PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Lane Hedley (ranked 5586 p4p, 3608 weight class) and Rick Phoenix (ranked 227 p4p, 182 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Hedley
vs
Phoenix

200 cm
22
270
2 - 0 - 0

190 cm
22
215
1 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Northern Zombie
Shadow Realm Apparel

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Lane Hedley!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Rick Phoenix!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Cecil Peabody and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Phoenix moves into the clinch.

Hedley manages to pull guard.
Phoenix stands and throws Hedley's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Hedley is trying to control Phoenix's posture but Phoenix avoids it.
Hedley is trying to get back to half guard.

Phoenix tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Phoenix has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Phoenix wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hedley keeps working.
Hedley sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Phoenix seems to be looking for submissions.
Hedley is not content to let Phoenix control the position.
Hedley gets back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hedley 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.
Hedley wants to sweep here but Phoenix controlling him for the moment.
Hedley not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hedley keeping moving, preventing Phoenix from controlling successfully.
Hedley working a defensive guard here.

Phoenix drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Phoenix jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Phoenix avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Phoenix trying to control but Hedley is working from the bottom.

Phoenix is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Hedley is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Phoenix advances to half guard.

Phoenix is trying to work for a kimura but Hedley is defending well.
Hedley is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Hedley is looking to control Phoenix's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Hedley avoid being mounted?
Hedley is in trouble now - Phoenix has advanced to mount!
Hedley is desperately trying to improve his position but Phoenix has a good base and remains in mount.
Phoenix trying to control but Hedley is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hedley working to try and regain half guard.

Phoenix jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Hedley manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Hedley tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Hedley gets back to half guard.
Phoenix wants to control but Hedley is keeping him busy.
Hedley is looking for a sweep. Phoenix is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Phoenix is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Hedley doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Phoenix.
Phoenix looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's four 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.
Hedley wants to improve his position but Phoenix is controlling well.

Phoenix is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Hedley is just riding it out for now. Phoenix eventually gives up the hold.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hedley is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hedley makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Hedley.
Phoenix wants to pass the guard but Hedley is keeping the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Rick Phoenix dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Phoenix moves into range and clinches up with Hedley.

Hedley pulls guard.
Hedley keeping full guard, as Phoenix tries to pass.
Phoenix wants to control from the top but Hedley keeps moving.
Phoenix looking to pass the guard.
Phoenix passes into half guard.
Phoenix tries to pass to full mount but Hedley defends it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hedley trying to control from the bottom.

Phoenix is working for a kimura here but Hedley manages to reverse the position and he's now in Phoenix's guard.
Rick Phoenix has got the better of the ground game so far.
Phoenix wants to sweep but no luck.
Phoenix controls Hedley momentarily but Hedley frees himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hedley thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Phoenix wants to sweep but no luck.

Hedley avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Phoenix is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Hedley trying to control the position from guard on top but Phoenix is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Hedley thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Phoenix wants to sweep but no luck.

Phoenix is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Phoenix trying to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Hedley trying to control but Phoenix is working from the bottom.

Phoenix escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hedley gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Phoenix looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Hedley stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Phoenix swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hedley is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

Hedley takes the fight into the clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

Hedley pulls Phoenix into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hedley is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Phoenix is aware though and is defending well.

Hedley is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Phoenix is aware though and is defending well.
Phoenix works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Hedley is not content to let Phoenix control the position.

Phoenix is looking for a kimura here.

Phoenix is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Hedley doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Phoenix.
Hedley is looking for a sweep. Phoenix is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Hedley moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Phoenix is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Phoenix trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Hedley had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Phoenix defends it easily.
Phoenix trying to control the position from guard on top but Hedley is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Phoenix postures up.
Phoenix trying to control but Hedley is working from the bottom.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hedley wants to sweep here but Phoenix controlling him for the moment.

Hedley is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Phoenix is aware though and is defending well.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Lane Hedley dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Hedley takes the fight into the clinch.
Phoenix content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Phoenix looking to stall.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Phoenix stalling the fight.

Hedley manages to pull guard.
Hedley manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Phoenix manages to get himself to full guard.

Phoenix is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Hedley defends well.
Hedley wants to pass the guard but Phoenix is keeping the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Hedley got a little sloppy there for a moment and Phoenix has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Hedley has managed to get both his arms back between Phoenix's legs - danger averted.
Hedley trying to control but Phoenix is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hedley thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Hedley drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Hedley jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Phoenix trying to control the position.
Hedley stopping the sweep attempt from Phoenix.
Hedley trying to control but Phoenix is working from the bottom.

Phoenix is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Hedley drops back looking for a leg! Phoenix is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Phoenix manages to kick Hedley off! Hedley jumps back into Phoenix's guard.
Hedley seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

Phoenix looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Hedley drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Hedley jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Hedley trying to control the position from guard on top but Phoenix is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
We've been told by Hedley's head coaches at League of Shadows MMA that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.

Hedley tries to keep at a distance but Phoenix has taken the fight into the clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hedley jumps into guard, dragging Phoenix to the mat.

Phoenix avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Hedley looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Phoenix advances position into side control!

Phoenix tries for a kimura but Hedley is defending well.
Hedley tries to buck Phoenix off but Phoenix is having none of it.
Hedley is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Phoenix trying to mount his opponent but Hedley defends it.

Phoenix looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hedley tries to roll over but Phoenix keeps him under control.
Hedley trying to hold on to Phoenix's head to control him but Phoenix postures up.

Phoenix is working for a kimura but Hedley is defending it quite comfortably.
Hedley is trying to get back to full guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

And that's the end of the fight!
Lane Hedley showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Hedley 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 29:28
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lane Hedley!
Lane Hedley decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.