PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Amadeus Astra (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matthew Murdock (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Astra's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Once in a Lifetime. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Matthew Murdock was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Astra
vs
Murdock

175 cm
33
162 lbs
25 - 12 - 0

180 cm
28
166 lbs
16 - 8 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

ADCC Champion
World class MT
Good gas tank

Blitzkrieg Formula 5000 (95% Laundry)

xXx - Voodoo Labs - 159++ Energy - $50

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 25 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Amadeus Astra!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Matthew Murdock!
The judges for this bout are Ryoma Takatsuka, Josh West and Colin Fray.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Murdock gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Astra.

Astra closes the distance and clinches.
Murdock lands a nice knee to the body.
Astra has Murdock pressed against the cage.
A shot in the inside from Astra.
Astra tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Astra throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Astra tries to throw a body punch but Murdock avoids it by throwing Astra back against the cage.
Murdock gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Astra tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Murdock smiles and moves away.
Astra scores with a punch to the head.
Murdock scores with a jab.
Astra misses with a wild body shot.
A clash of legs there as Astra blocks the low kick.
Amadeus Astra seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Murdock swings widly with a right hand
and Astra counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Astra drives through with a takedown into Murdock's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Astra throws a big right hand that misses.
Astra trying to control but Murdock is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Murdock working a defensive guard here.
Astra throws a big elbow that misses.

Murdock working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Astra doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Astra manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Murdock escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Astra gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Murdock is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Astra trying to control but Murdock is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Murdock looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Astra postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Murdock not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Astra chips away with some ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Murdock keeping moving, preventing Astra from controlling successfully.
Astra lands a couple of elbows.
Astra wants to control from the top but Murdock keeps moving.
Astra landing with the ground and pound.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Astra connects with a couple of short punches.
Murdock working a defensive guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Astra landing some decent shots from guard.

Murdock is looking for a triangle but Astra pushes his legs off easily.
Astra trying to control but Murdock is working from the bottom.
Murdock working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Astra.
Astra is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Astra wants to control from the top but Murdock keeps moving.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Astra accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Murdock looking to control.
Astra is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Astra throwing strikes from guard but Murdock blocks nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Astra throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Murdock works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Astra trying to control but Murdock is working from the bottom.

Murdock is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Astra working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Murdock's head.
Astra scoring with some ground and pound.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Astra postures up in Murdock's guard and throws a big left but Murdock blocks it.
Astra with a nice head shot there.
Astra trying to control the position from guard on top but Murdock is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Astra accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Murdock controls Astra momentarily but Astra frees himself.
Astra wants to control from the top but Murdock keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Amadeus Astra dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Astra tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Murdock was well out of range. Poor timing from Astra.
Amadeus Astra is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Murdock lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
A head kick misses from Murdock.
Murdock moves in looking to clinch but Astra pushes him off.
Murdock goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

Murdock closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Astra gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Murdock regains guard.
Astra wants to control from the top but Murdock keeps moving.
Astra is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Murdock keeping moving, preventing Astra from controlling successfully.

Murdock has his foot on Astra's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Astra works his way back into a safe position though.
Astra landing with the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Astra pushes down on Murdock's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Astra is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Murdock works his way to full guard. Good work.
Astra throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Murdock works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Astra throws a big right hand that misses.
Murdock utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Astra distracts Murdock with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Astra working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Murdock not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Astra lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Murdock looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Amadeus Astra overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Astra working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Astra lands a couple of digs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Astra is stalling in the full guard.
Astra trying to control the position from guard on top but Murdock is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Astra connects with a couple of short punches.
Astra wants to control from the top but Murdock keeps moving.
Astra is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

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

Murdock has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Astra can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Murdock keeping moving, preventing Astra from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Astra makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Astra scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Astra with a nice head shot there.

Murdock working for a triangle but Astra defends it easily.
Astra stands up over Murdock, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Astra trying to control but Murdock is working from the bottom.
Murdock avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Astra stays in close to Murdock's body and controls the position.
Astra wants to control from the top but Murdock keeps moving.
Murdock is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Astra shoots in and bounces Murdock off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Astra sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Murdock's guard.
Murdock is looking to control Astra's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Murdock avoid being mounted?
Murdock taking some punishment here, with Astra in his half guard.
Nice strikes from Astra there.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Murdock looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Astra takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Amadeus Astra dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

Murdock lands with a kick to the ribs.
Astra looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Astra throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Murdock wants to clinch up but Astra keeps it at a distance.
Astra blocks a head kick by Murdock.
Murdock wants to clinch.
Astra fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Murdock. Astra shrugs it off though.
Murdock lands with a thumping leg kick.
Murdock tries a head kick but it misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murdock is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Astra fails with a takedown attempt.
Murdock looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Murdock throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Murdock goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
A leg kick checked by Astra.
Matthew Murdock is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Murdock thows a body kick. Astra tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Astra is looking to wear down Murdock with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Murdock takes a swing at Astra's ribcage but misses.
Murdock tries to clinch up.
Murdock tries to work over Astra's front leg with a kick but Astra checks it.
Astra lands with a cross.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A leg kick checked by Astra.
Murdock displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Astra throws out the jab.
Murdock scores with a nice body kick.
Murdock tries to clinch up
and Astra counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Murdock thinking.
Astra cracks Murdock with a good jab.
Astra takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.

Astra looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Astra is pushing down on Murdock's leg trying to pass to half guard. Murdock is fighting to maintain full guard but Astra has managed to sneak the leg through.
Astra tries to pass the half guard into mount. Murdock knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murdock is staying active underneath Astra, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Astra not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Astra prevents Murdock from improving his position.
Astra thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Murdock's head.
Murdock trying to hold on to Astra's head to control him but Astra postures up.
Astra seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Murdock moves into full guard.
Astra postures up and lands a big shot to Murdock's brow.
Astra scoring with some ground and pound.

Murdock is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Astra is aware though and is defending well.
Amadeus Astra is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murdock keeping full guard, as Astra tries to pass.
Astra trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Murdock is trying to keep Astra in close.
Astra advances position into side control!
Murdock sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Well, if Astra is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Astra seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Murdock for as long as he can get away with.
Matthew Murdock has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Murdock gets back to full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Amadeus Astra.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Astra, 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 Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 30:27
Judge Josh West scores the fight 30:28
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Amadeus Astra!
Amadeus Astra made sure to mention his sponsor, Blitzkrieg Formula 5000 (95% Laundry) in his post fight interview.