PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Dario Argento (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kevin Phillips (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Phillips has chosen Norma Jean-Kill More Presidents as his entrance music. Kevin Phillips struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 157.2lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Kevin Phillips has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Dario Argento's chin.

Argento
vs
Phillips

180 cm
24
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
23
167 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Great low kicks
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Dario Argento!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kevin Phillips!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Hirohito Nitta and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Phillips misses with a hook
and Argento connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Argento tries for a takedown but Phillips manages to get underhooks.

Phillips manages to break the clinch.
Kevin Phillips seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Phillips tries to keep at a distance but Argento has taken the fight into the clinch.
Phillips prevents the takedown attempt.
Phillips is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Argento pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Argento lands a knee to the body.
Phillips tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Phillips's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Argento lands a nice shot to the body.
Argento throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Phillips looks gassed!
Argento scores with a kick to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Argento throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Phillips's head.

Argento clinches with his opponent.

Argento's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nice sprawl there from Phillips as Argento shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dario Argento. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Argento drives through and clinches with Phillips against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Phillips tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Argento's elbow.
Argento is trying to stall.
A frustrated look appears on Phillips's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Argento breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Argento shoots in looking for a takedown. Phillips tries to sprawl out of it but Argento keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Phillips manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Phillips swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Argento counters with a head kick.
Argento closes the distance and clinches up with Phillips, looking for a takedown. Argento pushes Phillips against the cage but Phillips circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Argento moves into the clinch.
Argento looking to stall.
Phillips looking to stall.

Argento breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Argento shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Argento trying to control but Phillips is having none of it.

Argento working for a guillotine from mount but Phillips is in no mood to give up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Argento throws some wild stikes that Phillips manages to avoid easily.
Argento looking to control but Phillips is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phillips suckers Argento into throwing a sloppy strike and uses the momentum to reverse the position beautifully! Phillips is now in Argento's guard!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Argento had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Phillips defends it easily.
Phillips controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
It 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.
Phillips stopping the sweep attempt from Argento.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Argento is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Phillips stands up and waves to Argento to follow him.
Horrible takedown by Argento or perhaps it was just good defense by Phillips which made him look bad.
Phillips misses with a combination
and Argento counters with a flying knee. Nice.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Argento slaps away a takedown attempt from Phillips, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Argento shoots in and drives through. Phillips sprawls well.
Phillips swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Argento counters with a nice body kick.

Argento closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
The referee is keeping an eye on Argento - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Argento is trying to break free.
Phillips stalling in the clinch.

Argento breaks the clinch.
A shot to the liver by Argento. Beautiful body shot.
Argento lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Crunch! Argento slams his shin into Phillips's torso.
Argento lands a jab to Phillips's midsection.

Argento clinches.
Argento jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Phillips walks away with a smile on his face. Argento gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
A head kick from Argento lands but Phillips takes it in his stride.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Argento fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Phillips avoids it really well and circles away.

Argento gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Argento drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Argento changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Phillips fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Argento clinches up against the cage.
Phillips throws a head punch that misses.

Phillips escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Phillips tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Argento counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Phillips takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Phillips stuffs the takedown attempt from Argento. Argento gets slowly back to his feet.
Argento misses with a takedown attempt - Phillips sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Phillips pushes Argento up against the cage in a clinch.
Argento jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Phillips walks away with a smile on his face. Argento gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Argento avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Argento fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Argento throws a head kick that half lands.
Phillips displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Argento.
Argento shoots in but Phillips avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Argento moves into range and clinches up with Phillips.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Argento is pressed up against the cage. Phillips has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Argento down to the mat. Argento avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Nice takedown defense from Phillips. No joy for Argento on that attempt.
Phillips looks to clinch

and Argento counters by moving into the clinch.
Argento looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Phillips tries to land knees in the clinch but Argento avoids the damage to the body.
Argento looking for a takedown.

Argento has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Phillips uses from the top position.

Phillips gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Argento with a poor takedown

and Phillips counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Phillips.
Argento looking to throw knees to the head but Phillips is blocking nicely.

Argento breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Phillips fails in his attempt to clinch.
Phillips takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Phillips tries to clinch up.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Argento tries to score a power double leg takedown but Phillips sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Argento somewhat.
Phillips looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
No luck for Argento with that takedown attempt.
Argento dives in and grabs Phillips's left leg, looking for a takedown. Phillips pushes down on Argento's head and hops out.

Phillips shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Argento napping and manages to drive through into side control!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Phillips lands some shots froms side control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Phillips stands up.

