PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ian Phillips (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shang Tsung (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tsung has chosen Tiefutu - Tiefutu as his entrance music. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Phillips
vs
Tsung

180 cm
18
160 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

180 cm
18
160 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Decent knees
Powerful

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ian Phillips!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Shang Tsung!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Cecil Peabody and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Tsung clinches up with Phillips and pushes him back against the cage.
Phillips with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Tsung with a knee to the head.

It looks like Ian Phillips has been cut.
Phillips is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Tsung pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Phillips tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Tsung is pushing Phillips up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Tsung tries a knee to the head but Phillips blocks it.
Phillips tries to pull guard but Tsung holds him up against the cage and eventually Phillips drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ian Phillips. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Phillips jumps guard but Tsung stands there with Phillips around his waist. Phillips gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Phillips tries to score a body lock takedown but Tsung shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Phillips tries to land knees in the clinch but Tsung avoids the damage to the body.
Phillips tries to land knees in the clinch but Tsung avoids the damage to the body.
Tsung with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Phillips as Tsung tries to tie him up.
Tsung using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Phillips has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Tsung throws a knee to the head but misses.
Tsung scores with a knee to the head.
Phillips fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Phillips has clasped his hands together around Tsung's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Phillips wants to control but Tsung is keeping him busy.
Phillips misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Phillips taking a breather here.
Phillips misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
The strikes coming from Phillips are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Phillips lands a nice forearm strike.
Tsung wants to control but Phillips postures up.

Phillips is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Tsung is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Tsung really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Phillips. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Phillips in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Phillips in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Phillips tries to move to mount but Tsung blocks the move with his legs.

Phillips wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Tsung, who protects the arm well.
Phillips looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Tsung is avoiding damage well.
Tsung is trying to buck Phillips off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Phillips is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Tsung has escaped the position, nice work there.

Phillips is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Tsung knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Phillips lands a nice forearm strike.
Phillips throws an elbow but Tsung slips to the side and avoids it well.
Phillips scores with punches from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phillips in side control, throwing shots but Tsung defends.
Tsung is trying to buck Phillips off.
Phillips wants to control but Tsung is keeping him busy.
Phillips postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Phillips working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Phillips working the ground and pound.
Tsung 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.
Tsung tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Phillips wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ian Phillips dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ian Phillips's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Phillips misses with a takedown attempt - Tsung sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Phillips closes the distance and clinches.
Phillips tries to land knees in the clinch but Tsung avoids the damage to the body.
Tsung with a knee to the head.
Phillips is trying to stall.
Tsung lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Tsung managing to block the knees to the body from Phillips.
Tsung tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Tsung misses with a knee to the head.
Phillips misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Tsung.
Tsung throws a knee to the head but misses.
Phillips tries to pull guard but Tsung holds him up against the cage and eventually Phillips drops back down to his feet.
Phillips jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Tsung walks away with a smile on his face. Phillips gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ian Phillips. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Phillips changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Tsung tries to avoid it but Phillips manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Tsung to the ground. Tsung escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Phillips wants to clinch

