PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Craig Mason (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Benny Phillips (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Craig Mason could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Benny Phillips's chin.

Mason
vs
Phillips

178 cm
38
181 lbs
25 - 17 - 0

181 cm
34
174 lbs
20 - 25 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 25 - 17 - 0, fighting out of New York, Craig Mason!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 25 - 0, fighting out of London, Benny Phillips!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Alexandre Firmino and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Phillips misses with an uppercut
and Mason counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Mason looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Phillips is fending him off so far but Mason persists. Nope, Phillips circles away and we're back to standing.
Mason misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Phillips.
Phillips lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

It looks like Craig Mason has been cut.
Phillips falls off balance throwing a combination

and Mason counters with a leg kick then a big left hand that sends Phillips down! Mason is looking to finish but Phillips is intelligently defending himself.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mason stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Phillips swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Mason is working hard here to advance position.
Mason trying to control the position from guard on top but Phillips is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mason tries to free his leg and advance position but Phillips is retaining full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mason wants to get up but he can't break Phillips's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Phillips has control of Mason's left arm, preventing Mason from doing any damage.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Phillips dodges the punch combination from Mason.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Phillips misses with the combination.
Mason scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Mason uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Phillips misses the shot to the body.
Some wild striking there from Mason.
Phillips lands the left hand.
Phillips throws a series of punches but Mason moves out of range.
Benny Phillips is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Mason has taken the fight to the clinch.
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!
Phillips tries to break free but Mason pushes him back against the cage.
Mason lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Phillips backwards.
Phillips blocks an uppercut.
Mason scores with a shot to the side of Phillips's head.
Phillips takes a shot to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mason lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Mason misses with some punches.
The referee calls for Mason to work.
Mason misses with a short punch on the inside.
Mason misses with a punch on the inside.
Phillips wants to get back to striking at distance but Mason won't allow it.
A head punch on the inside from Mason fails to land.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Mason.
Mason throws a head punch that misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Phillips.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Mason.
Mason lands a left hand that snaps the head of Phillips backwards.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Mason.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phillips wants to break the clinch but can't.
Mason drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Phillips gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Phillips is trying to force a seperation but Mason has the dominant position.
A short right from Mason on the inside.
A right hook to the body lands for Mason.
Mason leaning against his opponent.
Still in the clinch, Mason scores with a nice short uppercut.
Mason works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Phillips looks winded!
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!
Phillips blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Mason working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

Mason gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Phillips regains guard.
Phillips keeping moving, preventing Mason from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mason wants to get up but he can't break Phillips's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Mason thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Mason wants to pass the guard but Phillips is keeping the position.
Phillips keeping moving, preventing Mason from controlling successfully.
Mason pushing down on Phillips's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mason wants to control but Phillips is keeping him busy.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Mason is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Mason prevents Phillips from standing back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Craig Mason dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Craig Mason's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Phillips scores with a shot to the body.
Mason shoots for a takedown but Phillips saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Phillips ducks under a wild hook from Mason.
Mason throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Phillips throws a solid leg kick but Mason takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Phillips.

Mason has closed the distance and engaged Phillips in a clinch.
Mason tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Mason lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Phillips has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Phillips prevents a body shot from Mason.
A short left from Mason.
Mason fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Mason has a couple of punches blocked by Phillips.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Phillips.
Craig Mason has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Mason lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Phillips backwards.
Mason misses with a punch to the body.
Phillips looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Mason scores with a hook to the body.
Mason is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Phillips can do to turn this around?
Mason lands with a left to the head.
Mason scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Mason keeps control of Phillips as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Mason lands with a short shot to the head.
Mason scores with a nice hook to the head.
Mason misses with a hook to the ribs.
Mason struggles to land a body shot inside as Phillips controls his hands.
Mason tries a body shot but Phillips blocks it.
Phillips has had enough of the clinch but Mason keeps him there for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mason lands with a light punch inside.
Mason doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Mason has a couple of punches blocked by Phillips.
Mason swings wildly with an uppercut but Phillips uses good head movement to avoid it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mason lands a nice shot to the body.
Mason lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Mason throws a punch but it's blocked by Phillips.
Mason working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Phillips blocks a body shot from Mason.
Mason lands with a left to the head.

Phillips is rocked!
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Mason creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Phillips is still on wobbly legs! Can Mason finish him?
Mason digs a right hand into Phillips's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Phillips's gas tank.
Phillips is breathing heavily.
A short body shot lands from Mason as the two fighters clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mason lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

Mason connects with a big uppercut there that sends Phillips tumbling to the ground! Mason follows him down into his guard.
Mason looking to pass the guard.
Mason advances position into side control!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Mason looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Mason wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Phillips, who protects the arm well.
You can see the frustration on Phillips's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Phillips seems to have recovered his senses.
Phillips felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.

Mason wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Phillips, who protects the arm well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mason looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Mason trying to control the position but Phillips is working away.
Phillips manages to work his way to half guard, despite Mason's best efforts.
Mason wants to lay and pray for a moment but Phillips keeps working.

Mason wants to work for an arm triangle but Phillips is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Mason content to control rather than advance.
Phillips tries to roll over but Mason keeps him under control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Craig Mason dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Craig Mason's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Phillips circles away from the clinch attempt.
Phillips digs a good hook to Mason's body.
The fighters circling - Mason throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Phillips throws a series of strikes that have Mason backpedaling.
Phillips lands a nice shot that snaps Mason's head back.
Phillips looks to land a combination. Mason sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
No joy there for Phillips, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Mason fails to land with a series of punches.
Mason fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Phillips on the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mason misses with an uppercut. Phillips saw that one coming.
Phillips fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Mason manages to avoid it.
Phillips looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Phillips swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Mason moves away from the strike by Phillips.
Mason swinging wildly here.
Phillips connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Phillips takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mason uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Phillips.
Mason looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Mason fails with an attempt to clinch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Mason. Phillips does a little dance to reset his feet.
Mason on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Phillips takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Mason will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Mason throws the left hand but Phillips avoids the punch easily.
Phillips thows a body shot but no joy.
Mason thows a left - swing and a miss!
Phillips fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Mason swinging wildly here.
Phillips lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Mason circles away quickly and effectively.
Mason rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Phillips counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Mason is looking to clinch but Phillips is avoiding it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Phillips throws a body punch but Mason moves out of range.
Phillips throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Mason sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Phillips takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
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!
Mason lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Mason uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Phillips.
Benny Phillips seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Phillips scores with a jab to the head.
Craig Mason is winning the standup battle so far.
Sloppy strikes from Mason. Those never looked like landing.
Mason uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Phillips.
Phillips takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Mason has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Mason there as he acknowledges the shot.
A cross from Mason lands.
Phillips misses with a wild body shot.
Phillips displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Mason.
Mason slips a jab and a cross from Phillips.
Some wild striking there from Phillips.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mason drives through and clinches with Phillips against the cage.
Mason lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Mason lands a body punch.
Mason scores with a nice hook to the head.
Phillips blocks an uppercut.
Mason scores with a shot to the side of Phillips's head.
Mason misses with a punch on the inside.
Phillips blocking some punches.
Phillips is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Nice body punch from Mason - that landed with a thud.
Mason doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Craig Mason is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Mason doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Benny Phillips has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mason misses with the head strike.
Phillips is trying to break the clinch but Mason has him pressed against the cage.
Mason lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Phillips backwards.
Mason lands a body punch.
Mason pressing his opponent against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Mason fails to land.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Phillips blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A nice right hand lands inside from Phillips.

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 Craig Mason.
Well Mason has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 30:27
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Craig Mason!
Our winner, Craig Mason, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.