PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Luke Phoenix (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andrew Ridgeley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Andrew Ridgeley is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Phoenix
vs
Ridgeley

195 cm
20
218 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

186 cm
25
204 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
World class boxer
Heavy handed

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Luke Phoenix!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Andrew Ridgeley!
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, Chad Campbell and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice straight punches there by Ridgeley. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Ridgeley.
Phoenix throws a lazy uppercut
and Ridgeley counters with a nice uppercut.
Phoenix tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ridgeley misses with a jab, cross combination.
Ridgeley scores with a nice right hand.
Ridgeley throws a low kick but Phoenix avoids it.
Ridgeley connects with a single shot there.
Phoenix goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Phoenix connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Ridgeley misses with a straight right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ridgeley fails to land with a series of punches.
Ridgeley cracks Phoenix with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Phoenix defending well as Ridgeley loads up on a big left hand.
Ridgeley connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Phoenix's hands.
Ridgeley takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Ridgeley keeps the fight on the outside.
Phoenix fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ridgeley is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Ridgeley.

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.
Ridgeley swats away the attempt to clinch by Phoenix.
Phoenix fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Ridgeley is out of range.
Phoenix throws a head kick that misses
and Ridgeley counters with a nice uppercut.
Ridgeley lands with a straight right. Phoenix didn't see that one coming.
Ridgeley throws a jab but it's blocked by Phoenix.
Ridgeley throws a hook but Phoenix avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ridgeley shoots in for a takedown but Phoenix shows good takedown defense.
Ridgeley is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Phoenix had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Ridgeley steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Phoenix.
Ridgeley clobbers Phoenix with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Phoenix tries a head kick but it misses.
An inside leg kick from Ridgeley misses.
A slow jab from Ridgeley misses its intended target.
Ridgeley swats away the attempt to clinch by Phoenix.
Ridgeley gets cracked there but stands up to it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
A solid body kick from Phoenix.
Phoenix throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ridgeley.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Ridgeley. Phoenix shrugs it off though.
Phoenix misses with a lunging right hand
enabling Ridgeley to counter with a crisp jab.
Phoenix looks to throw a body kick
and Ridgeley counters with a stiff right hand.
Phoenix misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Phoenix takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andrew Ridgeley dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Phoenix misses with a straight right.
A jab from Ridgeley misses.
Ridgeley lands a nice shot that snaps Phoenix's head back.
Phoenix looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Phoenix misses with a shot to the body
and Ridgeley counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Phoenix has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Phoenix swings for the body but Ridgeley moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice uppercut there from Ridgeley.
Phoenix throws a head kick that misses
enabling Ridgeley to counter with a crisp jab.
Phoenix looks for the body kick but Ridgeley saw that one coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Phoenix throws a predictable looking body shot
and Ridgeley counters with a series of strikes. Phoenix will be more careful next time no doubt.
Ridgeley changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Phoenix tries to avoid it but Ridgeley manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Phoenix to the ground. Phoenix escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
A head kick misses from Phoenix.
Ridgeley connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Ridgeley works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Phoenix checks a low kick from Ridgeley.
Ridgeley will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A shot to the body from Phoenix misses
and Ridgeley counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix swings widly with a right hand
and Ridgeley counters with a stiff right hand.
Phoenix throws a wild body kick that Ridgeley sees coming a mile off.
Phoenix tries to land a body kick
and Ridgeley counters with an outside leg kick.
Phoenix misses with a wild body shot.
Phoenix swings widly with a right hand
and Ridgeley counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Phoenix throws a lazy body kick
and Ridgeley connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A head kick by Phoenix misses
enabling Ridgeley to counter with a crisp jab.
Ridgeley on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Phoenix. Phoenix obviously looking to wear him down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Phoenix keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ridgeley.
Phoenix throws a sloppy head kick
and Ridgeley counters with a left to the body.
Luke Phoenix is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Phoenix moves out of range of the strikes.

Phoenix gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Ridgeley keeps control of Phoenix as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Ridgeley has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Phoenix working hard to break the clinch.
Phoenix misses with some punches.

Phoenix manages to break the clinch.
Phoenix tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ridgeley paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Phoenix throws a head kick that misses
and Ridgeley counters with an outside leg kick.
Phoenix defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Ridgeley.
Luke Phoenix has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andrew Ridgeley.
A head kick from Phoenix lands but Ridgeley takes it in his stride.
Phoenix wants to clinch up but Ridgeley keeps it at a distance.
Phoenix tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ridgeley cracks Phoenix with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Luke Phoenix is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ridgeley missing with a left hand there. Phoenix was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Phoenix throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andrew Ridgeley showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Phoenix throws a head kick but Ridgeley moves out of range.
Ridgeley throws a jab when Phoenix was well out of range.
Andrew Ridgeley seems to be getting the better of the standup.
No joy there for Ridgeley, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Phoenix misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Ridgeley counters with a straight right hand.
Ridgeley misses with a takedown
and Phoenix counters with an outside leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Phoenix throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ridgeley fails to land with a series of punches.
Ridgeley dives in and grabs Phoenix's left leg, looking for a takedown. Phoenix pushes down on Ridgeley's head and hops out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Phoenix ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ridgeley moves away.
Phoenix looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Ridgeley closes this distance looking for a takedown but Phoenix circles away.
Luke Phoenix has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andrew Ridgeley.
Phoenix looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Phoenix doesn't manage to clinch there - Ridgeley circles away.
Phoenix fails with an attempt to clinch.
Phoenix misses with a double jab
and Ridgeley counters with a stiff right hand.
Luke Phoenix has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Phoenix misses with a combination
and Ridgeley counters with a nice kick to the body.
Phoenix pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Phoenix tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ridgeley paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ridgeley slips a straight right by Phoenix.
Ridgeley tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ridgeley connects with a right hand. Phoenix shakes it off.

Phoenix gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ridgeley wants to break the clinch but can't.
Phoenix keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Ridgeley's efforts to push away.
Ridgeley has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Phoenix has Ridgeley pressed against the cage, preventing Ridgeley from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Phoenix keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Ridgeley's efforts to push away.
Ridgeley is trying to push Phoenix away but Phoenix has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Ridgeley is looking to break free of the clinch but Phoenix has double underhooks.
Ridgeley is looking to break free of the clinch but Phoenix has double underhooks.
Ridgeley is trying to break the clinch but Phoenix has him pressed against the cage.
Phoenix keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Ridgeley's efforts to push away.

Phoenix breaks the clinch.
Phoenix slips under a jab.
Ridgeley fails with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Phoenix swings widly with a right hand
and Ridgeley cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Phoenix throws a hook to the side of Ridgeley's head but Ridgeley sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Phoenix tries to clinch but Ridgeley moves out of range.
Phoenix throws a right hand that misses
and Ridgeley counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Ridgeley jabs Phoenix right on the nose. Phoenix blinks but takes it well.
Ridgeley throws a head kick that half lands.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ridgeley fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Phoenix throws a half hearted mid kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Andrew Ridgeley comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Ridgeley winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Lou da Vinci scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Andrew Ridgeley!