PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Chesterfield MacArthur (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe Murphy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

MacArthur
vs
Murphy

190 cm
22
220 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

182 cm
19
210 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Chesterfield MacArthur!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Joe Murphy!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Steven Brown and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
MacArthur shoots in for a takedown but Murphy shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Murphy defends well against a solid takedown attempt from MacArthur.
MacArthur misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chesterfield MacArthur. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Murphy looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
MacArthur throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Murphy's waist but Murphy gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing MacArthur off to one side.
MacArthur shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Murphy but Murphy pushes him off and we're back to square one.
MacArthur shoots in but Murphy avoids the takedown attempt easily.
MacArthur closes this distance looking for a takedown but Murphy circles away.
Murphy 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.
No luck with that takedown attempt from MacArthur.
Murphy will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Murphy throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
MacArthur fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Murphy avoids it really well and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murphy moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
MacArthur shoots in for a takedown but Murphy shows good takedown defense.
MacArthur shoots in for a double leg but Murphy sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
MacArthur is breathing heavily.
Murphy throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Chesterfield MacArthur seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Murphy swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
MacArthur throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Murphy's waist but Murphy gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing MacArthur off to one side.
No luck with that takedown attempt from MacArthur.
MacArthur fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Murphy closes the distance and pushes MacArthur back into the cage.

Murphy breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nice uppercut lands for Murphy. That snapped MacArthur's head back.

Murphy gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Murphy breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from MacArthur is defended easily by Murphy.
Joe Murphy is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from MacArthur is defended easily by Murphy.
Murphy works over MacArthur's head and body with a nice combination.
Murphy throws a series of punches but MacArthur avoids them all with ease.

MacArthur shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. MacArthur showed some decent athleticism there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
MacArthur prevents Murphy from standing back up.
MacArthur thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Murphy's head.
Murphy wants to get back to his feet.
Murphy is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
MacArthur not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Murphy really doesn't want to stay on the ground with MacArthur. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
MacArthur shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Murphy defends it nicely.
MacArthur shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Murphy as he jumps to the side.
Murphy swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Murphy throws a quick head kick that skims the top of MacArthur's head.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from MacArthur.

Murphy clinches with his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Murphy breaks from the clinch.
MacArthur shoots for a double leg takedown but Murphy sprawls well. He's pushed MacArthur's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
MacArthur changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Murphy tries to avoid it but MacArthur manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Murphy to the ground. Murphy escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
A right-left combo lands from Murphy.

Murphy rushes MacArthur and presses him up against the cage.

Murphy breaks the clinch.
MacArthur shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Murphy as he avoids it easily.
Murphy slaps away a takedown attempt from MacArthur, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Murphy works over MacArthur's head and body with a nice combination.

Murphy clinches up with MacArthur and pushes him back against the cage.

Murphy breaks from the clinch.
MacArthur shoots for a takedown but Murphy saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Murphy moves into range and clinches up with MacArthur.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Murphy dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

MacArthur changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Murphy tries to avoid it but MacArthur manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Murphy to the ground. Murphy escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
A chopping leg kick lands by Murphy.
Murphy lands a two punch combo.
Murphy misses with the combination.
Murphy slaps away a takedown attempt from MacArthur, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Murphy lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
A head kick misses from Murphy.

MacArthur throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Murphy was covering up waiting for the punch and MacArthur finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Murphy is looking to stand up but MacArthur isn't so interested in that idea.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
MacArthur connects with a couple of short punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MacArthur distracts Murphy with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
MacArthur 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.
MacArthur scoring with some ground and pound.
Murphy working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from MacArthur.
MacArthur postures up and lands a big shot to Murphy's brow.
Murphy wants to stand and escape but MacArthur is having none of it.
MacArthur landing with the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Murphy is looking to stand up but MacArthur isn't so interested in that idea.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Murphy displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from MacArthur.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chesterfield MacArthur. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Excellent takedown into side control there by MacArthur.

Murphy explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MacArthur misses with a takedown attempt - Murphy sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
MacArthur looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Murphy stuffs the takedown attempt from MacArthur. MacArthur gets slowly back to his feet.
Murphy's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Murphy duly obliges.
MacArthur closes the distance and clinches up with Murphy, looking for a takedown. MacArthur pushes Murphy against the cage but Murphy circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Chesterfield MacArthur is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
MacArthur throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Murphy's waist but Murphy gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing MacArthur off to one side.
MacArthur shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Murphy sprawls well. Murphy wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. MacArthur gets slowly back to his feet.
MacArthur shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Murphy defends it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
MacArthur sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
MacArthur tries to score a power double leg takedown but Murphy sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten MacArthur somewhat.
MacArthur dives in and grabs Murphy's left leg, looking for a takedown. Murphy pushes down on MacArthur's head and hops out.
MacArthur looks for a takedown but Murphy sprawls well.
Murphy throws a head kick that misses.
Murphy tries to bum rush MacArthur with a series of wild strikes but MacArthur uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Murphy has closed the distance and engaged MacArthur in a clinch.

That's four 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.
MacArthur is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Murphy pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Murphy breaks from the clinch.
MacArthur dodges the punch combination from Murphy.
MacArthur fails with a takedown attempt.
Murphy throws a combination but it was largely blocked by MacArthur.
MacArthur dodges the punch combination from Murphy.
MacArthur shoots for a double leg takedown but Murphy sprawls well. He's pushed MacArthur's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
MacArthur fails with a takedown attempt.
Murphy fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt MacArthur.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Murphy showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Murphy rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but MacArthur moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
MacArthur fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
MacArthur shoots in for a takedown but Murphy shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
No luck with that takedown attempt from MacArthur.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chesterfield MacArthur. That's going to take a lot out of him.
MacArthur fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
MacArthur fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Murphy rushes MacArthur and presses him up against the cage.

Murphy pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
MacArthur shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Murphy but Murphy pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Murphy listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MacArthur tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Murphy swivels and escapes.
A nice combination there by Murphy.
MacArthur is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Murphy.
Murphy thows a body kick. MacArthur tries to catch it but that hurt him.
MacArthur has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Murphy!
Murphy looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
MacArthur fails to land the takedown.
Murphy misses with the combination.
Murphy's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Murphy duly obliges.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MacArthur shoots in but Murphy avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Murphy forces MacArthur back against the cage and clinches.

Murphy breaks from the clinch.
Murphy misses with a double jab.
MacArthur tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Murphy swivels and escapes.

Murphy instigates a clinch.

Murphy manages to break the clinch.
MacArthur shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Murphy but Murphy pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Murphy lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Murphy.
Murphy misses with the combination.
Murphy displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from MacArthur.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Murphy.
MacArthur shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Murphy pinned against the cage. Murphy gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
No luck for MacArthur with that takedown attempt.
MacArthur shoots for a takedown but Murphy saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Murphy clinches up against the cage.

Murphy breaks from the clinch.
MacArthur will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Murphy misses with a jab, cross combination.
Murphy slaps away a takedown attempt from MacArthur, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Murphy throws a right and a left that both miss.
Murphy looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Murphy misses with a jab, cross combination.
MacArthur fails with the takedown.
MacArthur has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Joe Murphy is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Murphy stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Murphy wants it to stay on the feet.
Murphy throws a right and a left that MacArthur avoids nicely.

Murphy rushes MacArthur and presses him up against the cage.
Chesterfield MacArthur has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Murphy escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joe Murphy comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Murphy winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 James Atkins scores the fight 26:30
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 26:30
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joe Murphy!