PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Phantom Menace (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matt Still (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Menace comes to the cage accompanied by Leroy Brown. The key to victory for Phantom Menace has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Menace
vs
Still

190 cm
22
210 lbs
10 - 3 - 0

185 cm
25
213 lbs
10 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Powerful

SPARTAN FIGHTWARE

BioPharm Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Phantom Menace!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Matt Still!
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, Alyssa Summers and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Still shoots in and drives through. Menace sprawls well.
Menace ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Still moves away.
Menace misses with a body shot.
Menace ducks under a wild hook from Still.
Still ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Still misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Menace takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Still missing with a left hand there. Menace was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Still closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Still lands in his opponent's guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Menace is on top in guard.

Still had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Menace defends it easily.

Still is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Menace is in close to Still's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Menace is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Menace throwing strikes from guard but Still blocks nicely.
Menace with a flurry of punches that miss.
Menace wants to pass the guard but Still is keeping the position.

Still has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Menace can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Still is on top in guard.

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

Menace had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Still defends it easily.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Menace throws a nice elbow from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Still pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Menace is keeping the position for now.
Menace 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.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Still trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Still stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Menace swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Menace trying to keep a closed guard but Still is proving a slippery customer.
Still working some strikes from top position.
Still wants to control from the top but Menace keeps moving.

Menace had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Still defends it easily.
Still throws a strike but Menace rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Still working for a triangle but Menace defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Menace is in close to Still's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Still escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Menace gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Still working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Menace.
Still looking to hit a scissor sweep but Menace is one step ahead there.

Still is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Menace defends well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Menace scoring with punches to the head and body.
Menace postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Menace accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Menace throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Menace loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Menace got a little sloppy there for a moment and Still has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Menace has managed to get both his arms back between Still's legs - danger averted.
Menace pushes down on Still's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Menace throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Still is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Still makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Still.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Menace passes Still's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Menace is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Still is just riding it out for now. Menace eventually gives up the hold.
Menace thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Phantom Menace will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Menace throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Menace fails to land with a series of punches.
Menace slips under a jab.
Still takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

It looks like Matt Still has been cut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Menace gets caught flat footed, as Still shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Menace working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Still doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Still manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Menace escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Still gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Still stands and throws Menace's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Still landing a few strikes.
Still landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Still scores with a couple of short elbows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Still landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Menace is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Menace is looking to improve his position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Still trying to control the action but Menace is working from the bottom.
Still thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Menace slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Menace is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Still defends well.
Still lands a couple of elbows.
Still lands a couple of elbows.

Still got a little sloppy there for a moment and Menace has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Still has managed to get both his arms back between Menace's legs - danger averted.

Still avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Still content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Menace lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Still!
Still is desperately trying to improve his position but Menace has a good base and remains in mount.
Menace is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Still can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Menace prevents Still from getting the reversal.
Menace with good strikes from the mount here!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Still sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

Still looking for submissions off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Menace seems to be looking for submissions.
Still moves into full guard.
Menace thows a big elbow that misses.
Still lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Menace!
Still lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Menace tries to reverse the position but Still maintains control.
Still trying to control but Menace is having none of it.

Still looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Menace regains half guard.

Menace looking for submissions off his back.
Still passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Menace!
Menace is trying to escape the mount.
Still is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Menace can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Still prevents Menace from getting the reversal.
Menace regains half guard.
Nice strikes from Still there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Phantom Menace dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Matt Still's cut.
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.

Menace slips under a jab.
Phantom Menace is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Menace tests Still's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Still lands a nice looking body shot.
Menace lands a head shot.
Menace rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Still moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Menace keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Still closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Menace did well to prevent Still getting side control.
Still slips a nice elbow through Menace's hands, connecting with Menace's forehead.
Matt Still has got the better of the ground game so far.
Nice strikes from Still there.
Menace is looking for a sweep. Still is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Still thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Still takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Menace is in trouble now - Still has advanced to mount!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Menace is controlling an arm, preventing Still from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.
Menace is trying desperately to improve position.
Still looking to control but Menace is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Menace is trying desperately to improve position.
Menace tries to hold on but Still postures up.

Still is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Menace to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Menace shrugs it off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Menace is in all sorts of trouble here.
Menace is working hard here to advance position.

Still is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Menace can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.

Still goes for an armbar but Menace turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Menace.

Still working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Menace doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Menace manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Menace passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Still is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Menace off and has taken his back!
Menace is in bad spot here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Still looking for the choke but no joy.
Still throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.
Still doesn't have the hooks in and Menace manages to turn into his guard.
Menace trying to control but Still is working from the bottom.
Still has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Still looking for a guillotine here but Menace defends easily.
Menace forces his way into half guard.
Still is pressing down on Menace's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Still has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Menace can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Menace is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Menace working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Menace trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Still is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Menace is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Still looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Menace scoring with some ground and pound.
Menace preventing the sweep.

Menace drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Menace jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Still is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Menace is aware though and is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Phantom Menace did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The cut man is working on Matt Still's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Still waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Menace.
Still misses with a straight left.
Still looks to land a left hand but Menace moved out of range nicely.
Nice defenses there by Menace.
Menace stuffs the takedown.
Still tries to score a power double leg takedown but Menace sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Still somewhat.
Still looks to land a left hand but Menace moved out of range nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Still shoots in looking for a takedown. Menace tries to sprawl out of it but Still keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Menace manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Phantom Menace has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matt Still.
Still loads up on a big right hand but Menace slips the punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Menace connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Still is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Menace thows a left - swing and a miss!
Still looks to throw the jab but Menace is out of range.
Still misses the jab.
Still swings away with a body shot that misses
and Menace counters with a stiff right hand.
Menace avoids the body shot from Still.
Menace works the jab nicely.
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!
Still falls off balance throwing a combination
and Menace counters with a nice uppercut.
Menace takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Still throws a big shot that misses.
A punch combination from Menace misses.
Still throws a hook but Menace blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Still pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Menace throws a series of punches but Still moves out of range.
Still misses with a hook.
Menace lands a jab to the head.
Still throws a left and a right that both miss
and Menace counters with a left and a right... And another left! Still is down! He's done! The ref dives in to save him and that's the end of the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:25 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Phantom Menace!
Phantom Menace retains his light heavyweight title!