PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Blake Phoenix (ranked 343 p4p, 296 weight class) and Husein Magomaevaboff (ranked 49 p4p, 40 weight class). Magomaevaboff has chosen Shaolin of Dagestan as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Phoenix
vs
Magomaevaboff

194 cm
35
201
36 - 18 - 0

183 cm
26
187
13 - 10 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Altitude Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 36 - 18 - 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 13 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Husein Magomaevaboff!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Colin Fotheringham and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Magomaevaboff 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 Phoenix has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Phoenix and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Magomaevaboff has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Phoenix uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Magomaevaboff.
Magomaevaboff misses with a low kick as Phoenix jumps back.
Phoenix connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Phoenix connects with a single shot there.
Magomaevaboff keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Phoenix throws a shot from downtown. Magomaevaboff moves away and avoids it.
Phoenix has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Team Grunt in the buildup to the fight.
Magomaevaboff is looking to score with low kicks.
Phoenix just misses with a punch to the body.
A swing and a miss from Phoenix.
Magomaevaboff lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Phoenix at a distance.
Phoenix checks a leg kick nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Magomaevaboff is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Phoenix.

Magomaevaboff moves into the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Magomaevaboff lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Phoenix or not.
Magomaevaboff throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Magomaevaboff lands a nice uppercut.

Magomaevaboff manages to pull guard.
Phoenix will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Magomaevaboff 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.
Magomaevaboff wants to sweep but no luck.

Magomaevaboff is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Magomaevaboff working a defensive guard here.
Phoenix stays in close to Magomaevaboff's body and controls the position.

