PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Anthony Falcone (ranked 70 p4p, 320 weight class) and Blake Phoenix (ranked 14 p4p, 47 weight class). Falcone's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Goodfellas - long take restaurant scene. Anthony Falcone could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Blake Phoenix's chin.

Falcone
vs
Phoenix

191 cm
30
191
26 - 6 - 1

194 cm
33
201
33 - 16 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Voodoo Nutrition
Shadow Warrior Nutrition

Voodoo Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 26 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Anthony Falcone!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 33 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Blake Phoenix!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Richard Clark and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Falcone misses the shot to the body.
Falcone tries to bum rush Phoenix with a series of wild strikes but Phoenix uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Phoenix takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Falcone throws a leg kick but Phoenix moved away.
Phoenix looks to score with a jab to the body but Falcone is just out of range.
Phoenix slips a jab and a cross from Falcone.
Phoenix slips under a jab from Falcone.
Falcone scores with a leg kick.
Phoenix avoids the head kick by Falcone.
Phoenix misses with a leg kick
and Falcone counters with an outside leg kick.
Phoenix displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Phoenix swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Falcone throws a push kick but Phoenix slaps the foot to one side.
A bone on bone clash there as Phoenix blocks the leg kick.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Falcone with a nice calf kick.
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!
Falcone ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Phoenix misses the shot to the body.
Falcone checks the leg kick.
Falcone moves away from the strike by Phoenix.
Falcone fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Phoenix manages to avoid it.
Phoenix takes a swing at Falcone's ribcage but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Falcone throws a jab but it's blocked by Phoenix.
Falcone wants to slow Phoenix down by chopping away at his legs.
Phoenix scores with a body shot.
Falcone chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Phoenix connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Falcone throws a leg kick which misses Phoenix's front leg but catches the back leg as Phoenix tries to avoid it.
Falcone scores with a spinning back kick!
Falcone motions for Phoenix to come forward. Falcone throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Falcone misses with a looping right.
Falcone throws an overhand right that lands on Phoenix's shoulder, as Phoenix tries to avoid the shot.
An inside leg kick from Phoenix misses.
Nice defenses there by Falcone.
Phoenix swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Falcone.
Falcone throws a wild body kick that Phoenix sees coming a mile off.
Anthony Falcone seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Falcone throws a leg kick but Phoenix sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Phoenix throws an off balance right hand
and Falcone counters with a body kick that stops Phoenix in his tracks momentarily.
Phoenix misses with a body shot.
Falcone throws out a leg kick but Phoenix moves out of range and Falcone only half commits.
Phoenix tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Falcone was well out of range. Poor timing from Phoenix.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Phoenix bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Falcone waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Phoenix.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Falcone attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
We've been informed that Phoenix has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Phoenix misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Falcone.
Falcone scoring well with a low kick there.
Phoenix misses with a straight right.
Falcone looks to throw the jab but Phoenix is out of range.
Phoenix looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Phoenix slips under a jab.
Falcone throws a jab but it's blocked by Phoenix.
Falcone avoids the body shot from Phoenix.
Phoenix is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Falcone rather than just go for the knockout.
Phoenix takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Falcone swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Phoenix.
Falcone fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Phoenix.
Falcone displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Phoenix throws out the jab.
Phoenix swings for the body but Falcone moves out of range.
Falcone throws a nice outside leg kick.
Falcone throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Falcone tries to land a front kick but Phoenix steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Falcone throws a low kick but Phoenix moves out of range easily.
Phoenix has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Phoenix there as he acknowledges the shot.
Phoenix missing with a left hand there. Falcone was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Falcone checks a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Falcone tries to score with a low kick but Phoenix moves his leg out of the way.
A clash of legs there as Falcone blocks the low kick.
Good shot there by Falcone.
Phoenix jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Phoenix misses with a straight left.
A jab lands there for Phoenix.
Falcone throws a body shot but no joy.
Phoenix misses with a low kick as Falcone jumps back.
Phoenix throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Phoenix just misses with a punch to the body.
Falcone with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Falcone goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Phoenix connects with the punch.
Falcone fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Falcone pushes Phoenix away with a front kick.
Falcone scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Falcone cracks Phoenix with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Phoenix lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Phoenix's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Phoenix thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Falcone lets loose with a powerful body kick. Phoenix will feel that in the morning.
Falcone walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Phoenix checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Phoenix fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Good leg kick by Falcone.
Phoenix stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Falcone.
Nice defenses there by Falcone.
