PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Chris Phoenix (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Stephon Shruve (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Phoenix
vs
Shruve

185 cm
22
192 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

210 cm
22
205 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Big right hand

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Likes ground

CHOKEOUT

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Chris Phoenix!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Stephon Shruve!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Timothy Bukovac and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shruve throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Shruve throws a series of punches but Phoenix moves out of range.
Shruve is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Phoenix will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Phoenix pushes Shruve up against the cage in a clinch.
Shruve blocks an elbow strike from Phoenix.
Phoenix is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Shruve tries to throw a body punch but Phoenix avoids it by throwing Shruve back against the cage.
Phoenix landing knees to the body.
Shruve can't find room to land a body shot as Phoenix controls the action.
Shruve digs a right hand into Phoenix's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Phoenix's gas tank.
Phoenix is breathing heavily.
Shruve misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Phoenix.
Shruve tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Phoenix wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Phoenix blocks a body shot from Shruve.
Phoenix on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Shruve trying to control the position but instead, Phoenix has worked for underhooks and has pushed Shruve into the cage.
Shruve tries a body shot but Phoenix blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shruve has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Phoenix uses from the top position.

Shruve has his foot on Phoenix's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Phoenix works his way back into a safe position though.
Shruve is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Shruve had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Phoenix is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Shruve Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Phoenix's back instead.
Well, with Shruve on his back, surely it's only a matter of time before Phoenix is tapping out... Can he escape the position?

Shruve is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Phoenix trying to control the position but Shruve manages to sink in the hooks.

Shruve is looking for the choke from the back position but Phoenix is controlling his hands well.
Shruve lands a couple of good shots to his opponent's body and a final shot to the head. Good little attack there by Shruve.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix is covering up but some of the strikes from Shruve are getting through and doing damage.

Shruve has his arm under Phoenix's chin here. Game over son! Shruve squeezes tightly and Phoenix is forced to tap out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:32 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Stephon Shruve!