PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Paul Phoenix (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Daniel La Ruso (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Phoenix's entrance music is Phoenix. A fine choice. La Ruso has chosen Miagi's Flute as his entrance music. This should be a great matchup!

Phoenix
vs
La Ruso

187 cm
24
250 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

190 cm
26
240 lbs
6 - 6 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
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 3 - 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 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Daniel La Ruso!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, George Francis and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Phoenix fakes high and swings low for a body shot but La Ruso manages to avoid it.
Phoenix throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around La Ruso's waist but La Ruso gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Phoenix off to one side.
La Ruso scores with a head kick.

It looks like Paul Phoenix has been cut.

Phoenix scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Phoenix thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed La Ruso's head.

La Ruso is defending against the submission attempts here by Phoenix.
Phoenix looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
La Ruso makes his way to full guard. A much better position for La Ruso.
La Ruso manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

That's one minute gone in the round.

La Ruso moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Phoenix has worked his arm free - good work by Phoenix!
La Ruso trying to control the position but Phoenix is working away.
Phoenix is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
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.

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 is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Phoenix wants to get back to his feet.
Phoenix wants to sweep but La Ruso has passed to side control!

Phoenix throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!

La Ruso throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Phoenix was covering up waiting for the punch and La Ruso finishes the takedown easily into guard.
La Ruso trying to control but Phoenix is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
La Ruso preventing the sweep.
Phoenix is looking to sweep but instead, La Ruso has passed into half guard.
La Ruso is looking to advance position but Phoenix won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Phoenix missing with punches from the bottom.
Phoenix wants to control but La Ruso is keeping busy.

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

La Ruso clinches with his opponent.
Phoenix blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Phoenix throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Phoenix goes for a takedown in the clinch but La Ruso prevents it.
La Ruso throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Phoenix blocks it with crossed arms.
La Ruso tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Phoenix avoids it.
Phoenix lands a body punch in the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Daniel La Ruso will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Paul Phoenix's cut.
That's time! Phoenix's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Phoenix shoots in for a takedown but La Ruso shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
La Ruso doesn't manage to clinch there - Phoenix circles away.
Phoenix lands with a hook. La Ruso tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Phoenix is looking to clinch but La Ruso is avoiding it.
La Ruso looks to clinch

and Phoenix moves into the clinch.
Phoenix on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
La Ruso drops down looking for an ankle pick but Phoenix pulls his leg out and moves away.
Phoenix moves out of range of the body kick from La Ruso.
La Ruso doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Phoenix counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Phoenix manages to break the clinch.

Phoenix has La Ruso up against the cage in a clinch.
Phoenix scores with a hook to the body.

Phoenix pulls guard successfully.
Phoenix wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
La Ruso is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Phoenix has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes La Ruso off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Phoenix rushes La Ruso with punches - La Ruso moves straight backwards instead of circling and gets clipped by the second strike... and the third... and the fourth! Oh, La Ruso goes down! Phoenix follows up with more strikes and the ref steps in to end the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:45 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Paul Phoenix!