PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Itse Perkele (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and RP McMurphy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Perkele
vs
McMurphy

205 cm
25
258 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

196 cm
27
257 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Itse Perkele!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, RP McMurphy!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Steve Smith and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Perkele looking to land some kicks to the body here.
McMurphy misses with an uppercut
and Perkele counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Perkele wants to slow McMurphy down by chopping away at his legs.
Perkele uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from McMurphy.
Perkele tried to counter with a leg kick but McMurphy avoided it.
McMurphy moves out of range as Perkele strikes.
McMurphy jabs at Perkele's body.
McMurphy throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
McMurphy lands a right hook to the body.
Perkele avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Perkele scores with a jab to the jaw.
Perkele throws a front kick that sends McMurphy stumbling back into the cage.
Nice shot lands for Perkele.

Perkele lands a big uppercut and McMurphy crumbles to the floor! The ref thinks about stopping the fight but McMurphy looks OK. Perkele waves McMurphy back to his feet!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McMurphy throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Perkele throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
McMurphy checks a leg kick.
Perkele throws a looping overhand right but McMurphy ducks down to avoid it.
McMurphy throws out a counter right but Perkele avoids it with no problem.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Perkele on the wrong end of a nice hook.

McMurphy bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw McMurphy working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Perkele taking a bit of punishment here - McMurphy scoring with strikes.
McMurphy working away.
Perkele tries to improve position but can't.
Perkele is not content to let McMurphy control the position.
Perkele wants to control but McMurphy postures up.
Perkele is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at Hell's Balls NY Hellcademy, so we'll see if he gets out of it.
McMurphy creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Perkele sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
McMurphy throws a strike aimed at the side of Perkele's head but Perkele avoids it well.
McMurphy working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A control attempt from Perkele but he's now mounted!
Perkele is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
McMurphy punishing his opponent with strikes.
Perkele wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by McMurphy.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McMurphy cracks Perkele with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Perkele tries to reverse the position but McMurphy maintains control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McMurphy landing strikes from the mount and Perkele is in trouble!
Perkele is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Perkele is working hard here to advance position.
McMurphy can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Perkele is looking to escape.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Perkele is desperately trying to improve his position but McMurphy has a good base and remains in mount.
McMurphy takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Perkele tries to hold on but McMurphy pushes him away.
McMurphy with a couple of short strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McMurphy raining down hammerfists from mount.
McMurphy breaks from Perkele's wrist control and lands an elbow.
McMurphy with shots to the head and body - Perkele looks very uncomfortable down there.
McMurphy lands a big shot there that rocks Perkele but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
McMurphy with good strikes from the mount here!
Perkele is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

RP McMurphy dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Perkele listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Perkele gets cracked there but stands up to it.
McMurphy avoids a punch combination nicely.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Perkele.
Perkele misses with a low kick.
Perkele throws a head kick but McMurphy moves out of range.
Perkele pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Itse Perkele seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McMurphy moves out of range as Perkele throws a body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Perkele lands a nice shot to the body.
Perkele is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
McMurphy avoids the body shot from Perkele.
McMurphy listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
McMurphy darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
McMurphy lands a glancing blow to the side of Perkele's head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McMurphy avoids the head kick by Perkele.
McMurphy with the counter takedown but Perkele avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McMurphy connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Perkele looks to score with a jab to the body but McMurphy is just out of range.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Perkele - that will leave a mark!
Good leg kick by Perkele there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Perkele looks to throw the jab but McMurphy is out of range.
McMurphy swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Perkele.
Perkele fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but McMurphy is out of range.
McMurphy throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A counter left hand to the body from Perkele misses its target.
McMurphy throws a right and a left that Perkele avoids nicely.
McMurphy throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Perkele on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
McMurphy tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Perkele was well out of range. Poor timing from McMurphy.
McMurphy takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Perkele scores with a body shot.
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!
Perkele misses with a body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Perkele pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Perkele lands with a thumping leg kick.
Perkele wants to land a leg kick but McMurphy is out of range.
Nice body punch from Perkele.
Perkele tries to land a front kick but McMurphy steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Perkele looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Perkele slips a jab from McMurphy.
Perkele thows a leg kick but McMurphy checks it

and McMurphy counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Perkele pulls McMurphy in to control the position.
McMurphy works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Perkele is looking for a sweep. McMurphy is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McMurphy trying to mount his opponent but Perkele defends it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McMurphy is taking a breather. Perkele says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
McMurphy trying to pass the guard but Perkele defending well.
McMurphy trying to control the action but Perkele is working from the bottom.
McMurphy looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Perkele with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
McMurphy takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
McMurphy throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Perkele to regain full guard.
Perkele working a defensive guard here.
RP McMurphy has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's four 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.
McMurphy trying to control but Perkele is working from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
McMurphy swings for the body but Perkele moves out of range.
McMurphy circles away from the clinch attempt.
McMurphy is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

