PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Pranjic (ranked 4965 p4p, 380 weight class) and Russell Phillips (ranked 5343 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.

Pranjic
vs
Phillips

180 cm
18
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

182 cm
18
159 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Granite 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, Ivan Pranjic!
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, Russell Phillips!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Daniel Franklin and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pranjic walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Phillips connects with a body shot.
A head kick misses from Pranjic.
Phillips ducks under a wild hook from Pranjic.
Pranjic tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Pranjic sets himself, and Phillips steps forward looking for the clinch! Pranjic avoids it this time.
Pranjic pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Phillips doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Phillips with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Pranjic shoots in for a double leg but Phillips sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Phillips lands a jab to Pranjic's midsection.
Phillips swats away the attempt to clinch by Pranjic.
Pranjic sets himself, and Phillips steps forward looking for the clinch! Pranjic avoids it this time.
Ivan Pranjic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Phillips scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Pranjic goes for a double leg but Phillips avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Phillips continues to drive forward.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Pranjic on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Phillips scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Pranjic doesn't seem bothered though.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Phillips is trying to break free.
Pranjic misses with a body punch.
Pranjic really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Phillips scores with a shot to the side of Pranjic's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Phillips pushes Pranjic back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A short uppercut from Phillips.
Pranjic wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Phillips has him pressed against the cage.

Phillips escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Pranjic tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Phillips manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Nice body punch from Phillips.
Pranjic takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Phillips changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Pranjic pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Pranjic tries to clinch but Phillips is having none of it.
Phillips lands a slapping body shot.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Phillips, as that shot connected.
Phillips is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Phillips blocks a head kick by Pranjic.
Pranjic with a lazy takedown attempt
and Phillips counters with a nice body shot.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Pranjic. That's going to take a lot out of him.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Pranjic wants to clinch but Phillips slips to the side
and Phillips connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
The fight stays on the outside here - Pranjic looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pranjic tries to clinch but Phillips moves out of range.
Phillips displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Russell Phillips is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Phillips connects with a body shot that sends Pranjic's belly button to the back.
Pranjic is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Phillips digs a good hook to Pranjic's body.
Pranjic pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Pranjic wants to clinch but Phillips slips to the side
and Phillips counters with a right hand to the body.
Pranjic takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Pranjic throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Phillips.
Pranjic is breathing heavily.
Pranjic shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Phillips defends it nicely.
Phillips scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Pranjic doesn't seem bothered though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phillips bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Phillips scores with a hook to the body. Pranjic takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Phillips is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Pranjic rather than just go for the knockout.
Phillips takes a kick to the side of the head.

Pranjic gets a clinch.
Phillips wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Pranjic drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Pranjic changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Phillips fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Phillips dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

Phillips moves into the clinch successfully.
Phillips has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Pranjic is trying to pull guard but Phillips has him pressed against the cage.
Pranjic tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phillips presses Pranjic against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Phillips working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Pranjic tries to pull guard but Phillips holds him up against the cage and eventually Pranjic drops back down to his feet.

Pranjic breaks the clinch.
Phillips listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Phillips punishes Pranjic's body with a nice straight punch.
Pranjic takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Phillips's jab looks to have found its range, popping Pranjic under the eye.

Phillips closes the distance and clinches.
Pranjic is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Phillips gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Pranjic is looking to take this one to the mat.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Phillips tries to break the clinch but Pranjic is controlling the position.
Phillips wants to get back to striking at distance but Pranjic won't allow it.
Phillips is trying to break the clinch but Pranjic is controlling him.
Pranjic is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Phillips pulls him back up using the underhooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Russell Phillips dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Phillips lands with a cross.

Pranjic takes the fight into the clinch.
Pranjic is trying to stall.
Phillips is trying to push Pranjic away but Pranjic has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Pranjic breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Pranjic is looking to clinch.
Pranjic is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Pranjic doesn't manage to clinch there - Phillips circles away.

Phillips gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pranjic fails to pull guard.
Phillips stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Phillips's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Pranjic is looking to take this one to the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pranjic manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Pranjic is looking to stand up but Phillips isn't so interested in that idea.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Phillips decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Pranjic, up you get!
Pranjic walks into a left hand.
Pranjic tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Pranjic darts in and clinches Phillips up against the cage.
Phillips wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Pranjic has him pressed against the cage.
Phillips wants to break the clinch but can't.
Phillips is pushing Pranjic up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Phillips stops a takedown attempt from Pranjic.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Pranjic. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Phillips wants to get back to striking at distance but Pranjic won't allow it.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A punch lands to the side of Pranjic 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Nice jab there from Phillips.
Phillips changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Phillips throws a shot to the body.
Pranjic tries to clinch there but Phillips circles away.
Pranjic misses with a double jab.
Russell Phillips seems to be getting the better of the standup.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Phillips darts in and clinches Pranjic up against the cage.
Pranjic misses with a hook from the clinch.
Pranjic tries to stall but Phillips uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Pranjic has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Phillips avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Phillips lands with a left to the head.
Phillips lands with a light punch inside.
Pranjic drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Pranjic keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Phillips's efforts to push away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phillips tries to break free but Pranjic pushes him back against the cage.
Nice body punch from Phillips - that landed with a thud.
Phillips working hard to break the clinch.

