PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mr Triathlon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dion Phaneuf (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.

Triathlon
vs
Phaneuf

198 cm
18
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

198 cm
25
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

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 Montreal, Mr Triathlon!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Dion Phaneuf!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Elvis Blanc and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Phaneuf blocks a jab.
Triathlon dodges the punch combination from Phaneuf.
Phaneuf swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Triathlon dodges the punch combination from Phaneuf.
Phaneuf throws a nice looking combination but Triathlon bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Triathlon shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Phaneuf but Phaneuf pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Phaneuf throws a right hand that Triathlon ducks under and follows up with a left that Triathlon also avoids with ease.

Triathlon has Phaneuf up against the cage in a clinch.
Triathlon stalls.

Triathlon manages to break the clinch.
Dion Phaneuf seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Phaneuf misses with a wild combination.
Phaneuf throws a right and a left that Triathlon avoids nicely.
Phaneuf swinging wildly here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Phaneuf misses with a wild combination.
Phaneuf swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Triathlon counters with an outside leg kick.
Triathlon avoids a punch combination nicely.
Phaneuf will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Triathlon tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Phaneuf defends well and Triathlon ends up having to push Phaneuf into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Phaneuf looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Phaneuf tries to break free but Triathlon pushes him back against the cage.
Triathlon drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mr Triathlon. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Triathlon pulls guard.
Phaneuf trying to stand up but can't free himself from Triathlon's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Triathlon is looking to stand up but Phaneuf isn't so interested in that idea.
Phaneuf tries to stand but Triathlon is controlling from the bottom.

Phaneuf gets to his feet - Triathlon follows without any prompting.
Phaneuf avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Triathlon slips a jab and a cross from Phaneuf.
Phaneuf misses with a two punch combination.
Phaneuf looks winded!
Triathlon shoots in for a double leg but Phaneuf sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Phaneuf throws a series of strikes that have Triathlon backpedaling.
No joy there for Phaneuf, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
No luck for Triathlon with that takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phaneuf moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Triathlon fails with a takedown attempt.
Dion Phaneuf is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Triathlon drives through and clinches with Phaneuf against the cage.
Phaneuf is looking to break free of the clinch but Triathlon has double underhooks.

Triathlon breaks the clinch.
Phaneuf rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Triathlon moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Phaneuf misses with a double jab
and Triathlon counters with a thumping low kick.
Triathlon fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
No joy there for Phaneuf, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phaneuf lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Phaneuf misses with the combination.
Phaneuf throws a right hand that Triathlon ducks under and follows up with a left that Triathlon also avoids with ease.
Phaneuf falls off balance throwing a combination
and Triathlon cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Triathlon has taken the fight to the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Triathlon goes for a takedown in the clinch but Phaneuf prevents it.

Triathlon breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Triathlon will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A left and a right from Phaneuf both land. Nice combination.
A punch combination from Phaneuf misses.
Phaneuf misses with the combination.
Phaneuf misses with the combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dion Phaneuf dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Phaneuf avoids the head kick by Triathlon.
A punch combination from Phaneuf misses.
Phaneuf misses with a combination

The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
and Triathlon holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Phaneuf wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Phaneuf has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Triathlon breaks from the clinch.
Dion Phaneuf seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Phaneuf tries to bum rush Triathlon with a series of wild strikes but Triathlon uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Phaneuf throws a left and a right that both miss
and Triathlon counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Phaneuf is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Triathlon throws a head kick that misses.
Triathlon swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Phaneuf misses with a double jab

and Triathlon moves into the clinch.
Phaneuf tries to break the clinch but Triathlon is controlling the position.
Phaneuf is breathing heavily.
Triathlon tries for a takedown but Phaneuf manages to get underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Phaneuf can't break the clinch.
Phaneuf avoids a wild elbow strike from Triathlon.
Phaneuf is trying to break the clinch but Triathlon is controlling him.
Triathlon tries to score a body lock takedown but Phaneuf shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Triathlon wants to take the fight to the mat but Phaneuf manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mr Triathlon. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Phaneuf is trying to break the clinch but Triathlon is controlling him.
Phaneuf stops a takedown attempt from Triathlon.

