PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Philip Phillips (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pete Sproles (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sproles has chosen can't be touched -Roy Jones Jr as his entrance music. Philip Phillips could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Pete Sproles's chin.

Phillips
vs
Sproles

180 cm
30
177 lbs
16 - 6 - 1

174 cm
30
185 lbs
22 - 25 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class MT
Heavy handed

Black Hand Fight Gear & Laundry

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Philip Phillips!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 25 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Pete Sproles!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Steve Smith and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sproles throws a head kick but Phillips moves out of range.
Sproles tries to clinch but Phillips moves out of range.
Sproles showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Phillips.
Phillips keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sproles throws a lazy right hand but Phillips sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Sproles lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Phillips circles away quickly and effectively.
Phillips throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Phillips circles away from the clinch attempt.
Sproles throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Phillips fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Sproles sprawls well initially but Phillips persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Phillips seems to be working for a kimura but Sproles defends the submission attempt.
Phillips passes to side control.
Sproles manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Sproles keeps control of the position for the meantime.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Phillips is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Sproles doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Phillips.
Sproles is in trouble now - Phillips has advanced to mount!
Phillips seems to be looking to move to his opponent's back but Sproles is holding on tight.
Phillips throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.

Phillips looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Sproles tries to lock up and control but Phillips gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sproles is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Phillips is looking to work his way around to Sproles's back. He needs to be careful though, as he's in danger of losing this dominant position.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sproles is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Phillips raining down shots from the mount!
Sproles tries to hold on but Phillips postures up.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Phillips goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Sproles is on top in guard.
Sproles sitting in guard here, content to control.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Sproles wants to pass the guard but Phillips is keeping the position.
Phillips has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sproles trying to control but Phillips is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Pete Sproles.
Sproles tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Phillips manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Sproles misses with a hook. Phillips ducked under it nicely.
Phillips slips under a jab from Sproles.
Sproles dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Pete Sproles seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sproles throws a wild body kick that Phillips sees coming a mile off.
Phillips misses with a head kick.
Sproles lands a nice looking body shot.
Phillips throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Sproles's waist but Sproles gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Phillips off to one side.

Sproles clinches.
Sproles lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

It looks like Philip Phillips has been cut.
Phillips tries to pull guard but Sproles holds him up against the cage and eventually Phillips drops back down to his feet.
Phillips is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Philip Phillips. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sproles throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Sproles landing knees to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sproles with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Sproles throws an elbow but it misses.
Sproles lands a shot to the body.
Sproles throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Phillips blocks it with crossed arms.
Phillips is trying to drag Sproles to the mat but Sproles just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Sproles tries to land a knee to the head but Phillips blocks with his arms.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Phillips avoids the elbow strike from Sproles, against the cage.

Phillips jumps guard and drags Sproles to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Sproles controlling from the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pete Sproles dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Philip Phillips's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Sproles is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Phillips takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Phillips on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Sproles wants to clinch.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Phillips.
Jab from Sproles.
Decent striking displayed by Sproles there.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sproles misses with a wild combination.
Phillips closes the distance and lands a one-two.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Phillips blocks a head kick by Sproles.
Sproles lands a nice leg kick that just misses Phillips's sensitive parts.

Phillips shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Sproles's guard.
Phillips tries to free his leg and advance position but Sproles is retaining full guard.
Sproles is trying to control the position but Phillips postures up.
Sproles lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Phillips!
Sproles seems to be looking to move to his opponent's back but Phillips is holding on tight.
Sproles content just to control the position here.
Phillips sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Phillips is refusing to be controlled, as Sproles sits in half guard.
Phillips is looking to improve his position.
Sproles keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Pete Sproles.
Sproles misses with a head kick.
Pete Sproles is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sproles swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Phillips pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Sproles swinging wildly here.
Phillips fails with the takedown.
Sproles throws a right hand that misses
and Phillips counters with a left and a right that stings Sproles.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sproles swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Phillips counters with a straight right hand.
Phillips slips a jab from Sproles.
Sproles tries to clinch but Phillips moves out of range.
Sproles tries to close the distance and clinch but Phillips swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Sproles bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Phillips's head backwards.
Sproles wants to clinch.
Sproles throws a hook but Phillips blocks it.
Sproles swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Phillips shoots for a takedown but Sproles saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Philip Phillips. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sproles throws an off balance right hand
and Phillips counters with a three punch combo that has Sproles backing up. Sproles nods at Phillips to acknowledge the strikes.
A jab from Sproles misses.

Sproles rushes Phillips and presses him up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phillips has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Sproles is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Sproles misses with a punch on the inside.
Phillips blocks the elbow strike.
Phillips blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Phillips wants to take the fight to the mat but Sproles manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Phillips blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Sproles throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Sproles tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Sproles misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Sproles'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.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sproles lands with a short head shot on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pete Sproles showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Philip Phillips's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Phillips displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sproles throws out the jab.
Phillips slips a straight right by Sproles.
Sproles moves in looking to clinch but Phillips pushes him off.
Sproles misses with a lunging right hand

and Phillips counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Sproles trying to control the position.
Sproles looking to hit a scissor sweep but Phillips is one step ahead there.
Sproles utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Sproles wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Sproles is trying to control the position but Phillips postures up.

Pete Sproles has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Sproles moves in looking to clinch but Phillips pushes him off.
Phillips slips a jab and a cross from Sproles.
Sproles tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big right from Sproles misses.
Sproles lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

Phillips moves into the clinch.
Phillips is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Sproles is defending well.
Sproles using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Phillips has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Phillips tries to score a body lock takedown but Sproles shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Sproles tries a knee to the head but Phillips blocks it.

Sproles breaks from the clinch.
Sproles misses with the combination.
Phillips swats away the attempt to clinch by Sproles.
Phillips fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Sproles avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Philip Phillips. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sproles throws an off balance right hand
and Phillips counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Horrible takedown by Phillips or perhaps it was just good defense by Sproles which made him look bad.
Sproles with a nice cross.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sproles misses with a double jab
and Phillips counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Phillips tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Sproles tries to close the distance and clinch up but Phillips swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Sproles lands a nice looking body shot.
A big right from Sproles misses.
Phillips just misses with a punch to the body.
Sproles rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

so Phillips counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Sproles looking for a sweep. Not yet Sproles, not yet.
Phillips pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sproles is keeping the position for now.
Phillips is pushing down on Sproles's leg trying to pass to half guard. Sproles is fighting to maintain full guard but Phillips has managed to sneak the leg through.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Phillips seems to be looking for submissions.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Phillips prevents Sproles from improving his position.
Sproles holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Phillips thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Sproles keeping hold of Phillips's head, controlling as best he can.
Sproles trying to control but Phillips postures up.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Pete Sproles.

Phillips closes the distance and pushes Sproles back into the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sproles tries to land a knee to the head but Phillips blocks with his arms.
Sproles tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Phillips avoids it.
Pete Sproles is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Phillips tries for a takedown but Sproles manages to get underhooks.
Phillips has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Sproles is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Sproles lands a hook that snaps the head of Phillips backwards.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Sproles.
Sproles misses with a hook from the clinch.
With the fighters up against the cage, Sproles throws an elbow but misses.
Philip Phillips has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Pete Sproles seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sproles is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Phillips misses with the head strike.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Pete Sproles.
I've got Sproles winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Alec Ball scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pete Sproles!
After the fight, Pete Sproles was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.