PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Hurricane Defoe (ranked 179 p4p, 349 weight class) and Blake Phoenix (ranked 30 p4p, 54 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Defoe
vs
Phoenix

190 cm
24
214
9 - 1 - 0

189 cm
24
210
9 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter
Brooklyn Apothecary

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Hurricane Defoe!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Blake Phoenix!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Thiago Cunha and Matheus Silva.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Phoenix closes the distance and pushes Defoe back into the cage.
Defoe tries to throw a body punch but Phoenix avoids it by throwing Defoe back against the cage.
Defoe blocking some punches.
Defoe lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Phoenix backwards.
Phoenix lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Defoe backwards.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Phoenix creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Phoenix swings wildly with an uppercut but Defoe uses good head movement to avoid it.
Defoe scores with a shot to the side of Phoenix's head.
Defoe tries a body shot but Phoenix blocks it.
Defoe scores with a shoulder strike.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Defoe.
Defoe blocking some punches.
We've been informed that Phoenix has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Defoe stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Phoenix misses with a punch to the body.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
A short uppercut from Phoenix.
Phoenix digs a right hand into Defoe's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Defoe's gas tank.
Defoe misses with a punch on the inside.
Defoe presses Phoenix against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Phoenix is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Defoe to keep the fight standing.
Defoe misses with a punch to the body.
Phoenix fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Defoe lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Phoenix backwards.
Phoenix lands a right hand that snaps the head of Defoe backwards.
Defoe misses with a punch to the body.
Defoe struggles to land a body shot inside as Phoenix controls his hands.
Phoenix softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Defoe lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Defoe misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Defoe makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Defoe tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Phoenix blocks an uppercut.
Defoe misses with a hook from the clinch.
Defoe has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
I was talking to Defoe's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
A right handed body shot lands from Phoenix.
Phoenix working some nice short punches in the clinch.

Defoe manages to break the clinch.
Phoenix ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Defoe moves away.
Defoe's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Phoenix connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Defoe scrambles back to his feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Defoe misses with a wild body shot.
Phoenix scores with a crisp jab that stopped Defoe in his tracks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix throws a body punch but Defoe moves out of range.
Defoe is looking to land body kicks.
Jab, jab by Phoenix - just one landing.
Defoe swats away the attempt to clinch by Phoenix.
Defoe bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Defoe avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Phoenix changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Phoenix lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Defoe lands a jab to the nose.
Blake Phoenix seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Defoe goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Defoe on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Defoe throws a leg kick which misses Phoenix's front leg but catches the back leg as Phoenix tries to avoid it.
Phoenix tests Defoe's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Defoe connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Phoenix momentarily.

It looks like Blake Phoenix has been cut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
It appears Defoe was looking to counter with a kick there.
A big left from Phoenix misses.
Defoe looks for the body kick but Phoenix saw that one coming.
Phoenix tries to counter by closing the distance.
Phoenix lands with a nice body punch.
Phoenix takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Defoe lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Phoenix tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Defoe manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Defoe slips a straight right by Phoenix.
Phoenix scores with a jab.
Defoe slips under a jab from Phoenix.
Phoenix misses with a lunging right hand
and Defoe counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Defoe swings for the body but Phoenix moves out of range.
Phoenix gets cracked there but stands up to it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Phoenix throws out a loose jab but Defoe uses good head movement to avoid it.
Defoe pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Defoe scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Defoe moves away.
Phoenix misses with an uppercut.
Defoe lands with a kick to the ribs.
Phoenix on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Defoe throws a hook but Phoenix blocks it.
A nice side step and Phoenix releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Phoenix throws a good cross that connects.
Defoe scores with a kick to the body.
Defoe ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Defoe scores with a nice body kick.
Defoe lands a really nice looking cross but Phoenix seems unphased.
Phoenix gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Defoe.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Defoe slips a jab from Phoenix.
Phoenix is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Defoe had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into mush.
Defoe keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Phoenix.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Defoe.
Defoe throws a low kick, looking for Phoenix's leg but Phoenix calmly moves out of range.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

