PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Arnold Schwarzenegger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ryuji Phoenix (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ryuji Phoenix told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Schwarzenegger
vs
Phoenix

195 cm
19
270 lbs
1 - 1 - 1

225 cm
22
265 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Arnold Schwarzenegger!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ryuji Phoenix!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Schwarzenegger tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Schwarzenegger closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Phoenix to the mat! Phoenix manages to get full guard.
Schwarzenegger stops Phoenix from standing up.

Schwarzenegger drops back looking for a leg! Phoenix is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Phoenix manages to kick Schwarzenegger off! Schwarzenegger jumps back into Phoenix's guard.
Phoenix wants to stand but Schwarzenegger is controlling the position.
Schwarzenegger wants to control from the top but Phoenix keeps moving.
Phoenix wants to stand but Schwarzenegger is controlling the position.
Schwarzenegger postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Schwarzenegger controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Schwarzenegger postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Phoenix is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Schwarzenegger, into his guard.
Phoenix has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Schwarzenegger is proving hard to escape from.

Schwarzenegger has his foot on Phoenix's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Phoenix works his way back into a safe position though.
Phoenix is looking to stand up but Schwarzenegger won't let him.

Schwarzenegger throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Schwarzenegger looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

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.

Schwarzenegger looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Schwarzenegger is breathing heavily.
Phoenix wants to stand but Schwarzenegger is controlling his posture from full guard.

Schwarzenegger looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Phoenix wanted to stand there but Schwarzenegger had control of the position.

Phoenix avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Schwarzenegger manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Phoenix manages to get himself to full guard.
Schwarzenegger wants to control from the top but Phoenix keeps moving.
Phoenix wants to stand and escape but Schwarzenegger is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Schwarzenegger tries to free his leg and advance position but Phoenix is retaining full guard.
Schwarzenegger might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Schwarzenegger stands and throws Phoenix's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Schwarzenegger looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Phoenix wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Schwarzenegger moves into full mount!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Schwarzenegger misses with a body kick.
Phoenix misses with a series of wild punches.
Phoenix stuffs the takedown attempt from Schwarzenegger. Schwarzenegger gets slowly back to his feet.
Schwarzenegger throws a leg kick but Phoenix sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Schwarzenegger closes this distance looking for a takedown but Phoenix circles away.
Phoenix avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Phoenix is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Schwarzenegger shoots in looking for a takedown. Phoenix tries to sprawl out of it but Schwarzenegger keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Phoenix manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Arnold Schwarzenegger. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Schwarzenegger takes a jab right on the kisser.
Schwarzenegger fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jab by Phoenix.
Schwarzenegger looks to land a combination. Phoenix sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Schwarzenegger fails to land the takedown.
Schwarzenegger throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Phoenix counters with a one-two to the body.
Phoenix scores with a jab to the body.
Schwarzenegger on the wrong end of a nice hook.
A nice combination there by Phoenix.
Phoenix throws a right hand that Schwarzenegger ducks under and follows up with a left that Schwarzenegger also avoids with ease.
Schwarzenegger tries to clinch but Phoenix moves out of range.
Ryuji Phoenix is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Phoenix throws a one two combo.
Schwarzenegger pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Phoenix scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Schwarzenegger shoots for a takedown but Phoenix saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Phoenix scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Phoenix stuffs the takedown attempt from Schwarzenegger. Schwarzenegger gets slowly back to his feet.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Phoenix!
Schwarzenegger dodges the punch combination from Phoenix.
Schwarzenegger misses the body punch
and Phoenix counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Phoenix tries to keep at a distance but Schwarzenegger has taken the fight into the clinch.
Phoenix wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Phoenix wants to get back to striking at distance but Schwarzenegger won't allow it.
Schwarzenegger misses with an elbow over the top.
Phoenix can't break the clinch.
Schwarzenegger lands an elbow just above Phoenix 's eye.
Phoenix wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Schwarzenegger has him pressed against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Schwarzenegger lands an elbow inside that Phoenix shrugs off.
Schwarzenegger stalls.
Schwarzenegger tries for a takedown but Phoenix manages to get underhooks.
Phoenix is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Phoenix wants to break the clinch but can't.

