PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Haruki Murakami (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johnnie Peters (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.

Murakami
vs
Peters

179 cm
22
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

164 cm
19
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Haruki Murakami!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Johnnie Peters!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Thiago Cunha and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A big head kick from Murakami and Peters is sent sprawling to the canvas!

Peters is rocked!
Peters will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Peters is still in real trouble! Can Murakami finish him?
Murakami trying to control the position from guard on top but Peters is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Peters has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Peters wants to stand up but Murakami is controlling him.
Peters seems to have recovered his senses.
Peters manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Murakami manages to get himself to full guard.
Peters controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Murakami looking to hit a scissor sweep but Peters is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Peters is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Murakami will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Murakami wants to get back to his feet but Peters is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

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.
Murakami trying to keep a closed guard but Peters is proving a slippery customer.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Peters throwing strikes but missing.
Peters tries to free his leg and advance position but Murakami is retaining full guard.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Murakami stuffs the takedown attempt from Peters. Peters gets slowly back to his feet.

Peters fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Murakami sprawls well initially but Peters persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Peters stands up from half guard.
Peters looks gassed!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murakami tries a head kick but it misses.

Peters drives through with a takedown into guard.
Peters preventing the sweep.
Murakami trying to control the position.
Peters wants to control from the top but Murakami keeps moving.
Murakami looking for a sweep. Not yet Murakami, not yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Murakami pushes Peters off and scrambles back to his feet.
Peters blocks a head kick by Murakami.
Murakami throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Peters.
Murakami connects with a high kick.
Peters misses with a head kick.
Murakami plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

Peters drives through and clinches with Murakami against the cage.

Murakami breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Murakami thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Peters if he has to take too many more of those.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Peters crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Murakami - the referee stops the clock and Peters gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Murakami. Peters manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Ohhhhh! A huge head kick from Murakami! Peters is out on his feet! Murakami rushes in and throws more strikes. The ref is looking closely - Peters is covering up but the punishment is just too much and the ref steps in to stop the fight! Peters is staring into space, just thankful that the beatdown has ended. Brutal finish.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:45 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Haruki Murakami!