PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mantis Phoenix (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Simo Hayha (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Simo Hayha acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Phoenix
vs
Hayha

196 cm
22
278 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

186 cm
25
220 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Determined

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Mantis Phoenix!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Simo Hayha!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, Summer Carpenter and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Phoenix connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Phoenix tries to clinch there but Hayha circles away.
Hayha blocks a jab.
Phoenix misses with a wild combination.
Phoenix tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Hayha connects with a solid leg kick.

Phoenix lands a left and a right that send Hayha crashing to the mat, dazed. Phoenix thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!

Hayha is rocked!

It looks like Simo Hayha has been cut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Phoenix changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hayha tries to avoid it but Phoenix manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hayha to the ground. Hayha escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Phoenix misses with a series of wild punches.
Hayha avoids the head kick by Phoenix.
Hayha throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Phoenix throws a series of punches but Hayha avoids them all with ease.
Hayha ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Phoenix moves away.
Phoenix looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Simo Hayha is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hayha avoids a punch combination nicely.
Phoenix on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Hayha lands with a nice body punch.
Phoenix is breathing heavily.
Hayha with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Hayha lands with a straight right. Phoenix didn't see that one coming.
Phoenix looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Hayha dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Phoenix. That did some damage!
Phoenix checks a leg kick.
Decent striking displayed by Hayha there.
Phoenix misses with the combination.
Hayha tries to work over Phoenix's front leg with a kick but Phoenix checks it.
Mantis Phoenix seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Some bone on bone action there as Phoenix checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hayha lands with a nice body punch.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Phoenix crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Hayha - the referee stops the clock and Phoenix gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Hayha. Phoenix manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Hayha throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hayha swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hayha thuds a left hand into Phoenix's body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Phoenix keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hayha.
Hayha connects with a jab.
A thudding body kick lands there by Hayha!
Hayha looks to land a body kick but Phoenix moved away.
Phoenix checks the leg kick nicely there.
Hayha loads up on a big right hand but Phoenix slips the punch.
Phoenix swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Hayha works Phoenix's body with a nice hook.
Phoenix steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Hayha. That one must have hurt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Hayha connects with a nice looking jab.
Hayha digs a good hook to Phoenix's body.
Hayha lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Hayha connects with a right hand. Phoenix shakes it off.
Phoenix takes a jab right on the kisser.
Phoenix checks a leg kick.
Hayha thuds his right hand into Phoenix's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Hayha looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Phoenix on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Hayha connects with a looping right hand.
A thudding body kick lands there by Hayha!
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!
Hayha lands with a nice body kick.
A punch lands to the side of Phoenix 's head but he takes it in his stride.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hayha misses with a leg kick.
Hayha attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Phoenix takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Hayha misses with a body kick.
Phoenix takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Hayha connects with a right hand. Phoenix shakes it off.
Hayha pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Hayha scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Phoenix doesn't seem bothered though.
Phoenix checks a leg kick nicely.
Hayha lands a jab to Phoenix's midsection.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Phoenix takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Hayha throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Phoenix ducks right into an uppercut from Hayha.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Simo Hayha dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Simo Hayha's cut.
That's time! Phoenix's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Phoenix takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Phoenix misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Hayha counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Phoenix lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hayha circles away quickly and effectively.
Phoenix darts in trying to clinch
and Hayha cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Phoenix closes the distance looking to clinch
and Hayha counters with a low kick, right behind Phoenix 's knee.
Hayha lands a jab.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hayha lands a right hook to the body.
Hayha is looking to land body kicks.
Phoenix misses with a takedown attempt
and Hayha counters with a nice body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hayha thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Phoenix if he has to take too many more of those.
Phoenix avoids the body shot from Hayha.
Hayha connects with a looping right hand.
Hayha fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Phoenix manages to avoid it.
Phoenix moves out of range as Hayha strikes.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Hayha. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Phoenix takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Hayha scores with a body shot.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Hayha lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Phoenix has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Phoenix and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Phoenix will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Hayha cracks the inside of Phoenix's front leg.
Hayha sizes up Phoenix with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Mantis Phoenix is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hayha throws out a leg kick but Phoenix moves out of range and Hayha only half commits.
Simo Hayha seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hayha scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Hayha lands a nice looking kick to the body. Phoenix takes a step back to recover.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hayha will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Hayha changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Hayha throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hayha throws a body punch but Phoenix moves out of range.
Hayha throws a front kick that sends Phoenix stumbling back into the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hayha lands a body shot.
Hayha throws a leg kick but Phoenix checks it.
A clash of legs there as Phoenix blocks the low kick.
Hayha swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nice straight punches there by Hayha. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Hayha.
Hayha is looking to land body kicks.
Good leg kick by Hayha there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix looks to throw the jab but Hayha is out of range.
Hayha throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Hayha misses with a body kick.
Hayha has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Hayha throws a leg kick but Phoenix checks it.
Hayha misses with a low kick as Phoenix jumps back.
Phoenix chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Hayha can pounce on him.
Hayha looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Hayha throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Hayha getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Hayha moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Hayha misses with a kick to the body.
Hayha pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Phoenix misses with a shot to the body
and Hayha counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Hayha scores with a nice body kick.
Hayha lands a slapping body shot.
Hayha lands a nice shot to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Phoenix takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Phoenix has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Hayha.
Hayha scores with the left hand. Phoenix knows he should have avoided that one.
Hayha throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hayha throws a body punch but Phoenix moves out of range.
Hayha 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.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hayha moves into range and connects with a jab.
Phoenix misses with a wild body shot.
Phoenix is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Hayha fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Phoenix looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Simo Hayha showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Simo Hayha'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. This is the final round!

Hayha connects with a single shot there.
Phoenix looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Phoenix lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hayha circles away quickly and effectively.
The fighters circling - Phoenix throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hayha staying out of range there.
Phoenix misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Phoenix throws a right and a left that both miss.
Phoenix throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.

Phoenix clinches.
Hayha is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Phoenix pulls him back up using the underhooks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hayha fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Hayha fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Mantis Phoenix has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Simo Hayha.

Hayha gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Phoenix striking off his back but it's not causing Hayha any problems.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Hayha thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
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.
Hayha stands and throws Phoenix's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Phoenix gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Hayha moves to back control.
Hayha not allowing Phoenix to control his hands.

Hayha has the rear naked choke here! This is very bad for Phoenix! Can he survive? No! He's out! Hayha gets to his feet and celebrates with his cornermen. He looks absolutely delighted. In the post fight interviews he takes time to thank his parents and everyone who has believed in him from the start. How sweet.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:47 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Simo Hayha!