PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Shane Murphy (ranked 23317 p4p, 19311 weight class) and Kenny Knight (ranked 675 p4p, 733 weight class). Shane Murphy has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Murphy
vs
Knight

185 cm
36
190
12 - 21 - 0

188 cm
35
191
11 - 17 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Heavy handed

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 12 - 21 - 0, fighting out of London, Shane Murphy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kenny Knight!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Daniel Franklin and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Murphy throws a sloppy head kick

and Knight counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Knight.

Knight drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Murphy dives on top into guard.

Knight working for submissions but it's allowed Murphy to get to half guard.
Murphy wants to control but Knight is keeping him busy.

Knight looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Murphy is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Knight sees it coming and defends easily.

Murphy is working for a kimura but Knight is defending it quite comfortably.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Murphy looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Murphy is looking to take a break and control but Knight is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Murphy is working for a submission of some sort.
Knight wants to get back to his feet.

Knight actively working from the bottom here.
Murphy looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

Murphy is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Knight is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Murphy pulls his head out easily.

Knight looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Murphy trying to control the pace.

Knight is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Murphy pulls his head out easily.

Knight actively working from the bottom here.
Murphy wants to control but Knight is keeping him busy.
Murphy lands with a punch from half guard.

Murphy is looking for a kimura here.
Knight is not content to let Murphy control the position.
Knight has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Murphy is working away from the top position though.

Murphy stands up from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knight blocks a jab.
We've been told by Murphy's head coaches at CrossFit Sydney that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Shane Murphy is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Murphy throws a sloppy head kick

and Knight counters with a nice double leg into side control. Murphy won't be happy with that.
Murphy tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.

Knight goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Murphy turns into him and now he's in Knight's guard.

Knight is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Knight had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Murphy defends it easily.
Knight wants to sweep but no luck.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Murphy stands up and waves to Knight to follow him.
Murphy throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Murphy throws a head kick that misses.
Murphy throws a head kick that misses.
Murphy tries a head kick but it misses.
Knight drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Murphy defends it well.

Knight gets tackled into the cage by Murphy. Murphy maintains the clinch.

Knight manages to break the clinch.
Murphy misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Murphy swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Knight uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Knight looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Murphy is fending him off so far but Knight persists. Nope, Murphy circles away and we're back to standing.
Murphy throws a head kick that misses

and Knight counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Murphy actively working from the bottom here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Shane Murphy dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Knight closes this distance looking for a takedown but Murphy circles away.
Murphy tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Knight staying out of range there.
Knight is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Murphy tries a head kick but it misses.
Knight misses with a takedown attempt - Murphy sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Knight avoids the head kick by Murphy.
Murphy throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

Knight closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Murphy's guard.
Knight won't allow Murphy to sweep him here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Knight drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Murphy manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Knight has Murphy in his guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murphy wants to control from the top but Knight keeps moving.
Murphy is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Knight can do to turn this around?
Murphy wants to stand but Knight has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Knight is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Murphy got a little sloppy there for a moment and Knight has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Murphy has managed to get both his arms back between Knight's legs - danger averted.
Knight is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Murphy sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Murphy scoring with punches to the head and body.
Murphy wants to pass the guard but Knight is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Murphy wants to stand but Knight is controlling his posture from full guard.
Knight is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Murphy is controlling him.

Knight working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Murphy doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Murphy manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Knight has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Murphy can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Murphy gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Knight blocks a head kick by Murphy.
Shane Murphy seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Murphy tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Knight was well out of range. Poor timing from Murphy.
Murphy tries to clinch but Knight moves out of range.
Murphy tries a head kick but it misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Knight clinches up against the cage.
Knight lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Murphy backwards.
Knight keeps control of Murphy as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Murphy is looking to break free of the clinch but Knight has double underhooks.
A nice right hand lands inside from Knight.
Murphy blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A bit of stalling here from Murphy.
Murphy misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Knight.
Murphy takes a shot to the head.

Murphy breaks from the clinch.
Murphy throws a head kick but Knight moves out of range.
Knight drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Murphy defends it well.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Knight scores with a shoulder strike.
Murphy wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knight prevents Murphy from breaking the clinch.

Murphy escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Murphy pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Murphy misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Murphy throws a head kick but Knight moves out of range.
Knight changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Murphy misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
And Knight tries to counter it with a takedown but Murphy pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Knight cracks Murphy with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

Knight closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Murphy to the mat! Murphy manages to get full guard.

Murphy manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Knight has a takedown stuffed.
Shane Murphy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kenny Knight.
A head kick by Murphy misses

and Knight counters with a nice double leg into side control. Murphy won't be happy with that.
Murphy is trying to get back to half guard.
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 Shane Murphy will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Murphy throws a sloppy head kick and Knight moves out of range easily.

Murphy lands a big head kick that sends Knight tumbling to the mat! Murphy takes a step backwards and waves Knight back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Knight is rocked!

It looks like Kenny Knight has been cut.
Murphy tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Knight with the counter takedown but Murphy avoids it easily.
Knight is still on wobbly legs! Can Murphy finish him?
Murphy throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Knight seems to have recovered his senses.
Murphy throws a head kick that misses.
Murphy throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Shane Murphy is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Murphy pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Knight shoots in looking for a takedown. Murphy tries to sprawl out of it but Knight 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.
Murphy tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nice takedown defense from Murphy. No joy for Knight on that attempt.
Knight takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Murphy throws a lazy head kick

and Knight counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Murphy!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Knight tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Murphy tries to bench press Knight off him but Knight keeps the position.

Knight goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Murphy rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Knight's guard! Nice work there by Murphy!
Knight keeping moving, preventing Murphy from controlling successfully.

Murphy decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Murphy throws a head kick that misses.
Murphy pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Knight forces Murphy back against the cage and clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murphy wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Knight breaks the clinch.
Knight blocks a head kick by Murphy.
Murphy has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Murphy there as he acknowledges the shot.
Murphy throws a right and a left that both miss.
Knight feints the counter takedown.

Knight darts in and clinches Murphy up against the cage.
Murphy wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Knight has him pressed against the cage.

Knight has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Murphy uses from the top position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Murphy wants to control from the top but Knight keeps moving.

Knight is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Murphy tries to free his leg and advance position but Knight is retaining full guard.
Murphy trying to control but Knight is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Knight escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Murphy gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Murphy thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Kenny Knight has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Knight is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Murphy has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Knight is proving hard to escape from.

Knight looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Knight is looking for a triangle but Murphy pushes his legs off easily.

That's four 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.
Murphy trying to control the position from guard on top but Knight is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Knight has his foot on Murphy's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Murphy works his way back into a safe position though.
Murphy trying to control the position from guard on top but Knight is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Shane Murphy is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Murphy slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Murphy with a flurry of punches that miss.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Knight has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Murphy can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Knight is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shane Murphy showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Murphy, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 30:27
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shane Murphy!
Shane Murphy made sure to mention his sponsor, Brooklyn Apothecary in his post fight interview.