Phaneuf breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Phaneuf looks to land a combination but Triathlon avoids it well.
Phaneuf throws a series of punches but Triathlon moves out of range.
Phaneuf misses with a few strikes there.
Triathlon doesn't manage to clinch there - Phaneuf circles away.
Triathlon has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Phaneuf misses with a wild combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Phaneuf looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Triathlon swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Phaneuf tries to keep at a distance but Triathlon has taken the fight into the clinch.
Phaneuf is trying to force a seperation but Triathlon has the dominant position.
Triathlon is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Triathlon keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Phaneuf's efforts to push away.
Phaneuf tries to circle away but Triathlon has him pinned against the cage.
Triathlon has Phaneuf pushed against the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Triathlon breaks from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice combination there by Phaneuf.
Triathlon looks for the body kick but Phaneuf saw that one coming.
Phaneuf tries to bum rush Triathlon with a series of wild strikes but Triathlon uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Phaneuf tries to bum rush Triathlon with a series of wild strikes but Triathlon uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Triathlon tries to score a power double leg takedown but Phaneuf sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Triathlon somewhat.
Phaneuf throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Phaneuf lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Phaneuf.
Phaneuf misses with a series of wild punches.
Triathlon tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Phaneuf shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Triathlon eats them both and turns towards Phaneuf to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Phaneuf keeps the fight on the outside.
Phaneuf slaps away a takedown attempt from Triathlon, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phaneuf misses with the combination.
Triathlon misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Phaneuf.
Phaneuf throws a series of punches but Triathlon avoids them all with ease.
Phaneuf lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Triathlon circles away quickly and effectively.
A punch combination from Phaneuf misses.
Phaneuf throws a right and a left that both miss.
Triathlon closes the distance and clinches up with Phaneuf, looking for a takedown. Triathlon pushes Phaneuf against the cage but Phaneuf circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Phaneuf throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Triathlon counters with a head kick. That will keep Phaneuf thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Phaneuf moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sloppy strikes from Phaneuf. Those never looked like landing.
Phaneuf misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Triathlon fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Phaneuf, pushing him back against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dion Phaneuf showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Phaneuf swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Sloppy strikes from Phaneuf. Those never looked like landing.
Phaneuf throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Triathlon doesn't manage to clinch there - Phaneuf circles away.

Triathlon closes the distance and clinches.
Triathlon tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Phaneuf smiles and moves away.
Triathlon dodges the punch combination from Phaneuf.
Phaneuf keeps the fight on the outside.
Phaneuf will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Phaneuf goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Phaneuf takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Some wild striking there from Phaneuf.
Phaneuf tries to bum rush Triathlon with a series of wild strikes but Triathlon uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A punch combination from Triathlon misses.
A slapping body kick lands there for Triathlon.
Triathlon fails with an attempt to clinch.
Triathlon tries a head kick but it misses.
Phaneuf misses with a jab, cross combination.
Phaneuf takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Phaneuf uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Triathlon.
Triathlon throws a series of punches but Phaneuf avoids them all with ease.
Phaneuf throws a left and a right that both miss

and Triathlon moves into the clinch.

Triathlon pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Phaneuf gets tackled into the cage by Triathlon. Triathlon maintains the clinch.
Phaneuf is trying to push Triathlon away but Triathlon has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Triathlon breaks from the clinch.
Some wild striking there from Phaneuf.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Triathlon fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Left hook, right uppercut from Phaneuf.
Triathlon takes a swing at Phaneuf's ribcage but misses.
Phaneuf misses with a combination

and Triathlon counters by moving into 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!
Triathlon tries to pull guard but Phaneuf holds him up against the cage and eventually Triathlon drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mr Triathlon. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Phaneuf is trying to break the clinch but Triathlon has him pressed against the cage.

Triathlon breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Sloppy strikes from Phaneuf. Those never looked like landing.
Triathlon slips a jab and a cross from Phaneuf.
Triathlon moves in looking to clinch but Phaneuf pushes him off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Triathlon goes for a double leg but Phaneuf avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Phaneuf continues to drive forward.
Phaneuf wants to break free but Triathlon has control.
Phaneuf has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Phaneuf tries to break free but Triathlon pushes him back against the cage.
Triathlon tries to pull guard but Phaneuf won't allow it.
Phaneuf is trying to force a seperation but Triathlon has the dominant position.
Triathlon can't find room to land a body shot as Phaneuf controls the action.
Triathlon tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Phaneuf just stands there and leans against the cage.

Phaneuf breaks the clinch.
Phaneuf lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Triathlon circles away quickly and effectively.
Triathlon shoots in but no luck this time.
Triathlon misses with a takedown attempt - Phaneuf sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Phaneuf fails to land with a series of punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phaneuf lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Triathlon circles away quickly and effectively.
Mr Triathlon is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Triathlon goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Phaneuf misses with a two punch combination.
Phaneuf rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Triathlon moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Phaneuf fails to land with a series of punches.
Phaneuf looks to land a combination but Triathlon avoids it well.
Triathlon shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Phaneuf as he avoids it easily.
Triathlon throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Phaneuf stuffs the takedown attempt from Triathlon. Triathlon gets slowly back to his feet.
Triathlon avoids a punch combination nicely.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Phaneuf looks to land a combination. Triathlon sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

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 Mr Triathlon.
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 28:30
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 28:30
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dion Phaneuf!