PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ulysses Blazkov (ranked 3021 p4p, 2810 weight class) and Patrick Murphy (ranked 327 p4p, 306 weight class). Blazkov comes to the cage accompanied by Me And The Devil. Murphy is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by The Black Keys - Little Black Submarines . Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Blazkov
vs
Murphy

194 cm
39
268
33 - 16 - 0

189 cm
29
233
10 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Powerful

Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 33 - 16 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ulysses Blazkov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Patrick Murphy!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Blazkov throws a shot from downtown. Murphy moves away and avoids it.
Blazkov lands a glancing blow to the side of Murphy's head.
Blazkov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Murphy was well out of range. Poor timing from Blazkov.
Murphy doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.

Blazkov tries to keep at a distance but Murphy has taken the fight into the clinch.
Murphy tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Murphy has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Blazkov avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Murphy drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Blazkov gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Blazkov lands an elbow just above Murphy 's eye.

It looks like Patrick Murphy has been cut.
A left hand lands to the body for Blazkov.

Blazkov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Blazkov misses with a wild combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fighters circle momentarily. Murphy darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Murphy shoots in but no luck this time.
Ulysses Blazkov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Patrick Murphy.
Murphy checks a low kick from Blazkov.
Blazkov misses with a wild body shot.
Murphy fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blazkov throws a body shot but no joy.
Blazkov missing with a left hand there. Murphy was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Murphy shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Blazkov is trying to defend but Murphy finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Blazkov avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Murphy.
Murphy sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Blazkov defending well though.
Murphy missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Murphy thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Murphy sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Blazkov defending well though.
Murphy missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Murphy seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Murphy thows a huge punch but Blazkov dodges it nicely.
Murphy throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murphy missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Murphy thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Blazkov's head.
Murphy working Blazkov over with strikes.
Murphy missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Murphy missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Murphy has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Murphy sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Blazkov defending well though.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Blazkov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Murphy on the ground.
Murphy sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Blazkov defending well though.
Blazkov is breathing heavily.
Murphy not landing any meaningful shots this time.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Murphy defending well as Blazkov loads up on a big left hand.

Murphy closes the distance and clinches.
Blazkov is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Murphy drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Murphy can't get the takedown.
Murphy presses Blazkov against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blazkov prevents a takedown attempt there.

Blazkov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Murphy uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Blazkov.
Blazkov misses with the body kick
and Blazkov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A telegraphed right hand from Blazkov misses the target.

Murphy looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Murphy takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Blazkov avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Murphy.
Murphy wants to control but Blazkov is keeping him busy.
Murphy misses with a head shot. Blazkov uses the momentum to regain guard.
Murphy trying to control the position from guard on top but Blazkov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murphy might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Blazkov haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Murphy throwing strikes from guard but Blazkov blocks nicely.
Murphy trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Murphy working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Murphy throwing strikes from guard but Blazkov blocks nicely.
Blazkov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Murphy cracks Blazkov with a solid left hand.
Murphy passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Murphy scoring with punches from side control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Patrick Murphy dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Patrick Murphy's cut.
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.

Blazkov sizes up Murphy with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

Murphy gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Murphy blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Murphy lands a body punch in the clinch.
Blazkov is trying to break the clinch but Murphy is controlling him.
Murphy changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Blazkov fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Murphy takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

Murphy rushes Blazkov and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Murphy tries for a takedown. No joy.
Murphy lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Murphy tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Blazkov as Murphy tries to tie him up.
Murphy tries to throw a body punch but Blazkov avoids it by throwing Murphy back against the cage.
Murphy changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Blazkov fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Ulysses Blazkov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Patrick Murphy.

Murphy pushes Blazkov up against the cage in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blazkov wants to break the clinch but can't.
Blazkov struggles to land a body shot inside as Murphy controls his hands.
Murphy tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Blazkov's elbow.

Blazkov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Blazkov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Murphy sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Murphy fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Blazkov gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Blazkov throws a jab when Murphy was well out of range.
Blazkov circles away from the clinch attempt.

Murphy shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Murphy not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Murphy not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Blazkov blocking the ground and pound attempt from Murphy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murphy controlling the action here.
Patrick Murphy has got the better of the ground game so far.
Blazkov avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Murphy.
Murphy winds up and cracks Blazkov with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Murphy connects with a nice short shot to Blazkov's temple.
Murphy has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Blacksmith MMA Gym 🇺🇲. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Murphy not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Murphy has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Blazkov blocking the ground and pound attempt from Murphy.
Murphy is trying to control. Blazkov wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Blazkov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Murphy is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Murphy winds up and cracks Blazkov with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Murphy controlling the pace.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murphy not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Murphy sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Blazkov defending well though.
Murphy thows a huge punch but Blazkov dodges it nicely.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Blazkov misses the body punch
and Murphy connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Murphy takes the fight into the clinch.
Patrick Murphy seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Murphy goes for a takedown attempt but Blazkov pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Murphy punishes Blazkov's body with a nice straight punch.

Murphy closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Blazkov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Murphy throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Blazkov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murphy thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Blazkov's head.
Murphy throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Murphy looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Blazkov with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Murphy working Blazkov over with strikes.
Murphy not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Murphy connects with a nice short shot to Blazkov's temple.
Blazkov has hold of Murphy's hands but Murphy slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Murphy seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Blazkov avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Murphy.
Blazkov blocking the ground and pound attempt from Murphy.
Murphy throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Blazkov has hold of Murphy's hands but Murphy slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Murphy throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Patrick Murphy showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Patrick Murphy's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Murphy shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Murphy was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Ulysses Blazkov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Murphy misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Murphy scoring with punches from side control.
Murphy throws an elbow but Blazkov slips to the side and avoids it well.
Murphy controlling from side mount.
Murphy working the strikes but Blazkov uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Murphy 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.
Murphy throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Murphy working the head and body with strikes.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Murphy passes to side control.
Murphy works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murphy throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Murphy scoring with punches from side control.
Murphy misses with the ground and pound.
The strikes coming from Murphy are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Murphy scoring with punches from side control.
Murphy trying to control the action but Blazkov is working from the bottom.
Murphy tries to score with some ground and pound. Blazkov controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Murphy working the ground and pound from side control.
Murphy tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Blazkov is not content to let Murphy control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes there by Murphy.
Murphy is putting a hurting on Blazkov here, landing some big shots from side control.
Blazkov parries the strikes from Murphy easily there. Murphy is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Blazkov to escape.
Blazkov taking punishment in the form of punches.
Blazkov on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Murphy lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Blazkov takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Murphy trying to control the action but Blazkov is working from the bottom.
Murphy lands a decent elbow from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blazkov takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Murphy lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Blazkov down.
Murphy grinds an elbow into Blazkov's temple.
Murphy scores with a couple of short elbows.

Blazkov is rocked!
Murphy lands a strong strike to the head of Blazkov. That's dazed him! Murphy looking to finish here. Blazkov is waving his arms around trying to block but he's hurt badly - Murphy lands more strikes and the referee steps in to end the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:40 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Patrick Murphy!
After winning the bout, Patrick Murphy thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.