PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Blake Phoenix (ranked 3058 p4p, 382 weight class) and Bear Stevenson (ranked 5249 p4p, 566 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Phoenix
vs
Stevenson

194 cm
18
210 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

190 cm
18
215 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Good chin

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Granite chin

KAISER Nutrition - Q160

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 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Blake Phoenix!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Bear Stevenson!
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, Bruno Lombardi and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Phoenix throws a body punch but Stevenson moves out of range.
Stevenson misses with a left hand
and Phoenix counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Phoenix lands a right hook to the body.
A slow jab from Stevenson misses its intended target.
Phoenix was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Stevenson avoids the body shot from Phoenix.
Stevenson scores with a jab. Phoenix acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Stevenson throws an ugly left hook that misses
letting Phoenix counter with a right hand.

Stevenson takes the fight into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Phoenix throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Stevensons head.
Phoenix lands a shoulder strike.

It looks like Bear Stevenson has been cut.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Stevenson creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Stevenson tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Stevenson gets through Phoenix's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Phoenix throws a punch but it's blocked by Stevenson.
Phoenix tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Stevenson's elbow.
Phoenix misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Stevenson has a couple of punches blocked by Phoenix.
Phoenix misses with a short punch on the inside.
Phoenix can't find room to land a body shot as Stevenson controls the action.
Phoenix lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Phoenix doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Stevenson blocking some punches.
Phoenix misses with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Phoenix.
Stevenson stalling in the clinch.
Nice body punch from Stevenson.
A short body shot lands from Phoenix as the two fighters clinch.
Nice body punch from Phoenix - that landed with a thud.
Phoenix lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Stevenson or not.
Stevenson tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Phoenix's elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Stevenson lands with a left to the head.
Phoenix struggles to land a body shot inside as Stevenson controls his hands.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Phoenix.
Phoenix blocking some punches.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stevenson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Phoenix misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Phoenix lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A short uppercut from Stevenson.
Phoenix working aggressively here.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Stevenson.
Stevenson lands a right hand.
Phoenix blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Phoenix tries a body shot but Stevenson blocks it.
Stevenson misses with a punch on the inside.
Stevenson throws a punch but it's blocked by Phoenix.
Phoenix misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix blocks an uppercut.
Phoenix scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Phoenix stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Stevenson lands a hook that snaps the head of Phoenix backwards.
Stevenson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Phoenix goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Stevenson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Stevenson tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Phoenix scores with a shot to the side of Stevenson's head.
Phoenix lands a body shot.
Phoenix is working Stevenson over against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Phoenix.
Stevenson misses with a punch on the inside.
Phoenix gets through Stevenson's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Phoenix.
A short uppercut from Stevenson.
Phoenix lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stevenson lands a left hand.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Phoenix.
Phoenix struggles to land a body shot inside as Stevenson controls his hands.
Stevenson lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Stevenson lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Stevenson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Phoenix swings wildly with an uppercut but Stevenson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Phoenix tries to throw a body punch but Stevenson avoids it by throwing Phoenix back against the cage.
Stevenson lands a body punch in the clinch.
Phoenix tries to work over Stevenson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Stevenson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Phoenix misses with a short punch on the inside.

Stevenson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Stevenson moves out of range of the strikes.
Stevenson tries to counter with a clinch but Phoenix shakes him off and moves away.
The fighters circle momentarily. Stevenson darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Blake Phoenix will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Bear Stevenson'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.

Phoenix misses with a hook to the body
and Stevenson counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Phoenix lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Phoenix swings for the body but Stevenson moves out of range.
Stevenson swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Phoenix lands a head shot.
Blake Phoenix is winning the standup battle so far.
Phoenix needs to keep his hands up - Stevenson had a free shot at his head there.
A punch lands to the side of Stevenson 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Stevenson misses the jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stevenson swings widly with a right hand
and Phoenix counters with a nice uppercut.
Stevenson throws a body shot but no joy.
Stevenson moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Nice straight punches there by Stevenson. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Stevenson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A slow jab from Stevenson misses its intended target.
Stevenson moves into range and connects with a jab.
Stevenson takes one to the side of the head.
Stevenson throws a hook to the side of Phoenix's head but Phoenix sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Stevenson lands a glancing blow to the side of Phoenix's head.
A shot to the liver by Phoenix. Beautiful body shot.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Stevenson in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Phoenix jabs Stevenson to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Stevenson jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A quick step to the side and Phoenix tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Phoenix takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Stevenson bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix catches Stevenson with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
This has been an exciting period of action!
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Nice shot by Phoenix.
Stevenson takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Stevenson misses with an uppercut
letting Phoenix counter with a right hand.
Phoenix misses with a looping right.
A telegraphed right hand from Phoenix misses the target.
Donk. Phoenix catches Stevenson right on the button with a cross.
We've been told by Phoenix's head coaches at Phoenix Fight Team that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Stevenson takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Stevenson doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Stevenson might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Stevenson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Phoenix.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson lands a glancing blow to the side of Phoenix's head.
Stevenson on the wrong end of a nice jab.

