PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Jim Murphy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Looi Top (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Looi Top has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Murphy
vs
Top

162 cm
19
130 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

158 cm
20
134 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jim Murphy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Looi Top!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Robert Twigg and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Top moves out of range of the strikes.
Top is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Murphy jabs at Top's body.
Murphy misses with an uppercut. Top saw that one coming.
Top shoots and misses
and Murphy counters with a two punch combo.
The fighters circling - Murphy throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Top fails with a takedown attempt.
We've been told by Murphy's head coaches at The Iron Palace that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Murphy throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Murphy misses with a double jab

and Top counters with a single leg into guard. Murphy didn't expect that.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murphy keeping moving, preventing Top from controlling successfully.
Top tries to free his leg and advance position but Murphy is retaining full guard.
Top pushes down on Murphy's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Top is working for a kimura but Murphy is defending it quite comfortably.
Top stops Murphy from getting back to his feet.
Top thows a huge punch but Murphy dodges it nicely.
Murphy is in trouble now - Top has advanced to mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Top fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Top punching from mount but Murphy doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Murphy is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Top has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Murphy in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Top with shots to the head and body - Murphy looks very uncomfortable down there.

Murphy is rocked!
Top pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Oh Murphy is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Top tries to control but Murphy wriggling away.
Murphy is desperately trying to improve his position but Top has a good base and remains in mount.
Murphy seems to have got his legs back now.
My spies in The Iron Palace inform me that Top has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Top with shots to the head and body - Murphy looks very uncomfortable down there.
Top postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Murphy looks a forlorn figure.
Murphy wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Top with shots to the head and body - Murphy looks very uncomfortable down there.
Murphy tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Top lands a heavy elbow.
Top content just to control the position here.
Top trying to control but Murphy is having none of it.
Top sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Murphy is working to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Top postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Murphy looks a forlorn figure.
Top lands a big elbow - Murphy is in trouble! More strikes from the mount and Murphy is forced to tap out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:37 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Strikes). Looi Top!