PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Jim Murphy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Conor Brazier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Murphy
vs
Brazier

162 cm
20
130 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

174 cm
21
137 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Experienced

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Powerful

Spartan Nutrition

Arcticus University: London

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 8 - 3 - 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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Conor Brazier!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Cecil Peabody and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Brazier moves into range and clinches up with Murphy.
Murphy tries a body shot but Brazier blocks it.
Murphy struggles to land a body shot inside as Brazier controls his hands.
Brazier is stalling here.
Brazier throws a head punch that misses.
Murphy misses with the head strike.
Murphy looking to stall.
Murphy prevents a body shot from Brazier.
Murphy is trying to maintain a safe position but Brazier gets an underhook and turns Murphy into the cage.
Brazier pushes Murphy back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Murphy throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Brazier is pushing Murphy up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Brazier is struggling to control the position.
Brazier receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Brazier.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brazier fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Brazier lands a right hand that snaps the head of Murphy backwards.
Murphy holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Brazier has Murphy pressed against the cage.
Murphy takes a shot to the head.
Brazier tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Murphy misses with a hook to the ribs.
Murphy gets through Brazier's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Murphy lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Murphy lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Brazier avoiding damage.
Murphy effectively controlling the action here.
Murphy stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Murphy doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brazier pushes Murphy back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Murphy lands an uppercut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Brazier swings wildly with an uppercut but Murphy uses good head movement to avoid it.
Brazier doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
We've been hearing reports that Murphy has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Brazier blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Murphy lands an uppercut.
Brazier prevents a body shot from Murphy.
Murphy is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Brazier lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Murphy taking a breather.
Murphy avoiding damage.
Murphy lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Murphy is struggling to control the position.
Murphy looking to slow down the pace here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Jim Murphy.
Murphy fails with an attempt to clinch.
Murphy throws a right hand that Brazier ducks under and follows up with a left that Brazier also avoids with ease.
Murphy tries to close the distance and clinch but Brazier swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Brazier avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Brazier raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.

Brazier pushes Murphy up against the cage in a clinch.
A left hand lands to the body for Murphy.
Murphy is looking to control Brazier's arms but Brazier gets an underhook and turns him. Now Murphy has his back to the cage.
Brazier lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Brazier pushes Murphy back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Murphy stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Murphy working aggressively here.
Brazier blocking some punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murphy works on Brazier's body with a couple of short punches.
Brazier swings wildly with an uppercut but Murphy uses good head movement to avoid it.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Murphy.
Murphy scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Murphy tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Brazier's elbow.
Murphy blocks an uppercut.
Murphy misses with the head strike.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Murphy misses with a hook from the clinch.
Murphy tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Brazier lands a hook that snaps the head of Murphy backwards.
Murphy lands with a light punch inside.
Murphy tries a body shot but Brazier blocks it.
Brazier lands with a right to the head.
Murphy misses with a punch to the body.
A short body shot lands from Murphy as the two fighters clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Jim Murphy will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Brazier fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

Brazier moves into range and clinches up with Murphy.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Murphy.
Brazier scores with a shot to the side of Murphy's head.
A nice left hand lands by Brazier.
Murphy blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Brazier tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Murphy content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Brazier working aggressively here.
A right hook to the body lands for Murphy.
Murphy misses with a punch on the inside.
Murphy goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Brazier.
A short left from Brazier.
Brazier can't find room to land a body shot as Murphy controls the action.
Brazier lands a left hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Brazier letting Murphy take a breather here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brazier lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Murphy backwards.
Murphy lands a left hand.
Brazier tries to work over Murphy's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Brazier working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Brazier throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Murphys head.

