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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Chris Leben (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Simon Phoenix (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Leben comes to the cage accompanied by Changes. Phoenix has chosen Oh la!! as his entrance music. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!
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| 200 cm
26
175 lbs
3 - 1 - 0 |
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180 cm
19
182 lbs
3 - 0 - 0 |
BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
KO power |
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BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Determined |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Chris Leben!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Simon Phoenix!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Trevor Gratis and Elvis Blanc.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Phoenix misses with a takedown attempt
and Leben counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Leben fails to land with a series of punches.
Phoenix ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Phoenix gets caught flat footed, as Leben shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Phoenix looking to hit a scissor sweep but Leben is one step ahead there.
Leben drops back, looking for a kneebar! Phoenix looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Phoenix looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Phoenix!
Phoenix takes a little break here. Leben wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Leben is looking for a sweep.
Leben can't do much from the bottom here.
Phoenix scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Leben to see if he's OK.
That's one minute gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Leben's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Leben is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Leben is trying to control Phoenix's posture but Phoenix avoids it.
Leben is trying to improve his position.
Leben really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Leben is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Leben prevents Phoenix from moving into mount.
Phoenix wants to lay and pray for a moment but Leben keeps working.
That's two 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.
Phoenix thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Phoenix trying to control the action but Leben is working from the bottom.
Phoenix working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Leben is trying to get back to half guard.
Leben is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Phoenix off and has taken his back!
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Phoenix is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Leben is staying active.
Phoenix tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Phoenix working to try and regain half guard.
Leben is trying to control here but Phoenix has managed to regain half guard.
Leben seems to be looking for submissions.
Phoenix gets full guard.
Leben wants to control from the top but Phoenix keeps moving.
Leben will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leben wants to pass the guard but Phoenix is keeping the position.
Phoenix has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Leben drops back looking for a leg! Phoenix is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Phoenix manages to kick Leben off! Leben jumps back into Phoenix's guard.
Phoenix looking to control.
Leben trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close round but Simon Phoenix will probably get the nod.
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.
Leben drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Phoenix manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Leben is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Phoenix has managed to free his arm - good work.
Leben is trying to control. Phoenix wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Leben is working for a kimura but Phoenix is defending it quite comfortably.
Phoenix makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Phoenix.
Phoenix looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Leben's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Phoenix is trying to control the position but Leben postures up.
Leben avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Leben trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Leben trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Leben wants to stand but Phoenix is controlling his posture from full guard.
Leben won't allow Phoenix to sweep him here.
Leben advances position into side control!
Leben is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Phoenix knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Leben landing a few strikes.
Leben trying to control the action but Phoenix is working from the bottom.
Leben wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Phoenix, who protects the arm well.
Phoenix manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Leben has one foot on Phoenix's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Phoenix is trying hard to land a takedown here. Leben sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leben closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Leben lands in his opponent's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Leben would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Leben trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Leben is working hard here to advance position.
Phoenix looking for a sweep. Not yet Phoenix, not yet.
Phoenix manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Phoenix throwing strikes here but Leben is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Phoenix misses with a head shot.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Leben wants to control but Phoenix is having none of it.
Phoenix trying to control but Leben is having none of it.
Phoenix avoids the attempt from Leben to control.
Leben defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Phoenix.
Leben wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.
Leben tries to break free.
Phoenix is looking to control Leben but Leben is wriggling around and keeping busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Chris Leben dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.
Leben misses with a head kick.
Leben throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Phoenix misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Simon Phoenix seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Leben looks to land a combination but Phoenix avoids it well.
Phoenix fails with a takedown attempt.
The fight stays on the outside here - Leben looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Phoenix keeps the fight on the outside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Phoenix looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Leben is fending him off so far but Phoenix persists. Nope, Leben circles away and we're back to standing.
Chris Leben has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Simon Phoenix.
Phoenix fails with a takedown attempt.
Phoenix with a lazy takedown attempt
and Leben counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Leben.
Phoenix tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Leben takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Phoenix takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Leben escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Leben shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Leben showed some decent athleticism there.
Chris Leben overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Phoenix avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Leben.
Phoenix trying to hold on to Leben's head to control him but Leben postures up.
