PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Nahir Escamilla (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mica Phillips (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Escamilla
vs
Phillips

180 cm
18
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
18
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nahir Escamilla!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mica Phillips!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, George Francis and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Escamilla throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Escamilla is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Nahir Escamilla seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Phillips decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Phillips is trying to control the action in half guard but Escamilla is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Phillips perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Escamilla wants to improve his position but Phillips is controlling well.
Escamilla gets back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Phillips looking to sit in guard and control but Escamilla gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Escamilla would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Escamilla postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Phillips is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Escamilla, into his guard.
Phillips trying to control but Escamilla is working from the bottom.
Phillips forces his way into half guard.
Phillips is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Escamilla!

Phillips goes for an armbar but Escamilla turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Escamilla.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Phillips keeping full guard, as Escamilla tries to pass.
Phillips is adopting a defensive guard.
Let's hope that Phillips has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Escamilla won't allow Phillips to get back to his feet.
Escamilla looking to sit in guard and control but Phillips gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Phillips sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Escamilla's guard.

Phillips is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Escamilla defends it well.
Phillips looks gassed!

Phillips is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Escamilla doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Phillips.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Escamilla is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Phillips's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Phillips's back!
Phillips covers up after that shot from Escamilla.
Escamilla biding his time, controlling Phillips.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Escamilla throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mica Phillips dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Escamilla tries for a takedown but Phillips circles away easily

and Phillips decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Escamilla's guard.
Escamilla keeping moving, preventing Phillips from controlling successfully.
Escamilla is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Escamilla throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Phillips wants to pass the guard but Escamilla is keeping the position.
Escamilla avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Phillips stands up from Escamilla's guard - Phillips perhaps looking for a knockout.
Phillips is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Escamilla fails with the takedown

and Phillips counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Escamilla!
Escamilla tries to buck Phillips off but he can't manage it.
Phillips wants to control the pace but Escamilla is squirming around nicely.
Escamilla holds on, trying desperately to control.

Phillips jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Escamilla is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Escamilla and Phillips has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Escamilla can't do much from the bottom here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Escamilla is looking to regain half guard here but Phillips keeps moving and retains side control.

Phillips working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Phillips working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Phillips wants to lay and pray for a moment but Escamilla keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Phillips tries for a kimura but Escamilla is defending well.
Escamilla tries to bench press Phillips off him but Phillips keeps the position.

Phillips tries for a kimura but Escamilla is defending well.

Phillips thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

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

Phillips tries for a kimura but Escamilla is defending well.
Escamilla is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Phillips has just dragged him back down to the mat.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Phillips doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Escamilla counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Phillips's guard now.
Phillips controlling the position.
Phillips looking to hit a scissor sweep but Escamilla is one step ahead there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mica Phillips showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Escamilla displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Phillips.

Phillips drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Escamilla is trying to buck Phillips off.
Phillips lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
You can see the frustration on Escamilla's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Escamilla is trying to improve his position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Phillips is trying to get an arm triangle but Escamilla is defending well.
Escamilla scores with a shot to the body.
Phillips looking to control but instead Escamilla has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
Escamilla wants to get back to full guard.
Escamilla wants to control but Phillips is keeping busy.
Escamilla tries to roll over but Phillips keeps him under control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Escamilla missing with punches from the bottom.

Phillips is working for a submission of some sort.

Phillips is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Escamilla is just riding it out for now. Phillips eventually gives up the hold.

Phillips stands up from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Escamilla tries a head kick but it misses.

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

Phillips is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Phillips trying to control from Escamilla's half guard. Escamilla has other ideas though and has regained full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phillips pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Escamilla is keeping the position for now.
Phillips stops Escamilla from standing up.

Escamilla looking for a guillotine here but Phillips defends easily.
Phillips works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Nahir Escamilla has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mica Phillips is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Phillips is trying to control the action in half guard but Escamilla is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mica Phillips comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Phillips 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge George Francis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mica Phillips!