PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Kyoji Horiguchi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alex Murphy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Horiguchi
vs
Murphy

164 cm
18
145 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

190 cm
21
135 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Solid chin

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kyoji Horiguchi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Alex Murphy!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Hirohito Nitta and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Murphy looks to land a combination but Horiguchi avoids it well.
Murphy looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Horiguchi pivots, looking for a leg kick but Murphy is out of range and Horiguchi settles back down.
Horiguchi dips to his left and cracks Murphy with an uppercut!
Horiguchi goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Murphy misses with a kick to the body.
Murphy tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Murphy tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Horiguchi with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Murphy is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Horiguchi misses with a series of wild punches.
Murphy fails with a takedown attempt.
Horiguchi misses with a body shot

and Murphy counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Murphy.
Horiguchi can't break the clinch.
Horiguchi can't break the clinch.

Murphy breaks from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Horiguchi keeps the fight on the outside.
Horiguchi pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
The fight stays on the outside here - Murphy looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Horiguchi thumps Murphy with a low kick.
Horiguchi throws the kick towards the body but Murphy avoids it.
Murphy misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Murphy avoids a kick to the body.
Horiguchi misses with a hook
and Murphy counters with a stiff right hand.
Murphy checks a low kick from Horiguchi.
Murphy shoots in for a takedown but Horiguchi shows good takedown defense.
Kyoji Horiguchi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alex Murphy.
Murphy looks winded!
Horiguchi throws a sloppy head kick and Murphy moves out of range easily.
Horiguchi misses with the combination.
Horiguchi throws a series of punches but Murphy moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Horiguchi delivers a nice body kick.
Horiguchi throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Horiguchi smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Murphy looks to score with a jab to the body but Horiguchi is just out of range.
Kyoji Horiguchi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Horiguchi fakes the leg kick and cracks Murphy in the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Horiguchi looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Horiguchi uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Kyoji Horiguchi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Murphy moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Horiguchi lands a nice hook to Murphy's body. Murphy takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Horiguchi looks to land a body kick but Murphy moved away.
Murphy slips under a jab.
Horiguchi misses with an attempted mid kick.
Murphy takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murphy moves away from the strike by Horiguchi.
Horiguchi throws a leg kick but Murphy moved away.
Murphy takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Murphy stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Horiguchi.
Horiguchi throws a leg kick but Murphy checks it.
Murphy fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Horiguchi swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Murphy.
Horiguchi throws a head kick that misses
and Murphy counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Horiguchi looks to land a body kick but Murphy moved away.
Horiguchi scores with a nice body kick.
Horiguchi pushes Murphy away with a front kick.
Murphy has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Horiguchi.
Horiguchi delivers a nice body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Horiguchi is looking to land body kicks.
Horiguchi looks to land a body kick but Murphy moved away.
Horiguchi looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Horiguchi cracks Murphy with a good jab.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Horiguchi scoring well with a low kick there.
Horiguchi misses with an attempted mid kick.
Murphy shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Horiguchi but Horiguchi pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Horiguchi lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Murphy blocks the body kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Horiguchi misses with the combination.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Murphy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kyoji Horiguchi dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Murphy takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Murphy throws a right hand that Horiguchi ducks under and follows up with a left that Horiguchi also avoids with ease.
Murphy shoots in but Horiguchi avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Murphy changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Horiguchi tries to avoid it but Murphy manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Horiguchi to the ground. Horiguchi escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Horiguchi delivers a nice body kick.
Horiguchi moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Kyoji Horiguchi is winning the standup battle so far.
Horiguchi thumps Murphy with a low kick.
A punch lands to the side of Murphy 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Horiguchi bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Murphy's head backwards.
Horiguchi fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Horiguchi throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Murphy is breathing heavily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Horiguchi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Horiguchi misses with a wild body shot.
Horiguchi misses with a wild combination.
Horiguchi sizes up Murphy with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Murphy has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Horiguchi.
Horiguchi misses with a jab, cross combination.
Horiguchi tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A slapping leg kick lands for Horiguchi.
Nice takedown defense from Horiguchi. No joy for Murphy on that attempt.
Kyoji Horiguchi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alex Murphy.
Murphy takes one on the button.
Horiguchi misses with a body kick.
Murphy has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Horiguchi.
Horiguchi jabs Murphy right on the nose. Murphy blinks but takes it well.
Horiguchi throws a head kick but Murphy moves out of range.
Murphy is trying desperately to land a takedown but Horiguchi is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Murphy.
Horiguchi throws a lazy right hand but Murphy sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Horiguchi connects with a crisp jab.
No joy there for Horiguchi, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Horiguchi is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Murphy can do to turn this around?
Murphy has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Horiguchi.
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!
Murphy tries for a takedown but Horiguchi sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Horiguchi throws a jab when Murphy was well out of range.
Murphy showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Horiguchi.
Horiguchi throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Horiguchi ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Murphy slips a jab from Horiguchi.
Murphy has a takedown stuffed.
Horiguchi dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Murphy. That did some damage!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murphy on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Horiguchi. Horiguchi obviously looking to wear him down.
That kick from Horiguchi tenderised Murphy's leg. Murphy is trying to keep his angry face on.
Murphy tries to move into range but Horiguchi moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Horiguchi lands a front kick.
Horiguchi thows a body kick. Murphy tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Horiguchi connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Horiguchi throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Murphy.
Horiguchi throws a lazy right hand but Murphy sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nice sprawl there from Horiguchi as Murphy shoots in.
Horiguchi looks to land a right hand but Murphy moved out of range.
Murphy takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Horiguchi scoring well with a low kick there.
Horiguchi with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Horiguchi, right into the meat.
Horiguchi thows a body shot but no joy.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Horiguchi throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Horiguchi misses with a low kick as Murphy jumps back.
Horiguchi's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Horiguchi duly obliges.
Horiguchi throws out a powerful jab.
Murphy uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Horiguchi.
Horiguchi explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Horiguchi moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Horiguchi tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Horiguchi works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kyoji Horiguchi dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Horiguchi keeps the fight on the outside.
Murphy tries to clinch up but Horiguchi circles away and keeps his distance.
Murphy scores with a head kick. Horiguchi tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Horiguchi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Murphy was well out of range. Poor timing from Horiguchi.
Horiguchi misses with a head kick.
Horiguchi avoids the head kick by Murphy.
Horiguchi throws the kick towards the body but Murphy avoids it.
Murphy's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Murphy is looking to clinch but Horiguchi is avoiding it.
Murphy drops his hands momentarily and Horiguchi takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Horiguchi scores with a jab to the jaw.
Horiguchi just misses with a punch to the body.
Horiguchi looks to throw a body kick
and Murphy counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Murphy fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Horiguchi avoids it really well and circles away.
Horiguchi throws a nice looking combination but Murphy bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Horiguchi misses with a double jab.
Murphy slips a jab and a cross from Horiguchi.
Murphy misses with a takedown attempt - Horiguchi sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Horiguchi lands a nice looking body kick.
Murphy has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Murphy moves out of range of the body kick.
Horiguchi throws a leg kick that misses.
Horiguchi is looking to land body kicks.
Horiguchi throws a body kick that misses

