PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Murray Esson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Leroy Morris (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Esson comes to the cage accompanied by Amy MacDonald - This Is The Life. Morris is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Clique . The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Esson
vs
Morris

174 cm
29
156 lbs
10 - 4 - 0

170 cm
28
150 lbs
14 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

TWGC Champion
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

KO Clothing
Hellbent

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 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Murray Esson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Leroy Morris!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Arvi Lind and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Esson swats away the attempt to clinch by Morris.
Morris shoots in but Esson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Esson lands with a hook. Morris tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Esson throws a leg kick which misses Morris's front leg but catches the back leg as Morris tries to avoid it.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Morris has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Esson comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
The crowd cheers as Esson lands an impressive looking overhand right. Morris doesn't seem phased though.
Esson scores with a nice body kick.
Nice straight punches there by Esson. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Esson.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Morris shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

Morris closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

Morris swings around for an armbar but Esson sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Morris's guard.
Esson throwing strikes from guard but Morris blocks nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morris keeping moving, preventing Esson from controlling successfully.
Esson 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.
Esson keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Morris's head.
Esson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Esson works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Esson thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Morris's head.
Morris avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Esson.
Esson thows a huge punch but Morris dodges it nicely.
Morris tries to roll over but Esson keeps him under control.
Esson wants to pass the guard but Morris is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Morris is not content to let Esson control the position.
Esson frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Esson lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Esson raining down hammerfists from mount.
Esson putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!

Morris is rocked!
Esson unloads with some vicious shots from mount and Morris wants out - he looks towards the referee who steps in to save him! Esson celebrates on the cage and the crowd goes wild!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Murray Esson!
Murray Esson decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.