Argento closes the distance and clinches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Argento closes the distance and clinches.
Argento tries to pull guard but Phillips holds him up against the cage and eventually Argento drops back down to his feet.
Phillips has Argento pressed against the cage, preventing Argento from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Phillips is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Argento is defending well for now.
Phillips tries to break the clinch but Argento is controlling the position.
Phillips gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Argento.
Argento has Phillips pressed against the cage, preventing Phillips from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Argento fails to pull guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dario Argento. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Argento drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Phillips gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Phillips manages to break the clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Phillips dives in and grabs Argento's left leg, looking for a takedown. Argento pushes down on Phillips's head and hops out.
Phillips is looking to clinch but Argento is avoiding it.
Argento shoots for a takedown but Phillips saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Dario Argento is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Argento lands a front kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Argento throws a one two combo.
Phillips takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Phillips wants to clinch but Argento slips to the side

and Argento counters with a shoot takedown. Phillips fights it but they end up in guard.
Phillips has a closed guard, preventing Argento from standing up.
Argento trying to control but Phillips is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Phillips wants to stand but Argento is controlling the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Dario Argento.

Argento closes the distance and pushes Phillips back into the cage.
Argento tries to pull guard but Phillips holds him up against the cage and eventually Argento drops back down to his feet.

Argento manages to break the clinch.

Argento clinches.
Phillips misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Argento.
Argento fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Phillips tries to land knees in the clinch but Argento avoids the damage to the body.
Argento tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Argento breaks the clinch.
Argento is trying hard to land a takedown here. Phillips sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Argento digs a good body shot into Phillips's ribs.
Argento scores with a one two! Phillips had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Dario Argento is winning the standup battle so far.
A jab from Argento finds it's way through Phillips's defenses.
Phillips stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Phillips wants it to stay on the feet.
Argento looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Phillips is fending him off so far but Argento persists. Nope, Phillips circles away and we're back to standing.

Argento rushes Phillips and presses him up against the cage.
Phillips wants a takedown.
Argento is working for takedown but Phillips is calmly controlling the position for now.
Phillips tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Argento's elbow.
Argento can't get the takedown.
Argento tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Phillips just stands there and leans against the cage.
Argento tries to break the clinch but Phillips is controlling the position.

Phillips drags the fight down to the ground.
Phillips managing to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phillips working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Argento.
Argento trying to control the position from guard on top but Phillips is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Argento wants to stand and escape but instead Phillips has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Argento tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Argento is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Argento avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Argento is looking to stand up but Phillips isn't so interested in that idea.

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

Argento clinches up against the cage.
Argento gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Phillips.
Argento has Phillips pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Phillips manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Argento changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Phillips fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Argento shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Phillips eats them both and turns towards Argento to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Argento shoots for a takedown but Phillips saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Argento scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Phillips is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Phillips darts in trying to clinch

and Argento holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Argento is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Still in the clinch, Phillips scores with a nice short uppercut.
Phillips is working for takedown but Argento is calmly controlling the position for now.
Argento is looking to control Phillips's arms but Phillips gets an underhook and turns him. Now Argento has his back to the cage.
Argento wants a takedown.
Argento tries for a takedown but Phillips manages to get underhooks.
Phillips throws a knee to the head but misses.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Phillips is working for takedown but Argento is calmly controlling the position for now.
Argento tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Phillips working hard to break the clinch.
Phillips has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Argento avoiding damage as Phillips throws knees to the body.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Phillips can't break the clinch.
Argento is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Phillips is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Argento gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Argento pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Argento pushes Phillips up against the cage in a clinch.
Phillips fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Argento's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Argento tries to pull guard but Phillips holds him up against the cage and eventually Argento drops back down to his feet.
Argento gets underhooks to prevent Phillips's takedown attempt.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Phillips gets underhooks to prevent Argento's takedown attempt.
Phillips tries to pull guard but Argento won't allow it.
Argento goes for a takedown attempt but Phillips pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Argento misses with a takedown

and Phillips counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Argento!
Phillips sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Argento tries to lock up and control but Phillips gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

Phillips looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Argento is squirming around, avoiding Phillips's attempts to control the action.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Argento tries to hold on but Phillips postures up.
Argento tries to get back to half guard but can't.
BOOM! Phillips connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Phillips tries to control but Argento wriggling away.
Argento tries to reverse the position but Phillips maintains control.

