PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mfer Phol (ranked 2047 p4p, 1446 weight class) and John Paul (ranked 115 p4p, 74 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Phol
vs
Paul

210 cm
30
300
20 - 14 - 0

200 cm
30
255
9 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Decent elbows
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

30th Century Beer Store

NARCOS
30th Century Beer Store

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 14 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mfer Phol!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, John Paul!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Daniel Bishop and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Paul lands with a right hand.
Paul throws a low kick but Phol moves out of range easily.
Phol throws a body shot but no joy.
Paul looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Paul.
Phol closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Paul bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Phol's head.
Paul moves out of range of the leg kick from Phol.
Phol lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Paul chopping away at his opponent's legs.
A big right from Paul misses.
Paul loads up on a big right hand but Phol slips the punch.
Phol avoids a kick to the body.
Paul takes a swing at Phol's ribcage but misses.
Paul lands a nice looking body kick.
Phol throws a body shot but no joy.
John Paul seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Phol lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Paul backs up against the cage.
Paul throws a right hand that misses
and Phol counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Phol defending well as Paul loads up on a big left hand.
Phol moves away from the strike by Paul.
Mfer Phol is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paul uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Phol.
Paul just misses with a punch to the body.
Paul ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Paul throws a looping overhand right but Phol ducks down to avoid it.
Paul cracks Phol with a good jab.

It looks like Mfer Phol has been cut.
Paul scoring well with a low kick there.

Paul closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Paul lands in his opponent's guard.
Paul throwing strikes from guard but Phol blocks nicely.
Paul throws a big elbow that misses.
Paul postures up in Phol's guard and throws a big left but Phol blocks it.
Paul has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Phol avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Phol keeping moving, preventing Paul from controlling successfully.
Paul working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paul loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Paul is working Phol over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Paul throws a big right hand that misses.
Paul working some strikes from top position.
Paul trying to control the position from guard on top but Phol is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Phol tries to close the distance and clinch but Paul swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Paul attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
A big right from Paul misses.
Paul lands with a nice body kick.
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!
That kick from Paul tenderised Phol's leg. Phol is trying to keep his angry face on.
Paul fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Phol ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Phol ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Paul moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Paul throws a shot from downtown. Phol moves away and avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paul tries to clinch up but Phol circles away and keeps his distance.
Phol is looking to wear down Paul with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Paul loads up on a big right hand but Phol slips the punch.
Phol defending well as Paul loads up on a big left hand.
Phol looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Paul tries to score with a low kick but Phol moves his leg out of the way.
Paul waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Phol.
Paul connects with a leg kick.
Paul misses with a takedown attempt - Phol sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Paul misses with an uppercut
enabling Phol to counter with a crisp jab.
Phol blocks a head kick by Paul.
Phol uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Paul.
Phol was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Phol lands with a good body shot.
Phol throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Paul pivots, looking for a leg kick but Phol is out of range and Paul settles back down.
Phol fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Paul manages to avoid it.
Phol connects with a good right hand that stumbles Paul. Paul circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Paul connects with a solid leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paul keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Phol swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Phol throws a big shot that misses.
Phol tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Paul paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Paul walks into a left hand.
Phol ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Paul is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Phol.
Paul scores with a leg kick.
Paul scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Phol moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Phol throws a right and a left that Paul avoids nicely.
Paul moves into range and connects with a jab.
Paul takes one on the button.
Phol loads up on a big right hand but Paul slips the punch.
Paul bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Phol's head.
Phol scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A swing and a miss from Paul.
Paul misses with an uppercut
and Phol connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

John Paul dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mfer Phol's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Phol throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Paul takes a body punch but keeps moving.

Phol closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Paul lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A body shot lands from Paul.
Paul can't get the takedown.
Paul fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Paul has Phol pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Paul pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Phol tumbling to the mat - Paul dives into Phol's guard.
Phol working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Paul.
Phol utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Paul postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Paul throws a big right hand that misses.
Paul throws an elbow that misses. Phol uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Paul's guard. Nice move by Phol!

