PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Forrest Griffen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paul Phoenix (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Griffen
vs
Phoenix

191 cm
22
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

187 cm
22
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Forrest Griffen!
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, Paul Phoenix !
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Griffen looks for a takedown but Phoenix sprawls well.
Phoenix throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Phoenix misses with a jab, cross combination.
Griffen tries for a takedown but Phoenix sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Phoenix fails in his attempt to clinch.
Phoenix misses with a takedown

and Griffen counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Phoenix !
Griffen can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Phoenix is looking to escape.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Phoenix is trying to reverse the position but instead Griffen has taken his back - oops!

Griffen is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Phoenix tries to roll but Griffen sticks to his back.
Griffen lands a punch that was close to the back of the head but the ref thinks it's OK.
Phoenix just trying to survive but Griffen is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Phoenix is in bad spot here.
Phoenix looks gassed!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Griffen lands punches and elbows.
Griffen tries to get the hooks in deep but Phoenix pushed the leg off.
You can see the frustration on Phoenix 's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Griffen is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.

Griffen working for the choke.
Phoenix breaks Griffen's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Phoenix with a flurry of punches that miss.
Phoenix wants to control from the top but Griffen keeps moving.

Griffen is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Griffen working a defensive guard here.

Griffen has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Phoenix can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Griffen is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Griffen seems keen to control Phoenix 's posture.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Griffen looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Phoenix trying to stand up but can't free himself from Griffen's guard.
Phoenix works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Griffen moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Phoenix 's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Griffen is trying to keep Phoenix in close.

Griffen is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Griffen not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Phoenix pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Griffen is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix pushing down on Griffen's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Phoenix is looking for a kimura here.
Phoenix slips a nice elbow through Griffen's hands, connecting with Griffen's forehead.
Griffen is staying active underneath Phoenix , who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Phoenix is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Still in half guard, Phoenix seems content to control.

Griffen is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Phoenix pulls his head out easily.
Griffen wants to control the action here but instead Phoenix manages to pass to full mount!
Phoenix is dominating on the ground here - he's now on his opponent's back, looking to sink in the hooks. Griffen is in real trouble.
Griffen manages to reverse the position and now he's in Phoenix 's guard. Nice work there by Griffen.
Griffen works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Griffen has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

Griffen has control of Phoenix 's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Phoenix regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Phoenix taking shots to the head.

It looks like Paul Phoenix has been cut.

Griffen with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Griffen fails to move to back control.
Phoenix is in all sorts of trouble here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Griffen with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Phoenix is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Phoenix is wriggling around trying to escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Forrest Griffen dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Paul Phoenix 's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Griffen with a poor takedown

and Phoenix counters with a single leg into guard. Griffen didn't expect that.
Phoenix with a nice head shot there.
Griffen trying to control the position.
Phoenix wants to pass the guard but Griffen is keeping the position.
Phoenix scoring with punches to the head and body.
Phoenix forces his way into half guard.
Phoenix is looking to advance position but Griffen won't allow it.
Phoenix wants to stand but Griffen has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Griffen trying to hold on to Phoenix 's head to control him but Phoenix postures up.
Griffen is trying to get back to full guard.

Phoenix seems to be looking for submissions.
Phoenix is breathing heavily.
Griffen gets back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Phoenix is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Griffen is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Griffen has escaped and now he's on top!
Griffen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Phoenix is keeping the position for now.
Phoenix doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Griffen wants to control from the top but Phoenix keeps moving.

Phoenix looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Griffen wants to control from the top but Phoenix keeps moving.
Griffen passes Phoenix 's left leg - he's now in half guard.

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.

Griffen is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Phoenix has managed to free his arm - good work.
Griffen prevents Phoenix from improving his position.
Phoenix gets back to full guard.
Griffen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Phoenix swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Phoenix can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Griffen controls the pace.
Griffen forces his way into half guard.

Griffen 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.
Griffen is keen to just control but Phoenix is a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Griffen passes to full mount!
Griffen controlling his opponent.

Griffen with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Griffen tries to control but Phoenix wriggling away.
Griffen content just to control the position here.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Forrest Griffen just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Griffen doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Phoenix counters with a nice double leg into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Griffen lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Phoenix !

Griffen working for a submission but Phoenix is keeping him at bay.
Phoenix is working to get back to half guard.

Griffen working for a guillotine from mount but Phoenix is in no mood to give up.
Griffen is dominating on the ground here - he's now on his opponent's back, looking to sink in the hooks. Phoenix is in real trouble.
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!
Will Griffen go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Griffen is hanging on to Phoenix 's back as he tries to escape.

Griffen is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Phoenix is defending well though. Griffen let's go of the attempt for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Phoenix showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Paul Phoenix 's cut.
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!

Phoenix shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Griffen wants to control but Phoenix is keeping busy.
Phoenix thows a huge punch but Griffen dodges it nicely.

Phoenix is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Griffen doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Phoenix .
Griffen moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Griffen wants to sweep here but Phoenix controlling him for the moment.
Griffen is trying to keep Phoenix in close.
Phoenix is stalling in the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Griffen not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Phoenix preventing the sweep.

Phoenix is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Phoenix takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Phoenix is fighting to break Griffen's control of his arms but Griffen is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Forrest Griffen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Griffen trying to keep a closed guard but Phoenix is proving a slippery customer.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Griffen with a poor takedown

so Phoenix counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Phoenix connects with a couple of short punches.
Phoenix trying to control the position from guard on top but Griffen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Griffen is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Phoenix would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Griffen working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Phoenix doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Phoenix manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Phoenix decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Griffen, up you get!

Phoenix gets caught flat footed, as Griffen shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Griffen drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Griffen jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Phoenix working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Griffen doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Griffen manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Phoenix is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Griffen is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Griffen with a nice head shot there.
Phoenix is trying to keep Griffen in close.
Griffen showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Griffen trying to control but Phoenix is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Griffen avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Phoenix is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Griffen pushing down on Phoenix 's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Phoenix is refusing to be controlled, as Griffen sits in half guard.
Phoenix regains full guard. Nicely done.
Phoenix keeping moving, preventing Griffen from controlling successfully.

Griffen is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Griffen in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Griffen slips nicely into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Phoenix is defending against the submission attempts here by Griffen.

Phoenix looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Griffen is working for a submission of some sort.
Phoenix moves into full guard.
Griffen trying to control the position from guard on top but Phoenix is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Griffen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Phoenix swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Phoenix tries to land a sweep but no joy.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Paul Phoenix .
I think Phoenix has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Paul Phoenix !