PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dave Pheonix (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ryan Riddles (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Pheonix's entrance music is Bodies. A fine choice. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Pheonix
vs
Riddles

185 cm
18
215 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

170 cm
21
175 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Dave Pheonix!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ryan Riddles!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Kenichi Hosakawa and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pheonix shoots in for a takedown but Riddles shows good takedown defense.

Riddles darts in and clinches Pheonix up against the cage.

Riddles breaks from the clinch.
Riddles dodges the punch combination from Pheonix.
Riddles is looking to clinch.
Pheonix tries for a takedown but Riddles sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Riddles looks to land a combination. Pheonix sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

It looks like Dave Pheonix has been cut.

Riddles closes the distance and clinches.
Pheonix goes for a takedown in the clinch but Riddles prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dave Pheonix. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Riddles stops a takedown attempt from Pheonix.
Riddles has Pheonix pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Pheonix manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Pheonix is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Riddles gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Pheonix is breathing heavily.
Pheonix changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Riddles fights it off and pushes away nicely.
A left and a right from Riddles both land. Nice combination.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Pheonix will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
A jab lands there for Riddles.
Riddles lands a jab-cross combination.

Riddles darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Riddles decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Riddles lands a head kick. Pheonix smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Dave Pheonix seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pheonix doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Riddles counters by moving into the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Riddles.

Riddles works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Pheonix working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Riddles.
Riddles loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Riddles looking to pass the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Riddles looking to sit in guard and control but Pheonix gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Riddles is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Pheonix throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Riddles works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Pheonix connects with a couple of short punches.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Pheonix tries to free his leg and advance position but Riddles is retaining full guard.
Pheonix chips away with some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pheonix scoring with punches to the head and body.
Pheonix won't allow Riddles to get back to his feet.
Pheonix makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Pheonix postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Riddles utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Riddles avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Pheonix with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Pheonix lands a couple of elbows.
Riddles looking to control.
Pheonix is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Pheonix stopping the sweep attempt from Riddles.
Pheonix lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pheonix lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Pheonix scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Pheonix working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Pheonix working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Pheonix has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Pheonix working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Pheonix will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Pheonix content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Pheonix keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Riddles's head.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Pheonix's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Pheonix lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Pheonix landing some decent shots from guard.
Riddles trying to keep a closed guard but Pheonix is proving a slippery customer.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan Riddles dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Dave Pheonix's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Pheonix gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Riddles counters with a big head kick but Pheonix shrugs it off.
Riddles throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Pheonix scores with a leg kick.

Pheonix closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Riddles is trying to stand up here but Pheonix is controlling him well.
Pheonix working the head and body with strikes.
Pheonix is nestled in close to Riddles, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Pheonix not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Riddles works his way to full guard. Good work.
Riddles utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Pheonix with a flurry of punches that miss.
Riddles looking to hit a scissor sweep but Pheonix is one step ahead there.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Riddles. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Riddles utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pheonix loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Riddles lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Pheonix!
Pheonix is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Pheonix is squirming around, avoiding Riddles's attempts to control the action.

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.
Riddles can't control as he wanted to and Pheonix manages to get the fight back to his half guard.

Pheonix kicks off Riddles and gets to his feet.
Pheonix throws a sloppy head kick

and Riddles counters by clinching up.
Riddles gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Pheonix.

Riddles breaks the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riddles wants to clinch up but Pheonix keeps it at a distance.
Pheonix throws a head kick but Riddles moves out of range.
Pheonix shoots for a takedown but Riddles saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dave Pheonix. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Left hook, right uppercut from Riddles.
Pheonix tries to score a power double leg takedown but Riddles sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Pheonix somewhat.
Riddles throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Pheonix tries a head kick but it misses.
Dave Pheonix is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Pheonix fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Riddles throws a head kick that Pheonix semi-blocks.
Pheonix misses with a double jab

and Riddles moves into the clinch.
Pheonix has Riddles pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Riddles manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Pheonix goes for a takedown in the clinch but Riddles prevents it.

Riddles breaks the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pheonix misses with a takedown attempt - Riddles sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Pheonix misses with a head kick.
Pheonix shoots and misses
and Riddles counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
A nice combination there by Riddles.
Ryan Riddles seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Pheonix has his takedown stuffed
and Riddles makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Pheonix really felt that one!
Riddles tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Pheonix paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Riddles misses with the combination.
Pheonix fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Pheonix misses with a takedown
and Riddles counters with a series of strikes. Pheonix will be more careful next time no doubt.

Riddles closes the distance and clinches.
Pheonix looking for a takedown.

Riddles has Pheonix pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Riddles pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Pheonix tumbling to the mat - Riddles dives into Pheonix's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan Riddles showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Dave Pheonix's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Pheonix misses with a takedown attempt
and Riddles counters with a nice leg kick.
Riddles goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Left hook, right uppercut from Riddles.

Riddles closes the distance and clinches.
Pheonix is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Riddles gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Pheonix has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Riddles avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dave Pheonix. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Riddles gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Pheonix regains guard.
Riddles trying to control the position from guard on top but Pheonix is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Pheonix on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Pheonix tries to get out of the position.
Riddles forces his way into half guard.
Pheonix blocking the ground and pound attempt from Riddles.
Pheonix knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Riddles on the ground.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pheonix avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Riddles.
Riddles missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Riddles throwing shots but Pheonix is blocking nicely.
Riddles missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Pheonix is trying to stand back up but Riddles is controlling him

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Pheonix with a poor takedown

and Riddles counters by moving into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Riddles manages to break the clinch.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Pheonix.
Riddles lands with a slapping head kick.
Riddles stuffs the takedown.
Pheonix misses with a takedown attempt
and Riddles counters with a left and a right that stings Pheonix.
Pheonix throws a sloppy head kick
and Riddles counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

Pheonix fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Riddles sprawls well initially but Pheonix persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Riddles slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Pheonix makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Pheonix keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Riddles's head.

Riddles is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Pheonix is aware though and is defending well.
Pheonix throws a big right hand that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pheonix stands up over Riddles, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pheonix lands a couple of elbows.
Pheonix lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Connects with an elbow from the bottom, proving to the judges that he's still active off his back.
Riddles is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Pheonix wants to get back to his feet.
Pheonix trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

Riddles stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Pheonix with that takedown attempt.
Riddles lands a head kick!
Pheonix will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Riddles scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Pheonix shoots and misses
and Riddles counters with a slapping leg kick.
Pheonix has a takedown stuffed.

Riddles moves into range and clinches up with Pheonix.
Pheonix is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Riddles gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Riddles manages to break the clinch.
Pheonix fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Riddles manages to avoid it.
Dave Pheonix has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ryan Riddles is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Riddles decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ryan Riddles comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Riddles 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight 27:30
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ryan Riddles!