PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Matthew Murt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lenny Nero (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Murt's entrance music is I like to move it. A fine choice. 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.

Murt
vs
Nero

173 cm
25
144 lbs
9 - 8 - 2

175 cm
24
146 lbs
12 - 5 - 1

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

DJs Locker

Fight Night Nutrition
DJs Locker

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 9 - 8 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Matthew Murt!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Lenny Nero!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Johanna Lukiainen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nero connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Murt's hands.
Nero jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Nero.
Nero scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Lenny Nero seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
No joy there for Nero, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Murt showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Nero.
Nero digs a good body shot into Murt's ribs.
Nero swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nero dives in and grabs Murt's left leg, looking for a takedown. Murt pushes down on Nero's head and hops out.
Nero pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Murt back to the cage. Nero follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Murt takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Donk. Nero catches Murt right on the button with a cross.
Nero with a jab.

Murt is rocked!
Nero has a takedown stuffed.
Matthew Murt has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lenny Nero.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nero doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Murt counters with a low kick, right behind Nero 's knee.
Murt gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Nero throws a looping overhand right but Murt ducks down to avoid it.
Nero keeps the fight on the outside.
Nero throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nero misses with a few strikes there.

Nero gets tackled into the cage by Murt. Murt maintains the clinch.
Nero tries to circle away but Murt has him pinned against the cage.
Nero is trying to break the clinch but Murt has him pressed against the cage.
Murt tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Murt throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Nero blocks it with crossed arms.
Murt with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nero drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Murt tries to land knees in the clinch but Nero avoids the damage to the body.
Murt scores with a knee to the head.
Nero scores with a shoulder strike.
Nero lands a shoulder strike.
Nero lands a hook that snaps the head of Murt backwards.
Murt prevents the takedown attempt.
Murt lands a good knee to the midsection. Nero won't want to take too many of those.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Murt tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Nero is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Murt is keeping busy.
Nero is persisting with his attempts to control the action in the clinch, rather than do any real damage.
Murt looking to throw knees to the head but Nero is blocking nicely.
Nero makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Murt missing with knees to the body.
Murt unloads a knee to the mid-section.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murt with a knee to the head.
Nero blocks the elbow strike.
Nero tries for a takedown. No joy.
Murt using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Nero has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Murt pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Murt lands a good knee to the midsection. Nero won't want to take too many of those.
Nero pressing his opponent against the cage.
Nero wants a takedown.

Nero gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Murt wants to stand but Nero is controlling the position.

Nero has gone for a leg lock! Murt slips out almost immediately though and dives into Nero's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nero looking for a sweep. Not yet Nero, not yet.

Nero throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Nero is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Murt is aware though and is defending well.
Murt slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nero striking off his back but it's not causing Murt any problems.

Nero is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lenny Nero dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Nero catches Murt with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Murt avoids a punch combination nicely.
Murt takes a jab right on the kisser.
Matthew Murt is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nero lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Oh Murt is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Murt takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Nero shoots in looking for a takedown but Murt manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Nero's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Murt seems to have got his legs back now.
Murt displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Nero.
Nero shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Murt defends it nicely.
Matthew Murt has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lenny Nero.
Nero misses with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nero moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Nero waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Murt.
Nero cracks Murt with a right hand to the side of the head.
Nero fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Murt avoids it really well and circles away.
Nero changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Murt tries to avoid it but Nero manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Murt to the ground. Murt escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Nero is breathing heavily.
Murt wants to clinch.
Murt lands a high kick!
Nero darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murt tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Nero manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Nero shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Murt as he jumps to the side.
Murt tries to close the distance and clinch but Nero swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Nero lands with a good body shot.
Nero scores with a hook.
No luck for Nero with that takedown attempt.
Nero misses the jab.
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!
Nero swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Nero throws a right hand that Murt ducks under and follows up with a left that Murt also avoids with ease.
Nero throws a lazy head kick

