PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Blake Phoenix (ranked 194 p4p, 493 weight class) and Mike McGuire (ranked 34 p4p, 77 weight class). McGuire comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Jekyll And Hyde kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Phoenix
vs
McGuire

194 cm
32
205
31 - 14 - 0

188 cm
25
206
6 - 3 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Gatoroids
Voodoo Nutrition

Brooklyn Apothecary

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 31 - 14 - 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 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mike McGuire!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Andrew Berry and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A combination from McGuire does no damage.
Phoenix lands a jab to McGuire's midsection.
Jab from Phoenix.
Phoenix swings for the body but McGuire moves out of range.
McGuire tries to clinch but Phoenix moves out of range.
McGuire needs to keep his hands up - Phoenix had a free shot at his head there.
Nice shot by Phoenix.
Phoenix looks to land a left hand but McGuire moved out of range nicely.
McGuire throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Phoenix counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Phoenix throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck McGuire on the side of the head.

It looks like Mike McGuire has been cut.
McGuire's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Phoenix connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! McGuire scrambles back to his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Phoenix scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Jab from Phoenix.
A punch lands to the side of McGuire 's head but he takes it in his stride.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGuire misses with an uppercut
and Phoenix counters with a left to the body.
McGuire tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
McGuire looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Phoenix comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Phoenix has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Team Grunt in the buildup to the fight.
McGuire throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A jab from McGuire misses.
Phoenix connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Phoenix scores with a jab. McGuire acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Nice uppercut lands for Phoenix. That snapped McGuire's head back.
McGuire swings for the body but Phoenix moves out of range.
McGuire with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Phoenix to score with a decent uppercut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
McGuire tries to move into range but Phoenix moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Phoenix throws a right hand that McGuire ducks under and follows up with a left that McGuire also avoids with ease.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Phoenix connects with a body shot that sends McGuire's belly button to the back.
McGuire thows a leg kick but Phoenix checks it
and Phoenix makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Phoenix walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Phoenix throws a hook but McGuire avoids it easily.
Phoenix misses the shot to the body.
McGuire throws a sloppy head kick
and Phoenix counters with a left to the body.
Phoenix misses with an uppercut. McGuire saw that one coming.
McGuire doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
McGuire scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Phoenix tries to bum rush McGuire with a series of wild strikes but McGuire uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
McGuire tries to bum rush Phoenix with a series of wild strikes but Phoenix uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Phoenix misses with a leg kick
and McGuire counters with a straight right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. McGuire doesn't seem bothered though.
McGuire throws a wild body kick that Phoenix sees coming a mile off.
Phoenix is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Phoenix lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
No joy there for McGuire, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Phoenix jabs McGuire to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Phoenix throws a body shot but no joy.
McGuire moves out of range of the strikes.
McGuire gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
A left and a right from McGuire both land. Nice combination.
McGuire lands with a cross.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McGuire misses with a left hand
and Phoenix counters with a series of strikes. McGuire will be more careful next time no doubt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McGuire on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Phoenix shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Phoenix avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
A cross from Phoenix lands.
Phoenix connects with a body shot.
McGuire on the wrong end of a nice hook.
A good leg kick by Phoenix.
McGuire throws a low kick but Phoenix avoids it.
McGuire motions for Phoenix to come forward. McGuire throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
A shot to the liver by McGuire. Beautiful body shot.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Phoenix lands a right hook to the body.
Phoenix lands a jab to the head.
McGuire's jab looks to have found its range, popping Phoenix under the eye.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Blake Phoenix dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mike McGuire's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Phoenix comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Phoenix avoids the body shot from McGuire.
McGuire ducks under a wild hook from Phoenix.
Phoenix ducks under a wild hook from McGuire.
McGuire throws a series of strikes that have Phoenix backpedaling.
McGuire takes one to the side of the head.
McGuire throws a head kick that misses
letting Phoenix counter with a right hand.
Phoenix lands with a hook. McGuire tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
McGuire throws a right hand that misses
and Phoenix counters with a left to the body.
McGuire has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Phoenix takes one to the side of the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Phoenix scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. McGuire doesn't seem bothered though.
A clash of legs there as McGuire blocks the low kick.
Phoenix looks to land a right hand but McGuire moved out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGuire will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
McGuire throws a chopping leg kick but Phoenix manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Phoenix misses with an uppercut.
Phoenix stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Phoenix on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
McGuire throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
A big left from Phoenix misses.
A head kick misses from McGuire.
It looked like Phoenix wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Phoenix throws a looping overhand right but McGuire ducks down to avoid it.
Phoenix throws a jab but it's blocked by McGuire.
Phoenix wants to land a leg kick but McGuire is out of range.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Phoenix.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGuire takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
McGuire misses with a body shot.
McGuire tries a head kick but it misses.
McGuire 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.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McGuire fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Phoenix manages to avoid it.
A clash of legs there as McGuire blocks the low kick.
Phoenix slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Phoenix is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that McGuire can do to turn this around?
Phoenix comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Nice jab there from McGuire.
Phoenix misses the shot to the body.
McGuire fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Phoenix.
Phoenix just misses with a punch to the body.
McGuire feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Phoenixs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGuire lands a nice shot to the body.
Phoenix scores with a shot to the body.
McGuire throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A quick step to the side and Phoenix tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Phoenix misses with a low kick.
Phoenix throws a jab when McGuire was well out of range.
Phoenix jabbing away but nothing is landing.
McGuire swings for the body but Phoenix moves out of range.
Phoenix swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Phoenix avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with each other but McGuire 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.
McGuire has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Phoenix finds it's way round the side to connect with McGuire's head.
McGuire takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
McGuire bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Phoenix catches McGuire with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix looks to throw the jab but McGuire is out of range.
Phoenix steps to the side to avoid the strikes from McGuire.
Phoenix lands a slapping body shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The crowd cheers as McGuire lands an impressive looking overhand right. Phoenix doesn't seem phased though.
A slapping leg kick lands for Phoenix.
Phoenix smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
McGuire throws a low kick but it's checked well by Phoenix.
Phoenix jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.

