PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Paul Phoenix (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Robin Convents (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Phoenix comes to the cage accompanied by Phoenix. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Phoenix
vs
Convents

187 cm
28
250 lbs
10 - 11 - 0

200 cm
29
268 lbs
17 - 18 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Determined

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 10 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Paul Phoenix!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Robin Convents!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Tiny Johnson and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Phoenix is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Convents's half guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Phoenix slips a nice elbow through Convents's hands, connecting with Convents's forehead.
Convents moves into full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Convents has his foot on Phoenix's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Phoenix works his way back into a safe position though.

Convents is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Phoenix is aware though and is defending well.

Convents throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Phoenix prevents Convents from getting back to his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Convents tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Convents is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Phoenix is aware though and is defending well.

Convents has an active guard here but Phoenix has managed to pass into half guard.
Phoenix is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Phoenix lands with a punch from half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

Phoenix wants to work for an arm triangle but Convents is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Convents is looking to escape.

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.
Convents is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Convents is trying to stand back up but Phoenix is controlling him
Convents trying to control from the bottom.
Phoenix is trying to control the action in half guard but Convents is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Convents won't allow Phoenix to pass to mount.

Phoenix is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Phoenix is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Phoenix prevents Convents from standing back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Convents tries to get to full guard but Phoenix has control of the leg.
Phoenix controlling the action here.
Convents trying to control here.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Phoenix changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Convents looks gassed!

Phoenix gets a double leg takedown into Convents's guard.
Convents being controlled here, momentarily.
Phoenix is looking to stand up but Convents won't let him.
Phoenix trying to control but Convents is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix works over Convents with some ground and pound from guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Convents is looking to stand up but Phoenix isn't so interested in that idea.
Phoenix pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Convents is keeping the position for now.
Phoenix passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Phoenix tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Convents is looking for a sweep.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Phoenix is putting a hurting on Convents here, landing some big shots from side control.
Phoenix working the ground and pound from side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Phoenix circles away from the clinch attempt
and Phoenix counters with a body kick.
Convents displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Phoenix.
Convents fails to land the takedown.
Phoenix misses with a body kick.

Phoenix moves into the clinch.
Convents has had enough of the clinch but Phoenix keeps him there for the moment.
Phoenix drops down looking for an ankle pick but Convents pulls his leg out and moves away.
Phoenix circles away from the clinch attempt
and Phoenix counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Convents thinking.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Phoenix shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Convents but Convents pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Paul Phoenix. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Convents is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Phoenix clinches up against the cage.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Phoenix here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.

Phoenix manages to break the clinch.

Convents gets caught napping as Phoenix dives in and scores a takedown. Convents manages to retain guard.
Phoenix controlling from the top position.
Phoenix has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Phoenix wants to pass the guard but Convents is keeping the position.
Convents keeping moving, preventing Phoenix from controlling successfully.

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

Phoenix fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Convents to the ground. Phoenix is now in Convents's guard.
Phoenix has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Convents wants to sweep here but Phoenix controlling him for the moment.
Phoenix wants to pass the guard but Convents is keeping the position.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Convents keeping moving, preventing Phoenix from controlling successfully.

Phoenix decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Phoenix turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Convents tries to clinch up

and Phoenix counters with a shoot takedown. Convents fights it but they end up in guard.
Phoenix lands a couple of digs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Convents preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Phoenix pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Convents is keeping the position for now.
Phoenix trying to control but Convents is working from the bottom.
Phoenix slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

We're going to have a standup here because Paul Phoenix wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Convents throws a head kick but Phoenix moves out of range.

Phoenix darts in and clinches Convents up against the cage.
Phoenix goes for a takedown in the clinch but Convents prevents it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Phoenix pulls guard.
Phoenix wants to sweep here but Convents controlling him for the moment.
Convents trying to control but Phoenix is working from the bottom.
Convents trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Phoenix tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Convents tries to stand but Phoenix is controlling from the bottom.
Phoenix controls Convents momentarily but Convents frees himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Phoenix dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Good shot there by Phoenix.

Phoenix gets a clinch.

Phoenix has hold of one of Convents's legs. Convents is fighting the takedown attempt but Phoenix gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.

Convents pushes a forearm under Phoenix's chin to create some space. He's escaped his hips and pivoted quickly for an armbar! Can he extend the arm? Yes, Phoenix is tapping out! Damn, that was fast!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:37 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Robin Convents!