McMurphy throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Perkele tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. McMurphy is in Perkele's guard.
McMurphy is looking to work some ground and pound but Perkele has wrist control.
Perkele pulls McMurphy in close to his closed guard and prevents McMurphy from doing any damage or advancing position.
Perkele keeping full guard, as McMurphy tries to pass.
Perkele is trying to control the position from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but RP McMurphy will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Perkele misses with a wild body shot.
McMurphy feints the counter takedown.
RP McMurphy is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
McMurphy moves out of range of the body kick from Perkele.
McMurphy throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
McMurphy doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Itse Perkele is winning the standup battle so far.
Perkele tries to close the distance and clinch up but McMurphy swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Perkele fakes high and swings low for a body shot but McMurphy manages to avoid it.
A jab from Perkele misses.
Sloppy strikes from Perkele. Those never looked like landing.
Perkele scores with a leg kick.
A good leg kick by Perkele.
McMurphy throws a looping overhand right but Perkele ducks down to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McMurphy just misses with a punch to the body.
Perkele throws a right and a left that McMurphy avoids nicely.
McMurphy misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Perkele.
Perkele staying out of range there.
A lazy body kick from Perkele
enabling McMurphy to counter with a crisp jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McMurphy waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Perkele.
McMurphy misses with a double jab
and Perkele counters with a nice low kick that buckles McMurphy's knee momentarily.
A big right from McMurphy misses.
McMurphy takes one on the button.
A good leg kick by Perkele.
Perkele uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by McMurphy.
Perkele throws a push kick but McMurphy slaps the foot to one side.
McMurphy tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Perkele ducks down and throws a hook to the body but McMurphy moves away.

McMurphy closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Perkele is trying to control McMurphy's posture but McMurphy avoids it.
McMurphy is chipping away with strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McMurphy tries to advance to mount but can't.
McMurphy controlling the position.
Perkele is not content to let McMurphy control the position.
Perkele is looking to reverse the position.
McMurphy has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McMurphy tries to advance position but instead Perkele slips a leg back in to half guard.
McMurphy wants to pass to mount but Perkele is defending the position.
Perkele tries to roll over but McMurphy keeps him under control.
McMurphy is taking a breather. Perkele says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Perkele trying to control here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
McMurphy checks the leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Perkele misses with a straight left.
McMurphy just misses with a punch to the body.
Perkele tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but McMurphy was well out of range. Poor timing from Perkele.
McMurphy's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Perkele doesn't manage to clinch there - McMurphy circles away.
A slow jab from McMurphy misses its intended target.
A thudding body kick lands there by Perkele!
McMurphy connects with a nice looking jab.
Perkele misses with a low kick.
A countering left hand to the body from McMurphy misses.
McMurphy looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Perkele throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck McMurphy on the side of the head.
Perkele throws a wild body kick that McMurphy sees coming a mile off.
Perkele misses with a hook.
McMurphy closes the distance and clinches up with Perkele, looking for a takedown. McMurphy pushes Perkele against the cage but Perkele circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! McMurphy crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Perkele - the referee stops the clock and McMurphy gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Perkele. McMurphy manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Itse Perkele did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
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.