Murphy is rocked!
Murphy taking a breather.
Brazier blocks a body shot from Murphy.
Brazier throws a head punch that misses.
Murphy can't find room to land a body shot as Brazier controls the action.
Brazier lands with a short shot to the head.
Brazier blocks a body shot from Murphy.
Brazier has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Brazier scores with a shoulder strike.
Brazier digs a right hand into Murphy's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Murphy's gas tank.
Brazier is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Murphy misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Brazier.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Murphy goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Murphy has a couple of punches blocked by Brazier.
Brazier tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Brazier lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Murphy throws a punch but it's blocked by Brazier.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Murphy tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Murphy.
Murphy can't find room to land a body shot as Brazier controls the action.
Murphy fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Murphy digs a right hand underneath Brazier's ribcage. Brazier let out a lung full of air as it connected.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murphy prevents a body shot from Brazier.
Murphy taking a breather.
Murphy taking a breather.
Murphy misses with a hook from the clinch.
A short uppercut from Brazier.
Brazier blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Brazier blocks a body shot from Murphy.
Brazier scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Murphy is looking to control Brazier's arms but Brazier gets an underhook and turns him. Now Murphy has his back to the cage.
Murphy is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Brazier is keeping busy.
Brazier blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Brazier throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Murphys head.
The referee is keeping an eye on Murphy - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Brazier lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Brazier blocks a body shot from Murphy.
Brazier throws a head punch that misses.
Murphy struggles to land a body shot inside as Brazier controls his hands.
Brazier misses with a short punch on the inside.
Murphy has a couple of punches blocked by Brazier.
Brazier content to slow the pace in the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Brazier.
Murphy trying to stall but Brazier improves his position.
Brazier blocks a body shot from Murphy.
A head punch on the inside from Murphy fails to land.
Murphy throws a head punch that misses.
A head punch on the inside from Murphy fails to land.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Brazier has Murphy pressed against the cage.
Brazier doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Conor Brazier showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Brazier takes the fight into the clinch.
Murphy tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Brazier misses with a body punch.
Murphy stalling against the cage.
Murphy tries to work over Brazier's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A shot in the inside from Brazier.
Brazier lands a nice uppercut.
Brazier stalls.
A right hand to the body from Brazier.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Brazier stalling.
Murphy swings wildly with an uppercut but Brazier uses good head movement to avoid it.
Murphy tries a body shot but Brazier blocks it.
Murphy is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brazier working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Murphy throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Braziers head.
Murphy tries to throw a body punch but Brazier avoids it by throwing Murphy back against the cage.
Conor Brazier seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Brazier working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Brazier throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Murphys head.
Brazier gets through Murphy's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Oh Murphy is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Murphy misses with a body punch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Brazier.
Murphy fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A body shot lands from Murphy.
Murphy is looking to control Brazier's arms but Brazier gets an underhook and turns him. Now Murphy has his back to the cage.
Murphy being controlled against the cage.
Brazier lands a left hand that snaps the head of Murphy backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brazier fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Murphy seems to have got his legs back now.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Brazier struggles to land a body shot inside as Murphy controls his hands.
Murphy misses with a punch to the body.
Brazier leaning against his opponent.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Murphy misses with a hook to the ribs.
Murphy tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Murphy blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Murphy doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Murphy tries to throw a body punch but Brazier avoids it by throwing Murphy back against the cage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Murphy.
Murphy misses with a punch to the body.
Murphy swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Murphy blocks an uppercut.
Murphy misses with a hook from the clinch.
Murphy blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murphy misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Murphy digs a right hand into Brazier's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Brazier's gas tank.
Murphy misses with a shot to the kidneys.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Murphy.
Murphy tries to work over Brazier's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Brazier dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Brazier has Murphy pressed against the cage.
Brazier throws a punch but it's blocked by Murphy.
Brazier stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Brazier is trying to maintain a safe position but Murphy gets an underhook and turns Brazier into the cage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Murphy.
Brazier swings wildly with an uppercut but Murphy uses good head movement to avoid it.
Murphy swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murphy tries a body shot but Brazier blocks it.
Murphy lands a body shot in the clinch.
Brazier lands a nice uppercut.
Brazier throws a head punch that misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Brazier.
Brazier is stalling here.
Brazier just leaning against Murphy, taking a breather.
Brazier has Murphy pushed against the cage.
Brazier lands a shot to the body.
Murphy is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Murphy fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Murphy throws a head punch that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Conor Brazier comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Brazier has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 28:29
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Conor Brazier!
Conor Brazier thanked the fans post fight for their support.