That has opened up Mike McGuire's cut even more.
Phoenix cracks McGuire with a good jab.
Phoenix smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Phoenix takes one on the button.
Phoenix connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Blake Phoenix dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Mike McGuire's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Phoenix waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract McGuire.
A little jabbing left from McGuire on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
McGuire takes a swing at Phoenix's ribcage but misses.
A shot to the body from Phoenix misses

and McGuire moves into the clinch.
McGuire throws a punch but it's blocked by Phoenix.
McGuire is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Phoenix is keeping busy.

Phoenix breaks the clinch.
Phoenix cracks McGuire with a right hand to the side of the head.
Phoenix lands with a right hand.
McGuire moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Phoenix checks the leg kick.
McGuire throws a looping overhand right but Phoenix ducks down to avoid it.
Jab, jab by Phoenix - just one landing.
McGuire takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice leg kick lands there from McGuire.
Phoenix ducks under a wild hook from McGuire.
McGuire keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
McGuire flicks out a counter leg kick but Phoenix steps away.
McGuire throws a quick inside leg kick.
McGuire thows a leg kick but Phoenix checks it
and Phoenix counters with a nice uppercut.
McGuire takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Phoenix cracks McGuire with a right hand to the side of the head.
McGuire throws a body punch but Phoenix moves out of range.
A big left from Phoenix misses.
Phoenix lands with a good body shot.
Phoenix throws a body punch but McGuire moves out of range.
Phoenix takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGuire comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

McGuire clinches.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Phoenix working aggressively here.
Phoenix struggles to land a body shot inside as McGuire controls his hands.

McGuire's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Phoenix takes a shot to the body in his stride.
McGuire throws a body shot but no joy.
Blake Phoenix is winning the standup battle so far.
McGuire misses the body punch
and Phoenix counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Phoenix circles away from the clinch attempt.
Phoenix throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck McGuire on the side of the head.
McGuire lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Phoenix looks to score with a jab to the body but McGuire is just out of range.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from McGuire! But no joy.
Mike McGuire has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGuire throws a shot to the body.
McGuire slips a jab from Phoenix.
McGuire misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Phoenix.
McGuire tried to score with a low kick but Phoenix checks it.
Phoenix misses with an uppercut. McGuire saw that one coming.
McGuire fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Phoenix.
Phoenix misses the shot to the body.
McGuire was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Phoenix looks to score with a jab to the body but McGuire is just out of range.
McGuire steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Phoenix.
Phoenix uses good head movement to avoid the hook from McGuire.
A jab from Phoenix does it's job there.

McGuire gets in close and instigates a clinch.
McGuire misses with a body punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McGuire digs a right hand underneath Phoenix's ribcage. Phoenix let out a lung full of air as it connected.
McGuire lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Phoenix backwards.
McGuire throws a punch but it's blocked by Phoenix.
A head punch blocked on the inside by McGuire.
McGuire doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Phoenix fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
McGuire misses with a punch to the body.
Phoenix throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but McGuire blocks it with crossed arms.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McGuire lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Phoenix or not.
Phoenix tries a body shot but McGuire blocks it.

Phoenix breaks from the clinch.
McGuire slips under a jab from Phoenix.
Phoenix misses with an uppercut. McGuire saw that one coming.
A left lands for Phoenix.
A leg kick checked by McGuire.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Blake Phoenix.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Phoenix, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 James Glass scores the fight 30:27
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 30:27
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Blake Phoenix!
Blake Phoenix decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.