PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Shawn Tobkins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Phoenix (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Tobkins might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Enter Sandman. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the ring.

Tobkins
vs
Phoenix

175 cm
23
160 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

180 cm
20
160 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Shawn Tobkins!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, John Phoenix!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Matheus Silva and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Tobkins is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Phoenix's half guard.
Phoenix trying to control but Tobkins postures up.
Tobkins missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Phoenix is trying to maintain the position but Tobkins is very close to passing his half guard.

Tobkins wants to work for an arm triangle but Phoenix is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Tobkins is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Phoenix defends it well.

Tobkins wants to work for an arm triangle but Phoenix is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Phoenix is trying to get back to full guard.
Phoenix is trying to maintain the position but Tobkins is very close to passing his half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Phoenix closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Tobkins did well to prevent Phoenix getting side control.
Tobkins wants to get back to full guard.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tobkins is staying active underneath Phoenix, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Phoenix is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Tobkins sees it coming and defends easily.

Phoenix is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Tobkins doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Phoenix.
Tobkins tries to get to full guard but Phoenix has control of the leg.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Tobkins looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's two 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.

Tobkins looking for submissions off his back.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Phoenix scores a takedown into full mount!
Tobkins tries to reverse the position but Phoenix maintains control.
Phoenix wants to control the pace but Tobkins is squirming around nicely.
Phoenix content just to control the position here.
Tobkins tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Phoenix looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Tobkins is desperately trying to improve his position but Phoenix has a good base and remains in mount.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Tobkins is looking to escape.
Tobkins is wriggling around trying to escape.

Phoenix is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Tobkins can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.

Phoenix wants to finish this one by submission but Tobkins is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Phoenix.
Phoenix wants to control the pace but Tobkins is squirming around nicely.
Tobkins can't escape the position.
Phoenix pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Tobkins slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

Phoenix is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Tobkins is just riding it out for now. Phoenix eventually gives up the hold.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Phoenix looks gassed!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Phoenix connects with a nice short shot to Tobkins's temple.
Phoenix is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Tobkins gets full guard.
Phoenix passes Tobkins's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Tobkins actively working from the bottom here.
Phoenix is looking to take a break and control but Tobkins is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Tobkins is looking to control Phoenix's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Tobkins avoid being mounted?
Tobkins moves into full guard.
Phoenix preventing the sweep.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Phoenix dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Phoenix shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.

Phoenix working for a guillotine from mount but Tobkins is in no mood to give up.
Phoenix raining down shots from the mount!
Tobkins tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Phoenix trying to control but Tobkins is having none of it.
Tobkins keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Tobkins defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Phoenix.
Phoenix tries to control but Tobkins wriggling away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tobkins regains half guard.
Tobkins trying to control here.

Phoenix wants to work for an arm triangle but Tobkins is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Phoenix is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Tobkins defends it well.
Phoenix is breathing heavily.
Tobkins is looking for a sweep. Phoenix is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Tobkins is staying active underneath Phoenix, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Phoenix prevents Tobkins from improving his position.

Phoenix seems to be looking for submissions.
Tobkins gets back to full guard.

Phoenix drops back looking for a leg! Tobkins is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Tobkins manages to kick Phoenix off! Phoenix jumps back into Tobkins's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Phoenix is posturing up here but Tobkins has hold of an arm and he's gone for an armbar! Phoenix tries to roll out but it's too tight and Phoenix has to tap! Slick submission there by Tobkins!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:25 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Shawn Tobkins!