PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mike Murphy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Svyatoslav Holmogorov (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.

Murphy
vs
Holmogorov

188 cm
25
225 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

182 cm
18
227 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mike Murphy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Svyatoslav Holmogorov!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Steve Smith and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Murphy shoots in looking for a takedown. Holmogorov tries to sprawl out of it but Murphy keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Holmogorov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Holmogorov wants to clinch but Murphy slips to the side

so Murphy counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Murphy postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Holmogorov is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Murphy, into his guard.
Holmogorov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Holmogorov looking to pass the guard.
Holmogorov forces his way into half guard.
Holmogorov passes to side control.

Holmogorov goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Murphy has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Holmogorov but great work by Murphy.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Holmogorov can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murphy 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.
Holmogorov manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Holmogorov tries to get to full guard but Murphy has control of the leg.
Murphy is just content to waste time from the top position. Holmogorov takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Holmogorov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Murphy throws a big elbow that misses.
Murphy looking to pass the guard.
Murphy advances position into side control!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Murphy wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Holmogorov, who protects the arm well.
Murphy works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.

Murphy looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
A lull in the action here as Murphy stalls from top position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Murphy is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Holmogorov is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murphy in side control, throwing shots but Holmogorov defends.
Holmogorov is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Murphy's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Murphy works his way into side control.
Murphy working the ground and pound but Holmogorov is defending the strikes.

Murphy thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Holmogorov looks gassed!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murphy misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Murphy throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Holmogorov works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.

Murphy is looking for a kimura here.
Holmogorov avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Murphy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Murphy dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Holmogorov tries a head kick but it misses.
Holmogorov shoots in but no luck this time.
Murphy with a poor takedown

and Holmogorov counters with a single leg into guard. Murphy didn't expect that.

Holmogorov sitting in guard doing not very much at all here. Murphy doesn't need a second invitation though! He's locked up a guillotine and he's squeezing tight! That is tiiiiiiiiight! Holmogorov paying the price for stalling here - he's pushing hard on the arm trying to free himself but it's no use! He's tapped! WOW, quick submission from Murphy - great work!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:36 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Mike Murphy!