PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dean Ambrose (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Christian Phaneuf (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ambrose comes to the cage accompanied by Bad mans world. Christian Phaneuf will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Ambrose
vs
Phaneuf

170 cm
25
205 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

187 cm
23
200 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Prefers standup

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Intelligent

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Dean Ambrose!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Christian Phaneuf!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Ian Loll and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Phaneuf uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Ambrose.
No luck for Phaneuf with that takedown attempt.
Phaneuf displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ambrose throws out the jab.
Ambrose lands with a nice body punch.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Phaneuf is defended easily by Ambrose.
Ambrose throws a series of punches but Phaneuf avoids them all with ease.
Phaneuf is looking to clinch but Ambrose is avoiding it.
Phaneuf moves in looking to clinch but Ambrose pushes him off.
Phaneuf closes the distance and clinches up with Ambrose, looking for a takedown. Phaneuf pushes Ambrose against the cage but Ambrose circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Dean Ambrose has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Christian Phaneuf.
Phaneuf shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ambrose as he avoids it easily.
Ambrose avoids a punch combination nicely.
Phaneuf has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Ambrose swinging wildly here.
Phaneuf shoots in but no luck this time.
Phaneuf looks winded!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ambrose lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Ambrose bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Phaneuf's head backwards.
Phaneuf dodges the punch combination from Ambrose.
Ambrose throws a series of punches but Phaneuf avoids them all with ease.
Ambrose misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Phaneuf.
Dean Ambrose is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Phaneuf drives through and clinches with Ambrose against the cage.
Ambrose blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Phaneuf jumps into guard, dragging Ambrose to the mat.
Ambrose definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

Phaneuf pushes Ambrose off and scrambles back to his feet.
Ambrose closes the distance and lands a one-two.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ambrose slaps away a takedown attempt from Phaneuf, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Phaneuf will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Ambrose tries to bum rush Phaneuf with a series of wild strikes but Phaneuf uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Ambrose scores with the left hand. Phaneuf knows he should have avoided that one.
Phaneuf misses with a two punch combination.
Phaneuf ducks under a wild hook from Ambrose.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Phaneuf slips a jab and a cross from Ambrose.
Phaneuf wants to clinch up but Ambrose keeps it at a distance.
Phaneuf has a takedown stuffed.
Ambrose lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Phaneuf circles away quickly and effectively.
Phaneuf tries to clinch but Ambrose is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phaneuf shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ambrose as he avoids it easily.
Ambrose will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Phaneuf moves in looking to clinch but Ambrose pushes him off.
Ambrose misses with a series of wild punches.

Phaneuf gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Phaneuf tries to land knees in the clinch but Ambrose avoids the damage to the body.
Phaneuf tries to break free but Ambrose pushes him back against the cage.
Ambrose managing to block the knees to the body from Phaneuf.
Phaneuf tries to land knees in the clinch but Ambrose avoids the damage to the body.
Ambrose keeps control of Phaneuf as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Phaneuf fails to pull guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phaneuf tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Ambrose's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Phaneuf fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ambrose feints a jab promting Phaneuf to slip. Ambrose then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Phaneuf slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Phaneuf is looking to clinch but Ambrose is avoiding it.
Christian Phaneuf seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The fight stays on the outside here - Phaneuf looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Phaneuf lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ambrose circles away quickly and effectively.
Ambrose scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Phaneuf tries to clinch but Ambrose moves out of range.
No joy there for Ambrose, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Phaneuf moves in looking to clinch but Ambrose pushes him off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Christian Phaneuf will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Phaneuf shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Ambrose but Ambrose pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Phaneuf tries to keep at a distance but Ambrose has taken the fight into the clinch.
Phaneuf wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Phaneuf manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Ambrose gets to his feet. Phaneuf looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Phaneuf clinches with his opponent.
Phaneuf stalling the fight.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Ambrose on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Ambrose manages to break the clinch.
Phaneuf is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ambrose throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

Ambrose rushes Phaneuf and presses him up against the cage.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Phaneuf.
Phaneuf tries to circle away but Ambrose has him pinned against the cage.
Phaneuf is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Ambrose to keep the fight standing.

