PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Mike Corey Jr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Frank McMurdoch (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.

Corey Jr
vs
McMurdoch

175 cm
25
137 lbs
10 - 7 - 0

170 cm
23
142 lbs
8 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Decent elbows
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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 10 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mike Corey Jr!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Frank McMurdoch!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, Lou da Vinci and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McMurdoch thuds a left hand into Corey Jr's body.
Corey Jr takes a shot right to the bread basket.

Corey Jr is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in McMurdoch's half guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Corey Jr is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, McMurdoch has managed to free his arm - good work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McMurdoch is trying to get back to full guard.
McMurdoch won't allow Corey Jr to pass to mount.
McMurdoch really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Corey Jr. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
McMurdoch avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Corey Jr.
McMurdoch regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Corey Jr.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Corey Jr won't allow McMurdoch to sweep him here.
Corey Jr is fighting to break McMurdoch's control of his arms but McMurdoch is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
McMurdoch looking to control.
Corey Jr missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Corey Jr pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. McMurdoch is keeping the position for now.
McMurdoch utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
McMurdoch working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Corey Jr.
Corey Jr pushing down on McMurdoch's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Corey Jr missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Corey Jr wants to pass the guard but McMurdoch is defending well.
McMurdoch is looking for a sweep. Corey Jr is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Corey Jr throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Corey Jr not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Corey Jr is pressing down on McMurdoch's thigh, looking to free his foot. McMurdoch is holding on for now.
Corey Jr wants to control but McMurdoch is keeping him busy.
Corey Jr works his way into full mount!
McMurdoch tries to hold on but Corey Jr postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McMurdoch tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Corey Jr looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Corey Jr looking to finish with strikes here!
Corey Jr unloads with some shots from mount but McMurdoch bucks and avoids them well.
Corey Jr punching from mount but McMurdoch doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Corey Jr misses with a head shot.
Corey Jr sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Corey Jr unloads with some shots from mount but McMurdoch bucks and avoids them well.
Corey Jr has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Corey Jr thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.

Corey Jr working for a submission but McMurdoch is keeping him at bay.

Corey Jr jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but McMurdoch manages to avoid the submission attempt.
McMurdoch struggling a bit here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Corey Jr looking to punish the body of his opponent here but McMurdoch is avoiding damage well.
Corey Jr trying to control the action but McMurdoch is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

A punch lands to the side of Corey Jr 's head but he takes it in his stride.

Corey Jr drives through and clinches with McMurdoch against the cage.

Corey Jr pulls McMurdoch into guard.
McMurdoch postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Corey Jr not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Corey Jr lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for McMurdoch!
Corey Jr controlling from mount.
Corey Jr thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Corey Jr swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and McMurdoch is now in Corey Jr's guard. A big mistake from Corey Jr there, giving up the dominant position!
McMurdoch must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Corey Jr bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in McMurdoch's guard.
Mike Corey Jr overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Corey Jr missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
McMurdoch manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Corey Jr slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
McMurdoch throwing shots but Corey Jr is blocking nicely.
McMurdoch not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Corey Jr moves into full guard.
McMurdoch throws an elbow that misses. Corey Jr uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in McMurdoch's guard. Nice move by Corey Jr!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Corey Jr pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. McMurdoch is keeping the position for now.
McMurdoch preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Corey Jr wants to pass the guard but McMurdoch is keeping the position.
Corey Jr is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Corey Jr wants to pass the guard but McMurdoch is keeping the position.
McMurdoch wants to stand and escape but Corey Jr is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McMurdoch working a defensive guard here.
Corey Jr with a flurry of punches that miss.
Corey Jr looking to pass the guard.
Corey Jr trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
McMurdoch keeping moving, preventing Corey Jr from controlling successfully.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Corey Jr tries to clinch but McMurdoch moves out of range.
Corey Jr throws a series of punches but McMurdoch moves out of range.

Corey Jr shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. McMurdoch manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Corey Jr throws a big right hand that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Corey Jr postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Corey Jr forces his way into half guard.
Corey Jr is keen to just control but McMurdoch is a slippery customer.
Corey Jr not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Corey Jr is looking to advance position but McMurdoch won't allow it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Corey Jr scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Corey Jr is trying to control the action in half guard but McMurdoch is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Corey Jr dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

McMurdoch tries to work over Corey Jr's front leg with a kick but Corey Jr checks it.
McMurdoch will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Frank McMurdoch seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Corey Jr darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
McMurdoch won't allow Corey Jr to pass to mount.
McMurdoch is refusing to be controlled, as Corey Jr sits in half guard.
Corey Jr wants to pass to mount but McMurdoch is defending the position.
Corey Jr is working hard here to advance position.
Corey Jr missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Corey Jr sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. McMurdoch defending well though.
Corey Jr trying to mount his opponent but McMurdoch defends it.
Corey Jr trying to control the action but McMurdoch is working from the bottom.

Corey Jr is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, McMurdoch has managed to free his arm - good work.
McMurdoch is trying to control but can't.
Corey Jr is trying to control. McMurdoch wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Corey Jr looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Corey Jr is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Corey Jr moves nicely into side control.

Corey Jr looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Corey Jr is trying to get an arm triangle but McMurdoch is defending well.

Corey Jr tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Corey Jr has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Mike Corey Jr is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here.
McMurdoch can't do much from the bottom here.
Frank McMurdoch has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Corey Jr happy to just control the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Corey Jr tries to move into full mount but can't pass McMurdoch's legs.
Corey Jr is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
McMurdoch tries to get back to half guard but can't.
McMurdoch is letting Corey Jr control him for a moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Corey Jr showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Corey Jr, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 30:27
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 30:27
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Corey Jr!
After winning the bout, Mike Corey Jr thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.