PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Blake Phoenix (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Somalea Turban (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Phoenix comes to the cage accompanied by Dead Inside by Muse. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Phoenix
vs
Turban

195 cm
25
215 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

186 cm
25
212 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

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 The Island, Blake Phoenix!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Somalea Turban!
The judges for this bout are Peter Branson, Bart Greer and Santiago Holmes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice uppercut there from Turban.
A combination from Turban does no damage.
Good leg kick by Phoenix there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Phoenix walks into a straight right hand from Turban.

It looks like Blake Phoenix has been cut.

Turban drives through and clinches with Phoenix against the cage.
Phoenix is looking for a takedown.
Turban is trying to push Phoenix away but Phoenix has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Phoenix has Turban pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Turban manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Phoenix has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Turban avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Blake Phoenix. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Turban working hard to break the clinch.
Turban is trying to break the clinch but Phoenix has him pressed against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Turban stalling.
Phoenix changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Turban fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Phoenix throws a head kick that misses
and Turban cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Phoenix misses with an attempted mid kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Phoenix takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Turban misses with an attempted mid kick.
Phoenix looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Turban connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Phoenix momentarily.

Phoenix closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Turban taking a bit of punishment here - Phoenix scoring with strikes.

Phoenix tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Phoenix has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Phoenix is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Turban knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Phoenix is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Turban has escaped the position, nice work there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
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!
Turban tries to buck Phoenix off but Phoenix is having none of it.

Phoenix is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Turban has escaped the position, nice work there.

Phoenix is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Turban knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Phoenix is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Turban has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Turban is trying to buck Phoenix off.
We've been informed that Turban has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.

Phoenix is trying to get an arm triangle but Turban is defending well.

Phoenix tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Phoenix thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Phoenix working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Phoenix tries for a kimura but Turban is defending well.

Phoenix thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Blake Phoenix dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Blake Phoenix's cut.
That's time! Phoenix's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Phoenix misses with a body kick.
Phoenix tries to close the distance and clinch up but Turban swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Phoenix misses with a takedown attempt
letting Turban counter with a right hand.
Turban fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Phoenix.

Turban takes the fight into the clinch.
Phoenix drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Turban gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Phoenix wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Blake Phoenix. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Turban is pressed up against the cage. Phoenix has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Turban down to the mat. Turban avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Phoenix on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Turban leaves Phoenix with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Turban takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Phoenix throws a head kick that misses.
Phoenix misses with a takedown attempt
and Phoenix takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Phoenix takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Turban scores with a body shot.
Somalea Turban seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Phoenix shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Turban counters with a nice body shot.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Turban comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Turban uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Turban ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

Turban drives through and clinches with Phoenix against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix is working for takedown but Turban is calmly controlling the position for now.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Turban fails to pull guard.
Phoenix looking for a takedown.
Phoenix wants to take the fight to the mat but Turban manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Turban ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Turban no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Phoenix trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Blake Phoenix overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Phoenix won't allow Turban to get back to his feet.
Phoenix trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Phoenix has gone for a leg lock! Turban slips out almost immediately though and dives into Phoenix's guard.

Turban wants to control from the top but Phoenix keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix looking for a sweep. Not yet Phoenix, not yet.
Turban trying to control but Phoenix is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Phoenix is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Turban defends well.
Phoenix lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Phoenix trying to control but Turban is working from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Phoenix wants to pass the guard but Turban is keeping the position.
Phoenix stopping the sweep attempt from Turban.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Somalea Turban showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Blake Phoenix's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Turban checks a low kick from Phoenix.
Turban jabs Phoenix to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Blake Phoenix is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Phoenix on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Turban throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Phoenix.
Turban misses with a series of wild punches.
Phoenix tries for a takedown but Turban circles away easily
and Turban counters with a series of strikes. Phoenix will be more careful next time no doubt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Phoenix looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Turban is fending him off so far but Phoenix persists. Nope, Turban circles away and we're back to standing.
Turban avoids a punch combination nicely.
Turban slaps away a takedown attempt from Phoenix, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Blake Phoenix. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Phoenix misses with a jab, cross combination.
A nice side step and Turban releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.

Phoenix gets a double leg takedown into Turban's guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Turban looking to control.

Phoenix stands up from Turban's guard - Phoenix perhaps looking for a knockout.
Turban swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Phoenix.
Turban throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Turban lands a jab to Phoenix's midsection.
Turban wants to land a leg kick but Phoenix is out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circle momentarily. Turban darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Turban bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Phoenix's head backwards.
Phoenix tries to clinch but Turban is having none of it.
Turban swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Phoenix forces Turban back against the cage and clinches.
Phoenix is looking for a takedown.
Phoenix looking for a takedown.
Turban is pressed up against the cage. Phoenix has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Turban down to the mat. Turban avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Turban keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Phoenix blocks the body kick.
Phoenix fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Turban as Phoenix shoots in.
Turban lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Turban fails to land with a series of punches.
Turban scores with a shot to the body.
Phoenix walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Phoenix is defended easily by Turban.
Turban connects with a body shot that sends Phoenix's belly button to the back.
Blake Phoenix seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Turban instigates a clinch.
Turban is pressed up against the cage. Phoenix has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Turban down to the mat. Turban avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Phoenix fails with the takedown.

Turban has managed to clinch.
Turban has had enough of the clinch but Phoenix keeps him there for the moment.
Phoenix has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Turban avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Phoenix tries for a takedown but Turban manages to get underhooks.
Phoenix goes for a takedown in the clinch but Turban prevents it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Somalea Turban comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Turban 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 Peter Branson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Bart Greer scores the fight 28:29
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Somalea Turban!