PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Marcus Phoenix (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mariusz Pudzianowski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Phoenix comes to the cage accompanied by Dream Big - Crooked I feat Akon. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Phoenix
vs
Pudzianowski

192 cm
24
218 lbs
14 - 2 - 0

185 cm
24
200 lbs
13 - 6 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Lethal high kicks
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Rōnin
Rōnin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Marcus Phoenix!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mariusz Pudzianowski!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Dillan Fox and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Pudzianowski.
Phoenix misses with an attempted mid kick.
Pudzianowski shoots in for a takedown but Phoenix shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Pudzianowski takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Phoenix misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Pudzianowski counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Pudzianowski.
Pudzianowski lands a left hand.

Pudzianowski breaks the clinch.

Pudzianowski changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Phoenix looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Phoenix taking a bit of punishment here - Pudzianowski scoring with strikes.

Pudzianowski is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Phoenix is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Pudzianowski in side control, throwing shots but Phoenix defends.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pudzianowski misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Pudzianowski has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Phoenix struggling a bit here.
Pudzianowski grinds an elbow into Phoenix's temple.
Pudzianowski creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Phoenix sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Pudzianowski creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Phoenix sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Pudzianowski misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Phoenix parries the strikes from Pudzianowski easily there. Pudzianowski is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Phoenix to escape.
Pudzianowski throws an elbow but Phoenix slips to the side and avoids it well.

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 avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Pudzianowski.
Pudzianowski throwing strikes but Phoenix manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Pudzianowski is looking for a sweep.
Pudzianowski struggling a bit here.
Pudzianowski is trying to get back to half guard.
Pudzianowski stops Phoenix from passing to mount.
Phoenix advances to full mount.
Pudzianowski is desperately trying to improve his position but Phoenix has a good base and remains in mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Phoenix is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
Phoenix fails with an attempt to clinch.
Phoenix throws an off balance right hand

and Pudzianowski counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Pudzianowski.
Pudzianowski is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Marcus Phoenix has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mariusz Pudzianowski.
Pudzianowski misses with a punch on the inside.
Pudzianowski is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Pudzianowski drops down looking for an ankle pick but Phoenix pulls his leg out and moves away.
Phoenix misses with a hook
letting Pudzianowski counter with a right hand.
Pudzianowski throws a hook but Phoenix avoids it easily.
Phoenix rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Pudzianowski decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Phoenix's guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Pudzianowski accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Pudzianowski missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pudzianowski wants to control from the top but Phoenix keeps moving.
Pudzianowski throwing strikes from guard but Phoenix blocks nicely.
Pudzianowski throws a big right hand that misses.
Pudzianowski connects with a couple of short punches.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Pudzianowski working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Pudzianowski trying to control the position from guard on top but Phoenix is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mariusz Pudzianowski dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Phoenix misses with a lunging right hand

and Pudzianowski counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Phoenix's guard now.
Pudzianowski thows a big elbow that misses.
Mariusz Pudzianowski has got the better of the ground game so far.
Pudzianowski throwing strikes from guard but Phoenix blocks nicely.
Phoenix working a defensive guard here.

Pudzianowski 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 Pudzianowski has Phoenix in his guard.
Phoenix trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Pudzianowski manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Phoenix has momentary wrist control but Pudzianowski slips an elbow through the middle.
Pudzianowski working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Phoenix trying to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Phoenix utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Pudzianowski thows a big elbow that misses.
Phoenix keeping moving, preventing Pudzianowski from controlling successfully.
Pudzianowski in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

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.
Pudzianowski throws a strike but Phoenix rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Pudzianowski trying to control the position.
Phoenix passes into half guard.
Phoenix is keen to just control but Pudzianowski is a slippery customer.
Pudzianowski trying to hold on to Phoenix's head to control him but Phoenix postures up.

Pudzianowski looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Pudzianowski looking for submissions off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix prevents Pudzianowski from improving his position.
Pudzianowski moves into full guard.
Phoenix wants to get up but he can't break Pudzianowski's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Phoenix passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Pudzianowski tries to buck Phoenix off but Phoenix is having none of it.
Pudzianowski tries to strike from the bottom but misses.
Pudzianowski prevents Phoenix from moving into mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Pudzianowski is trying to improve his position.
Phoenix wants to control but Pudzianowski is keeping him busy.

Phoenix stands up and beckons Pudzianowski to his feet.
Pudzianowski avoids the body shot from Phoenix.
Phoenix scores with a one two! Pudzianowski had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Phoenix throws a shot from downtown. Pudzianowski moves away and avoids it.
Pudzianowski lands the left hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Mariusz Pudzianowski will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Phoenix's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Phoenix gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Pudzianowski working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Phoenix avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Pudzianowski postures up in Phoenix's guard and throws a big left but Phoenix blocks it.
Phoenix working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Pudzianowski.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Pudzianowski accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Pudzianowski thows a big elbow that misses.
Pudzianowski working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Pudzianowski working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pudzianowski postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Phoenix is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Pudzianowski, into his guard.

Pudzianowski escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Phoenix gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Pudzianowski is looking for a triangle but Phoenix pushes his legs off easily.
Phoenix wants to control from the top but Pudzianowski keeps moving.
Phoenix tries to free his leg and advance position but Pudzianowski is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix wanted to stand there but Pudzianowski had control of the position.
Phoenix wants to stand and escape but instead Pudzianowski has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Phoenix avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Pudzianowski throwing strikes from guard but Phoenix blocks nicely.

Pudzianowski thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Pudzianowski drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Phoenix dives on top into guard.

Phoenix avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Pudzianowski had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Phoenix defends it easily.

Pudzianowski is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Phoenix defends well.
Phoenix passes Pudzianowski's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Phoenix wants to stand up but Pudzianowski is controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pudzianowski is pressing down on Phoenix's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Pudzianowski is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Pudzianowski is trying to keep Phoenix in close.

Pudzianowski is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Marcus Phoenix has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Phoenix wants to stand but Pudzianowski has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Pudzianowski has his feet on Phoenix's thighs here. He's pushed Phoenix off and worked for a very quick armbar from the bottom! He's flipped onto his stomach and he's cranking hard on the arm! Phoenix screams in pain and taps out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Mariusz Pudzianowski!