Jab by Phoenix.
Phoenix walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Falcone checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Phoenix takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Falcone scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Falcone throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Phoenix ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Falcone moves away.
Falcone throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Phoenix looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Falcone connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Phoenix misses with an uppercut.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Falcone avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Falcone misses with a shot to the body
and Falcone takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Phoenix misses with a leg kick.
Phoenix bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Phoenix thows a left - swing and a miss!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Anthony Falcone dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Falcone looks to land a left hand but Phoenix moved out of range nicely.
Falcone fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Phoenix manages to avoid it.
Falcone's Muay Thai looks sharper than normal. He has obviously been working on it in the gym.
Falcone tries to score with a low kick but Phoenix moves his leg out of the way.
An inside leg kick from Falcone misses.
Falcone tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Phoenix lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
A slow jab from Falcone misses its intended target.
A jab lands there for Phoenix.
Phoenix takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
A head kick misses from Falcone.
Anthony Falcone is winning the standup battle so far.
Falcone throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Phoenix sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Falcone misses with a kick to the body.
Falcone tries to score with a low kick but Phoenix moves his leg out of the way.
Falcone tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Phoenix throws a big shot that misses.
Falcone throws a hook but Phoenix avoids it easily.
Falcone drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Falcone throws out a loose jab but Phoenix uses good head movement to avoid it.
Falcone misses with a lunging right hand
and Phoenix counters with a lovely straight right hand!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Phoenix throws a jab but it's blocked by Falcone.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Falcone misses the shot to the body.
Phoenix looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Phoenix fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Falcone has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Phoenix throws out a loose jab but Falcone uses good head movement to avoid it.
Falcone tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Falcone ducks under a wild hook from Phoenix.
Phoenix throws a looping overhand right but Falcone ducks down to avoid it.
Phoenix misses the shot to the body.
Falcone checks a leg kick.
Falcone is looking to land body kicks.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Phoenix! But no joy.
Phoenix throws the left hand but Falcone avoids the punch easily.
Phoenix scores with a shot to the body.
Phoenix swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Phoenix checks a leg kick nicely.
Phoenix appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Phoenix does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Falcone swings for the body but Phoenix moves out of range.
Falcone throws a good cross that connects.
Falcone wants to slow Phoenix down by chopping away at his legs.
Falcone throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Falcone steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Phoenix.
Phoenix throws a jab but it's blocked by Falcone.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Phoenix defending well as Falcone loads up on a big left hand.
Falcone throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
An inside leg kick lands from Falcone.
Falcone is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Phoenix can do to turn this around?
Falcone misses with an uppercut.
A clash of legs there as Phoenix blocks the low kick.
Good leg kick by Falcone.
Falcone on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Falcone misses with a straight left.
Falcone on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Falcone throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Falcone wants to slow Phoenix down by chopping away at his legs.
Falcone uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Falcone keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Falcone connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with each other but Phoenix might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Falcone has got the better of the exchanges.
Phoenix misses with a straight left.
A big left from Falcone misses.
Falcone pivots, looking for a leg kick but Phoenix is out of range and Falcone settles back down.
Phoenix tries a quick counter leg kick but Falcone is wise to it.
Phoenix lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Falcone fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Phoenix is out of range.
Falcone checks a low kick from Phoenix.
Phoenix connects with a crisp jab.
Falcone misses with a low kick.
A lazy body kick from Falcone
and Falcone takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Phoenix misses with an uppercut. Falcone saw that one coming.
A looping hook to the body misses from Phoenix. Falcone does a little dance to reset his feet.
Falcone lands with a shot to the body.
Falcone throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A nice side step and Phoenix releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Phoenix ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Falcone moves away.
Falcone looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Phoenix looks to land a right hand but Falcone moved out of range.
Falcone tried to counter with a leg kick but Phoenix avoided it.
Falcone misses with a low kick.
Falcone slips under a jab.
Falcone throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Phoenix ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Falcone swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Falcone tries to work over Phoenix's front leg with a kick but Phoenix checks it.
Phoenix misses with a body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Phoenix walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Falcone checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Falcone throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Phoenix counters with a straight right hand.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Falcone moves out of range of the strikes.
Phoenix will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Falcone tries to score with a low kick but Phoenix moves his leg out of the way.
A big right from Phoenix misses.
Phoenix tries to move into range but Falcone moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Falcone throws a jab when Phoenix was well out of range.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Falcone.