and Murphy holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Horiguchi pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Horiguchi tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Horiguchi goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Murphy closes the distance and clinches up with Horiguchi, looking for a takedown. Murphy pushes Horiguchi against the cage but Horiguchi circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Kyoji Horiguchi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alex Murphy.
Horiguchi is looking to slow Murphy down with leg kicks.
Horiguchi misses with an attempted mid kick.
Murphy displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Horiguchi throws out the jab.
Horiguchi lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Murphy gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Horiguchi scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Horiguchi throws a head kick that misses.
Horiguchi cracks the inside of Murphy's front leg.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Horiguchi is looking to slow Murphy down with leg kicks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Horiguchi.
Horiguchi scores with a nice strike.
Horiguchi misses with an uppercut
and Murphy counters with a right hand to the body.
Horiguchi waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Murphy.
Horiguchi throws a leg kick but Murphy sees it coming and moves out of range.
Horiguchi misses with a two punch combination.
Horiguchi misses with an attempted mid kick.
Murphy closes the distance and clinches up with Horiguchi, looking for a takedown. Murphy pushes Horiguchi against the cage but Horiguchi circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Murphy moves out of range as Horiguchi throws a body kick.
Kyoji Horiguchi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Horiguchi swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Murphy.
Good leg kick by Horiguchi there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Horiguchi goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Horiguchi lands a nice leg kick that just misses Murphy's sensitive parts.
Horiguchi closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Horiguchi tries to bum rush Murphy with a series of wild strikes but Murphy uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Murphy instigates a clinch.
Horiguchi lands a left hand that snaps the head of Murphy backwards.
A frustrated look appears on Horiguchi's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Horiguchi is trying to break the clinch but Murphy is controlling him.
Kyoji Horiguchi is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Murphy pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Horiguchi lands a head kick. Murphy smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A slapping body kick lands there for Horiguchi.
Alex Murphy has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Murphy moves out of range of the leg kick from Horiguchi.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kyoji Horiguchi showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Horiguchi, 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 Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 30:26
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 30:27
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kyoji Horiguchi!