PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Matt Murdock (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jose Thomas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Thomas has chosen Bottles and Fists as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Murdock
vs
Thomas

183 cm
21
200 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

188 cm
21
182 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Matt Murdock!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jose Thomas!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Franklyn Lucas and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thomas throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
An inside leg kick lands from Murdock.
Murdock lands with a slapping head kick.
Thomas shoots for a takedown but Murdock saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Murdock throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Thomas shoots in looking for a takedown but Murdock manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Thomas's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Thomas takes a swing at Murdock's ribcage but misses.
Thomas throws a one two combo.

Thomas gets a clinch.
Murdock digs a right hand underneath Thomas's ribcage. Thomas let out a lung full of air as it connected.
A head punch on the inside from Murdock fails to land.
Thomas is trying to force a seperation but Murdock has the dominant position.

Murdock escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Murdock tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Thomas is able to avoid easily.
Murdock avoids the body shot from Thomas.
Thomas closes the distance and clinches up with Murdock, looking for a takedown. Thomas pushes Murdock against the cage but Murdock circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Matt Murdock has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jose Thomas.
Thomas lunges at Murdock with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Murdock's hand.
Murdock takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Murdock throws a nice outside leg kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Thomas fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Murdock checks it well.
Thomas throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Murdock counters with a body kick that stops Thomas in his tracks momentarily.
Murdock steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Thomas.
Murdock looks to land a left hand but Thomas moved out of range nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murdock circles away from the clinch attempt.
Murdock throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Thomas stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Thomas looks gassed!
Thomas throws a hook but Murdock avoids it easily.
A nice inside leg kick there by Murdock. That's going to slow Thomas down.
Murdock uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Thomas.
Murdock connects with a high kick.

It looks like Jose Thomas has been cut.
Murdock jabs Thomas to the body, keeping him at a distance.
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!
Murdock feints and then cracks Thomas's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Thomas down.
Murdock lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
A solid body kick from Murdock.
Matt Murdock is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
An inside leg kick lands from Murdock.
Murdock turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
A solid body kick from Murdock.
A solid leg kick lands there for Murdock.
Murdock darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Murdock stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Murdock keeps Thomas at a distance using the push kick.
Murdock lands a leg kick that knocks Thomas off balance momentarily.
Murdock throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murdock feints and then cracks Thomas's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Thomas down.
Murdock moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Nice body kick from Murdock.
Murdock throws a head kick that half lands.
Murdock dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Thomas. That did some damage!
Thomas's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Murdock throws a sloppy head kick and Thomas moves out of range easily.
Murdock moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Murdock.
Murdock moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Murdock lands with a kick to the ribs.
Murdock connects with a good right hand that stumbles Thomas. Thomas circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Murdock takes a swing at Thomas's ribcage but misses.
Murdock throws a leg kick which misses Thomas's front leg but catches the back leg as Thomas tries to avoid it.
Murdock throws a nice inside leg kick.
Murdock lands with a kick to the ribs.
Murdock works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Murdock moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas tries to move into range but Murdock moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Murdock keeps Thomas at a distance using the push kick.
Good leg kick by Murdock there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Thomas takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
A good leg kick by Murdock.
Murdock lands with a right hand.
Thomas throws a poor cross that misses
and Murdock counters with a low kick, right behind Thomas 's knee.
Murdock fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Thomas has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Thomas on the wrong end of a nice jab.
The crowd cheers as Murdock lands an impressive looking overhand right. Thomas doesn't seem phased though.
Murdock ducks under a wild hook from Thomas.
Thomas scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Murdock doesn't seem bothered though.
Murdock throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Murdock lets loose with a powerful body kick. Thomas will feel that in the morning.
Murdock displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Thomas throws out the jab.
Murdock scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murdock takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Murdock throws a wild body kick that Thomas sees coming a mile off.
Murdock throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Thomas just misses with a punch to the body.
Thomas moves out of range of the leg kick from Murdock.
Murdock throws a head kick that misses.
Murdock lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Thomas at a distance.
Thomas tries to clinch up.
Thomas throws a predictable looking body shot
enabling Murdock to counter with a crisp jab.
Murdock slips a straight right by Thomas.
Murdock wants to land a leg kick but Thomas is out of range.
Thomas lands a jab to the head.
Thomas misses with an uppercut.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Murdock throws a head kick but Thomas moves out of range.
Murdock shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Thomas misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Thomas misses with a wild body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Murdock dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jose Thomas's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Murdock throws out a leg kick but Thomas moves out of range and Murdock only half commits.
Thomas has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Murdock.
A jab from Thomas finds it's way through Murdock's defenses.
Thomas takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Murdock throws a head kick that misses.
Murdock throws a head kick that misses.
Thomas on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Murdock. Murdock obviously looking to wear him down.
Thomas is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Murdock.
Murdock throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Thomas fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Thomas wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Thomas doesn't manage to clinch there - Murdock circles away.
Murdock throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Thomas lands a head shot.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A shot to the liver by Thomas. Beautiful body shot.
Murdock connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Thomas jabs Murdock to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Murdock is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Thomas can do to turn this around?
Murdock misses with a leg kick.
Thomas throws a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murdock takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Thomas lands a jab to Murdock's midsection.
Thomas tries to clinch but Murdock moves out of range.
Thomas is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Murdock rather than just go for the knockout.
Thomas has his takedown stuffed
and Murdock counters with a slapping leg kick.
Thomas swings away with a body shot that misses
and Murdock counters with a nice leg kick.
Thomas thows a body shot but no joy.
Thomas works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Thomas misses with a wild body shot.
Thomas throws a shot to the body.
Thomas is trying desperately to land a takedown but Murdock is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Thomas.
Thomas checks the leg kick.
Thomas is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Murdock darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
A telegraphed right hand from Thomas misses the target.
Murdock throws a leg kick but Thomas sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Thomas tries to clinch up but Murdock circles away and keeps his distance.
Murdock throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Jose Thomas seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Murdock thumps Thomas with a low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Matt Murdock is winning the standup battle so far.
A head kick misses from Murdock.
Murdock throws a lazy uppercut
and Thomas counters with a nice body shot.
Thomas scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Murdock doesn't seem bothered though.
Thomas comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Thomas looks to throw the jab but Murdock is out of range.
Thomas moves in looking to clinch but Murdock pushes him off.
Thomas jabs Murdock right on the nose. Murdock blinks but takes it well.
Jab, jab by Thomas - just one landing.
Thomas throws a shot to the body.
Murdock takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Murdock swats away the attempt to clinch by Thomas.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Thomas tries for a takedown but Murdock sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Thomas lands an overhand right.
Thomas throws a jab but it's blocked by Murdock.
Murdock takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Thomas tests Murdock's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murdock misses with a low kick.
Thomas dips to his left and cracks Murdock with an uppercut!
Thomas fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Murdock on the side of the head.
Murdock leaves Thomas with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Matt Murdock has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jose Thomas.