Phillips wants to finish this one by submission but Argento is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Phillips.
Argento tries to hold on but Phillips pushes him away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Dario Argento will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Argento moves into range and clinches up with Phillips.
Argento misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Phillips.
Phillips tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Argento smiles and moves away.
Argento is trying hard to land a takedown here. Phillips sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Phillips defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Argento.
Phillips fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Argento instigates a clinch.
Phillips keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Argento's efforts to push away.
Argento wants to get back to striking at distance but Phillips won't allow it.

Phillips breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Phillips takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Argento has Phillips up against the cage in a clinch.
Phillips prevents a takedown attempt there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dario Argento. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Argento can't break the clinch.

Phillips pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Argento gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Phillips has had enough of the clinch but Argento keeps him there for the moment.
Argento tries to pull guard but Phillips won't allow it.
A right hook to the body lands for Argento.
Phillips changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Argento fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Argento is looking to wear down Phillips with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Argento closes this distance looking for a takedown but Phillips circles away.
Argento shoots in looking for a takedown. Phillips tries to sprawl out of it but Argento keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Phillips manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Phillips wants to clinch up but Argento keeps it at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Argento closes this distance looking for a takedown but Phillips circles away.
Phillips looks for a takedown but Argento sprawls well.
Phillips stuffs the takedown attempt from Argento. Argento gets slowly back to his feet.
Argento shoots in for a takedown but Phillips shows good takedown defense.
Phillips fails to land with a series of punches.
Argento throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Phillips's head.
Phillips moves in looking to clinch but Argento pushes him off.
Phillips looks to clinch
and Argento counters with an inside leg kick.
Argento shoots for a double leg takedown but Phillips sprawls well. He's pushed Argento's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Phillips throws a head kick that misses

and Argento counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Argento.
Argento landing knees to the head.
Phillips can't get the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Argento pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Phillips tries to land a knee to the head but Argento blocks with his arms.
Phillips wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Argento has him pressed against the cage.

Argento manages to break the clinch.

Argento clinches.
Argento tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Phillips smiles and moves away.
Phillips tries to clinch but Argento moves away
and Argento counters with a two punch combo.
Argento shoots in but Phillips avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Phillips moves to clinch but Argento breaks away
and Argento counters with a left to the body.
A jab lands there for Phillips.
Argento throws a leg kick which misses Phillips's front leg but catches the back leg as Phillips tries to avoid it.
Argento closes the distance and clinches up with Phillips, looking for a takedown. Argento pushes Phillips against the cage but Phillips circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Horrible takedown by Phillips or perhaps it was just good defense by Argento which made him look bad.
Argento shoots in for a takedown but Phillips shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Argento slaps away a takedown attempt from Phillips, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Phillips has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Argento.
Argento shoots in and drives through. Phillips sprawls well.
Phillips tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Argento.
Phillips fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Argento misses with a takedown
and Phillips counters with a three punch combo that has Argento backing up. Argento nods at Phillips to acknowledge the strikes.

Argento moves into range and clinches up with Phillips.
Dario Argento has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Argento can't get the takedown.
Phillips looks to throw an elbow but misses.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Phillips throws a knee to the head but misses.
Phillips stops a takedown attempt from Argento.
Phillips looking for a takedown.
Argento goes for a takedown attempt but Phillips pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Phillips displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Argento.
Argento circles away from the clinch attempt

and Argento counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Argento.
Argento blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Argento works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Phillips keeps control of Argento as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Argento is trying to stall.
Argento drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Argento's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Phillips is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Argento has taken the fight to the clinch.
Argento is trying to maintain a safe position but Phillips gets an underhook and turns Argento into the cage.
Phillips tries to break the clinch but Argento is controlling the position.
Phillips wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Argento manages to pull guard.
Argento is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Phillips has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Argento is proving hard to escape from.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Phillips throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Argento works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Phillips prevents Argento from getting back to his feet.

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

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
A right-left combo lands from Argento.
Argento ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Argento lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

Argento fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Phillips, pushing him back against the cage.

Argento successfully pulls guard.

Argento is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Phillips decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Phillips tries to clinch but Argento moves out of range.
Argento fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Phillips avoids it really well and circles away.

Phillips has Argento up against the cage in a clinch.
Kevin Phillips has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's nine minutes gone in the round.

Argento breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Phillips misses with a combination
and Argento makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

Argento rushes Phillips and presses him up against the cage.
Argento lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Phillips misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A short body shot lands from Phillips as the two fighters clinch.
Argento jumps guard but Phillips stands there with Argento around his waist. Argento gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Phillips prevents a takedown attempt there.
Argento prevents a body shot from Phillips.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Argento.
Argento is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Phillips gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Dario Argento is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Phillips lands a knee to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dario Argento showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Argento, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 30:27
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dario Argento!