A jab lands there for Phoenix.
Phoenix scores with a jab to the head.
Defoe swings for the body but Phoenix moves out of range.
Defoe throws a low kick but Phoenix avoids it.
Phoenix connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Defoe momentarily.
Defoe lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Defoe looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Defoe walks into a jab.
Defoe throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Hurricane Defoe is winning the standup battle so far.
Phoenix throws a lazy right hand but Defoe sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Defoe throws a lazy right hand but Phoenix sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Phoenix ducks under a wild hook from Defoe.
Defoe displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Phoenix throws out the jab.
Defoe is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Defoe wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Defoe misses with a body kick.
Phoenix 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Defoe throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
It seemed like Phoenix was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Phoenix throws the left hand but Defoe avoids the punch easily.
A quick step to the side and Defoe tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Phoenix takes a swing at Defoe's ribcage but misses.
Phoenix misses with a hook.
Phoenix tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Defoe was well out of range. Poor timing from Phoenix.
Phoenix lunges at Defoe with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Defoe's hand.
Phoenix scores with a punch to the head.
Nice defenses there by Defoe.
Phoenix throws a body punch but Defoe moves out of range.
Defoe misses with an uppercut. Phoenix saw that one coming.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Phoenix! But no joy.
Phoenix misses with a looping right.
Phoenix misses with an uppercut.
Phoenix pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Defoe is looking to counter punch.
A jab from Defoe misses.
Phoenix scores with a body shot.
Defoe throws a shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Defoe scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
A nice inside leg kick there by Defoe. That's going to slow Phoenix down.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Phoenix avoids the body shot from Defoe.
Phoenix with a jab.
Defoe blocks a jab.
Jab, jab by Phoenix - just one landing.
Phoenix connects with a right hand. Defoe shakes it off.
Phoenix catches Defoe with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
The fighters circling - Phoenix throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Defoe misses the body punch
and Defoe takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Defoe throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Defoe ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A bone on bone clash there as Phoenix blocks the leg kick.
Phoenix cracks Defoe with a right hand to the side of the head.
Defoe fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Phoenix is out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Defoe. Defoe obviously looking to wear him down.
Phoenix jabs Defoe to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Phoenix takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Defoe moves out of range as Phoenix strikes.
Phoenix lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Defoe throws a chopping leg kick but Phoenix manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Phoenix throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Phoenix jabs Defoe to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Phoenix looks to land a left hand but Defoe moved out of range nicely.
Phoenix slips under a jab from Defoe.
Defoe ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Defoe looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Defoe bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Phoenix jabs Defoe right on the nose. Defoe blinks but takes it well.
Defoe ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
A looping hook to the body misses from Phoenix. Defoe does a little dance to reset his feet.
Defoe fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Phoenix lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Phoenix blocks a head kick by Defoe.
Nice body kick from Defoe.
Defoe fails to land with a series of punches.
Defoe scores with a sloppy right hand. Phoenix should have avoided that one.
Phoenix throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
And Defoe counters with a quick kick to the body but Phoenix blocks it.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Defoe.
Phoenix throws an overhand right that lands on Defoe's shoulder, as Defoe tries to avoid the shot.
Defoe misses with a body kick.
Phoenix with a nice cross.
Jab by Phoenix.
Defoe throws a right and a left that both miss.
Phoenix is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
A swing and a miss from Phoenix.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Phoenix keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Defoe.
Defoe swings widly with a right hand
and Phoenix makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Blake Phoenix showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Blake Phoenix's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Phoenix misses with a body punch
and Defoe counters with a stiff right hand.
Defoe uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Phoenix.
Phoenix swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Phoenix misses the shot to the body.
A punch lands to the side of Phoenix 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Defoe avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Phoenix fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Defoe, pushing him back against the cage.
Phoenix lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Phoenix jumps guard but Defoe turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Phoenix misses with the head strike.
Phoenix lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Defoe fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Defoe makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Defoe lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Defoe tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Defoe blocks an uppercut.
Defoe tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Defoe working aggressively here.

