PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Frank McMurdoch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Jones (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

McMurdoch
vs
Jones

170 cm
19
148 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

169 cm
19
140 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Frank McMurdoch!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, John Jones!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, John Roberts and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McMurdoch misses with a left hand
and Jones counters with a lovely straight right hand!
McMurdoch misses with an uppercut
and Jones counters with a stiff right hand.
McMurdoch throws a lazy uppercut
and Jones counters with a lovely straight right hand!
McMurdoch rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Jones counters with a lovely straight right hand!
McMurdoch misses the shot to the body.
McMurdoch misses with a left hand
and Jones counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Jones misses with a double jab.
McMurdoch jabs Jones right on the nose. Jones blinks but takes it well.
McMurdoch throws a combination that misses
and Jones counters with a one-two to the body.
McMurdoch misses with a lunging right hand
and Jones counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
McMurdoch misses with a hook
and Jones counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
McMurdoch thows a body shot but no joy.
McMurdoch misses with a jab to the body
and Jones counters with a series of strikes. McMurdoch will be more careful next time no doubt.
McMurdoch throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Jones counters with a series of strikes. McMurdoch will be more careful next time no doubt.
Jones is working the combinations to good effect here.
McMurdoch keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McMurdoch rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Jones counters with a one-two to the body.
McMurdoch stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Jones shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. McMurdoch defends it nicely.
McMurdoch throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Jones counters with a three punch combo that has McMurdoch backing up. McMurdoch nods at Jones to acknowledge the strikes.
McMurdoch throws a right hand that misses
and Jones counters with a one-two to the body.
McMurdoch misses with a right hand
and Jones counters with a slapping leg kick.
McMurdoch checks a leg kick.
Jones tries a low kick but McMurdoch avoids it.
McMurdoch swings widly with a right hand
and Jones counters with a two punch combo.
Good shot there by McMurdoch.
McMurdoch rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Jones counters with a series of strikes. McMurdoch will be more careful next time no doubt.
A shot to the body from McMurdoch misses
and Jones counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
McMurdoch throws a right hand that misses
and Jones counters with a left and a right that stings McMurdoch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McMurdoch dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
McMurdoch throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Jones counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
McMurdoch misses with a shot to the body
and Jones counters with a one-two to the body.
McMurdoch misses with a left hand
and Jones counters with a three punch combo that has McMurdoch backing up. McMurdoch nods at Jones to acknowledge the strikes.
McMurdoch rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Jones counters with a two punch combo.
McMurdoch is breathing heavily.
McMurdoch lands a right hook to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McMurdoch misses the body punch
and Jones counters with a two punch combo.
McMurdoch throws a lazy uppercut
and Jones counters with a series of strikes. McMurdoch will be more careful next time no doubt.
Jab from McMurdoch.
A shot to the body from McMurdoch misses
and Jones counters with a two punch combo.
McMurdoch misses with a right hand
and Jones counters with a left and a right that stings McMurdoch.
Jones swinging wildly here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McMurdoch throws a right hand that misses
and Jones counters with a three punch combo that has McMurdoch backing up. McMurdoch nods at Jones to acknowledge the strikes.
McMurdoch misses with a left hand
and Jones counters with a series of strikes. McMurdoch will be more careful next time no doubt.
McMurdoch swings and misses with a hook to the body.
McMurdoch misses with a lunging right hand

and Jones counters with a single leg into guard. McMurdoch didn't expect that.
McMurdoch has a closed guard, preventing Jones from standing up.
McMurdoch is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Jones trying to stand up but can't free himself from McMurdoch's guard.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. John Jones wasn't active enough on the ground.
McMurdoch throws an off balance right hand
and Jones counters with a series of strikes. McMurdoch will be more careful next time no doubt.
Frank McMurdoch is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Jones looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
McMurdoch throws a lazy uppercut
and Jones counters with a low kick, right behind McMurdoch 's knee.
McMurdoch misses with a hook
and Jones counters with a one-two to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nice straight punches there by McMurdoch. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of McMurdoch.
McMurdoch misses with a left hand
and Jones counters with a two punch combo.
McMurdoch fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Jones manages to avoid it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

