PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ilya Kushnevich (ranked 1666 p4p, 1727 weight class) and Pate Murhapuro (ranked 226 p4p, 235 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kushnevich
vs
Murhapuro

179 cm
23
160
7 - 5 - 0

178 cm
23
170
7 - 5 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Conviction
Conquer

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 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ilya Kushnevich!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Pate Murhapuro!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, William Gold and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Murhapuro closes the distance and pushes Kushnevich back into the cage.
Still in the clinch, Murhapuro scores with a nice short uppercut.
Kushnevich struggles to land a body shot inside as Murhapuro controls his hands.

Kushnevich's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kushnevich staying out of range there.
Murhapuro throws the left hand but Kushnevich avoids the punch easily.
Kushnevich has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Primal Concrete Gym in the buildup to the fight.
Kushnevich throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Murhapuro has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Kushnevich ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Murhapuro jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Murhapuro misses with a hook. Kushnevich ducked under it nicely.
Kushnevich scores with a jab to the jaw.
Kushnevich scores with a jab to the body.
Murhapuro connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Murhapuro pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Murhapuro throws a body shot but no joy.
Murhapuro wants to clinch.
Murhapuro throws a shot from downtown. Kushnevich moves away and avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Kushnevich lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Murhapuro has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Murhapuro and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Kushnevich jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Murhapuro steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kushnevich.
Murhapuro connects with a body shot.
Murhapuro looks to clinch
and Kushnevich counters with a stiff right hand.

Murhapuro rushes Kushnevich and presses him up against the cage.
Murhapuro has a couple of punches blocked by Kushnevich.
Kushnevich wants to take the fight to the mat but Murhapuro manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Kushnevich works on Murhapuro's body with a couple of short punches.
Murhapuro throws a punch but it's blocked by Kushnevich.
Murhapuro misses with a hook from the clinch.
Murhapuro lands a right hand.
Murhapuro swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kushnevich tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Murhapuro's elbow.
Murhapuro is defending well against a takedown attempt.
A short uppercut from Murhapuro.
Kushnevich lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Murhapuro tries to work over Kushnevich's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A shot in the inside from Murhapuro.
Murhapuro lands a nice shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murhapuro blocks an uppercut.
Kushnevich misses with the head strike.
Murhapuro makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Murhapuro lands with a left to the head.
Murhapuro working aggressively here.

Kushnevich breaks from the clinch.
A telegraphed right hand from Murhapuro misses the target.
Kushnevich uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Murhapuro.
Murhapuro needs to keep his hands up - Kushnevich had a free shot at his head there.
Kushnevich ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Murhapuro moves away.
Kushnevich lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Kushnevich throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Kushnevich misses with a body kick.
Kushnevich walks into a stiff left hand from Murhapuro.
Kushnevich fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Murhapuro ducks under a wild hook from Kushnevich.
Kushnevich takes one to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Murhapuro does no damage.
No joy there for Murhapuro, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Murhapuro takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Kushnevich throws a body punch but Murhapuro moves out of range.
Murhapuro is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Murhapuro swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kushnevich uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Murhapuro.
Kushnevich feinted with a counter takedown.
Kushnevich moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Pate Murhapuro is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kushnevich throws a low kick but it's checked well by Murhapuro.
Murhapuro waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kushnevich.
Murhapuro shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Kushnevich tries to clinch up
and Murhapuro connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Murhapuro ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kushnevich moves away.
A looping hook to the body misses from Murhapuro. Kushnevich does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murhapuro throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Kushnevich shoots in and gets a takedown into Murhapuro's guard.
Kushnevich trying to move into half guard but instead Murhapuro has managed to sweep!

Murhapuro preventing the sweep.
Murhapuro is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Kushnevich wants to sweep but no luck.
Murhapuro being controlled here momentarily.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Murhapuro not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Nice uppercut lands for Kushnevich. That snapped Murhapuro's head back.
Kushnevich scores with a jab to the head.
A big left from Murhapuro misses.
The fighters circling - Murhapuro throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kushnevich loads up on a big right hand but Murhapuro slips the punch.
Murhapuro ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kushnevich motions for Murhapuro to come forward. Kushnevich throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Murhapuro misses with a looping right.
Kushnevich scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Kushnevich slips a straight right by Murhapuro.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Murhapuro misses with a hook.
Murhapuro throws a nice looking combination but Kushnevich bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Ilya Kushnevich is winning the standup battle so far.
Murhapuro ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Murhapuro lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Kushnevich at a distance.
Kushnevich throws a shot to the body.
Murhapuro throws a body punch but Kushnevich moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kushnevich is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Murhapuro lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Kushnevich displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Murhapuro throws out the jab.
Kushnevich blocks a jab.
Kushnevich lands a nice shot to the body.
Kushnevich blocks a jab.
Kushnevich appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Kushnevich swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Murhapuro jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Murhapuro misses with a right hand
and Kushnevich counters with a good low kick that Murhapuro was not able to check.
Kushnevich lands with a thumping leg kick.
Murhapuro thows a left - swing and a miss!