Defoe breaks the clinch.
Phoenix lands the left hand.
Phoenix is looking to clinch.
Phoenix throws a looping overhand right but Defoe ducks down to avoid it.
Defoe throws a solid leg kick but Phoenix takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Defoe.
Defoe displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Phoenix throws out the jab.
Phoenix tries to clinch but Defoe is having none of it.
Phoenix wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Defoe pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Phoenix is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Defoe on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Phoenix uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Defoe.
Phoenix scores with a jab.
Phoenix loads up on a big right hand but Defoe slips the punch.
Phoenix misses with a looping left.
Phoenix misses with a straight right.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Defoe ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Phoenix moves away.
Defoe moves out of range of the strikes.
Phoenix checks a low kick from Defoe.
Phoenix thows a left - swing and a miss!
Defoe lands a nice hook to Phoenix's body. Phoenix takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Phoenix throws a poor cross that misses
and Defoe counters with a nice body shot.
Phoenix changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Phoenix throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Defoe on the side of the head.
Phoenix jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A nice leg kick lands there from Defoe.
Phoenix connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Defoe momentarily.
Defoe throws a leg kick that is checked
and Phoenix counters with a nice uppercut.
Defoe misses with a wild combination.
Phoenix scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Defoe misses with a leg kick
and Phoenix counters with a nice uppercut.
Good shot there by Defoe.
Defoe misses with a hook. Phoenix ducked under it nicely.
Defoe sets himself, and Phoenix steps forward looking for the clinch! Defoe avoids it this time.
Defoe takes one to the side of the head.
Phoenix tries to clinch but Defoe is having none of it.
Phoenix tries to close the distance and clinch but Defoe swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Phoenix tries to close the distance and clinch up but Defoe swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Defoe avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Phoenix checks a leg kick.
Nice jab there from Phoenix.
Defoe avoids the body shot from Phoenix.
Nice defenses there by Defoe.
Defoe looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Defoe lands a really nice looking cross but Phoenix seems unphased.
Phoenix tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Defoe manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix walks into a stiff left hand from Defoe.
The fighters circling - Phoenix throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Phoenix's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Defoe avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A right-left combo lands from Defoe.

That has opened up Blake Phoenix's cut even more.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Defoe darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Defoe staying out of range there.
Defoe misses the shot to the body.
Defoe throws a big shot that misses.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Phoenix! But no joy.
Phoenix misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Defoe.
Defoe throws a one two combo.
Defoe pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Phoenix takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Defoe throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Phoenix looks like he wants to counter punch here.
A big right from Phoenix misses.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Hurricane Defoe did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The cut man is working on Blake Phoenix's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

A jab from Phoenix finds it's way through Defoe's defenses.
Defoe swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Defoe throws a leg kick but Phoenix moved away.
Defoe missing with a left hand there. Phoenix was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Defoe rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Phoenix moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Phoenix throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Phoenix tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Defoe was well out of range. Poor timing from Phoenix.
Phoenix lands with a hook. Defoe tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Defoe connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Defoe throws a half hearted mid kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Defoe uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Phoenix.
Phoenix throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Defoe on the side of the head.
Defoe slips under a jab.
Defoe takes a jab right on the kisser.
Defoe throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Defoe throws a jab when Phoenix was well out of range.
Defoe is looking to score with low kicks.
Phoenix moves into range and connects with a jab.
Phoenix cracks Defoe with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Defoe moves away from the strike by Phoenix.
Defoe swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Defoe attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Defoe misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Phoenix feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Defoes jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
A jab from Phoenix misses.
Defoe lands a front kick.

Phoenix has closed the distance and engaged Defoe in a clinch.
Phoenix working aggressively here.
Phoenix has a couple of punches blocked by Defoe.
Phoenix scores with a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Defoe misses with a short punch on the inside.
Phoenix tries to pull guard but Defoe forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Blake Phoenix seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Phoenix.
Phoenix lands with a short head shot on the inside.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Phoenix tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Defoe misses with the head strike.
Phoenix throws a head punch that misses.
Defoe can't find room to land a body shot as Phoenix controls the action.
Defoe tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Phoenix's elbow.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Defoe.
Defoe throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Phoenix's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A head punch on the inside from Defoe fails to land.

Defoe pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Defoe throws a big shot that misses.
Phoenix takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Defoe misses with a low kick as Phoenix jumps back.
Phoenix moves out of range as Defoe throws a body kick.
A little jabbing left from Phoenix on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Defoe throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Defoe ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Phoenix moves away.
Phoenix misses with an uppercut. Defoe saw that one coming.
Defoe misses with an uppercut
and Phoenix counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Defoe throws a low kick but Phoenix moves out of range easily.
Defoe throws a body kick that misses.

