PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ian Larson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paul Phoenix (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Larson comes to the cage accompanied by Manboy by Erik Saede. Phoenix has chosen Phoenix as his entrance music. Ian Larson has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Larson
vs
Phoenix

225 cm
25
279 lbs
5 - 8 - 0

187 cm
26
250 lbs
6 - 7 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Balco Boys Battle Gear

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 5 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ian Larson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Paul Phoenix!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Cecil Peabody and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Left hook, right uppercut from Larson.

It looks like Paul Phoenix has been cut.
Larson scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Phoenix doesn't seem bothered though.
Phoenix looks gassed!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Larson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Phoenix looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Phoenix misses with a hook. Larson ducked under it nicely.
Phoenix shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Larson.
Larson lands with a nice combination. Phoenix backs away looking to recover.
Larson gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Phoenix counters with a single leg into guard. Larson didn't expect that.

Larson is looking for a triangle but Phoenix pushes his legs off easily.
Phoenix is pushing down on Larson's leg trying to pass to half guard. Larson is fighting to maintain full guard but Phoenix has managed to sneak the leg through.
Phoenix wants to take a breather but Larson is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Larson is trying to get back to full guard.
Phoenix seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Larson tries to get to full guard but Phoenix has control of the leg.

Phoenix decides to stand up.
Larson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Phoenix scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Phoenix is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Phoenix is looking to advance position but Larson won't allow it.
Larson really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Phoenix is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Larson is trying to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix is thwarting Larson's attempts to control the position.
Phoenix is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

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

Phoenix shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Larson manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Phoenix won't allow Larson to sweep him here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Phoenix trying to control but Larson is working from the bottom.
Larson keeping full guard, as Phoenix tries to pass.
Phoenix wants to control from the top but Larson keeps moving.
Phoenix stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Larson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Paul Phoenix.

Larson gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Phoenix to score an easy takedown into full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ian Larson dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Paul Phoenix'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.

Larson misses with a series of wild punches.
Larson digs a good body shot into Phoenix's ribs.
Larson misses with a wild combination.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Larson.

Larson scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Phoenix sneaks back into half guard.
Larson is looking to take a break and control but Phoenix is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Phoenix trying to control but Larson postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Larson wants to free his trapped foot but Phoenix is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Phoenix regains full guard. Nicely done.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Phoenix is on top in guard.
Phoenix 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.

Phoenix stands and steps away. Larson gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Phoenix closes the distance and clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Phoenix pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Phoenix gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Larson misses with a wild body shot.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Phoenix.
Phoenix misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

Phoenix working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Larson is looking to get back to his feet here but Phoenix is keeping cool and he's managed to take Larson's back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix punches the canvas rather than the man.
Larson looking very determined here, making life difficult for Phoenix.
Larson looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Larson tries to roll but Phoenix sticks to his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
A lull in the action here.
Phoenix scores with strikes from the back.
Larson is trying to break free.
Phoenix tries to keep control of the position but Larson is staying busy.

Phoenix is working for a rear naked choke. Larson is not defending it well and Phoenix has tightened it up quickly! This could be all over! Larson refuses to tap and goes to sleep, forcing the referee to intervene. A little trickle of blood came out of Larson's nose as his head slumped to the floor. That is naaaasty!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Paul Phoenix!