McMurdoch swings widly with a right hand

and Jones counters with a shoot takedown. McMurdoch fights it but they end up in guard.
Jones wanted to stand there but McMurdoch had control of the position.
Jones wants to stand and escape but instead McMurdoch has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Jones preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
McMurdoch throws a big right hand that misses.
McMurdoch prevents Jones from getting back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McMurdoch throwing strikes but missing.
McMurdoch stops Jones from standing up.
Jones utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
McMurdoch throwing strikes but missing.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Jones working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from McMurdoch.
McMurdoch working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
McMurdoch is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
McMurdoch works a leg free and moves into half guard.
McMurdoch missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McMurdoch sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Jones defending well though.
McMurdoch trying to control the action but Jones is working from the bottom.
McMurdoch throwing shots but Jones is blocking nicely.
Jones really doesn't want to stay on the ground with McMurdoch. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
McMurdoch seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Jones does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
McMurdoch thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Jones's head.
McMurdoch works his way into side control.
Jones is breathing heavily.
McMurdoch throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
The ground and pound from McMurdoch seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jones defending against the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McMurdoch throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
McMurdoch prevents Jones from escaping the position.
The strikes coming from McMurdoch are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
McMurdoch misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
McMurdoch sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Jones is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
McMurdoch throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Jones works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Jones is trying to stand up here but McMurdoch is controlling him well.
McMurdoch not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
McMurdoch thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Jones's head.

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.
McMurdoch throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
McMurdoch not landing any meaningful shots this time.
McMurdoch throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
McMurdoch thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Jones is staying active underneath McMurdoch, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
McMurdoch scoring with strikes to the body and head.
McMurdoch missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Jones is trying to stand up here but McMurdoch is controlling him well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Frank McMurdoch will probably get the nod.
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. This is the final round!

McMurdoch checks the leg kick nicely there.
McMurdoch throws a right hand that misses
and Jones counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
McMurdoch looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Jones throws out a leg kick but McMurdoch moves out of range and Jones only half commits.
McMurdoch looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
McMurdoch misses with a right hand
and Jones counters with a left and a right that stings McMurdoch.
McMurdoch misses with a left hand
and Jones counters with a series of strikes. McMurdoch will be more careful next time no doubt.
McMurdoch misses with a left hand
and Jones counters with a three punch combo that has McMurdoch backing up. McMurdoch nods at Jones to acknowledge the strikes.
Jones gets cracked with a nice right hand there by McMurdoch.
McMurdoch throws a right hand that misses
and Jones counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
McMurdoch misses with a hook
and Jones counters with a three punch combo that has McMurdoch backing up. McMurdoch nods at Jones to acknowledge the strikes.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
McMurdoch rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Jones counters with a series of strikes. McMurdoch will be more careful next time no doubt.
McMurdoch throws a predictable looking body shot
and Jones counters with a two punch combo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A punch combination from Jones misses.
McMurdoch misses with a left hand
and Jones counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
McMurdoch takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
McMurdoch misses with an uppercut
and Jones counters with an outside leg kick.
McMurdoch swings widly with a right hand
and Jones counters with a two punch combo.
Jones stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Jones wants it to stay on the feet.
Jones throws a right hand that McMurdoch ducks under and follows up with a left that McMurdoch also avoids with ease.
McMurdoch throws a poor cross that misses
and Jones counters with a three punch combo that has McMurdoch backing up. McMurdoch nods at Jones to acknowledge the strikes.
No joy there for Jones, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
McMurdoch misses with a lunging right hand
and Jones counters with a series of strikes. McMurdoch will be more careful next time no doubt.
McMurdoch misses with an uppercut
and Jones counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
McMurdoch misses with a hook
and Jones counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
McMurdoch swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Jones counters with a left and a right that stings McMurdoch.
Frank McMurdoch seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jones rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but McMurdoch moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
McMurdoch throws a poor cross that misses
and Jones counters with a nice leg kick.
McMurdoch throws a poor cross that misses
and Jones counters with a two punch combo.
McMurdoch misses with an uppercut
and Jones counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
McMurdoch throws a right hand that misses
and Jones counters with a three punch combo that has McMurdoch backing up. McMurdoch nods at Jones to acknowledge the strikes.
McMurdoch throws an off balance right hand
and Jones counters with a three punch combo that has McMurdoch backing up. McMurdoch nods at Jones to acknowledge the strikes.
McMurdoch throws a right hand that misses
and Jones counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
McMurdoch throws a poor cross that misses
and Jones counters with a three punch combo that has McMurdoch backing up. McMurdoch nods at Jones to acknowledge the strikes.
McMurdoch throws a lazy uppercut
and Jones counters with a series of strikes. McMurdoch will be more careful next time no doubt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McMurdoch throws a poor cross that misses
and Jones counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
McMurdoch avoids a punch combination nicely.
McMurdoch connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
McMurdoch rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Jones counters with a shoot takedown. McMurdoch fights it but they end up in guard.
McMurdoch looking to hit a scissor sweep but Jones is one step ahead there.

McMurdoch is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Jones defends well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jones would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Jones comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Jones 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 Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 28:29
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 28:29
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Jones!