and Tsung counters by clinching up.
Phillips trying to land knees to the body.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Phillips just misses with a elbow thrown towards Tsung's brow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tsung managing to block the knees to the body from Phillips.
The referee calls for Tsung to work.
Tsung tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Phillips fails to pull guard.
Tsung scores with a knee to the head.
Phillips is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Tsung gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Tsung tries to stall but Phillips uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Tsung is breathing heavily.
Phillips tries to score a body lock takedown but Tsung shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Phillips taking a breather.
Tsung with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Phillips is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Tsung pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Phillips misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Tsung.
Tsung with a knee to the head.
The is referee keeping an eye on Phillips - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Phillips fails to pull guard.
Tsung tries a knee to the head but Phillips blocks it.
Tsung taking a breather.
Tsung lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Phillips fails to pull guard.
Phillips is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Tsung pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Tsung tries a knee to the head but Phillips blocks it.
Phillips looking to slow down the pace here.
Phillips throws an elbow but it misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Phillips wants a takedown.
Tsung lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Tsung stalling against the cage.
Phillips misses with a knee to the head.
Tsung misses with a knee strike.
Tsung lands a knee to the body.
Tsung stalls.
Tsung with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Phillips has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Tsung is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Phillips fails to pull guard.
Phillips looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Tsung misses with a knee to the head.
Tsung misses with a knee strike.
Phillips leaning against his opponent.
Phillips missing with knees to the body.
Phillips fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Tsung blocks the elbow strike.
Tsung tries to stall but Phillips uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Phillips tries to pull guard but Tsung holds him up against the cage and eventually Phillips drops back down to his feet.
Tsung misses with a knee strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phillips will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Tsung up against the cage.
Phillips tries to pull guard but Tsung holds him up against the cage and eventually Phillips drops back down to his feet.
Phillips throws a knee to the head but misses.
Phillips tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Tsung smiles and moves away.
Phillips tries to clinch

and Tsung holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Tsung misses with a knee strike.
Tsung tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Tsung tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Phillips goes for a takedown in the clinch but Tsung prevents it.
Phillips throws a knee to the head but misses.
Phillips drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Tsung avoiding damage.
Tsung on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Tsung tries a knee to the head but Phillips blocks it.
Phillips tries to pull guard but Tsung holds him up against the cage and eventually Phillips drops back down to his feet.
Phillips is trying to maintain a safe position but Tsung gets an underhook and turns Phillips into the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phillips jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Tsung walks away with a smile on his face. Phillips gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Tsung clinches but Phillips breaks the clinch

and Phillips counters by moving into the clinch.
Tsung avoiding damage as Phillips throws knees to the body.
Tsung avoiding damage as Phillips throws knees to the body.
Phillips takes a knee right on the jaw!
Tsung throws a knee to the head but misses.
Tsung with a knee to the head.
Tsung managing to block the knees to the body from Phillips.
Phillips is working for takedown but Tsung is calmly controlling the position for now.
Tsung with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Phillips can't get the takedown.
Phillips jumps guard but Tsung stands there with Phillips around his waist. Phillips gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Tsung throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Phillips blocks it with crossed arms.
Tsung with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Tsung stops a takedown attempt from Phillips.
Tsung stops a takedown attempt from Phillips.
Tsung connects with a nasty looking knee right to Phillips's face.
Phillips stalling in the clinch but Tsung improves position.
Phillips trying to land knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shang Tsung showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Ian Phillips's cut.
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. This is the final round!

Phillips circles away from the clinch attempt

and Phillips counters with a takedown into side control.
Phillips is looking to take a break and control but Tsung is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Tsung stops Phillips from passing to mount.
Phillips working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Phillips tries to score with some ground and pound. Tsung controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Tsung takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tsung managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Phillips.
Phillips prevents Tsung from escaping the position.
Phillips misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

Phillips wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Tsung, who protects the arm well.
Phillips misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Phillips has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Tsung!
Phillips looking to ground and pound but Tsung is blocking nicely.
Phillips thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.

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.
Phillips trying to control but he's not successful this time.
BOOM! Phillips connects with a massive shot to the dome!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Phillips cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Phillips controlling the position easily from mount.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Tsung can do anything to dispel that myth.
Phillips breaks from Tsung's wrist control and lands an elbow.

Phillips working for a submission but Tsung is keeping him at bay.
Tsung really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tsung holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Phillips tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Phillips has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Phillips scoring with strikes but Tsung is staying in there.
Phillips landing strikes from the mount and Tsung is in trouble!
Phillips with a couple of short strikes.
Phillips has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Tsung's face.
Ian Phillips overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phillips tries to control but Tsung wriggling away.
Tsung holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Phillips tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Phillips throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Phillips unloads with some shots from mount but Tsung bucks and avoids them well.
Tsung wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Phillips.

Phillips looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Phillips thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!

And that's the end of the fight!
Ian Phillips showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Phillips has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 29:28

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