The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Paul tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Phol throws an elbow that misses. Paul uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Phol's guard. Nice move by Paul!

Paul throwing strikes but missing.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Paul accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Paul throws a big right hand that misses.
Paul trying to control but Phol is working from the bottom.
Phol wants to sweep but no luck.
Phol utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Paul has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Paul throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Phol works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Paul trying to control the position from guard on top but Phol is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Phol avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Phol keeping moving, preventing Paul from controlling successfully.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
The crowd cheers as Paul lands an impressive looking overhand right. Phol doesn't seem phased though.
Phol moves away from the strike by Paul.
Phol is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Phol is looking to clinch but Paul is avoiding it.
Phol stuns Paul with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Paul connects with a looping right hand.
Paul throws a hook to the side of Phol's head but Phol sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Paul connects with a looping right hand.
Phol takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Paul uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Phol walks into a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paul works Phol's body with a nice hook.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Paul fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
John Paul seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Phol moves away from the strike by Paul.
Phol throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Phol with a hook.
Paul pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Paul lands with a nice body punch.
Phol swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Paul let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Paul dodges the punch combination from Phol.
Phol takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Phol just misses with a punch to the body.
Paul throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Phol is looking to counter punch.
Phol misses with an uppercut.
Paul replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Phol blocks it well.
Paul ducks under a wild hook from Phol.
Phol ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Phol closes the distance and clinches.
Paul scores with a shot to the side of Phol's head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Paul lands a right hand that snaps the head of Phol backwards.
Paul tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Phol swings wildly with an uppercut but Paul uses good head movement to avoid it.
Paul lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Phol throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Paul blocks it with crossed arms.
Paul makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Phol fails to land.
Paul working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Phol throws a head punch that misses.
Phol blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Paul scores with a shot to the side of Phol's head.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Paul.
Paul scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Phol pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Phol creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

John Paul showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Mfer Phol's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Paul dips to his left and cracks Phol with an uppercut!
Phol keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Paul.
Paul throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Phol stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Phol slips a jab from Paul.
Paul misses with a hook. Phol ducked under it nicely.
Paul scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

Paul clinches.
Phol lands a hook to the side of the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Phol.
Paul swings wildly with an uppercut but Phol uses good head movement to avoid it.
Paul tries a body shot but Phol blocks it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Phol is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Phol stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
A right hand to the body from Phol.
Phol misses with a body punch.
Phol blocking some punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paul goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Paul can't get the takedown.
Phol throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Paul takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Phol lands a shoulder strike.
John Paul seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Paul tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Paul tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Paul.
Phol misses with a hook from the clinch.
Paul goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Phol.

It looks like John Paul has been cut.
Paul lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Paul goes for a takedown in the clinch but Phol prevents it.
Mfer Phol has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Paul.
Phol misses with a hook to the ribs.
Phol just leaning against Paul, taking a breather.
A short right from Paul on the inside.
Phol with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Paul lands with a right to the head.
John Paul is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paul takes an elbow to the forehead.
Phol stalls.
Phol misses with a punch on the inside.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Phol is struggling to control the position.
Phol tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Paul misses with a short punch on the inside.
Phol throws an elbow but it misses.
Paul blocking some punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phol throws an elbow but it misses.
Paul blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Phol lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Nice body punch from Phol.
Phol lands a left hand that snaps the head of Paul backwards.
Mfer Phol has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That has opened up John Paul's cut even more.
Phol misses with a hook to the ribs.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Phol.
Paul blocks a body shot from Phol.
Phol throws an elbow but it misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paul can't find room to land a body shot as Phol controls the action.
Phol fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Phol throws a head punch that misses.
Paul lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Phol backwards.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Phol takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Phol tries to work over Paul's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Paul tries a body shot but Phol blocks it.
Phol has a couple of punches blocked by Paul.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Phol just misses with a elbow thrown towards Paul's brow.

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 Mfer Phol.
I think Paul has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Ackerman scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 28:29
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Paul!
John Paul was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.