Leben thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Leben is taking a breather. Phoenix 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.
Leben is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Leben missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix is defending against the submission attempts here by Leben.
Phoenix is positioning himself well to prevent Leben advancing to mount.
Phoenix is not content to let Leben control the position.
Phoenix trying to hold on to Leben's head to control him but Leben postures up.
Phoenix regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Leben.
Leben pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Phoenix is keeping the position for now.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leben stopping the sweep attempt from Phoenix.
Leben trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Leben drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Phoenix manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Leben has Phoenix in his guard.
Leben wants to sweep but no luck.
Phoenix wants to control from the top but Leben keeps moving.
Phoenix is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Leben is on top in guard.
Phoenix manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Leben manages to get himself to full guard.
Leben wants to sweep but no luck.
Phoenix wants to control from the top but Leben keeps moving.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Phoenix looking to sit in guard and control but Leben gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Leben drops back, looking for a kneebar! Phoenix looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Phoenix looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Phoenix!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Chris Leben clearly takes that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!
Phoenix has his takedown stuffed
and Leben counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Phoenix's guard now.
Leben wants to control from the top but Phoenix keeps moving.
Phoenix had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Leben defends it easily.
Phoenix keeping moving, preventing Leben from controlling successfully.
Phoenix is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Leben is aware though and is defending well.
Leben wants to control from the top but Phoenix keeps moving.
Leben has gone for a leg lock! Phoenix slips out almost immediately though and dives into Leben's guard.
Phoenix is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Phoenix trying to control the position from guard on top but Leben is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Leben wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Phoenix looking to sit in guard and control but Leben gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Leben wants to control from the top but Phoenix keeps moving.
Leben postures up.
That's two 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.
Leben trying to control but Phoenix is working from the bottom.
Leben drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Phoenix dives on top into guard.
Phoenix has gone for a leg lock! Leben slips out almost immediately though and dives into Phoenix's guard.
Leben preventing the sweep.
Leben trying to control the position from guard on top but Phoenix is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Phoenix is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Leben looking to pass the guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leben thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Leben trying to control the position from guard on top but Phoenix is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Phoenix trying to keep a closed guard but Leben is proving a slippery customer.
Leben stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Phoenix swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Leben has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Phoenix is proving hard to escape from.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Phoenix lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Leben!
Phoenix looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Phoenix looking to finish with strikes here!
Phoenix with good strikes from the mount here!
Leben is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Phoenix is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Leben to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Leben shrugs it off.
Phoenix wants to control but Leben has made it back to half guard. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close fourth round but I would say that Chris Leben will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!
Leben looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Phoenix!
Phoenix tries to hold on but Leben postures up.
Leben trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Phoenix slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Leben is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Phoenix wants to control but Leben is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Phoenix is defending against the submission attempts here by Leben.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Phoenix trying to control here.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Phoenix is refusing to be controlled, as Leben sits in half guard.
Leben is looking for a kimura here.
Leben is thwarting Phoenix's attempts to control the position.
Leben wants to lay and pray for a moment but Phoenix keeps working.
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 wants to get back to full guard.
Leben is pressing down on Phoenix's thigh, looking to free his foot. Phoenix is holding on for now.
Phoenix is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Leben pulls his head out easily.
Phoenix wants to get back to his feet.
Phoenix is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Leben is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Phoenix is pressing down on Leben's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leben drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Phoenix manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Leben has Phoenix in his guard.
Leben tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Simon Phoenix has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Phoenix wants to control from the top but Leben keeps moving.
Leben can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Phoenix controls the pace.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Phoenix works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Phoenix is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Leben sees it coming and defends easily.
Leben is pressing down on Phoenix's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Phoenix wants to control from the top but Leben keeps moving.
Leben has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Phoenix off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Leben fails in his attempt to clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Leben has managed to clinch.
Leben is stalling here.
Phoenix is working for takedown but Leben is calmly controlling the position for now.
Chris Leben is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Phoenix misses with an elbow strike.
And that's the end of the fight!
Chris Leben showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Leben has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.
Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 49:46
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 49:46
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 50:46
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chris Leben!
Chris Leben is the new welterweight champion!
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
62% |
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