PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Paul Phoenix (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ben Richards (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Phoenix comes into the arena with Phoenix blaring out of the sound system. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Phoenix
vs
Richards

187 cm
23
250 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

190 cm
20
220 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 2 - 4 - 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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ben Richards!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Wesley Smith and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Phoenix keeps the fight on the outside.
Richards tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Phoenix keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Phoenix has managed to clinch.
Phoenix on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Richards pushes off an throws an elbow but Phoenix leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the ropes.
Phoenix avoids the elbow strike from Richards, against the ropes.
Richards looking to throw knees to the head but Phoenix is blocking nicely.

Phoenix has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Richards uses from the top position.
Phoenix throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

Phoenix uses the ropes to get back to his feet.
Phoenix ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Richards moves away.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Phoenix.
Richards tries to improve position but can't.
Richards pushes Phoenix away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Phoenix gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Phoenix has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Richards trying to remain calm as Phoenix controls from the top position.
Richards wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Phoenix is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Richards knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Richards is trying to get back to his feet.
Richards throws a few strikes from the bottom but Phoenix takes advantage and mounts!
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Richards tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Phoenix has his opponent pinned against the ropes, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Richards's face.
Richards srikes from the bottom but he's lost position and has given up his back.
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.
Richards is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Phoenix.
Richards looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.

Phoenix is working the back position looking for the choke. Oh, he's slid into an armbar! Beautiful transition and Richards taps out! Fantastic Jiu Jitsu from Phoenix.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:01 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Paul Phoenix!