Perkele tries a low kick but McMurphy avoids it.
A jab from Perkele misses.
And McMurphy tries to counter it with a takedown but Perkele pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Perkele dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
McMurphy looks to land a right hand but Perkele moved out of range.
McMurphy misses with a straight right.
Perkele wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Perkele looks to land a body kick but McMurphy moved away.
Perkele scores with a jab to the body.
Perkele dodges the punch combination from McMurphy.
Perkele tries to work over McMurphy's front leg with a kick but McMurphy checks it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McMurphy throws a hook but Perkele blocks it.
Perkele misses with a body shot.
Perkele keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
McMurphy misses with a looping left.
Perkele is looking to counter punch.
Perkele connects with a solid leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McMurphy keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Perkele.
Perkele misses with a wild body shot.
Perkele tries to clinch there but McMurphy circles away.
Perkele misses with a low kick.
McMurphy shoots in but no luck this time.
Perkele misses with the body kick
and McMurphy counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Perkele throws the left hand but McMurphy avoids the punch easily.
Itse Perkele is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
McMurphy misses with an uppercut. Perkele saw that one coming.
Perkele misses with a body kick.
Perkele is looking to chop away at McMurphy's legs.
Perkele misses with a looping right.
McMurphy throws an overhand right that lands on Perkele's shoulder, as Perkele tries to avoid the shot.
The crowd cheers as McMurphy lands an impressive looking overhand right. Perkele doesn't seem phased though.
McMurphy blocks a low kick nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Perkele walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
McMurphy slips a jab and a cross from Perkele.
Perkele tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
A shot to the liver by Perkele. Beautiful body shot.
Perkele uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from McMurphy.
Perkele tries a head kick but it misses.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Perkele takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts McMurphy, as that shot connected.
Perkele doesn't manage to clinch there - McMurphy circles away.
McMurphy dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
McMurphy misses with an uppercut. Perkele saw that one coming.
Perkele is looking to wear down McMurphy with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
McMurphy cracks a nice hook into Perkele's ribs.
McMurphy checks a low kick from Perkele.
McMurphy tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Perkele is looking to land body kicks.
A little jabbing left from McMurphy on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

McMurphy closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - McMurphy lands in his opponent's guard.
McMurphy trying to control but Perkele is working from the bottom.
McMurphy is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Perkele working a defensive guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McMurphy working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Perkele is trying to control the position from the bottom.
McMurphy content to stall in guard here.
Perkele is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
McMurphy misses with a looping right.
Perkele misses with a jab to the body
letting McMurphy counter with a right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

RP McMurphy dominated that fourth round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Perkele just misses with a punch to the body.
McMurphy is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Perkele throws a leg kick but McMurphy checks it.
Perkele needs to keep his hands up - McMurphy had a free shot at his head there.
McMurphy misses with a series of wild punches.
McMurphy sizes up Perkele with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Perkele thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on McMurphy if he has to take too many more of those.
Perkele throws a leg kick
and Perkele takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Perkele misses with a two punch combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Perkele scores with a jab.

McMurphy shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Perkele is trying to defend but McMurphy finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Perkele makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Perkele.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McMurphy trying to control the position from guard on top but Perkele is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Perkele is trying to control the position but McMurphy postures up.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Perkele holds on and takes a little breather.
McMurphy trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Perkele controls McMurphy momentarily but McMurphy frees himself.
McMurphy trying to control but Perkele is working from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Perkele throws a one two combo.
McMurphy will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
McMurphy slips under a jab.
McMurphy on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Perkele dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
McMurphy lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Perkele backs up against the cage.
Perkele bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
McMurphy is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Perkele fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt McMurphy.
McMurphy misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
McMurphy misses with a jab to the body
and Perkele counters with a thumping low kick.
Perkele showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from McMurphy.
Perkele half committed to a counter leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Perkele moves into range and connects with a jab.
Perkele fails with an attempt to clinch.
Perkele is looking to chop away at McMurphy's legs.
McMurphy throws a series of punches but Perkele avoids them all with ease.
McMurphy avoids the head kick by Perkele.
RP McMurphy is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
McMurphy checks a leg kick.
McMurphy misses with a hook.
Perkele throws an overhand right that lands on McMurphy's shoulder, as McMurphy tries to avoid the shot.
McMurphy is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
A slow jab from McMurphy misses its intended target.
McMurphy waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Perkele.
McMurphy takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
McMurphy fails with the takedown.
As McMurphy tries to get set, Perkele tries to push him back and clinch up but McMurphy manages to avoid the attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Perkele tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
McMurphy with the counter takedown but Perkele avoids it easily.
McMurphy throws a hook to the side of Perkele's head but Perkele sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Perkele throws a hook to the side of McMurphy's head but McMurphy sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
McMurphy cracks Perkele with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Perkele tries to clinch but McMurphy is having none of it.
McMurphy let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Perkele connects with a solid leg kick.

McMurphy closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Perkele did well to prevent McMurphy getting side control.
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!
McMurphy keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
McMurphy looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
McMurphy controlling the action here.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Itse Perkele.
I think McMurphy has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 47:49
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 47:48
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 47:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... RP McMurphy!
RP McMurphy took some time post fight to say the following; 'Thank you everybody for coming. My opponent, hats off to you, thanks for the great fight, all respect. My coaches and Team Burns helped me so much, thank you. I will continue to shock and inspire nations'.
Itse Perkele spoke after the fight, saying 'Kemist 5x160Q'.