PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Shin Murakami (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Conor Mc Gregor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Murakami
vs
Mc Gregor

170 cm
24
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

170 cm
18
130 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Shin Murakami!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Conor Mc Gregor!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Sosuke Kotani and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Murakami slaps away a takedown attempt from Mc Gregor, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Mc Gregor defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Murakami.
Mc Gregor ducks under a wild hook from Murakami.

Murakami clinches up against the cage.
Mc Gregor has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Murakami is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Mc Gregor changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Murakami fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Shin Murakami has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Conor Mc Gregor.
Mc Gregor shoots in for a takedown but Murakami shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Murakami comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Murakami misses with a body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Murakami keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Murakami shoots in for a takedown but Mc Gregor shows good takedown defense.
Mc Gregor goes for a double leg but Murakami avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Murakami continues to drive forward.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mc Gregor tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Murakami defends well and Mc Gregor ends up having to push Murakami into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Murakami is looking to clinch.
Shin Murakami seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Murakami moves out of range as Mc Gregor throws a body kick.

Murakami drives through and clinches with Mc Gregor against the cage.
Mc Gregor landing knees to the body.
Mc Gregor is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Murakami gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Mc Gregor.
Murakami throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Mc Gregor blocks it with crossed arms.
Mc Gregor gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Murakami.

Murakami gets control of Mc Gregor's arms and successfully pulls guard. Murakami will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mc Gregor controlling from the top position.
Mc Gregor must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Murakami looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Murakami is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

Murakami pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mc Gregor showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Murakami.

Murakami drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Mc Gregor is working an open guard so Murakami takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Mc Gregor.
Horrible takedown attempt by Mc Gregor or perhaps it was just good defense by Murakami, which made it look bad.
Mc Gregor looks winded!
Mc Gregor tries to close the distance and clinch but Murakami swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
As Mc Gregor looks to move away, Murakami throws a big counter combo but Mc Gregor just gets out of the way.
Mc Gregor gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Murakami counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Murakami.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Murakami pulls guard.

Mc Gregor got a little sloppy there for a moment and Murakami has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Mc Gregor has managed to get both his arms back between Murakami's legs - danger averted.

Murakami is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Murakami looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Mc Gregor showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shin Murakami dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Mc Gregor misses with a head kick.
Nice sprawl there from Murakami as Mc Gregor shoots in.
A little feinted left hand from Murakami on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.

Murakami instigates a clinch.
Murakami is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Mc Gregor can do to turn this around?
Murakami taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

Murakami escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Murakami closes the distance and clinches.
Mc Gregor drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Murakami taking a breather.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Mc Gregor escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Murakami has managed to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Murakami jumps guard and drags Mc Gregor to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Murakami is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Mc Gregor looking to pass the guard.
Murakami is trying to control the position but Mc Gregor postures up.
Murakami wants to sweep but no luck.

Murakami throws his legs up looking for a submission but Mc Gregor uses it to pass to side control.
Murakami gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murakami wants to control but Mc Gregor is having none of it.
Mc Gregor takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Murakami is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mc Gregor looking to control and managing it successfully.
Mc Gregor wants to take Murakami's back but he can't do it this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murakami gets back to half guard.
Murakami wants to get back to full guard.
Shin Murakami overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Murakami is looking to control Mc Gregor's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Murakami avoid being mounted?

Mc Gregor wants to work for an arm triangle but Murakami is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Mc Gregor is breathing heavily.
Murakami gets back to full guard.

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.

Murakami is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Murakami wants to sweep here but Mc Gregor controlling him for the moment.
Murakami controlling Mc Gregor's posture.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Mc Gregor has a takedown stuffed.
As Mc Gregor tries to get set, Murakami tries to push him back and clinch up but Mc Gregor manages to avoid the attempt.
Shin Murakami has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Conor Mc Gregor.
Mc Gregor fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shin Murakami dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Murakami tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Mc Gregor paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Murakami looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Murakami is standing up over Mc Gregor. Mc Gregor looks to escape but Murakami dives into side control.

Mc Gregor bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Mc Gregor circles away from the clinch attempt.
Mc Gregor swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Murakami moves into the clinch.

Murakami's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Murakami tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Murakami gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mc Gregor tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murakami avoiding damage as Mc Gregor throws knees to the body.
Murakami is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

Murakami's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Murakami displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Mc Gregor.
Mc Gregor takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Nice takedown defense from Mc Gregor. No joy for Murakami on that attempt.
Murakami tries to land a front kick but Mc Gregor steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Mc Gregor blocks a leg kick.

Murakami drives through with a takedown into Mc Gregor's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Murakami throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mc Gregor is looking to sweep but instead, Murakami has passed into half guard.
Mc Gregor trying to hold on to Murakami's head to control him but Murakami postures up.
Mc Gregor keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Murakami controlling the action here.
Murakami takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Murakami seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Mc Gregor does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murakami throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Mc Gregor tries to get to full guard but Murakami has control of the leg.
Murakami is nestled in close to Mc Gregor, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Murakami works his foot free and advances to mount.
Mc Gregor manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Mc Gregor is staying active underneath Murakami, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murakami content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Murakami trying to control the action but Mc Gregor is working from the bottom.
Mc Gregor trying to control from the bottom.
Conor Mc Gregor has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Shin Murakami is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Murakami controlling the action here.

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

And that's the end of the fight!
Shin Murakami showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Murakami has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight for Shin Murakami!
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight for Shin Murakami!
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight for Shin Murakami!

Shin Murakami wins by unanimous decision!