Kushnevich takes the fight into the clinch.
Murhapuro trying to control the position but instead, Kushnevich has worked for underhooks and has pushed Murhapuro into the cage.
Murhapuro tries to work over Kushnevich's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kushnevich working aggressively here.
Murhapuro misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kushnevich lands a nice uppercut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kushnevich has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Murhapuro is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Kushnevich lands a left hand that snaps the head of Murhapuro backwards.
Kushnevich blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Murhapuro lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Kushnevich wants a takedown but no success here.
Kushnevich misses with a body punch.
Kushnevich swings wildly with an uppercut but Murhapuro uses good head movement to avoid it.
Murhapuro misses with a body punch.
Murhapuro lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Kushnevich backwards.
Kushnevich is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ilya Kushnevich. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A short right from Murhapuro on the inside.
Murhapuro tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kushnevich's elbow.
Murhapuro presses Kushnevich against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Pate Murhapuro seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Murhapuro lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murhapuro can't find room to land a body shot as Kushnevich controls the action.
Kushnevich blocks a body shot from Murhapuro.
Murhapuro has Kushnevich pressed against the cage, preventing Kushnevich from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Murhapuro goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Murhapuro lands with a left to the head.
Murhapuro lands with a left to the head.
Kushnevich has had enough of the clinch but Murhapuro keeps him there for the moment.
Murhapuro lands a right hand.
Murhapuro throws a head punch that misses.
Kushnevich lands a left hand.
Kushnevich tries to break the clinch but Murhapuro is controlling the position.
Kushnevich misses with a punch to the body.
Kushnevich softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Murhapuro prevents a body shot from Kushnevich.
Kushnevich drops down looking for an ankle pick but Murhapuro pulls his leg out and moves away.
Murhapuro throws a looping overhand right but Kushnevich ducks down to avoid it.
Kushnevich uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Murhapuro.
The fighters circling - Murhapuro throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kushnevich tries to counter with a takedown but Murhapuro is quick to defend against it.
Kushnevich fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Murhapuro has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kushnevich ducks under a wild hook from Murhapuro.

Murhapuro fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kushnevich, pushing him back against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Murhapuro tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kushnevich lands a body shot.

Kushnevich pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Murhapuro moves out of range of the leg kick from Kushnevich.
Murhapuro uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Kushnevich has time to react.
Murhapuro uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kushnevich.

Kushnevich shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Kushnevich not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Kushnevich moves into full mount! Murhapuro won't be happy about that!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Pate Murhapuro will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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. This is the final round!

Murhapuro fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Kushnevich looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Murhapuro, as that shot connected.
Murhapuro changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Kushnevich swings for the body but Murhapuro moves out of range.
Murhapuro misses with a looping right.
Kushnevich uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Murhapuro.
Murhapuro doesn't manage to clinch there - Kushnevich circles away.
Kushnevich drops down looking for a counter takedown but Murhapuro sprawls and moves away.
Murhapuro fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Murhapuro looks to throw the jab but Kushnevich is out of range.
Kushnevich misses with a kick to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kushnevich misses with a wild body shot.
Kushnevich looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Kushnevich throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murhapuro takes a swing at Kushnevich's ribcage but misses.
Murhapuro looks to land a right hand but Kushnevich moved out of range.
Kushnevich connects with a nice looking jab.
Murhapuro misses with a hook.
A telegraphed right hand from Murhapuro misses the target.
Murhapuro throws a lazy uppercut

and Kushnevich counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Kushnevich missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Murhapuro keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Kushnevich takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Kushnevich trying to mount his opponent but Murhapuro defends it.
Kushnevich is trying to control the action in half guard but Murhapuro is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kushnevich thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Murhapuro's head.
Kushnevich lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Kushnevich thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Kushnevich throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Murhapuro has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Kushnevich is working away from the top position though.
Murhapuro keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Kushnevich seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Kushnevich lands a nice hook to Murhapuro's body. Murhapuro takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Kushnevich moves forwards but Murhapuro connects with a nice, crisp jab.

Kushnevich shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Murhapuro is trying to defend but Kushnevich finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Kushnevich seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Murhapuro blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kushnevich.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kushnevich seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Murhapuro does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Kushnevich stalling away here and it's allowed Murhapuro to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Kushnevich throwing strikes but missing.
Kushnevich trying to control but Murhapuro is working from the bottom.
Ilya Kushnevich has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kushnevich with a nice head shot there.
Kushnevich stands and throws Murhapuro's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Sloppy strikes there by Kushnevich.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ilya Kushnevich showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Murhapuro has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Chris Edwards scores the fight 29:29
Judge William Gold scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 28:29

The fight is ruled a draw!