PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ikki Phoenix (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Resial Nine (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Phoenix
vs
Nine

192 cm
22
235 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

195 cm
22
270 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ikki Phoenix!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Resial Nine!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Phoenix rushes Nine and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Nine pulls guard effortlessly.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nine is trying to keep Phoenix in close.
Phoenix won't allow Nine to sweep him here.
Phoenix wants to get up but he can't break Nine's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Nine looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Phoenix puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Nine wants to get back to full guard but Phoenix has passed into side control.
Phoenix trying to control but Nine is having none of it.
Nine really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nine is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Phoenix looking to control but Nine is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Nine wants to hold on but Phoenix pushes him away.
Nine bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Nine sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Phoenix's guard.

Nine is working for a kimura but Phoenix is defending it quite comfortably.

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.
Nine missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Phoenix blocking the ground and pound attempt from Nine.

Nine is looking for a kimura here.
Nine trying to mount his opponent but Phoenix defends it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nine is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but Phoenix still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, Phoenix has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!

Phoenix decides to stand back up.
The fighters circle momentarily. Nine darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Nine tries to clinch

and Phoenix counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Nine is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nine is looking to get back to full guard here but Phoenix has managed to pass to side control instead.

Phoenix is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
Phoenix is breathing heavily.

Nine gets a takedown into half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Nine is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Phoenix is just riding it out for now. Nine eventually gives up the hold.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ikki Phoenix dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Nine fails in his attempt to clinch.
Resial Nine seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Phoenix fails in his attempt to clinch.

Phoenix gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Phoenix jumps guard but Nine stands there with Phoenix around his waist. Phoenix gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Nine fails to pull guard.
A hook to the body from Phoenix.

Phoenix jumps guard and drags Nine to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Nine trying to control but Phoenix is working from the bottom.
Nine trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Nine sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Phoenix's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nine wants to lay and pray for a moment but Phoenix keeps working.
Nine is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Nine stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Phoenix swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

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.
Nine should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Nine passes into half guard.
Nine is just content to waste time from the top position. Phoenix takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Nine is looking to work some ground and pound but Phoenix has wrist control.
Nine throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Phoenix works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Nine is controlling him.
Nine wants to control from the top but Phoenix keeps moving.
Phoenix keeping full guard, as Nine tries to pass.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Phoenix fails with the takedown.

Nine shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Nine was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Nine is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Phoenix has managed to escape the submission attempt.
You get the feeling that Phoenix really doesn't like being in this position too much.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Nine moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Phoenix has worked his arm free - good work by Phoenix!

Nine is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Phoenix knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Resial Nine will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Nine fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

Nine gets a takedown into half guard.
Nine works his way into side control.
Nine tries to move to full mount but Phoenix actually manages to regain half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nine is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nine throwing strikes but missing.
Nine pushing down on Phoenix's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Nine is looking for a kimura here.
Nine throwing shots but Phoenix is blocking nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Nine passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Phoenix!
Phoenix has given up his back. Will we see Nine going for some submissions?
I would not like to be Phoenix right now.

Phoenix showing good submission defense here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nine punches the canvas rather than the man.

Phoenix showing good submission defense here.
Nine throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.
Phoenix is keeping busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nine looking for the choke but no joy.

Phoenix is trying escape back to his feet. He turns into his opponent's guard and eventually finds his way back to his feet.

Nine shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Nine is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

And that's the end of the fight!
Resial Nine comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Nine 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... Resial Nine!