PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Blake Phoenix (ranked 364 p4p, 765 weight class) and Dai Zexi (ranked 56 p4p, 107 weight class). Zexi is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by BRADIO-Flyers. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Phoenix
vs
Zexi

194 cm
30
205
28 - 11 - 0

175 cm
30
220
22 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Hardcore Sports Nutrition

Sportivité
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 28 - 11 - 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 22 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Dai Zexi!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, James Glass and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zexi slips under a jab from Phoenix.
Zexi slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Phoenix moves away from the strike by Zexi.
Phoenix throws a lazy right hand but Zexi sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Phoenix lands a nice shot to the body.
Zexi throws a hook to the side of Phoenix's head but Phoenix sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Phoenix staying out of range there.
Phoenix was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Phoenix uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zexi.
Phoenix moves into range and connects with a jab.
Zexi takes a swing at Phoenix's ribcage but misses.
Zexi doesn't manage to clinch there - Phoenix circles away.
Blake Phoenix seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Phoenix jabs Zexi to the body, keeping him at a distance.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Zexi has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Zexi bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
A jab from Zexi misses.
Zexi uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Phoenix.
Zexi slips a jab from Phoenix.
A countering left hand to the body from Zexi misses.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Phoenix jabs Zexi right on the nose. Zexi blinks but takes it well.
Phoenix lands a nice shot that snaps Zexi's head back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zexi slips under a jab from Phoenix.
Phoenix throws a hook to the side of Zexi's head but Zexi sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Zexi displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Phoenix throws out the jab.
Phoenix swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Zexi.
Phoenix lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Phoenix is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Zexi scores with the left hand. Phoenix knows he should have avoided that one.
Phoenix misses with a body shot.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Zexi! But no joy.
Zexi walks into a stiff left hand from Phoenix.
Phoenix keeps the fight on the outside.
Phoenix swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Phoenix is looking to slow Zexi down with leg kicks.
Zexi uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Phoenix.
Phoenix is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Zexi.
Zexi appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Zexi misses with a shot to the body
and Phoenix counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Phoenix stuns Zexi with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Phoenix lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Zexi has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Zexi and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Zexi throws an overhand right that lands on Phoenix's shoulder, as Phoenix tries to avoid the shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Phoenix looks to throw the jab but Zexi is out of range.
Zexi thuds his right hand into Phoenix's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Phoenix lands with a nice body punch.
Phoenix misses the shot to the body.
A jab from Zexi misses.
Phoenix scores with a jab to the jaw.
Zexi is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Zexi throws a body shot but no joy.
Good shot there by Phoenix.
Zexi looks to land a left hand but Phoenix moved out of range nicely.
Phoenix swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Zexi looks to land a left hand but Phoenix moved out of range nicely.
Phoenix bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Zexi's head.
Phoenix takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Phoenix throws a looping overhand right but Zexi ducks down to avoid it.
Phoenix lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix throws a hook but Zexi avoids it easily.
Zexi throws out a loose jab but Phoenix uses good head movement to avoid it.
Zexi throws a good cross that connects.
Zexi looks to land a left hand but Phoenix moved out of range nicely.
Phoenix looks to throw the jab but Zexi is out of range.
Zexi tries to clinch but Phoenix is having none of it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Zexi. Phoenix does a little dance to reset his feet.
Zexi uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Phoenix.
Phoenix misses with a low kick.
Zexi let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Zexi displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Phoenix throws out the jab.
Phoenix looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Phoenix ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Phoenix throws a body shot but no joy.
Phoenix takes one on the button.
Zexi scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Phoenix doesn't seem bothered though.
Zexi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Phoenix moves away.
Phoenix moves away from the strike by Zexi.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix throws a big shot that misses.
Zexi swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Zexi ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Phoenix throws out a loose jab but Zexi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Zexi scores with a jab. Phoenix acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Zexi misses with an uppercut
and Zexi takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A cross from Zexi lands.
Phoenix misses with a hook.
Zexi looks to throw the jab but Phoenix is out of range.
A big left from Zexi misses.
Phoenix turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Phoenix throws the left hand but Zexi avoids the punch easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Zexi defending well as Phoenix loads up on a big left hand.
Zexi takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Zexi uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Phoenix.
Zexi misses with a wild body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Zexi takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with eachother but Zexi might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Phoenix has got the better of the exchanges.
Phoenix scores with a shot to the body.
Zexi misses the jab.
Phoenix throws a jab but it's blocked by Zexi.
Zexi throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Phoenix tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zexi was well out of range. Poor timing from Phoenix.
Phoenix connects with a body shot.
Phoenix keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Zexi misses the shot to the body.
Phoenix is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Zexi can do to turn this around?
Zexi swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Phoenix connects with a body shot that sends Zexi's belly button to the back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zexi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Phoenix was well out of range. Poor timing from Zexi.
Zexi swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A little feinted left hand from Phoenix on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Phoenix's corner calls for a 1-2. Phoenix obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Zexi misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Phoenix.
A big right from Zexi misses.
Phoenix tries to counter by clinching up but Zexi breaks away and moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Horrible takedown attempt by Zexi or perhaps it was just good defense by Phoenix, which made it look bad.
Blake Phoenix is winning the standup battle so far.

Phoenix clinches up against the cage.
Zexi lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Zexi misses with a punch on the inside.
Zexi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Zexi throws a punch but it's blocked by Phoenix.

Zexi gets control of Phoenix's arms and successfully pulls guard. Zexi will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Phoenix is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Phoenix gets to his feet. Zexi looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Phoenix misses with a looping left.
Zexi on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Phoenix fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zexi manages to avoid it.
Phoenix throws the left hand but Zexi avoids the punch easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zexi throws a big shot that misses.
Phoenix seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Zexi works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
A left lands for Phoenix.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Phoenix looks to land a right hand but Zexi moved out of range.
Zexi lands a jab to the head.
Jab by Phoenix.
Zexi throws a jab but it's blocked by Phoenix.
Zexi swings for the body but Phoenix moves out of range.
Phoenix moves out of range of the strikes.
Zexi scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Phoenix doesn't seem bothered though.
Phoenix moves in looking to clinch but Zexi pushes him off.
It seemed like Zexi was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Zexi connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Zexi misses with an uppercut.
A jab from Phoenix misses.
Zexi defending well as Phoenix loads up on a big left hand.
Zexi looks to land a right hand but Phoenix moved out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix throws a lazy uppercut
and Zexi counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Zexi looks to score with a jab to the body but Phoenix is just out of range.
Zexi uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Phoenix.
Zexi now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Zexi throws a good cross that connects.
Phoenix throws a right hand that misses
and Zexi counters with a left to the body.
Phoenix scores with a crisp jab that stopped Zexi in his tracks.
Phoenix throws a one two combo.
Phoenix avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Phoenix walks into a left hand.
Nice uppercut lands for Phoenix. That snapped Zexi's head back.
Phoenix throws a combination. Zexi tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Zexi bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Phoenix misses with an uppercut
and Zexi counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Phoenix walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

Phoenix is rocked!
Phoenix avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix throws a big shot that misses.
Zexi looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Zexi jabs Phoenix to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Phoenix moves away from the strike by Zexi.
Zexi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Phoenix.
Phoenix misses with a hook
and Zexi connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Zexi drops Phoenix with a straight right hand, right on the button! Zexi follows him down to the mat and pounds him out with hammerfists until the referee jumps in to end the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:30 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Dai Zexi!
A very excited looking Dai Zexi made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.