Falcone works Phoenix's body with a nice hook.
A looping hook to the body misses from Falcone. Phoenix does a little dance to reset his feet.
Falcone misses with a left hand
and Falcone takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Phoenix pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Falcone lands a head kick. Phoenix smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Phoenix swings for the body but Falcone moves out of range.
Falcone is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Phoenix.
Falcone buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Anthony Falcone will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Falcone throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Falcone's corner calls for a 1-2. Falcone obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Falcone digs a good hook to Phoenix's body.
Phoenix takes one to the chin there.
Phoenix moves out of range as Falcone throws a body kick.
Phoenix looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
A thudding body kick lands there by Falcone!
Some bone on bone action there as Falcone checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Falcone keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Phoenix blocks a head kick by Falcone.
Phoenix misses with a right hand
and Falcone counters with an inside leg kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Phoenix misses the target.
Falcone misses with a body kick.
Phoenix checks a leg kick.
Falcone misses with a wild body shot.
Falcone throws a half hearted mid kick.
Falcone throws a head kick that misses.
Phoenix has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Falcone.
Falcone pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Phoenix swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Falcone.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Falcone tries a head kick but it misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Falcone throws a head kick that misses.
Falcone uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Phoenix.
Phoenix misses with an uppercut. Falcone saw that one coming.
Phoenix connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Falcone throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Falcone with a hook.
The fighters circling - Phoenix throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nice body kick there by Falcone.
Phoenix chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Falcone can pounce on him.
Phoenix misses with a hook. Falcone ducked under it nicely.
Phoenix misses with a looping right.
Falcone lands a nice shot that snaps Phoenix's head back.
A leg kick checked by Phoenix.
Falcone looks to land a right hand but Phoenix moved out of range.
Phoenix ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Falcone moves away.
Phoenix throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Falcone listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Falcone pivots, looking for a leg kick but Phoenix is out of range and Falcone settles back down.
Falcone swings away with a leg kick that misses.
A little jabbing left from Phoenix on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Falcone misses with a body kick.
Phoenix uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Falcone.
Falcone lands a nice looking body shot.
Phoenix uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Falcone.
Falcone slips under a jab from Phoenix.
Falcone tries to work over Phoenix's front leg with a kick but Phoenix checks it.
A countering left hand to the body from Phoenix misses.
Falcone ducks under a wild hook from Phoenix.
A telegraphed right hand from Phoenix misses the target.
Phoenix's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Falcone connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Phoenix scrambles back to his feet.
Phoenix scores with a shot to the body.
Phoenix is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Falcone.
Falcone looks to land a left hand but Phoenix moved out of range nicely.
A nice inside leg kick there by Falcone. That's going to slow Phoenix down.
Phoenix throws a leg kick but Falcone checks it.
The fighters circle momentarily. Phoenix darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Phoenix fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Falcone looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Phoenix moves out of range as Falcone throws a body kick.
Falcone blocks a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Phoenix uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Falcone.
Phoenix misses with a lunging right hand
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Phoenix takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Falcone will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Phoenix now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Phoenix keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Falcone looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Nice defenses there by Falcone.
Phoenix takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Phoenix moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Falcone pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Falcone tried to score with a low kick but Phoenix checks it.
Falcone connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Falcone throws an overhand right that lands on Phoenix's shoulder, as Phoenix tries to avoid the shot.
Falcone wants to slow Phoenix down by chopping away at his legs.
Phoenix swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
A swing and a miss from Phoenix.
Falcone throws a leg kick
and Phoenix counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Phoenix misses with a looping right.
Blake Phoenix has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Falcone moves out of range of the strikes.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Phoenix just misses with a punch to the body.
Phoenix keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
It seemed like Phoenix was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Falcone throws a shot from downtown. Phoenix moves away and avoids it.
Falcone connects with a single shot there.
Falcone with a nice calf kick.
Phoenix moves out of range of the strikes.
Falcone throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Falcone swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Falcone misses with a straight left.
Falcone keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Falcone throws a nice head kick!
Phoenix throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Falcone blocks a jab.
Phoenix blocks a head kick by Falcone.
Falcone misses with an uppercut.
Phoenix misses with a hook
and Falcone counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Anthony Falcone is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Falcone ducks right into an uppercut from Phoenix.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Falcone blocks a jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
Anthony Falcone showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Falcone has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 James Atkins scores the fight 30:27
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Anthony Falcone!
A very excited looking Anthony Falcone made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.