Thomas scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Murdock wants to control but Thomas postures up.

Thomas is trying to get an arm triangle but Murdock is defending well.
Thomas working away.
Murdock manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thomas tries to get to full guard but Murdock has control of the leg.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Murdock trying to pass the guard but Thomas defending well.
Thomas has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Murdock is working away from the top position though.

Murdock decides to stand and escape the position.
Murdock misses with a kick to the body.
Thomas scores with a nice head shot.
Murdock is looking to slow Thomas down with leg kicks.
Thomas shoots for a double leg takedown but Murdock sprawls well. He's pushed Thomas's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Murdock ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Thomas swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Thomas lands a nice looking body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jose Thomas showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Jose Thomas's cut.
That's time! Murdock's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Thomas dives in and grabs Murdock's left leg, looking for a takedown. Murdock pushes down on Thomas's head and hops out.
Murdock moves into range and connects with a jab.
Murdock dips to his left and cracks Thomas with an uppercut!

Murdock takes the fight into the clinch.
A body shot lands from Murdock.
A short right from Murdock on the inside.
Thomas misses with a hook from the clinch.
Murdock lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Murdock lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A short right from Murdock.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Murdock.
Thomas is trying to break the clinch but Murdock has him pressed against the cage.
Murdock lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Murdock lands a shoulder strike.
Murdock lands a nice shot to the body.
Murdock stalls.
Thomas tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Thomas throws a punch but it's blocked by Murdock.
Thomas wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Murdock has him pressed against the cage.
Thomas tries to break the clinch but Murdock is controlling the position.
Thomas has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
A short right from Murdock on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Murdock.

Murdock breaks from the clinch.
Murdock feints and then cracks Thomas's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Thomas down.
Murdock fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Murdock lands a jab to the nose.
Murdock lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Thomas has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Murdock.
Murdock throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Murdock connects with a high kick.
Murdock lands a leg kick that knocks Thomas off balance momentarily.
Murdock lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Murdock connects with a solid leg kick.
Murdock lands with a cross.
Thomas tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Murdock thumps Thomas with a low kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Murdock keeps Thomas at a distance using the push kick.
Murdock fakes the leg kick and cracks Thomas in the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas avoids the head kick by Murdock.
Thomas walks into a left hand.
Thomas changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Murdock tries to avoid it but Thomas manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Murdock to the ground. Murdock escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Both fighters circling a little - Murdock finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Murdock throws a quick inside leg kick.
Thomas misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Murdock counters with an inside leg kick.
Thomas needs to keep his hands up - Murdock had a free shot at his head there.
Murdock bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Murdock scores with a head kick. Thomas tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Murdock moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Thomas thows a body shot but no joy.
Thomas throws a body punch but Murdock moves out of range.
Murdock lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Murdock scores with a shot to the body.
Murdock cracks the inside of Thomas's front leg.
Murdock tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Thomas was well out of range. Poor timing from Murdock.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas darts in trying to clinch
and Murdock counters with a good, hard body kick but Thomas shrugs it off.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Murdock. Thomas shrugs it off though.
Nice sprawl there from Murdock as Thomas shoots in.
Matt Murdock has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jose Thomas.
Murdock fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Thomas has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
A jab from Murdock does it's job there.
Murdock throws a nice head kick!
Murdock chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Murdock takes one to the chin there.
Murdock throws a head kick but Thomas moves out of range.
Thomas sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Thomas tries to close the distance and clinch but Murdock swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Murdock lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Murdock keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Murdock connects with an inside leg kick.
Murdock swings for the body but Thomas moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murdock uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Thomas.
Murdock throws a quick inside leg kick.
Murdock scores with a decent looking hook.
Thomas fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Murdock manages to avoid it.
Murdock throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Murdock takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Murdock blocks a jab.
Thomas swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Thomas looks to throw the jab but Murdock is out of range.
An inside leg kick from Murdock misses.
Murdock buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Murdock fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Thomas has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Thomas tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Thomas listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Murdock looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Murdock throws a chopping leg kick but Thomas manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Murdock lands with a nice body punch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matt Murdock showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Murdock has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Chad Campbell scores the fight 29:26
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 29:26
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 29:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matt Murdock!