PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Manuel The Pride of Mexico (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nigel Murphy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

The Pride of Mexico
vs
Murphy

174 cm
19
155 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

170 cm
21
152 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good in bed

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Manuel The Pride of Mexico!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Nigel Murphy!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Skip Squint and Bruno Hogan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The Pride of Mexico shoots in for a takedown but Murphy shows good takedown defense.
Murphy throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
The Pride of Mexico doesn't manage to clinch there - Murphy circles away.
A jab from Murphy finds it's way through The Pride of Mexico's defenses.
Murphy tries a head kick but it misses.
Murphy slips a straight right by The Pride of Mexico.
The Pride of Mexico lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
The Pride of Mexico moves in looking to clinch but Murphy pushes him off.
The Pride of Mexico takes one to the side of the head.
Murphy pivots, looking for a leg kick but The Pride of Mexico is out of range and Murphy settles back down.
The Pride of Mexico throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Murphy checks a leg kick.
Murphy throws a quick inside leg kick.
The Pride of Mexico looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Murphy is fending him off so far but The Pride of Mexico persists. Nope, Murphy circles away and we're back to standing.

Murphy moves into the clinch.

Murphy manages to break the clinch.
The Pride of Mexico closes the distance but Murphy moves to the side
and Murphy cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The Pride of Mexico shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Murphy sprawls well. Murphy wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. The Pride of Mexico gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Manuel The Pride of Mexico. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice body punch from Murphy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The Pride of Mexico dodges the punch combination from Murphy.
Murphy lands a body shot.
Murphy swinging wildly here.
The Pride of Mexico tries to clinch up
and Murphy counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Murphy circles away from the clinch attempt
and Murphy connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
The Pride of Mexico closes the distance looking to clinch

and Murphy counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Murphy.
Murphy wants to break the clinch but can't.
Murphy prevents a takedown attempt there.

Murphy has dropped down and is working for a takedown. The Pride of Mexico is trying to keep an underhook but Murphy manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Murphy missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murphy lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
The Pride of Mexico blocking the ground and pound attempt from Murphy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Murphy performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
The Pride of Mexico is trying to stand up here but Murphy is controlling him well.
The Pride of Mexico blocking the ground and pound attempt from Murphy.
Murphy looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Murphy is nestled in close to The Pride of Mexico, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Murphy controlling the action here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murphy blocks the strikes from The Pride of Mexico.
Murphy slips a nice elbow through The Pride of Mexico's hands, connecting with The Pride of Mexico's forehead.
Murphy is figuring out what he wants to do next.
The Pride of Mexico is looking to improve his position.
Murphy is figuring out what he wants to do next.
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 The Pride of Mexico's temple.
Murphy sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. The Pride of Mexico defending well though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Murphy prevents The Pride of Mexico from improving his position.
Murphy not doing much here.
The Pride of Mexico is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The Pride of Mexico tries to kick Murphy off but Murphy keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Murphy fails to land with a series of punches.
Murphy fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but The Pride of Mexico avoids it really well and circles away.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Murphy misses with a combination

and The Pride of Mexico counters with a single leg into guard. Murphy didn't expect that.

Murphy is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nigel Murphy dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

The Pride of Mexico checks a leg kick.
Murphy misses with a series of wild punches.

Murphy drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Murphy thows a big elbow that misses.
The Pride of Mexico is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The Pride of Mexico looking to hit a scissor sweep but Murphy is one step ahead there.
Murphy is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Murphy won't allow The Pride of Mexico to sweep him here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The Pride of Mexico looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
The Pride of Mexico is looking to stand up but Murphy isn't so interested in that idea.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Murphy misses with a double jab
and The Pride of Mexico counters with a straight right hand.

The Pride of Mexico drives through and clinches with Murphy against the cage.
Murphy lands with a short shot to the head.
The Pride of Mexico wants to stall.

Murphy gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, The Pride of Mexico regains guard.
The Pride of Mexico wants to sweep but no luck.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Murphy postures up.
Murphy has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Murphy connects with a couple of short punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murphy wants to control from the top but The Pride of Mexico keeps moving.
The Pride of Mexico trying to keep a closed guard but Murphy is proving a slippery customer.
Murphy slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Murphy creates some space and throws a big elbow, but The Pride of Mexico sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
The Pride of Mexico wants to control but Murphy postures up.
Murphy moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Murphy in side control lands a decent elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murphy controlling the position.
The Pride of Mexico is not content to let Murphy control the position.
The Pride of Mexico is looking for a sweep.
The Pride of Mexico is working hard here to advance position.
The Pride of Mexico avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Murphy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
The Pride of Mexico struggling a bit here.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
The Pride of Mexico with a hook.

Murphy has The Pride of Mexico up against the cage in a clinch.

Murphy breaks the clinch.
The Pride of Mexico clinches but Murphy breaks the clinch

and Murphy counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Murphy.
Murphy wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Murphy lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Still in half guard, Murphy seems content to control.
Nigel Murphy has got the better of the ground game so far.
The Pride of Mexico is trying to maintain the position but Murphy is very close to passing his half guard.
The Pride of Mexico looks like he's trying to stand up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nigel Murphy showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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 tries to score a power double leg takedown but The Pride of Mexico sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Murphy somewhat.
The Pride of Mexico swings and misses with a hook to the body.
The Pride of Mexico with a lazy takedown attempt
and Murphy counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
The Pride of Mexico throws a jab when Murphy was well out of range.
A bone on bone clash there as The Pride of Mexico blocks the leg kick.
Manuel The Pride of Mexico is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Murphy lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Murphy.
The Pride of Mexico shoots in for a takedown but Murphy shows good takedown defense.
Murphy jabs The Pride of Mexico right on the nose. The Pride of Mexico blinks but takes it well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Murphy misses with a body kick.
The Pride of Mexico looks to land a left hand but Murphy moved out of range nicely.
The Pride of Mexico shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

so Murphy counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Manuel The Pride of Mexico. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The Pride of Mexico trying to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murphy pushing down on The Pride of Mexico's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
The Pride of Mexico keeping control of the position.
Murphy scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Murphy prevents The Pride of Mexico from improving his position.
Murphy trying to control the pace.
The Pride of Mexico is refusing to be controlled, as Murphy sits in half guard.
The Pride of Mexico wants to control but Murphy is keeping busy and won't allow it.

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.
The Pride of Mexico wants to control the action here but instead Murphy manages to pass to full mount!
Murphy trying to control but The Pride of Mexico is having none of it.
Murphy avoids the attempt from The Pride of Mexico to control.
The Pride of Mexico can't escape the position.
Murphy lands a heavy elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murphy landing strikes from the mount and The Pride of Mexico is in trouble!
The Pride of Mexico tries to reverse the position but Murphy maintains control.
The Pride of Mexico is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
The Pride of Mexico is trying to escape the mount.
Murphy fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Murphy dominating with strikes here.
Murphy landing punches.
Murphy controlling the position easily from mount.
Nigel Murphy is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murphy prevents The Pride of Mexico from getting the reversal.
Murphy controlling from the full mount.
The Pride of Mexico is in all sorts of trouble here.
Manuel The Pride of Mexico has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The Pride of Mexico is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nigel Murphy comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Murphy has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Hugh Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 27:30
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 27:30

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