 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Al Deal!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Gwen Towbar and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Phoenix shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Deal but Deal pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Deal closes the distance and pushes Phoenix back into the ropes.
Deal wants a takedown.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Deal.
Deal drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Deal has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Phoenix avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Paul Phoenix has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Al Deal.
Phoenix tries to circle away but Deal has him pinned against the ropes.
Phoenix is looking to control Deal's arms but Deal gets an underhook and turns him. Now Phoenix has his back to the ropes.
Deal has Phoenix pressed against the ropes, preventing Phoenix from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Phoenix has Deal pressed up against the ropes and is working for takedown. Deal manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Phoenix has Deal pressed up against the ropes and is working for takedown. Deal manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Deal missing with knees to the body.

Phoenix wants the takedown. Deal is fighting it off but Phoenix persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Deal's guard against the ropes.

Deal escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Phoenix gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Deal is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.

Phoenix takes the fight into the clinch.
Phoenix goes for a takedown attempt but Deal pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Phoenix is trying hard to land a takedown here. Deal sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Deal keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Paul Phoenix seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Phoenix looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Phoenix tries to clinch up but Deal circles away and keeps his distance.
Phoenix pivots, looking for a leg kick but Deal is out of range and Phoenix settles back down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Phoenix will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Phoenix shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Deal sprawls well. Deal wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Phoenix gets slowly back to his feet.
Phoenix fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Phoenix is breathing heavily.
Deal has his takedown stuffed

and Phoenix counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Phoenix is looking for a takedown up against the ropes. Deal gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Phoenix manages to pull guard.
Deal with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Deal wants to control from the top but Phoenix keeps moving.
Deal trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Deal slips nicely into half guard.
Deal looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Deal lands strikes from half guard.
Deal is trying to control. Phoenix wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Deal connects with a nice short shot to Phoenix's temple.
Deal wants to control but Phoenix is keeping him busy.
Deal prevents Phoenix from improving his position.
Deal landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Deal scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Deal landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Deal lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Deal working the head and body with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Deal lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Phoenix has hold of Deal's hands but Deal slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Deal trying to control from half guard but Phoenix is working away.
Deal has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Phoenix taking some punishment here, with Deal in his half guard.
Still in half guard, Deal seems content to control.
Deal is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Deal thows a huge punch but Phoenix dodges it nicely.
Phoenix tries to roll over but Deal keeps him under control.
Deal takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Al Deal dominated that round.
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.

Deal shoots in but no luck this time.
Phoenix with a lazy takedown attempt

and Deal counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Al Deal has got the better of the ground game so far.
Deal thows a big elbow that misses.
Deal lands a couple of elbows.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Phoenix tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Deal stands up over Phoenix, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Deal with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Deal wants to control from the top but Phoenix keeps moving.
Phoenix might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Deal works over Phoenix with some ground and pound from guard.
Deal is in close to Phoenix's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Deal connects with a couple of short punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Deal thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Deal throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Deal missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Deal thows a big elbow that misses.
Phoenix punching to the body, from the bottom.
Phoenix keeping moving, preventing Deal from controlling successfully.
Phoenix on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Phoenix tries to get out of the position.
Deal thows a big elbow that misses.
Deal throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Phoenix works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Phoenix fails with the takedown

and Deal counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Phoenix!
Phoenix can't escape the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Deal is landing with some decent strikes but Phoenix is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Phoenix wants to control but Deal is having none of it.
Deal dominating with strikes here.
Deal with the ground and pound from mount.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Deal postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Phoenix looks a forlorn figure.

It looks like Paul Phoenix has been cut.
Deal punishing his opponent with strikes.

Paul Phoenix's cut is getting worse.
Deal with shots to the head and body - Phoenix looks very uncomfortable down there.

Phoenix is rocked!

Paul Phoenix's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Paul Phoenix's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:02 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Al Deal!