PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jenson StMarx (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bruce Phillips (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). StMarx's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Skank Monkey. Phillips has chosen "Shoot to Thrill" by AC/DC as his entrance music. Jenson StMarx could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Bruce Phillips's chin.

StMarx
vs
Phillips

170 cm
19
145 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

172 cm
23
152 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jenson StMarx!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Bruce Phillips!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, John Mangel and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
StMarx fails with a takedown attempt.

Phillips moves into the clinch.
StMarx has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Phillips is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Phillips works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
StMarx preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Phillips trying to control the position from guard on top but StMarx is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Phillips is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Phillips wants to pass the guard but StMarx is keeping the position.
Phillips seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Phillips pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. StMarx is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
StMarx 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.
Phillips trying to control but StMarx is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
StMarx wants to clinch but Phillips slips to the side

and Phillips counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Phillips passes StMarx's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
StMarx works his way to full guard. Good work.
StMarx looking to hit a scissor sweep but Phillips is one step ahead there.
Phillips trying to control but StMarx is working from the bottom.
Phillips must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

StMarx escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Phillips gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
StMarx is breathing heavily.
Phillips trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Phillips advances to half guard.

Phillips decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.

Phillips shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. StMarx is trying to defend but Phillips finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Phillips seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Phillips throwing shots but StMarx is blocking nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phillips is taking a breather. StMarx says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
I looks like Phillips might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Bruce Phillips.

Phillips forces StMarx back against the cage and clinches.

Phillips pulls guard.
Phillips looking for a sweep. Not yet Phillips, not yet.
Phillips is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
StMarx throws a big right hand that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phillips 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.

Phillips pushes StMarx off and gets back to his feet.
Phillips changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. StMarx tries to avoid it but Phillips manages to keep hold of a leg and drag StMarx to the ground. StMarx escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Phillips closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
StMarx tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Phillips smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jenson StMarx. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Phillips has StMarx up against the cage in a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bruce Phillips dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

StMarx tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Phillips counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

Phillips tightens his grip and picks StMarx up, before dumping him to the ground. StMarx manages to land in guard.
StMarx keeping moving, preventing Phillips from controlling successfully.
Phillips pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. StMarx is keeping the position for now.
StMarx keeping moving, preventing Phillips from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Phillips sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Phillips drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Phillips jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
StMarx wants to stand and escape but Phillips is having none of it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Phillips controls from within his opponent's guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Phillips has StMarx up against the cage in a clinch.
Phillips avoiding damage.

Phillips manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
StMarx slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
StMarx tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
StMarx is looking to take a break and control but Phillips is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Phillips holds on to StMarx's head and controls the position momentarily.
Phillips gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phillips wants to get back to his feet.
StMarx not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Phillips is controlling StMarx's position as best he can from this difficult position.
StMarx thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Phillips's head.
Phillips keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.

Phillips manages to escape and get back to his feet!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
StMarx gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Phillips holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Phillips breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Phillips shoots in and bounces StMarx off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Phillips is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
StMarx keeping full guard, as Phillips tries to pass.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bruce Phillips showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Phillips closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Phillips lands in his opponent's guard.

Phillips stands and steps away. StMarx gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
StMarx tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Phillips counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Phillips jumps into guard, dragging StMarx to the mat.
StMarx trying to control the position from guard on top but Phillips is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
StMarx won't allow Phillips to sweep him here.

Phillips wriggles free and stands up.
StMarx clinches but Phillips breaks the clinch

and Phillips counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in StMarx's guard now.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Phillips stands and throws StMarx's legs to the side, diving into side control.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Phillips works to advance to full mount. StMarx defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Phillips content just to control the position here.

Phillips with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

Phillips is standing up, even though he is in mount.

Phillips has managed to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
StMarx tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Phillips avoids it.

Phillips works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Phillips with a flurry of punches that miss.
Phillips wants to pass the guard but StMarx is keeping the position.
Phillips showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
StMarx bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Phillips's guard.
Phillips has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Phillips controlling the position.
Phillips 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phillips trying to control the position here.
Phillips working a defensive guard here.

StMarx is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Phillips is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Phillips has escaped and now he's on top!
Phillips postures up and lands a big shot to StMarx's brow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Phillips controls from within his opponent's guard.
Phillips connects with a couple of short punches.
Jenson StMarx has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Phillips is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Bruce Phillips.
StMarx tries to clinch up

and Phillips counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Phillips controls from within his opponent's guard.
Bruce Phillips is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bruce Phillips comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Phillips has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 26:30
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 26:30
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bruce Phillips!