PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Pocket Rocket (ranked 2628 p4p, 2874 weight class) and Eh Phuthong (ranked 147 p4p, 165 weight class). Eh Phuthong is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Rocket
vs
Phuthong

163 cm
21
140
3 - 1 - 0

178 cm
21
147
6 - 6 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Pocket Rocket!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Eh Phuthong!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, William Gold and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Phuthong with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Rocket has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Jeffery Epstein Suicide Center in the buildup to the fight.
Phuthong lands a jab to the head.
Phuthong sizes up Rocket with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Phuthong cracks a nice hook into Rocket's ribs.
Rocket walks into a left hand.
Phuthong fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Phuthong throws a shot from downtown. Rocket moves away and avoids it.
Rocket throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Phuthong misses with a body shot
and Rocket counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Phuthong misses with a shot to the body
and Rocket counters with a two punch combo.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Phuthong ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rocket moves away.
Rocket was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Phuthong misses with a body shot
and Rocket connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Eh Phuthong seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rocket slips under a jab from Phuthong.
Rocket slips under a jab from Phuthong.
Rocket was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Phuthong is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Rocket rather than just go for the knockout.
Rocket takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Phuthong takes a swing at Rocket's ribcage but misses.
Phuthong connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Rocket's hands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Phuthong misses with a looping left.
Rocket misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Phuthong.
Jab by Phuthong.
Phuthong fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Rocket on the side of the head.
Phuthong misses the shot to the body.
Phuthong lands a jab to Rocket's midsection.
Phuthong with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Phuthong throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
A looping hook to the body misses from Phuthong. Rocket does a little dance to reset his feet.
A slow jab from Phuthong misses its intended target.
Rocket throws out a powerful jab.
Rocket uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Phuthong.
Rocket takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Rocket needs to keep his hands up - Phuthong had a free shot at his head there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rocket blocks a head kick by Phuthong.
Rocket misses with a straight right.
Phuthong has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Phuthong misses its intended target.
Phuthong throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Rocket stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Phuthong scores with a nice strike.
Phuthong misses with a lunging right hand
and Rocket counters with a nice uppercut.
Phuthong lands with a hook. Rocket tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Phuthong takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Phuthong swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Phuthong scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Phuthong swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Phuthong ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Phuthong throws an off balance right hand
and Rocket counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Phuthong ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rocket moves away.
Phuthong misses with a looping left.
Phuthong throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Rocket on the side of the head.
Phuthong fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Phuthong is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jab from Phuthong.
Phuthong avoids the body shot from Rocket.
Rocket connects with a looping right hand.
Rocket rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Phuthong moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Rocket misses with a looping left.
Phuthong connects with a looping right hand.
Rocket avoids the body shot from Phuthong.
An attempted straight right counter from Rocket misses the target.
Phuthong throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Rocket slips a jab from Phuthong.
Rocket throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Rocket ducks under a wild hook from Phuthong.
Rocket appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Phuthong jabbing away but nothing is landing.
It looked like Rocket wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Phuthong with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Phuthong misses with an uppercut. Rocket saw that one coming.
Phuthong misses with a looping right.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phuthong dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rocket slips under a jab from Phuthong.
An attempted straight right counter from Rocket misses the target.
Phuthong lands with a cross.
Rocket uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Phuthong.
Rocket swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Phuthong misses with a wild body shot.
Rocket thows a left - swing and a miss!
Phuthong tries to move into range but Rocket moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Rocket gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Phuthong.
Phuthong scores with a hook.
Good standup being displayed there by Phuthong as he connects with a hook.
Rocket on the wrong end of a nice jab.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A looping hook to the body misses from Phuthong. Rocket does a little dance to reset his feet.
Rocket on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Phuthong looks to score with a jab to the body but Rocket is just out of range.
Phuthong keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Eh Phuthong dominated that round.
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.

Phuthong throws a hook but Rocket blocks it.
Eh Phuthong seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Rocket moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Phuthong works Rocket's body with a nice hook.
Rocket looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Phuthong lands a nice looking body shot.
Phuthong fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Phuthong misses with a body shot.
Phuthong has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nice cross by Phuthong.
Phuthong lands with a straight right. Rocket didn't see that one coming.
Phuthong lands a nice hook to Rocket's body. Rocket takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Phuthong slips a straight right by Rocket.
Phuthong swings for the body but Rocket moves out of range.
A little feinted left hand from Rocket on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Rocket looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Phuthong missing with a left hand there. Rocket was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rocket catches Phuthong with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Phuthong bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Rocket's head.
Phuthong throws a big shot that misses.
Rocket is looking to counter punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rocket throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Phuthong waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Rocket.
It looked like Rocket wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Phuthong lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Phuthong scores with a jab to the head.
Rocket on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Nice defenses there by Rocket.
Phuthong connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Phuthong with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Phuthong connects with a looping right hand.
Phuthong looks to score with a jab to the body but Rocket is just out of range.
It looked like Rocket wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Phuthong takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Phuthong throws a looping overhand right but Rocket ducks down to avoid it.
Rocket takes one on the chin but seems OK.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Phuthong ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rocket moves away.
A quick step to the side and Rocket tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Phuthong throws a body punch but Rocket moves out of range.
Rocket swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Phuthong misses with a looping right.
Rocket is looking for a counter combo.
Phuthong throws an off balance right hand
and Rocket counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Phuthong swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Rocket.
Phuthong ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
A jab from Phuthong misses.
Phuthong misses with an uppercut.
Rocket is looking to counter punch.
Phuthong keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Rocket.
Rocket connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Phuthong misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rocket.
Phuthong misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rocket stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Rocket avoids the body shot from Phuthong.
Rocket throwing a counter right hand but Phuthong manages to avoid it.
A telegraphed right hand from Rocket misses the target.
Phuthong avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phuthong throws a body punch but Rocket moves out of range.
Phuthong blocks a jab.
Phuthong throws a head kick that misses
and Rocket connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Phuthong missing with a left hand there. Rocket was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A looping hook to the body misses from Phuthong. Rocket does a little dance to reset his feet.
Rocket keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Phuthong.
Rocket was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Rocket might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Rocket avoids the body shot from Phuthong.
Phuthong lands a head shot.
Rocket blocks a jab.
Phuthong uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Rocket.
A jab from Phuthong misses.
Rocket listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Phuthong swings widly with a right hand
and Rocket counters with a left and a right that stings Phuthong.

