PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ainle Murphy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Above Kual (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Murphy comes to the cage accompanied by Break Stuff - limp bizkit. Above Kual has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Ainle Murphy's chin.

Murphy
vs
Kual

181 cm
18
130 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

172 cm
20
135 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Very confident

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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ainle Murphy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Above Kual!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Shirou Masuda and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Murphy clinches up against the cage.
Kual wants a takedown.

Kual gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Murphy regains guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Kual pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Murphy is keeping the position for now.
Kual trying to control but Murphy is working from the bottom.
Murphy wants to stand but Kual is controlling the position.

Kual thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Kual thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Kual is pushing down on Murphy's leg trying to pass to half guard. Murphy is fighting to maintain full guard but Kual has managed to sneak the leg through.

Kual is looking for a kimura but Murphy is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Kual to get the leverage.
Murphy is trying to stand up here but Kual is controlling him well.
Murphy is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kual is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Murphy defends it well.
Murphy tries to kick Kual off but Kual keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Kual is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Murphy has managed to free his arm - good work.

Kual is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Murphy is just riding it out for now. Kual eventually gives up the hold.
Kual wants to pass the guard but Murphy is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kual is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Murphy doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Kual.

Murphy pushes Kual off and gets back to his feet.
Good shot there by Murphy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kual fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Murphy tries to clinch but Kual moves out of range.

Murphy closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Kual has Murphy pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Murphy manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Ainle Murphy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Above Kual.
Murphy wants to get back to striking at distance but Kual won't allow it.
Murphy wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kual has him pressed against the cage.
Kual fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Kual drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Murphy can't break the clinch.
Kual changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Murphy fights it off and pushes away nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murphy stuns Kual with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Murphy lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
No luck for Kual with that takedown attempt.

Murphy clinches up with Kual and pushes him back against the cage.

Murphy breaks the clinch.
Kual fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Above Kual seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Murphy forces Kual back against the cage and clinches.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kual prevents Murphy from breaking the clinch.
Kual drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Murphy gets the underhooks and prevents it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Above Kual dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Murphy throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Kual drops his hands momentarily and Murphy takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Ainle Murphy is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Murphy enables Kual to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Murphy manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Kual is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Murphy wants to stand but Kual is controlling the position.
Above Kual has got the better of the ground game so far.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kual is pushing down on Murphy's leg trying to pass to half guard. Murphy is fighting to maintain full guard but Kual has managed to sneak the leg through.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Murphy tries to kick Kual off but Kual keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Kual in half guard on the top. He's looking for a kimura... He's got it locked and he's managed to free his trapped foot. Murphy tries to escape but it's on too tight and he has to tap! Great BJJ skills there from Kual!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:18 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Above Kual!