PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ali Bagautinov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dre Phoenix (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dre Phoenix has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Ali Bagautinov's chin.

Bagautinov
vs
Phoenix

187 cm
18
177 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

165 cm
18
170 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ali Bagautinov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Dre Phoenix !
The judges for this bout are Wagner Zegers, Radbod Blank and Daniel Blasius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Phoenix manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Bagautinov on his heels. He'll look to pass Bagautinov's guard now, I'm sure.
Phoenix is stalling in the full guard.
Bagautinov working a defensive guard here.
Phoenix content to stall in guard here.
Let's hope that Phoenix has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
It looks like Phoenix might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bagautinov working a defensive guard here.
Phoenix controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Phoenix gets caught flat footed, as Bagautinov shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Phoenix looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Phoenix bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Bagautinov's guard.

Bagautinov controlling the position.

Phoenix avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Bagautinov is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
We're seeing a lot of stalling here from Phoenix .
Yet more stalling tactics from Phoenix .

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bagautinov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Phoenix looking to pass the guard.
Phoenix stands and throws Bagautinov's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Phoenix controls the position.
Bagautinov wants to control but Phoenix postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Bagautinov trying his best to control but Phoenix has mounted him.
Phoenix controlling his opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Phoenix 's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Phoenix prevents Bagautinov from getting the reversal.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Phoenix content just to control the position here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dre Phoenix dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Phoenix tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Bagautinov defends well and Phoenix ends up having to push Bagautinov into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

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

Bagautinov is trying to work for a kimura but Phoenix is defending well.

Bagautinov is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Phoenix has managed to free his arm - good work.
Bagautinov is keen to just control but Phoenix is a slippery customer.
Phoenix is concentrating on defense, preventing Bagautinov from advancing position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Phoenix has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Bagautinov is working away from the top position though.
Phoenix keeping control of the position.

Bagautinov 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. Bagautinov eventually gives up the hold.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Phoenix keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Phoenix moves into full guard.
Phoenix looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Phoenix lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Bagautinov will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Phoenix passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Phoenix remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Phoenix advances nicely into full mount.
Phoenix takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Phoenix 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.
Bagautinov is in all sorts of trouble here.
Phoenix controlling the position easily from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix prevents Bagautinov from getting the reversal.
Phoenix content just to control the position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Phoenix is continuing to stall.
Bagautinov tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Phoenix controlling the position easily from mount.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bagautinov tries to hold on but Phoenix postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dre Phoenix showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Bagautinov shoots in but no luck this time.

Bagautinov changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Phoenix looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Phoenix gets back to half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Phoenix manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Phoenix looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Phoenix keeping moving, preventing Bagautinov from controlling successfully.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Phoenix holds on and takes a little breather.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Phoenix looking for a sweep. Not yet Phoenix , not yet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Phoenix is adopting a defensive guard.
Phoenix tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Bagautinov being controlled here momentarily.
Bagautinov trying to control but Phoenix is working from the bottom.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Phoenix controlling Bagautinov's posture.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Bagautinov shoots in but Phoenix avoids the takedown attempt easily.
And Phoenix tries to counter it with a takedown but Bagautinov pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Phoenix tries to score a power double leg takedown but Bagautinov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Phoenix somewhat.
Bagautinov tries to counter with a takedown but Phoenix is quick to defend against it.

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.

Bagautinov changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Phoenix looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
You can see the frustration on Phoenix 's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Bagautinov wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Phoenix , who protects the arm well.
Phoenix is trying to control Bagautinov's posture but Bagautinov avoids it.
Phoenix is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Bagautinov's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

Bagautinov is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Phoenix defends it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix is controlling Bagautinov's trapped leg to prevent Bagautinov from advancing to side control.
Phoenix regains full guard. Nicely done.
Phoenix is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Still in half guard, Phoenix seems content to control.
Phoenix passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Bagautinov!
Phoenix looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The adventures of Phoenix the control monster continue. Boring.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Dre Phoenix .
Well Phoenix has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Wagner Zegers scores the fight 28:30
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 27:30

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