Phoenix Jones’ high-profile debut for MMA promotion ends in loss

Phoenix Jones' alter ego Ben Fodor was handed his first MMA loss on Friday night in his debut for WSOF. (AP)

The highly hyped debut fight for Seattle superhero Phoenix Jones’ MMA alter-ego Ben Fodor in the World Series of Fighting promotion did not have a storybook ending.

The 26-year-old Fodor lost a unanimous judges decision to fellow welterweight Emmanuel Walo after three rounds Friday night. The more experienced Walo, 28, used his superior wrestling skills to earn the win, scoring numerous takedowns throughout the contest to improve to 8-2 as a pro.

The fight, which was held in Ledyard, Conn., was the first outside of Washington state for Fodor. Though it was his seventh professional MMA fight, it was easily his most high-profile bout to date, airing live on the NBC Sports Network. It was also his first professional defeat, dropping his record to 5-1-1.