Schwarzenegger breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Schwarzenegger misses with a double jab
and Phoenix counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Phoenix lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Phoenix scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Schwarzenegger throws a head kick that misses.
Phoenix circles away from the clinch attempt
and Phoenix counters with a left and a right that stings Schwarzenegger.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Phoenix bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Schwarzenegger's head backwards.
Schwarzenegger dodges the punch combination from Phoenix.
Phoenix misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Schwarzenegger.
An inside leg kick lands from Schwarzenegger.
Schwarzenegger tries to clinch up but Phoenix circles away and keeps his distance.
Schwarzenegger shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Phoenix as he avoids it easily.
Phoenix is working the combinations to good effect here.
Schwarzenegger throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Phoenix lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Phoenix.
Schwarzenegger throws a leg kick but Phoenix moved away.
Phoenix takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Schwarzenegger throws a combination that misses
and Phoenix counters with a lovely straight right hand!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryuji Phoenix showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Schwarzenegger scores with a nice body kick.
Schwarzenegger fails to land with a series of punches.

Schwarzenegger forces Phoenix back against the cage and clinches.
Schwarzenegger prevents Phoenix from breaking the clinch.
Phoenix is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Schwarzenegger breaks the clinch.
Schwarzenegger tries to close the distance and clinch but Phoenix swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Schwarzenegger throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Phoenix's head.
Phoenix avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Phoenix connects with a crisp jab.
Phoenix swinging wilding here.
Schwarzenegger misses with a combination
and Phoenix cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Schwarzenegger throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schwarzenegger tries to bum rush Phoenix with a series of wild strikes but Phoenix uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Schwarzenegger closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Schwarzenegger keeps control of Phoenix as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Phoenix is trying to break free.
Phoenix misses with a punch to the body.
Schwarzenegger prevents Phoenix from breaking the clinch.
Schwarzenegger prevents Phoenix from breaking the clinch.

Schwarzenegger has Phoenix pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Schwarzenegger pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Phoenix tumbling to the mat - Schwarzenegger dives into Phoenix's guard.
Schwarzenegger is looking to work some ground and pound but Phoenix has wrist control.

Schwarzenegger stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Phoenix moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Phoenix throws a right and a left that both miss.
Arnold Schwarzenegger seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Phoenix throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Schwarzenegger shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Phoenix as he jumps to the side.
Schwarzenegger tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Phoenix swivels and escapes.
Horrible takedown by Schwarzenegger or perhaps it was just good defense by Phoenix which made him look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Arnold Schwarzenegger. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Danga de danga de dang - Phoenix scores with a four punch combination!
Phoenix misses with a wild combination.
Schwarzenegger closes the distance and clinches up with Phoenix, looking for a takedown. Schwarzenegger pushes Phoenix against the cage but Phoenix circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Schwarzenegger is looking to clinch.
Phoenix scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Schwarzenegger falls off balance throwing a combination
and Phoenix cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Arnold Schwarzenegger is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schwarzenegger takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Schwarzenegger throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Schwarzenegger tries to clinch up but Phoenix circles away and keeps his distance.
Schwarzenegger showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Phoenix.
Schwarzenegger tries to clinch but Phoenix moves out of range.
Schwarzenegger swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Phoenix counters with a nice uppercut.
Schwarzenegger throws a left and a right that both miss
and Phoenix counters with a one-two to the body.
Phoenix misses with the combination.
Phoenix stuffs the takedown.
Schwarzenegger showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Phoenix.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Schwarzenegger throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Phoenix counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Schwarzenegger throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Phoenix connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Phoenix misses with the combination.
Schwarzenegger closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Schwarzenegger throws a body kick that misses.
Some wild striking there from Phoenix.
Schwarzenegger throws a combination that misses
and Phoenix counters with a stiff right hand.
Schwarzenegger doesn't manage to clinch there - Phoenix circles away.
Schwarzenegger shoots in looking for a takedown. Phoenix tries to sprawl out of it but Schwarzenegger keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Phoenix manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Phoenix throws out a powerful jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
Arnold Schwarzenegger showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Schwarzenegger 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28
Judge Suge Night scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Arnold Schwarzenegger!