PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Taylor Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kevin Murthy (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.

Johnson
vs
Murthy

189 cm
19
190 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

174 cm
18
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Taylor Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Kevin Murthy!
The judges for this bout are Steve Erwin, Bruno Hogan and Summer Carpenter.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Johnson.
Johnson shoots in looking for a takedown but Murthy manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Johnson's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Johnson throws the kick towards the body but Murthy avoids it.
Murthy displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Johnson.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Taylor Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Murthy.
Murthy fails to land the takedown.
Johnson throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Murthy's waist but Murthy gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Johnson off to one side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson fails with the takedown

and Murthy counters with a shoot takedown. Johnson fights it but they end up in guard.
Murthy landing with the ground and pound.
Murthy 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.
Murthy tries to free his leg and advance position but Johnson is retaining full guard.
Murthy missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Murthy postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Murthy connects with a couple of short punches.
Johnson keeping full guard, as Murthy tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Murthy.
Murthy postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Murthy missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
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!
Murthy throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Johnson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Murthy working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Johnson's head.
Murthy wants to pass the guard but Johnson is keeping the position.
Murthy is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Johnson is breathing heavily.
Murthy with a flurry of punches that miss.
Murthy throwing strikes from guard but Johnson blocks nicely.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Murthy accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murthy is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Murthy is in close to Johnson's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Murthy makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Murthy works over Johnson with some ground and pound from guard.
Murthy throws a strike but Johnson rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Murthy striking off his back but it's not causing Johnson any problems.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Murthy has control of Johnson's left arm, preventing Johnson from doing any damage.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Murthy keeping moving, preventing Johnson from controlling successfully.
Johnson preventing the sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Murthy is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Murthy keeping full guard, as Johnson tries to pass.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Taylor Johnson.
Johnson dives in and grabs Murthy's left leg, looking for a takedown. Murthy pushes down on Johnson's head and hops out.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Murthy throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Johnson was covering up waiting for the punch and Murthy finishes the takedown easily into guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Murthy lands a couple of elbows.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kevin Murthy dominated that round.
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.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Johnson tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Murthy just stands there and leans against the cage.

Johnson has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Murthy uses from the top position.
Murthy postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Murthy in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Johnson has momentary wrist control but Murthy slips an elbow through the middle.

Johnson looking for a guillotine here but Murthy defends easily.
Murthy loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murthy working some strikes from top position.
Murthy is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Murthy lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Murthy in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Murthy is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Johnson is looking for a triangle but Murthy pushes his legs off easily.
Murthy postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Murthy makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Murthy chips away with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Murthy scoring with punches to the head and body.

Murthy stands up and waves to Johnson to follow him.

Murthy looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Murthy postures up and lands a big shot to Johnson's brow.
Murthy landing some decent shots from guard.
Murthy scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murthy pushes down on Johnson's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Murthy tries to pass to full mount but Johnson defends it.
Johnson trying to hold on to Murthy's head to control him but Murthy postures up.
Johnson has hold of Murthy's hands but Murthy slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Murthy landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Nice strikes from Murthy there.
Murthy lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Murthy is nestled in close to Johnson, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murthy looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Johnson with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Nice strikes from Murthy there.
Murthy drops an elbow to the side of Johnson's head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Johnson has hold of Murthy's hands but Murthy slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Murthy stops Johnson from getting back to his feet.
Johnson has hold of Murthy's hands but Murthy slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Murthy slips a nice elbow through Johnson's hands, connecting with Johnson's forehead.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Murthy drops an elbow to the side of Johnson's head.
Murthy wants to free his trapped foot but Johnson is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Murthy has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Murthy looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kevin Murthy showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Johnson with a poor takedown

and Murthy counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Johnson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Murthy is aware though and is defending well.
Murthy is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Johnson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Murthy.
Murthy postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Murthy stands up over Johnson, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Murthy makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
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!
Murthy connects with a couple of short punches.
Murthy wants to pass the guard but Johnson is keeping the position.

Johnson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Murthy is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murthy landing with the ground and pound.
Murthy stands up over Johnson, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Murthy stands up from Johnson's guard - Murthy perhaps looking for a knockout.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Murthy shoots in for a takedown but Johnson shows good takedown defense.
Johnson shoots in for a double leg but Murthy sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Johnson gets caught flat footed, as Murthy shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Murthy passes Johnson's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Murthy lands strikes from half guard.
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. Murthy connects with a nice short shot to Johnson's temple.
Murthy seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Kevin Murthy has got the better of the ground game so far.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Murthy working over Johnson with some ground and pound. Johnson looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Murthy thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Johnson's head.
Murthy takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Murthy lands a nice short elbow.
Nice strikes from Murthy there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murthy landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Murthy lands a nice short elbow.
Johnson is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Murthy scores with a couple of nice shots.
Johnson trying to hold on to Murthy's head to control him but Murthy postures up.
Murthy passes to side control.
Johnson tries to buck Murthy off but Murthy is having none of it.
Johnson takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Murthy working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet.
Murthy looks up at the clock and then as Johnson takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Murthy smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Johnson on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Johnson gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Murthy missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
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!

Johnson actively working from the bottom here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnson pushes Murthy off looking to stand but Murthy dives back in and keeps control.
Taylor Johnson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kevin Murthy is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Murthy with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kevin Murthy comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Murthy 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 Steve Erwin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 27:30
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kevin Murthy!
Kevin Murthy decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.