PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Zaza Murano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hulk Kelly (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hulk Kelly is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Murano
vs
Kelly

186 cm
25
148 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

160 cm
18
150 lbs
0 - 6 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Zaza Murano!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Hulk Kelly!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Alec Ball and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kelly wants to clinch.
Murano checks a leg kick.
Murano really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Murano scores with a takedown into Kelly's guard.
Murano controls from within his opponent's guard.

Kelly escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Murano gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kelly keeping full guard, as Murano tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murano engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Kelly is looking to stand up but Murano isn't so interested in that idea.
Kelly is trying to control the position from the bottom.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Kelly is on top in guard.

Murano knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Kelly on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Murano looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Kelly passes into half guard.
Murano has a hand on Kelly's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Kelly takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Murano wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.
Kelly trying to control momentarily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Kelly working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Murano trying to control but not successfully.
A lull in the action here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murano rolls, trying to escape but Kelly keeps control of the position.
Kelly scores with some strikes to the side of the head there. Good, points scoring shots.
Kelly keeps control of the position as Murano tries to break free.
Murano is working hard here to advance position.
Kelly struggling to keep hold of the position.

Kelly working for a choke but Murano is defending well.
Murano looking very determined here, making life difficult for Kelly.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murano trying to control but not successfully.
Murano can't escape the position.

Kelly looking for the choke but no joy.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Murano tries to roll but Kelly sticks to his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hulk Kelly 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.

Murano gets a takedown into half guard.
Kelly gets back to full guard.
Kelly has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Murano stopping the sweep attempt from Kelly.
Murano wants to get up but he can't break Kelly's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kelly is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Kelly had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Murano defends it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kelly can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Murano controls the pace.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Hulk Kelly has got the better of the ground game so far.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Murano shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Murano showed some decent athleticism there.
Murano prevents Kelly from standing back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murano wants to stand but his hand is trapped. Kelly uses the opportunity to regain full guard.

Murano stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Murano tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kelly sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Murano somewhat.
Kelly will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Kelly fails with the takedown.
Kelly stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kelly wants it to stay on the feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kelly is defended easily by Murano.
Zaza Murano has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hulk Kelly.
Kelly slaps away a takedown attempt from Murano, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Kelly shoots in for a takedown but Murano shows good takedown defense.
Murano stuffs the takedown attempt from Kelly. Kelly gets slowly back to his feet.
Kelly loads up on a big right hand but Murano slips the punch.
Murano shoots in looking for a takedown but Kelly manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Murano's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murano misses with a takedown attempt
and Kelly counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Murano is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Kelly fails in his attempt to clinch.
Murano changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Kelly throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Murano's waist but Murano gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kelly off to one side.
Murano went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Kelly is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kelly swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Murano appears to be looking for a big counter.
Kelly shoots in for a double leg but Murano sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Murano drops down looking for a counter takedown but Kelly sprawls and moves away.
Kelly tries to clinch but Murano is having none of it.
Murano attempts a counter takedown but Kelly avoids it well and moves away.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Murano looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zaza Murano dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Kelly shoots in for a takedown but Murano shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Murano looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Kelly!
Kelly seems a little lost for a moment, as Murano dominates the positioning.
Kelly struggling a bit here.
Kelly sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Murano perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Murano is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kelly wants to stand and escape but Murano is having none of it.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Murano controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kelly tries to clinch but Murano moves out of range.

Murano looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Kelly moves into full guard.
Kelly manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Murano manages to get himself to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kelly wants to control from the top but Murano keeps moving.

Murano looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Kelly has picked Murano up and slammed him! Murano can't keep hold of the triangle and Kelly manages to pass to side control!
Kelly wants to control but Murano is keeping him busy.

Kelly has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Kelly misses with the body kick

and Murano counters by clinching up.
Murano misses with a knee strike.

Kelly breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Murano blocks a head kick by Kelly.
Murano seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Kelly fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Murano avoids it really well and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Murano as Kelly shoots in.
Zaza Murano has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hulk Kelly.

Kelly tries to sprawl but Murano drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Kelly manages to get to full guard.
Kelly is trying to keep Murano in close.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Murano postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Kelly is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Murano, into his guard.

Kelly trying to control the position from guard on top but Murano is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kelly stands and throws Murano's legs to the side, diving into side control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kelly wants to lay and pray for a moment but Murano keeps working.
Murano on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Murano tries to get out of the position.

Kelly decides to stand back up. Kelly steps back and let's Murano get back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zaza Murano showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Murano 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 Steve Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zaza Murano!