and Murt counters by moving into the clinch.
Murt connects with a nasty looking knee right to Nero's face.
Murt lands a good knee to the midsection. Nero won't want to take too many of those.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murt utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Nero is trying to maintain a safe position but Murt gets an underhook and turns Nero into the cage.
Nero on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Murt throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Nero blocks it with crossed arms.
Nero is looking to take this one to the mat.
Murt crunches a lovely knee into Nero's ribcage.
Nero is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Nero takes an elbow to the forehead.
Murt tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Nero avoids it.
Murt landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Matthew Murt has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Murt misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Nero.
Murt landing knees to the head.
Nero tries for a takedown. No joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nero has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Murt avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Murt tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Murt looking to throw knees to the head but Nero is blocking nicely.
Murt lands a nice knee to the body.
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!
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Murt obliges.
Murt lands a knee to the head.
Murt tries a knee to the head but Nero blocks it.
Murt throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Nero blocks it with crossed arms.
Murt trying to land knees to the body.
Murt tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Nero avoids it.
Murt misses with a knee strike.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Murt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nero takes an elbow to the temple.
Murt using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Nero has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Nero is trying to drag Murt to the mat but Murt just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Murt with a knee to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matthew Murt dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Murt blocks a low kick nicely.
Nero throws a big shot that misses.
Murt walks into a jab.
Nero closes the distance and clinches up with Murt, looking for a takedown. Nero pushes Murt against the cage but Murt circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Nero closes the distance and clinches up with Murt, looking for a takedown. Nero pushes Murt against the cage but Murt circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Murt tries to close the distance and clinch but Nero swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Nero throws a hook but Murt blocks it.
Nero looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Matthew Murt has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lenny Nero.
Nice jab there from Nero.
Nero throws a lazy head kick
and Murt counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Nero takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Nero throws a poor cross that misses

and Murt counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Murt tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murt tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Nero avoids the elbow strike from Murt, against the cage.
Murt tries to land a knee to the head but Nero blocks with his arms.
Murt tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Nero avoids it.
Nero goes for a takedown in the clinch but Murt prevents it.
Murt lands a nice knee to the body.
Murt tries to land a knee to the head but Nero blocks with his arms.
Murt lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Nero wants a takedown.
Nero on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Murt stalling in the clinch but Nero improves position.
Murt tries to land knees in the clinch but Nero avoids the damage to the body.
Murt prevents a body shot from Nero.
Nero trying to control the position but instead, Murt has worked for underhooks and has pushed Nero into the cage.
Murt lands a damaging elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murt comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Nero blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Murt misses with a knee strike.
Knees in the clinch landing for Murt.
A short left from Nero.
Knees to the body from Murt.
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!
Murt tries to land a knee to the head but Nero blocks with his arms.
Murt misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Nero.
Nero wants a takedown but no success here.
Murt tries to land a knee to the head but Nero blocks with his arms.
Murt is pressed up against the cage. Nero has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Murt down to the mat. Murt avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Murt moves into the clinch.
Murt is looking to control Nero's arms but Nero gets an underhook and turns him. Now Murt has his back to the cage.
Nero dodges an elbow strike from Murt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murt with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Nero is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Nero stalling against the cage.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Murt obliges.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Murt keeps control of Nero as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Murt throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Nero blocks it with crossed arms.
Murt throws a knee to the head but misses.
Murt missing with knees to the body.
Nero takes an elbow to the temple.
Murt missing with knees to the body.

Nero escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nero tries for a takedown but Murt circles away easily

and Murt counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Murt.
Murt throws a knee to the head but misses.
Murt is pressed up against the cage. Nero has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Murt down to the mat. Murt avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Murt takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Nero digs a good body shot into Murt's ribs.
Murt keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Nero throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nero throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Murt tries to close the distance and clinch up but Nero swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Nero shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Murt pinned against the cage. Murt gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matthew Murt showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Murt has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matthew Murt!
Post fight, an emotional Matthew Murt said 'This guy Nero is a decent fighter, he has a good record but he doesn't want to be fighting me every fight! If he did, his record would be shit. He's a tough cookie so I didn't go looking for the knockout tonight but got the decision I was after.'.