Pranjic's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Phillips punishes Pranjic's body with a nice straight punch.
Pranjic tries to close the distance and clinch up but Phillips swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Pranjic tries for a takedown but Phillips sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Phillips clinches up with Pranjic and pushes him back against the cage.
Pranjic prevents Phillips from breaking the clinch.
Pranjic tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Phillips just stands there and leans against the cage.
Phillips has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A left hand lands to the body for Phillips.
Pranjic throws a head punch that misses.
Phillips is trying to break free.
Pranjic is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Phillips gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phillips works on Pranjic's body with a couple of short punches.
Phillips just leaning against Pranjic, taking a breather.
Phillips misses with a punch to the body.
Pranjic throws a punch but it's blocked by Phillips.

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

Pranjic tries to keep at a distance but Phillips has taken the fight into the clinch.

Pranjic breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Pranjic looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Phillips is fending him off so far but Pranjic persists. Nope, Phillips circles away and we're back to standing.
Phillips circles away from the clinch attempt.

Phillips moves into the clinch.
Pranjic fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Pranjic wants to take the fight to the mat but Phillips manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Pranjic prevents Phillips from breaking the clinch.
Phillips can't break the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Russell 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!

Pranjic fails to land the takedown.
Pranjic doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Pranjic throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Phillips scores with a one two! Pranjic had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Pranjic tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Phillips counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A head kick misses from Pranjic.
Phillips fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

Phillips rushes Pranjic and presses him up against the cage.

Pranjic's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Phillips scores with a hook to the body. Pranjic takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Phillips lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Pranjic backs up against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Phillips scores with a one two! Pranjic had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Pranjic shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Pranjic looks for a takedown but Phillips sprawls well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pranjic wants to clinch but Phillips slips to the side
and Phillips counters with a nice body shot.
Pranjic fails with an attempt to clinch.

Phillips moves into the clinch successfully.
Pranjic fails to pull the fight into his guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Pranjic. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Phillips throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Phillips wants to break free but Pranjic has control.

Phillips breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Pranjic looks to clinch
and Phillips counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Phillips pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Pranjic back to the cage. Phillips follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Pranjic throws a head kick that misses.
Phillips doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Phillips ducks under a wild hook from Pranjic.
Phillips comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Pranjic throws a head kick that misses.
Nice uppercut there from Phillips.
Pranjic shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Phillips but Phillips pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Ivan Pranjic has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Phillips fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Pranjic, pushing him back against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Pranjic stalling in the clinch but Phillips improves position.
Good body shot from Phillips.
Pranjic tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Phillips just stands there and leans against the cage.

Pranjic escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Phillips darts in and clinches Pranjic up against the cage.
Pranjic working aggressively here.

Pranjic pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A left and a right from Phillips both land. Nice combination.
Pranjic throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Phillips gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Phillips wants to break free but Pranjic has control.
Phillips blocks an elbow strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pranjic lands with a right to the head.
Phillips misses with a punch to the body.
Pranjic tries to pull guard but Phillips holds him up against the cage and eventually Pranjic drops back down to his feet.
Phillips is trying to break the clinch but Pranjic is controlling him.
Phillips wants to get back to striking at distance but Pranjic won't allow it.
Pranjic tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Phillips avoids it.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Pranjic lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Phillips blocks an elbow strike from Pranjic.
Pranjic looking for a takedown.
Phillips prevents Pranjic from breaking the clinch.
Pranjic working aggressively here.
Phillips blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Pranjic misses with a hook from the clinch.

Pranjic wants the takedown. Phillips is fighting it off but Pranjic persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Phillips's guard against the cage.

Pranjic drops back looking for a leg! Phillips is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Phillips manages to kick Pranjic off! Pranjic jumps back into Phillips's guard.
Pranjic trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Phillips working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Pranjic.
Phillips wants to stand but Pranjic is controlling the position.
Russell Phillips is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Phillips working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Pranjic.

And that's the end of the fight!
Russell 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight for Russell Phillips!
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight for Russell Phillips!
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight for Russell Phillips!

Russell Phillips wins by unanimous decision!
Russell Phillips tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.