PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Frank Palmer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Saenchai Murbaratchon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Frank Palmer has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Palmer
vs
Murbaratchon

165 cm
25
140 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

169 cm
25
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Frank Palmer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Saenchai Murbaratchon!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Leandro Rodrigues and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Murbaratchon avoids the body shot from Palmer.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Palmer struggles to land a body shot inside as Murbaratchon controls his hands.
Murbaratchon scores with a hook to the body.
Murbaratchon throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Palmers head.
Murbaratchon working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

Murbaratchon breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Palmer shoots in but no luck this time.
Palmer stuffs the takedown attempt from Murbaratchon. Murbaratchon gets slowly back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Murbaratchon closes the distance and clinches.
Murbaratchon lands a nice knee to the body.
Palmer wants to stall.
Murbaratchon lands with a left to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Murbaratchon escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Murbaratchon shoots in but Palmer avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Murbaratchon has Palmer up against the cage in a clinch.
Palmer jumps guard but Murbaratchon stands there with Palmer around his waist. Palmer gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Murbaratchon lands a nice elbow.

Murbaratchon escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Palmer.
And Murbaratchon tries to counter it with a takedown but Palmer pushes his down on his head and steps out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Frank Palmer. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Palmer lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Palmer fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Murbaratchon slaps away a takedown attempt from Palmer, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Murbaratchon forces Palmer back against the cage and clinches.
Murbaratchon working Palmer over with knees to the body.
Murbaratchon presses Palmer against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Murbaratchon lands a hook that snaps the head of Palmer backwards.
Murbaratchon has Palmer pressed against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Murbaratchon lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Palmer.
Palmer is trying to pull guard but Murbaratchon has him pressed against the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Murbaratchon.
Murbaratchon leaning his opponent against the cage.
Palmer looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murbaratchon lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A nice left hand lands by Murbaratchon.

Murbaratchon breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Murbaratchon closes the distance and clinches.
A shot in the inside from Murbaratchon.

Murbaratchon's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Palmer.
Murbaratchon is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.

Murbaratchon darts in and clinches Palmer up against the cage.

Murbaratchon's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Murbaratchon tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Palmer defends well and Murbaratchon ends up having to push Palmer into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Palmer is defended easily by Murbaratchon.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Palmer tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Murbaratchon manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Murbaratchon is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Murbaratchon shoots in looking for a takedown. Palmer tries to sprawl out of it but Murbaratchon keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Palmer manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Palmer misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Murbaratchon moves into the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Palmer pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Palmer fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Murbaratchon manages to avoid it.
Palmer throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Despite the aggression on Murbaratchon's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Murbaratchon shoots in looking for a takedown but Palmer manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Murbaratchon's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Saenchai Murbaratchon dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Murbaratchon clinches.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Murbaratchon.
Palmer takes a shot to the head.
Murbaratchon is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

Murbaratchon manages to break the clinch.
Horrible takedown attempt by Murbaratchon or perhaps it was just good defense by Palmer, which made it look bad.
Murbaratchon has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Murbaratchon drives through and clinches with Palmer against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Murbaratchon breaks from the clinch.

Murbaratchon moves into the clinch.

Murbaratchon breaks the clinch.
Palmer looks for a takedown but Murbaratchon sprawls well.
Murbaratchon throws a fast counter high kick but Palmer manages to duck under it in time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murbaratchon fails with a takedown attempt.
Palmer is looking to counter punch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Palmer looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Murbaratchon shoots in but no luck this time.
Frank Palmer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Saenchai Murbaratchon.
Palmer defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Murbaratchon.

Palmer lands a big head kick that sends Murbaratchon tumbling to the mat! Palmer takes a step backwards and waves Murbaratchon back to his feet - he wants the finish!

It looks like Saenchai Murbaratchon has been cut.
Murbaratchon stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Murbaratchon wants it to stay on the feet.

Palmer gets tackled into the cage by Murbaratchon. Murbaratchon maintains the clinch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Murbaratchon.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Palmer's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Palmer can't find room to land a body shot as Murbaratchon controls the action.

Murbaratchon breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Palmer wants to clinch.
Murbaratchon tries to score a power double leg takedown but Palmer sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Murbaratchon somewhat.
As Murbaratchon looks to move away, Palmer throws a big counter combo bu Murbaratchon just gets out of the way.
Murbaratchon is breathing heavily.
Palmer shoots in looking for a takedown. Murbaratchon tries to sprawl out of it but Palmer keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Murbaratchon manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Murbaratchon is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Palmer pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nice sprawl there from Palmer as Murbaratchon shoots in.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Murbaratchon closes the distance and clinches.