That has opened up Bear Stevenson's cut even more.
Phoenix connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Stevenson lands a glancing blow to the side of Phoenix's head.
Phoenix gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Stevenson.
Stevenson misses with an uppercut.
Stevenson tries to clinch but Phoenix is having none of it.
Phoenix gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Phoenix works Stevenson's body with a nice hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson misses with a hook
enabling Phoenix to counter with a crisp jab.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Phoenix swings for the body but Stevenson moves out of range.
Phoenix lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Phoenix's jab looks to have found its range, popping Stevenson under the eye.
Stevenson misses with a right hand
and Phoenix counters with a left to the body.
Stevenson misses with a body shot
and Phoenix counters with a nice body shot.
Phoenix staying out of range there.
Phoenix wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Phoenix ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Stevenson misses with a lunging right hand
and Phoenix counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Stevenson thinking.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Blake Phoenix dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Bear Stevenson'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!

Phoenix scores with a jab.
Stevenson bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Stevenson takes a swing at Phoenix's ribcage but misses.
Phoenix is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Stevenson can do to turn this around?
Stevenson blocks a jab.
Stevenson now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Stevenson takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Phoenix jabs Stevenson right on the nose. Stevenson blinks but takes it well.
Phoenix lands a jab to the nose.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stevenson lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Stevenson looks to score with a jab to the body but Phoenix is just out of range.
It looked like Phoenix was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Stevenson.
Stevenson throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Phoenix counters with a nice uppercut.
Bear Stevenson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Phoenix throws a hook but Stevenson blocks it.
Phoenix misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Stevenson.
Stevenson slips under a jab from Phoenix.
Phoenix throws a hook but Stevenson avoids it easily.
Stevenson takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Stevenson has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Phoenix connects with the punch.
Stevenson throws a predictable looking body shot
and Phoenix counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

The cut above Bear Stevenson's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Stevenson moves forwards but Phoenix connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Stevenson throws a lazy right hand but Phoenix sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Stevenson takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Bear Stevenson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix lands a slapping body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Stevenson. Phoenix does a little dance to reset his feet.
A swing and a miss from Stevenson.
An attempted straight right counter from Phoenix misses the target.
Phoenix connects with a single shot there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Stevenson throws a shot to the body.
Stevenson takes one to the side of the head.

Bear Stevenson's cut is absolute horrible now. This looks like something out of a horror film with blood covering both fighters.
Phoenix's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Stevenson connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Phoenix scrambles back to his feet.
Phoenix connects with a crisp jab.
Phoenix steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Stevenson.
Phoenix fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Phoenix uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Stevenson.
Phoenix moves away from the strike by Stevenson.
Phoenix is looking to counter punch.
Stevenson throws an off balance right hand
and Phoenix counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Stevenson scores with a shot to the body.
Blake Phoenix is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Stevenson misses with an uppercut
and Phoenix counters with a stiff right hand.
Phoenix stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Stevenson misses with an uppercut
letting Phoenix counter with a right hand.
Stevenson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Stevenson's hands.
Phoenix fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Phoenix fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stevenson throws a lazy uppercut
letting Phoenix counter with a right hand.
Phoenix lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Stevenson throws an off balance right hand
and Phoenix counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Stevenson thinking.
Stevenson tries to clinch up
and Phoenix counters with a straight right hand.
A big right from Stevenson misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Blake Phoenix showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Phoenix has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Jorge Garcia scores the fight 30:27
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 30:27
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Blake Phoenix!
A victorious Blake Phoenix thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.