Phoenix gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Defoe tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Phoenix has a couple of punches blocked by Defoe.
Phoenix working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Phoenix lands a left hand that snaps the head of Defoe backwards.
A shot in the inside from Defoe.
Defoe blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Defoe blocks an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix lands with a light punch inside.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Phoenix.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Defoe blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Defoe misses with a punch to the body.
Defoe pushes Phoenix back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Defoe blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Defoe scores with a shot to the side of Phoenix's head.
Defoe working aggressively here.
Defoe blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Phoenix has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Defoe.
Defoe tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A short right from Defoe on the inside.

The cut above Blake Phoenix's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Phoenix throws a punch but it's blocked by Defoe.
Phoenix tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Defoe's elbow.
Phoenix blocking some punches.
Phoenix working aggressively here.
Defoe tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Blake Phoenix will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Blake Phoenix's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Defoe scores with a head kick. Phoenix tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
The fighters circling - Phoenix throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Phoenix throws a jab but it's blocked by Defoe.
Defoe misses with a head kick.
A slapping leg kick lands for Defoe.
Defoe throws a looping overhand right but Phoenix ducks down to avoid it.
A solid body kick from Defoe.
Defoe gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Defoe ducks under a wild hook from Phoenix.
Phoenix steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Defoe.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Defoe attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Nice shot by Defoe.
Phoenix defending well as Defoe loads up on a big left hand.
Defoe with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Phoenix paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Defoe throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Defoe swings and misses with a hook to the body.
The crowd cheers as Phoenix lands an impressive looking overhand right. Defoe doesn't seem phased though.
Phoenix fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Defoe swings widly with a right hand
and Phoenix counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
A telegraphed right hand from Defoe misses the target.
Defoe tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Phoenix was well out of range. Poor timing from Defoe.
Phoenix throws a hook but Defoe blocks it.
Both fighters circling a little - Defoe finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Phoenix moves out of range of the leg kick from Defoe.
Phoenix misses with a looping left.
Defoe walks into a left hand.
Defoe thows a leg kick but Phoenix checks it
and Phoenix counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Phoenix misses with a right hand
letting Defoe counter with a right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A low kick from Defoe misses
and Phoenix cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Defoe throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Phoenix looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Phoenix misses with a looping right.
Defoe slips a straight right by Phoenix.
Defoe throws a quick counter kick to the body but Phoenix avoids it.
Defoe displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Phoenix throws out the jab.
Defoe misses the jab.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Phoenix! But no joy.
Phoenix comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Phoenix misses with a straight left.
Phoenix just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromDefoe.
Nice defenses there by Defoe.
Phoenix throws a right hand that misses
and Defoe cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Defoe throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Phoenix misses with a hook
and Defoe counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Defoe walks into a left hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Defoe throws a lazy uppercut
and Phoenix counters with a stiff right hand.
Defoe looks to land a body kick but Phoenix moved away.
Phoenix appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Defoe throws a sloppy body shot
and Phoenix counters with a nice uppercut.
Defoe misses with a looping left.
Phoenix cracks a nice hook into Defoe's ribs.
Phoenix moves out of range of the body kick from Defoe.
Defoe has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Phoenix finds it's way round the side to connect with Defoe's head.
Phoenix throws a jab but it's blocked by Defoe.
Defoe slips under a jab.
Defoe thows a leg kick but Phoenix checks it
enabling Phoenix to counter with a crisp jab.
Defoe looking to land some kicks to the body here.
It seemed like Phoenix was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Defoe dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Phoenix avoids a kick to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Defoe.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Defoe throws a wild body kick that Phoenix sees coming a mile off.
Defoe ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Phoenix moves away.
A jab lands there for Phoenix.
Defoe jabs Phoenix right on the nose. Phoenix blinks but takes it well.
Defoe fakes the leg kick and cracks Phoenix in the body.
Defoe connects with a solid leg kick.
Defoe throws a lazy body kick

and Phoenix counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Phoenix.
Defoe lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Phoenix misses with the head strike.
Phoenix tries to pull guard but Defoe holds him up against the cage and eventually Phoenix drops back down to his feet.
Defoe struggles to land a body shot inside as Phoenix controls his hands.
Defoe blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Defoe blocking some punches.

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 Hurricane Defoe.
I think Defoe has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 48:47
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 48:47
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hurricane Defoe!
Hurricane Defoe retains his light heavyweight title!
A relieved looking Hurricane Defoe thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.
In defeat, Blake Phoenix stepped up to the mic, saying 'WTF? You've got to be kidding me!'.