Murbaratchon breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Palmer tries to keep at a distance but Murbaratchon has taken the fight into the clinch.
Palmer tries to pull guard but Murbaratchon holds him up against the cage and eventually Palmer drops back down to his feet.

Murbaratchon's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Palmer keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Palmer.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Palmer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Palmer tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Murbaratchon defends well and Palmer ends up having to push Murbaratchon into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Murbaratchon tries to score a power double leg takedown but Palmer sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Murbaratchon somewhat.
Palmer misses with a head kick.
Frank Palmer is winning the standup battle so far.
Palmer tries to clinch but Murbaratchon moves out of range.
Palmer shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Murbaratchon moves into the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Murbaratchon.
Palmer is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Palmer is looking to break free of the clinch but Murbaratchon has double underhooks.
Murbaratchon presses Palmer against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Murbaratchon softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Saenchai Murbaratchon showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Saenchai Murbaratchon's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Murbaratchon looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Palmer jabs Murbaratchon right on the nose. Murbaratchon blinks but takes it well.

Murbaratchon darts in and clinches Palmer up against the cage.
Murbaratchon lands a left hand.

Murbaratchon's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Palmer tries to close the distance and clinch but Murbaratchon swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Palmer shoots in looking for a takedown but Murbaratchon manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Palmer's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Palmer fails with the takedown

and Murbaratchon counters by clinching up.

Murbaratchon breaks the clinch.
Murbaratchon on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Palmer. Palmer obviously looking to wear him down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Palmer shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Murbaratchon as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Frank Palmer. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Murbaratchon clinches.

Murbaratchon pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Murbaratchon shoots in looking for a takedown but Palmer manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Murbaratchon's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Palmer moves to clinch but Murbaratchon breaks away
and Murbaratchon counters with a head kick. That will keep Palmer thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Murbaratchon blocks a head kick by Palmer.

Murbaratchon drives through and clinches with Palmer against the cage.
Murbaratchon is pressed up against the cage. Palmer has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Murbaratchon down to the mat. Murbaratchon avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Murbaratchon looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Palmer is fending him off so far but Murbaratchon persists. Nope, Palmer circles away and we're back to standing.
Palmer feinted with a counter takedown.
Murbaratchon takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Murbaratchon has a takedown stuffed.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Palmer lands a slapping body shot.
Palmer fails with the takedown.
Murbaratchon unleashes a big counter combination but Palmer bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.

Murbaratchon closes the distance and clinches.
Palmer tries to pull guard but Murbaratchon holds him up against the cage and eventually Palmer drops back down to his feet.
Murbaratchon scores with an uppercut up the middle.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Murbaratchon pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Murbaratchon looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Palmer swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

Murbaratchon has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Palmer keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Murbaratchon's efforts to push away.
Palmer drops down looking for an ankle pick but Murbaratchon pulls his leg out and moves away.
Murbaratchon tries to move into range but Palmer moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Murbaratchon shoots in but no luck this time.
Palmer went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Murbaratchon shoots in looking for a takedown but Palmer manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Murbaratchon's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Frank Palmer is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Palmer shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Palmer tries to clinch up.
Palmer tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Murbaratchon tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murbaratchon blocks a head kick by Palmer.
Murbaratchon with the counter takedown but Palmer avoids it easily.
Palmer shoots and misses

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

Murbaratchon breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Murbaratchon pushes Palmer up against the cage in a clinch.

Murbaratchon breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Palmer tries to clinch up but Murbaratchon circles away and keeps his distance.
Murbaratchon tries to counter by closing the distance.

Murbaratchon clinches up against the cage.
Murbaratchon lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Murbaratchon scores with a shoulder strike.
Palmer wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Palmer has Murbaratchon pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Murbaratchon manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Murbaratchon lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Palmer backwards.
Frank Palmer has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Saenchai Murbaratchon is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Murbaratchon lands with a short head shot on the inside.

And that's the end of the fight!
Saenchai Murbaratchon comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Murbaratchon winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Matheus Silva scores the fight 27:30
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 27:30
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Saenchai Murbaratchon!