PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Roman Ship (ranked 2720 p4p, 3350 weight class) and Phol Hunt (ranked 299 p4p, 370 weight class). Roman Ship had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Ship
vs
Hunt

195 cm
21
283
4 - 3 - 0

191 cm
21
236
4 - 3 - 0

Good takedowns
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Roman Ship!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Phol Hunt!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Don Winkell and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ship throws a leg kick but Hunt moved away.
Hunt swats away the attempt to clinch by Ship.
Hunt looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Ship tries for a takedown but Hunt sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Hunt looks to land a left hand but Ship moved out of range nicely.
Ship lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Hunt at a distance.
Hunt misses with a low kick.
A decent looking cross lands there for Ship.
Ship misses with a takedown attempt
and Hunt cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

It looks like Roman Ship has been cut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Ship closes the distance and clinches.
A nice left hand lands by Hunt.
Ship jumps guard but Hunt turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roman Ship. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ship jumps guard but Hunt stands there with Ship around his waist. Ship gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Ship jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Hunt walks away with a smile on his face. Ship gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Hunt scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Hunt misses the target.

Ship rushes Hunt and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Ship takes a shot to the head.
Ship tries to pull guard but Hunt forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Hunt breaks the clinch.
Ship scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Ship takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Ship pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ship tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Hunt defends well and Ship ends up having to push Hunt into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Ship pulls guard.
Ship has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hunt controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ship is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Hunt stands and throws Ship's legs to the side, diving into side control.
A lull in the action here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Ship is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Hunt tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Hunt controls the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Phol Hunt dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Roman Ship's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Hunt staying out of range there.
Hunt stuffs the takedown.
Roman Ship seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Ship has taken the fight to the clinch.
Hunt lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Ship tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Ship tries to pull guard but Hunt forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roman Ship. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Ship has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Hunt uses from the top position.
Hunt is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Hunt trying to stand up but can't free himself from Ship's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Ship has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Hunt is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Ship.
Sloppy strikes there by Hunt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hunt decides to stand back up. Hunt steps back and let's Ship get back to his feet.
Ship doesn't manage to clinch there - Hunt circles away.
Hunt throws out a counter right but Ship avoids it with no problem.
Ship uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hunt.
Ship tries to counter with a takedown but Hunt is quick to defend against it.
Hunt defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Ship.
Hunt moves out of range of the strikes.
Hunt lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Ship misses with a looping right.
Hunt lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Ship at a distance.
Hunt avoids a kick to the body.
It seemed like Hunt was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Hunt looks to throw the jab but Ship is out of range.
Ship fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Hunt looks like he wants to counter punch here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ship has taken the fight to the clinch.

Hunt breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ship tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hunt paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A little jabbing left from Hunt on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Phol Hunt seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nice uppercut lands for Ship. That snapped Hunt's head back.
Ship misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
A little jabbing left from Hunt on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Ship tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Hunt counters with a straight right hand.
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!
Ship throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Hunt counters with a nice uppercut.
Ship tried to score with a low kick but Hunt checks it.
Ship with a lazy takedown attempt
letting Hunt counter with a right hand.

Roman Ship's cut is getting worse.
Ship moves to clinch but Hunt breaks away
and Hunt scores with a counter punch that sends Ship to the canvas! Hunt smells blood - he's punishing Ship with more strikes and the ref has stopped it! Ship has no idea where he is - he's tackled the ref... oh dear, poor guy, the crowd is in hysterics!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:59 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Phol Hunt!