PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Chris Makoniko (ranked 4941 p4p, 3918 weight class) and Frank Murphy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Makoniko
vs
Murphy

175 cm
18
175
1 - 0 - 0

168 cm
25
177
1 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Chris Makoniko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Frank Murphy!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Michael Johnstone and Sandra Marshall.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Murphy's jab looks to have found its range, popping Makoniko under the eye.
Murphy's jab looks to have found its range, popping Makoniko under the eye.

Makoniko shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Makoniko scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Makoniko lands strikes from half guard.
Makoniko seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Nice strikes from Makoniko there.
Makoniko working over Murphy with some ground and pound. Murphy looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Makoniko is keen to just control but Murphy is a slippery customer.
Murphy tries to get to full guard but Makoniko has control of the leg.
Makoniko is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Ground and pound from Makoniko.
Murphy trying to control but Makoniko postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Makoniko takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Makoniko prevents Murphy from improving his position.
Murphy on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Makoniko is nestled in close to Murphy, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Murphy is staying active underneath Makoniko, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Makoniko is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Makoniko landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Makoniko is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Makoniko trying to control the action but Murphy is working from the bottom.
Makoniko lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Makoniko drops an elbow to the side of Murphy's head.
Murphy taking some punishment here, with Makoniko in his half guard.
Makoniko is trying to control the action in half guard but Murphy is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Makoniko working the head and body with strikes.
Makoniko trying to control the action but Murphy is working from the bottom.
Makoniko lands strikes from half guard.
Makoniko is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Murphy taking some punishment here, with Makoniko in his half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Makoniko wants to take a breather but Murphy is having none of it.
Murphy is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Makoniko scores with a couple of nice shots.
Makoniko working Murphy over with strikes.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Murphy can do anything to dispel that myth.
Makoniko scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Murphy looks winded!
Makoniko slips a nice elbow through Murphy's hands, connecting with Murphy's forehead.
Makoniko seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Makoniko is trying to control the action in half guard but Murphy is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Murphy really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Makoniko. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Makoniko is nestled in close to Murphy, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Makoniko trying to control from half guard but Murphy is working away.
Makoniko seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Makoniko working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Makoniko is nestled in close to Murphy, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Makoniko scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Makoniko 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.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Makoniko lands a nice short elbow.
Makoniko landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Makoniko scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Murphy is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Makoniko scores with a couple of nice shots.
Makoniko is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Murphy taking some punishment here, with Makoniko in his half guard.
Makoniko is nestled in close to Murphy, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Makoniko looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Murphy with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Makoniko moves nicely into side control.
Makoniko in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Makoniko lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Murphy on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Murphy is not content to let Makoniko control the position.
Makoniko in side control lands a decent elbow.
Makoniko cracks Murphy with a big right hand but Murphy just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Makoniko scores with a couple of short elbows.
Makoniko working the body and head with strikes.
Murphy is not content to let Makoniko control the position.
Makoniko lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Makoniko dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Makoniko shoots in for a double leg but Murphy sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Makoniko changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Murphy looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Makoniko is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Murphy can do to turn this around?
Makoniko cracks Murphy with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Murphy being controlled for a moment.
Makoniko wants to control but Murphy is keeping him busy.
Makoniko cracks Murphy with a big elbow.
Makoniko scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Murphy to see if he's OK.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Makoniko cracks Murphy with a big elbow.
Makoniko lands a few punches from side control.
Murphy takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Makoniko lands a decent elbow from side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Murphy taking punishment in the form of punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murphy takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Murphy is breathing heavily.
Makoniko trying to control the position but Murphy is working away.
Makoniko connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Murphy some visible discomfort.
Makoniko wants to control but Murphy is keeping him busy.
Makoniko is putting a hurting on Murphy here, landing some big shots from side control.
Makoniko working the ground and pound.
Murphy takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Makoniko is looking to take a break and control but Murphy is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Makoniko has knee on belly and moves into mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Makoniko postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Murphy looks a forlorn figure.
Makoniko trying to control but Murphy is having none of it.
A nice elbow there by Makoniko.
Makoniko with a couple of short strikes.
BOOM! Makoniko connects with a massive shot to the dome!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Makoniko breaks from Murphy's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Makoniko working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Makoniko raining down shots from the mount!
Makoniko trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Makoniko is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Murphy can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Makoniko with a couple of short strikes.
Makoniko looking to control but Murphy is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Makoniko cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
A nice elbow there by Makoniko.
Makoniko trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Makoniko scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Makoniko landing shots from mount.
Makoniko landing punches.
Makoniko scores with a couple of good head shots there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Makoniko with good strikes from the mount here!
Makoniko looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Makoniko lands a nice shot to the head.
Makoniko fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Makoniko punishing his opponent with strikes.
Makoniko with a couple of short strikes.
Makoniko lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Makoniko is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Makoniko tries to control but Murphy wriggling away.
Makoniko lands a nice shot to the head.
Murphy taking shots to the head.
Makoniko dominating with strikes here.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Makoniko working away from the top, dropping strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Makoniko dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Makoniko shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Murphy sprawls well. Murphy wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Makoniko gets slowly back to his feet.
Makoniko takes one to the side of the head.
Murphy connects with a body shot.
Makoniko shoots and misses
and Makoniko takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Makoniko keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Murphy.
Makoniko fails with the takedown
and Murphy counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chris Makoniko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Makoniko tries to score a power double leg takedown but Murphy sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Makoniko somewhat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice sprawl there from Murphy as Makoniko shoots in.
Chris Makoniko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Murphy, as that shot connected.
Makoniko doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Murphy counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Makoniko tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Murphy swivels and escapes.
Makoniko shoots and misses
and Murphy cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Makoniko with a poor takedown
and Murphy counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Makoniko with a poor takedown
and Murphy counters with a right hand to the body.
Murphy scores with a jab to the body.
Makoniko misses with a takedown attempt
enabling Murphy to counter with a crisp jab.
Murphy with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Makoniko fails to land the takedown.
Murphy with a nice cross.
Makoniko with a poor takedown
and Murphy counters with a straight right hand.
Murphy slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Makoniko fails with the takedown.
Murphy fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Makoniko shoots in looking for a takedown. Murphy tries to sprawl out of it but Makoniko keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Murphy manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Makoniko tries for a takedown but Murphy circles away easily
and Murphy counters with a straight right hand.
Makoniko gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Murphy counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Makoniko misses with a takedown attempt
and Murphy cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Makoniko shoots in but Murphy avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Chris Makoniko is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Makoniko misses with a takedown
and Murphy cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Makoniko looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Makoniko lands a couple of elbows.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Makoniko loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Makoniko with a nice head shot there.
Makoniko is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Makoniko works over Murphy with some ground and pound from guard.
Makoniko working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Murphy's head.
Makoniko cracks Murphy with a solid left hand.
Makoniko postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Makoniko with a nice head shot there.
Makoniko trying to control but Murphy is working from the bottom.
Makoniko is really struggling to control Murphy but he's trying to hold on to the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Makoniko working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Murphy keeping moving, preventing Makoniko from controlling successfully.
Makoniko chips away with some ground and pound.
Makoniko lands a couple of elbows.
Murphy keeping moving, preventing Makoniko from controlling successfully.
Makoniko postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Makoniko is in close to Murphy's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Murphy keeping moving, preventing Makoniko from controlling successfully.
Makoniko working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
Frank Murphy comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Makoniko 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 29:27
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 29:27
Judge Sandra Marshall scores the fight 29:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chris Makoniko!
Chris Makoniko decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.