Phuthong is rocked!
A cross from Phuthong lands.
Phuthong is still on wobbly legs! Can Rocket finish him?
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rocket walks into a left hand.
Phuthong seems to have recovered his senses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rocket cracks Phuthong with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Rocket looks to score with a jab to the body but Phuthong is just out of range.
Rocket ducks right into an uppercut from Phuthong.
Rocket throws an overhand right that lands on Phuthong's shoulder, as Phuthong tries to avoid the shot.
Phuthong throws a body shot but no joy.
Rocket doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Rocket uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Phuthong.
Rocket slips under a jab.
Rocket steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Phuthong.
Rocket was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Phuthong moves out of range as Rocket strikes.
Rocket defending well as Phuthong loads up on a big left hand.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rocket uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Phuthong.
Phuthong scores with a decent looking hook.
Phuthong lands a nice shot that snaps Rocket's head back.
Phuthong throws a right hand that misses
enabling Rocket to counter with a crisp jab.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Eh Phuthong showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Rocket uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Phuthong.
Phuthong throws a body shot but no joy.
Rocket appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Phuthong tries a head kick but it misses.
Phuthong throws an overhand right that lands on Rocket's shoulder, as Rocket tries to avoid the shot.
Phuthong is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Rocket.
Phuthong avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Phuthong throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Phuthong swings widly with a right hand
and Rocket counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Donk. Rocket catches Phuthong right on the button with a cross.
Rocket moves away from the strike by Phuthong.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rocket fails to land with a series of punches.
Rocket gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Phuthong looks to land a left hand but Rocket moved out of range nicely.
Rocket takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Rocket moves out of range of the strikes.
Eh Phuthong is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Phuthong throws an overhand right that lands on Rocket's shoulder, as Rocket tries to avoid the shot.
Nice defenses there by Rocket.
Phuthong misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rocket.
Rocket uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Phuthong.
Phuthong misses with a wild body shot.
The fighters circling - Rocket throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Phuthong throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Phuthong swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Rocket was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Phuthong misses with a looping left.
Rocket throwing a counter right hand but Phuthong manages to avoid it.
Phuthong takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Phuthong throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Rocket sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Phuthong listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Phuthong misses with a body shot.
Rocket swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Good exchange - Phuthong coming out on top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Phuthong misses with a looping left.
It looked like Rocket was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Phuthong.
Phuthong misses with an uppercut
and Rocket counters with a left to the body.
Phuthong throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Phuthong tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rocket was well out of range. Poor timing from Phuthong.
A quick step to the side and Rocket tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Rocket connects with a body shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Phuthong walks into a left hand.
A jab from Phuthong misses.
Phuthong throws an off balance right hand
and Rocket counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Rocket shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Phuthong looks to land a right hand but Rocket moved out of range.
Phuthong misses with a lunging right hand
and Rocket counters with a nice uppercut.
Phuthong misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rocket.
Phuthong swings for the body but Rocket moves out of range.
Rocket looks to land a right hand but Phuthong moved out of range.
A little jabbing left from Phuthong on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phuthong misses with a straight left.
Rocket is looking to counter punch.
Rocket looks to land a right hand but Phuthong moved out of range.
The crowd cheers as Phuthong lands an impressive looking overhand right. Rocket doesn't seem phased though.
Nice straight punches there by Phuthong. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Phuthong.
Phuthong throws a jab but it's blocked by Rocket.
A little feinted left hand from Rocket on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Phuthong scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Rocket connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Phuthong's hands.
Rocket moves out of range as Phuthong strikes.
As Phuthong looks to move away, Rocket throws a big counter combo but Phuthong just gets out of the way.
Jab by Phuthong.
Phuthong dodges the punch combination from Rocket.
Rocket keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Phuthong.
Phuthong throws a hook but Rocket avoids it easily.
It looked like Rocket wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Phuthong throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Pocket Rocket has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phuthong moves out of range as Rocket strikes.
Phuthong lands a jab to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Phuthong scores with a crisp jab that stopped Rocket in his tracks.
Rocket takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Phuthong swinging wildly here.
Phuthong fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Phuthong, as that shot connected.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Phuthong, as that shot connected.
Phuthong scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Phuthong misses with an uppercut.
Rocket jabs Phuthong to the body, keeping him at a distance.
A jab from Rocket misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Eh Phuthong comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Phuthong 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 Chris Edwards scores the fight 27:30
Judge William Gold scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 27:30

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