PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Fredo Phoenix (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joshua Staynings (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Phoenix
vs
Staynings

180 cm
18
167 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

183 cm
18
180 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Fredo Phoenix!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Joshua Staynings!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Phoenix looks for a takedown but Staynings sprawls well.
Staynings defending well as Phoenix loads up on a big left hand.
Staynings tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Phoenix paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Staynings looks for a takedown but Phoenix sprawls well.
Phoenix fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Staynings lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Staynings.
Staynings moves out of range of the strikes.
Staynings is looking to clinch but Phoenix is avoiding it.
Staynings shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Phoenix closes this distance looking for a takedown but Staynings circles away.

Staynings bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Phoenix is breathing heavily.

Staynings is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Phoenix has escaped the position, nice work there.

Staynings looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Phoenix gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Phoenix can't escape the position.
Staynings pushing the pace here, looking to move to his opponents back and work for a finish.
Phoenix is working to get back to half guard.

Staynings is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Phoenix has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Phoenix is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

Staynings working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Phoenix gets back to half guard.
Well, if Staynings is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Staynings is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Phoenix defends it well.
Phoenix is staying active underneath Staynings, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Phoenix tries to get to full guard but Staynings has control of the leg.
Staynings wants to control but Phoenix is keeping him busy.
Still in half guard, Staynings seems content to control.

Staynings is working for a kimura but Phoenix is defending it quite comfortably.

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

Staynings looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Phoenix is trying to control the position but Staynings postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Staynings slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Staynings tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Staynings has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Phoenix tries to buck Staynings off but Staynings is having none of it.

Staynings wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Phoenix, who protects the arm well.

Staynings is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Phoenix knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Phoenix tries to buck Staynings off but Staynings is having none of it.
Staynings tries to advance to mount but can't.
Staynings cracks Phoenix with a big elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Staynings works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.

Phoenix is rocked!

Staynings working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Staynings trying to control the position but Phoenix is working away.
Staynings working away.
Staynings tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Phoenix is trying to control Staynings's posture but Staynings avoids it.
Staynings cracks Phoenix with a big right hand but Phoenix just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Oh Phoenix is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Staynings scores with a couple of short elbows.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Staynings looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Staynings thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Staynings lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Phoenix down.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joshua Staynings dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Staynings misses with a takedown
and Phoenix counters with a left and a right that stings Staynings.
Phoenix seems to have got his legs back now.
Staynings is looking to clinch but Phoenix is avoiding it.
The fight stays on the outside here - Staynings looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Phoenix keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Staynings fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Fredo Phoenix has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joshua Staynings.
Phoenix looks to land a combination but Staynings avoids it well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Staynings shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Staynings misses with a takedown attempt - Phoenix sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Staynings tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Phoenix paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Staynings shoots in and bounces Phoenix off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Phoenix avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Phoenix will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.

Phoenix had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Staynings is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Phoenix Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Staynings's back instead.
Phoenix is trying to control but Staynings is trying to escape here - he's now mounted.
Staynings is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Staynings working to try and regain half guard.
Staynings is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Joshua Staynings has got the better of the ground game so far.
Phoenix moves to take his opponent's back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Staynings turns into Phoenix and is now in his guard.
Phoenix 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.

Staynings is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Phoenix is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Phoenix has escaped and now he's on top!
Staynings wants to sweep here but Phoenix controlling him for the moment.

Staynings is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Phoenix passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Staynings is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

Phoenix looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Staynings tries to roll over but Phoenix keeps him under control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Staynings moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Phoenix tries to free his leg and advance position but Staynings is retaining full guard.
Phoenix wants to control from the top but Staynings keeps moving.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Staynings shoots in and drives through. Phoenix sprawls well.
Phoenix tries to clinch

and Staynings counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Phoenix had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Staynings is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Phoenix Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Staynings's back instead.
Staynings surviving as best he can, preventing damage.
Phoenix lands a punch that was close to the back of the head but the ref thinks it's OK.
Staynings tries to roll but Phoenix sticks to his back.
Phoenix is trying to stick to Staynings's back but Staynings is turning into Phoenix. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Phoenix's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Staynings.

Staynings drops back looking for a leg! Phoenix is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Phoenix manages to kick Staynings off! Staynings jumps back into Phoenix's guard.
Staynings tries to free his leg and advance position but Phoenix is retaining full guard.
Staynings postures up.
Phoenix working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Staynings.
Staynings wants to control from the top but Phoenix keeps moving.

Phoenix has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Staynings can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Joshua Staynings will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Staynings shoots in and drives through. Phoenix sprawls well.

Staynings looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Staynings moves into full mount! Phoenix won't be happy about that!

Staynings is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Phoenix is surviving well by controlling Staynings's body position as best he can.
Staynings is trying to take his opponent's back.
Staynings scoring with strikes but Phoenix is staying in there.
Staynings looking to finish Phoenix with some ground and pound. This is bad for Phoenix!
Phoenix flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Phoenix wants to control but Staynings is having none of it.

Staynings is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Phoenix has managed to escape the submission attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Staynings looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Phoenix tries to hold on but Staynings pushes him away.
Staynings throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Staynings avoids the attempt from Phoenix to control.
Phoenix swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Phoenix really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Phoenix is working hard here to advance position.
Staynings is looking to stand but Staynings has his arms wrapped tightly around him, looking to prevent the damage.
Phoenix manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Staynings frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

Phoenix defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Staynings.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Staynings goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Phoenix turns into him and now he's in Staynings's guard.
Phoenix preventing the sweep.
Phoenix passes into half guard.
Staynings is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Phoenix wants to take a breather but Staynings is having none of it.
Staynings tries to roll over but Phoenix keeps him under control.
Staynings manages to get to full guard.
Staynings looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Staynings working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Phoenix doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Phoenix manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Phoenix looking to pass the guard.
Staynings is trying to control the position but Phoenix postures up.

Staynings looking for a triangle here. Phoenix is fighting it but it looks tight! Staynings pulls the arm across and this one won't last much longer! Nope, Phoenix is tapping out - this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:44 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Joshua Staynings!