PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Scott Epstien (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matthew Phoenix (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Scott Epstien has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Epstien
vs
Phoenix

173 cm
19
158 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

194 cm
18
222 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

BHP's Shaolin Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Scott Epstien!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Matthew Phoenix!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Epstien closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Phoenix wants to get back to full guard.
Epstien is trying to control the action in half guard but Phoenix is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Phoenix slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Phoenix controls Epstien momentarily but Epstien frees himself.
Phoenix keeping full guard, as Epstien tries to pass.
Epstien trying to control but Phoenix is working from the bottom.
Phoenix looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Epstien looking to pass the guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Epstien is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Scott Epstien wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Epstien fails with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Phoenix misses with an uppercut. Epstien saw that one coming.
Phoenix catches Epstien with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Phoenix fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Epstien manages to avoid it.

Epstien gets a takedown into half guard.
Epstien stalling.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Epstien is trying to control. Phoenix wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Phoenix has his hands clasped together around Epstien's back. He's all about the action.

We're going to have a standup here because Scott Epstien wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Phoenix fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Epstien looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Phoenix looks to score with a jab to the body but Epstien is just out of range.
Phoenix misses with a body shot.
Epstien takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Phoenix throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Epstien.

Epstien shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Epstien showed some decent athleticism there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix controlling the position for now.
Epstien takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Epstien wants to lay and pray for a moment but Phoenix keeps working.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Scott Epstien just wasn't active enough.
Phoenix throws a right and a left that Epstien avoids nicely.
Phoenix misses with an uppercut.
Phoenix tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Epstien manages to avoid it.

Epstien drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Epstien tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Phoenix is not content to let Epstien control the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Epstien working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Matthew Phoenix 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.

Phoenix works Epstien's body with a nice hook.

Epstien clinches up against the cage.
Epstien tries to pull guard but Phoenix forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
A body shot lands from Phoenix.
Epstien takes a shot to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Still in the clinch, Phoenix scores with a nice short uppercut.
Phoenix pushes Epstien back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Phoenix lands a right hand.
Phoenix lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Phoenix lands with a light punch inside.
Phoenix presses Epstien against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
A nice left hand lands by Phoenix.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Phoenix.

Epstien is rocked!
Phoenix lands a big right hand that drops Epstien! The killer instinct kicks in and Phoenix finishes his opponent with a series of strikes from mount. A dominating finish by Phoenix!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:02 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Matthew Phoenix!
Matthew Phoenix made sure to mention his sponsor, BHP's Shaolin Nutrition in his post fight interview.