Ambrose breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Phaneuf uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ambrose.
Phaneuf wants to clinch up but Ambrose keeps it at a distance.
Phaneuf looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Dean Ambrose has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Christian Phaneuf.
Ambrose throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ambrose circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ambrose swings for the body but Phaneuf moves out of range.
Ambrose misses with a jab, cross combination.
Ambrose tries to bum rush Phaneuf with a series of wild strikes but Phaneuf uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Ambrose tries to bum rush Phaneuf with a series of wild strikes but Phaneuf uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Ambrose keeps the fight on the outside.
Ambrose throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Phaneuf.

Phaneuf has Ambrose up against the cage in a clinch.
Ambrose working hard to break the clinch.
Ambrose wants to break free but Phaneuf has control.
Ambrose has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Ambrose can't break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phaneuf keeps control of Ambrose as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Phaneuf lands a right hand that snaps the head of Ambrose backwards.
Phaneuf stalling.
Phaneuf tries to land knees in the clinch but Ambrose avoids the damage to the body.
Phaneuf missing with knees to the body.
Ambrose working hard to break the clinch.
Phaneuf goes for a takedown attempt but Ambrose pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Ambrose rushes Phaneuf and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Ambrose blocks an elbow strike from Phaneuf.
Phaneuf can't break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Come on Phaneuf - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

Ambrose's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nice straight punches there by Ambrose. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Ambrose.
Phaneuf tries to clinch up.
Ambrose ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Phaneuf moves away.
Ambrose throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Phaneuf wants to clinch up but Ambrose keeps it at a distance.
Phaneuf tries to close the distance and clinch but Ambrose swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Phaneuf takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Phaneuf tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ambrose swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Ambrose circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ambrose looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Dean Ambrose will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Ambrose throws a series of strikes that have Phaneuf backpedaling.
Ambrose throws a nice looking combination but Phaneuf bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Ambrose circles away from the clinch attempt
and Ambrose counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Phaneuf tries to clinch but Ambrose moves out of range.
Ambrose misses with a wild combination.
Phaneuf moves forwards but Ambrose connects with a nice, crisp jab.

Phaneuf rushes Ambrose and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Phaneuf tries to land knees in the clinch but Ambrose avoids the damage to the body.
Ambrose is trying to break the clinch but Phaneuf has him pressed against the cage.
Ambrose blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Phaneuf misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Ambrose.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stalling in the clinch from Phaneuf.
Ambrose dodges an elbow strike from Phaneuf.
Phaneuf tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ambrose prevents Phaneuf from breaking the clinch.
Phaneuf is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Ambrose wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Phaneuf goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Ambrose's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Phaneuf tries to clinch but Ambrose is having none of it.
Ambrose misses with a double jab.
Phaneuf takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Phaneuf is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Phaneuf is looking to clinch but Ambrose is avoiding it.
Phaneuf wants to clinch up but Ambrose keeps it at a distance.
Ambrose misses with an uppercut. Phaneuf saw that one coming.
Phaneuf tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A combination from Ambrose does no damage.
Ambrose misses the shot to the body.
Phaneuf avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ambrose misses with a wild body shot.
Phaneuf wants to clinch.
Dean Ambrose is winning the standup battle so far.
Ambrose misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Phaneuf.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phaneuf wants to clinch.
Phaneuf fails in his attempt to clinch.
Phaneuf fails with an attempt to clinch.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Phaneuf is defended easily by Ambrose.
Ambrose misses with an uppercut

and Phaneuf counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Phaneuf.

Ambrose breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Phaneuf has managed to clinch.
Phaneuf tries to land knees in the clinch but Ambrose avoids the damage to the body.
Phaneuf tries to work over Ambrose's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ambrose avoiding damage as Phaneuf throws knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ambrose is trying to break the clinch but Phaneuf has him pressed against the cage.
Ambrose blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Ambrose keeps control of Phaneuf as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

Ambrose's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ambrose cracks Phaneuf with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
A punch combination from Ambrose misses.
Ambrose wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Phaneuf moves in looking to clinch but Ambrose pushes him off.
Ambrose misses with a double jab.
Ambrose misses with a two punch combination.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Christian Phaneuf.
I think Phaneuf 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 Steve Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Christian Phaneuf!
Christian Phaneuf decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.
In defeat, Dean Ambrose stepped up to the mic, saying 'My mind wasn't in the game letter lone in the ring the other fighter trained for hell he new I was guna take it to him cos I'm the bad man arrgh next time I'm guna knuckle up pain an gain'.