PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Seamus Murphy (ranked 1523 p4p, 2386 weight class) and Kuzma Reznikov (ranked 91 p4p, 156 weight class). Murphy comes to the cage accompanied by Molly Malone- The Dubliners. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Murphy
vs
Reznikov

150 cm
25
130
3 - 0 - 0

150 cm
25
130
2 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Good wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

Groove Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Seamus Murphy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kuzma Reznikov!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Daniel Bishop and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Reznikov feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Murphy looking for a guillotine here but Reznikov defends easily.
Reznikov advances to half guard.

Murphy is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Reznikov pulls his head out easily.
Reznikov wants to control but Murphy is keeping him busy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Reznikov trying to pass the guard but Murphy defending well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Reznikov seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Murphy does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Murphy is looking for a sweep. Reznikov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Reznikov tries to pass to full mount but Murphy defends it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Murphy looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Murphy works his way to full guard. Good work.

Murphy is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Murphy keeping moving, preventing Reznikov from controlling successfully.
Reznikov sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Murphy's guard.
Murphy makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Murphy.
Murphy keeping moving, preventing Reznikov from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reznikov tries to free his leg and advance position but Murphy is retaining full guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Murphy holds on and takes a little breather.
Reznikov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Murphy is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Reznikov looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Murphy trying to control from half guard but Reznikov is working away.
Reznikov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Reznikov looking for submissions off his back.
Murphy moves into full mount! Reznikov won't be happy about that!
Reznikov has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Reznikov is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Murphy tries to control but Reznikov wriggling away.
Reznikov should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Murphy takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Murphy seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Reznikov for as long as he can get away with.
Reznikov gets back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reznikov tries to roll over but Murphy keeps him under control.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Reznikov can do anything to dispel that myth.
Murphy wants to take a breather but Reznikov is having none of it.
Reznikov slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Murphy trying to control the position from guard on top but Reznikov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Murphy drops back looking for a leg! Reznikov is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Reznikov manages to kick Murphy off! Murphy jumps back into Reznikov's guard.
Reznikov is trying to keep Murphy in close.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Kuzma Reznikov will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Reznikov.
Murphy is looking for a sweep.

Reznikov working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Murphy is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Reznikov's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Murphy moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Murphy keeping moving, preventing Reznikov from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reznikov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Murphy keeping moving, preventing Reznikov from controlling successfully.
Murphy not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Reznikov wants to control from the top but Murphy keeps moving.
Reznikov won't allow Murphy to sweep him here.
Reznikov throws a big elbow that misses.
Murphy keeping moving, preventing Reznikov from controlling successfully.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

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.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Murphy enables Reznikov to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Murphy manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Reznikov trying to control but Murphy is working from the bottom.
Reznikov controlling from the top position.
Murphy is trying to keep Reznikov in close.

Murphy has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Reznikov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Reznikov trying to control but Murphy is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reznikov is looking to advance position but Murphy has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Reznikov is looking to get to half guard.
Reznikov is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Murphy controlling the pace for now.
Reznikov is working to get back to half guard.
Reznikov tries to lock up and control but Murphy gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Murphy working for a submission here. He's tucked his head under his opponent's arm, looking for an arm triangle. He's hopped off into side control, looking to tighten the submission... is it going to work? He's given up a good position looking for it. Reznikov looks OK. Oh, I spoke too soon, he's out! That must have been tighter than I thought! Excellent work there by Murphy! Submission of the night perhaps?

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:25 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Seamus Murphy!