Magomaevaboff is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Phoenix defends well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Magomaevaboff wants to sweep here but Phoenix controlling him for the moment.
Magomaevaboff keeping full guard, as Phoenix tries to pass.
Phoenix looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Magomaevaboff looking to hit a scissor sweep but Phoenix is one step ahead there.
Phoenix is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Magomaevaboff tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
A looping hook to the body misses from Phoenix. Magomaevaboff does a little dance to reset his feet.
Magomaevaboff looks to throw the jab but Phoenix is out of range.
Magomaevaboff connects with an inside leg kick.
Phoenix pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Phoenix pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Magomaevaboff ducks under a wild hook from Phoenix.
Magomaevaboff pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Phoenix ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Magomaevaboff moves away.
Magomaevaboff thinks about the counter body kick.
A low kick from Phoenix is predictable there
and Magomaevaboff counters with a nice uppercut.
Phoenix misses with a hook. Magomaevaboff ducked under it nicely.
A little jabbing left from Magomaevaboff on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Phoenix keeps the fight on the outside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Magomaevaboff takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Magomaevaboff avoids a punch combination nicely.
Phoenix connects with a looping right hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Magomaevaboff moves forwards but Phoenix connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Magomaevaboff throws the left hand but Phoenix avoids the punch easily.
Magomaevaboff ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Magomaevaboff looks to land a left hand but Phoenix moved out of range nicely.
Phoenix tries to counter by clinching up but Magomaevaboff breaks away and moves out of range.
Magomaevaboff bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Magomaevaboff throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Phoenix on the side of the head.
A looping hook to the body misses from Magomaevaboff. Phoenix does a little dance to reset his feet.
Magomaevaboff connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Magomaevaboff scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Phoenix doesn't seem bothered though.
Phoenix ducks under a wild hook from Magomaevaboff.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Husein Magomaevaboff dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Phoenix takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Magomaevaboff bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Phoenix throws a looping overhand right but Magomaevaboff ducks down to avoid it.
Phoenix throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Magomaevaboff walks into a left hand.
Phoenix misses with a right hand
and Magomaevaboff counters with a nice body shot.
Magomaevaboff swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Magomaevaboff avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Phoenix avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Magomaevaboff slips a jab from Phoenix.
Magomaevaboff steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Phoenix tests Magomaevaboff's chin there with a solid looking shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Phoenix checks a leg kick.
An attempted straight right counter from Phoenix misses the target.
Phoenix throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Phoenix steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Magomaevaboff.
Phoenix scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Magomaevaboff throws a front kick that sends Phoenix stumbling back into the cage.
Husein Magomaevaboff seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Magomaevaboff fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Magomaevaboff connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Magomaevaboff misses with a kick to the body.
Magomaevaboff lands an overhand right.
Phoenix throws a body shot but no joy.
A little jabbing left from Magomaevaboff on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Phoenix waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Magomaevaboff.
Phoenix throws out a leg kick but Magomaevaboff moves out of range and Phoenix only half commits.
Magomaevaboff slips a straight right by Phoenix.
Magomaevaboff takes one on the button.
Magomaevaboff lands a nice shot that snaps Phoenix's head back.
Phoenix waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Magomaevaboff.
Magomaevaboff swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Phoenix scores with a hook to the body. Magomaevaboff takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Nice shot by Magomaevaboff.
Magomaevaboff avoids the body shot from Phoenix.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Phoenix misses the jab.
Blake Phoenix seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good standup being displayed there by Phoenix as he connects with a hook.
A telegraphed right hand from Phoenix misses the target.
Phoenix keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Magomaevaboff.
Phoenix connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Magomaevaboff momentarily.
Magomaevaboff pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Phoenix lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Magomaevaboff misses with a looping right.
Magomaevaboff looks to land a left hand but Phoenix moved out of range nicely.
Phoenix seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Magomaevaboff lands a really nice looking cross but Phoenix seems unphased.
Magomaevaboff lands a jab to Phoenix's midsection.
Magomaevaboff tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Phoenix thows a left - swing and a miss!
A looping hook to the body misses from Phoenix. Magomaevaboff does a little dance to reset his feet.
Phoenix shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Phoenix swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Magomaevaboff slips under a jab.
Phoenix connects with an inside leg kick.
A slow jab from Magomaevaboff misses its intended target.
Phoenix throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Magomaevaboff counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Magomaevaboff misses with an uppercut.
A good leg kick by Magomaevaboff.
Magomaevaboff lands with a good body shot.
Phoenix jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Phoenix gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Magomaevaboff ducks under a wild hook from Phoenix.
Magomaevaboff ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Phoenix moves away.
Magomaevaboff steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Phoenix.
Phoenix swings for the body but Magomaevaboff moves out of range.
Magomaevaboff throws a right hand that Phoenix ducks under and follows up with a left that Phoenix also avoids with ease.
Magomaevaboff throws a hook but Phoenix avoids it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Magomaevaboff throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Phoenix lands a head shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Phoenix uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Magomaevaboff.
It looked like Phoenix wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Phoenix waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Magomaevaboff.
Phoenix ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Magomaevaboff moves away.
Magomaevaboff looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Phoenix throws a hook but Magomaevaboff avoids it easily.
Phoenix takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Magomaevaboff showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Phoenix.
Magomaevaboff let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Magomaevaboff scores with a hook to the body. Phoenix takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Phoenix looks to score with a jab to the body but Magomaevaboff is just out of range.
Phoenix connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Magomaevaboff misses with an attempted mid kick.
Phoenix was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Husein Magomaevaboff will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Magomaevaboff lands a nice leg kick that just misses Phoenix's sensitive parts.
Magomaevaboff wants to clinch.
Phoenix throws a shot from downtown. Magomaevaboff moves away and avoids it.
Phoenix lands a nice hook to Magomaevaboff's body. Magomaevaboff takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Phoenix misses with an uppercut.
Magomaevaboff lands with an overhand left.
Magomaevaboff turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Phoenix takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Phoenix lands with a right hand.
Phoenix throws the left hand but Magomaevaboff avoids the punch easily.
Phoenix throws out a loose jab but Magomaevaboff uses good head movement to avoid it.
Phoenix misses with a double jab
and Magomaevaboff counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Phoenix throws a hook to the side of Magomaevaboff's head but Magomaevaboff sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Phoenix fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Magomaevaboff manages to avoid it.
Magomaevaboff tries to counter by closing the distance.
Magomaevaboff tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Phoenix was well out of range. Poor timing from Magomaevaboff.
Nice defenses there by Phoenix.
Magomaevaboff slips a jab from Phoenix.
Magomaevaboff scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Phoenix throws out a powerful jab.
Phoenix lunges at Magomaevaboff with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Magomaevaboff's hand.
Magomaevaboff tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Magomaevaboff displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Phoenix throws out the jab.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Magomaevaboff! But no joy.
Phoenix throws a body punch but Magomaevaboff moves out of range.
Phoenix loads up on a big right hand but Magomaevaboff slips the punch.
Magomaevaboff swings for the body but Phoenix moves out of range.
Magomaevaboff slips a jab from Phoenix.
Good leg kick by Magomaevaboff.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix looks to throw the jab but Magomaevaboff is out of range.
Phoenix tried to score with a low kick but Magomaevaboff checks it.
A little jabbing left from Magomaevaboff on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Phoenix tries to score with a low kick but Magomaevaboff moves his leg out of the way.
Phoenix lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Magomaevaboff throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Phoenix throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nice shot lands for Phoenix.
A telegraphed right hand from Phoenix misses the target.
Magomaevaboff looks to land a right hand but Phoenix moved out of range.
Phoenix takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Magomaevaboff tests Phoenix's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Phoenix keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Magomaevaboff.
Phoenix misses with a straight left.
It seemed like Magomaevaboff was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
A swing and a miss from Phoenix.
Magomaevaboff lands with a thumping leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Magomaevaboff bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Magomaevaboff is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Phoenix.
Magomaevaboff turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Nice straight punches there by Phoenix. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Phoenix.
Phoenix slips a jab from Magomaevaboff.
Magomaevaboff moves out of range of the leg kick from Phoenix.
Husein Magomaevaboff is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Phoenix is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Magomaevaboff keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Magomaevaboff moves out of range as Phoenix strikes.
Magomaevaboff throws a low kick but Phoenix avoids it.
Phoenix throws a hook but Magomaevaboff blocks it.
Magomaevaboff is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Phoenix with a body shot.
Magomaevaboff lands an overhand right.
Phoenix swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A slow jab from Phoenix misses its intended target.
Phoenix lands a nice shot that snaps Magomaevaboff's head back.
Blake Phoenix has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix throws a body punch but Magomaevaboff moves out of range.
Magomaevaboff avoids the body shot from Phoenix.
Magomaevaboff appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Magomaevaboff fakes the leg kick and cracks Phoenix in the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Phoenix misses with a left hand
and Magomaevaboff counters with a thumping low kick.
Phoenix throws a poor cross that misses
and Magomaevaboff counters with an inside leg kick.
Phoenix moves out of range as Magomaevaboff strikes.
Phoenix throws a low kick, looking for Magomaevaboff's leg but Magomaevaboff calmly moves out of range.
Phoenix takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Magomaevaboff scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Magomaevaboff displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Phoenix throws out the jab.
Magomaevaboff swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Phoenix dodges the punch combination from Magomaevaboff.
Magomaevaboff checks a low kick from Phoenix.
Magomaevaboff looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Husein Magomaevaboff.
Well Magomaevaboff 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 27:30
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Husein Magomaevaboff!
During a confident post fight interview, Husein Magomaevaboff thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.