PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Marc Melton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shin Murakami (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shin Murakami will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Melton
vs
Murakami

162 cm
19
177 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

170 cm
24
170 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
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 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Marc Melton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Shin Murakami!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Yuuki Gou and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Melton tries to bum rush Murakami with a series of wild strikes but Murakami uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Murakami gets a takedown into half guard.
Melton could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Murakami is just content to waste time from the top position. Melton takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.

Melton working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Murakami has passed into half guard!
Murakami works his way into side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Murakami looking to control but instead Melton has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Melton looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

Murakami stands up out of the half guard.
Murakami plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

It looks like Marc Melton has been cut.
A head kick misses from Murakami.

Murakami dives in and scores a takedown into Melton's guard.

Melton has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Murakami has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.

Murakami jumps guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Murakami looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murakami lands a good elbow from the bottom.
Murakami looking to control.
Melton preventing the sweep.
Murakami looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Murakami tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

Murakami throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Melton escapes and throws Murakami's legs to the side, diving into side control!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Murakami tries to improve position but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murakami manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Murakami not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Murakami tries to pass to full mount but Melton defends it.
Murakami content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Melton taking some punishment here, with Murakami in his half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Melton looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Murakami looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Murakami is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Melton looking for submissions off his back.
Murakami is looking to stall here but Melton recovers full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shin Murakami dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Marc Melton's cut.
That's time! Melton's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Murakami closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Murakami lands in his opponent's guard.
Melton keeping moving, preventing Murakami from controlling successfully.
Murakami lands a couple of decent looking shots.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Murakami slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Murakami wants to control from the top but Melton keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murakami pushing down on Melton's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Murakami thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Melton's head.

Melton kicks Murakami off and gets back to his feet.
No luck for Melton with that takedown attempt.
Melton throws a hook but Murakami blocks it.
As Melton backs off Murakami throws a huge counter combo but Melton manages to avoid it all.

Murakami looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Murakami trying to control the position from guard on top but Melton is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Murakami gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Melton gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Melton looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Murakami has picked Melton up and slammed him! Melton can't keep hold of the triangle and Murakami manages to pass to side control!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Murakami tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Murakami lands a decent elbow from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murakami wants to lay and pray for a moment but Melton keeps working.
Murakami moves into full mount!
Melton is trying to escape the mount.
Murakami looking to control and managing it successfully.
Melton is in a horrible position here. Murakami smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Shin Murakami has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murakami lands a nice shot to the head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Murakami tries to control but Melton wriggling away.
Murakami prevents Melton from getting the reversal.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Murakami tries to control but Melton wriggling away.

Murakami swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Melton is now in Murakami's guard. A big mistake from Murakami there, giving up the dominant position!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shin Murakami showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Marc Melton's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

The fight stays on the outside here - Melton looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
And Murakami tries to counter it with a takedown but Melton pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Marc Melton is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Murakami lands a slapping body shot.

Murakami gets a takedown into half guard.
Murakami wants to lay and pray for a moment but Melton keeps working.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Murakami wants to stand up but Melton has a hold of him and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Still in half guard, Murakami seems content to control.
Murakami trying to control from half guard but Melton is working away.

Melton actively working from the bottom here.
Murakami missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Murakami thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Melton's head.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Murakami closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Murakami wants to control but Melton is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Melton tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Melton tries to escape but Murakami is in control.
Melton is not content to let Murakami control the position.
Murakami takes advantage of some sloppy striking from Melton to pass into mount.
Murakami tries to control but Melton wriggling away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Melton flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Murakami wants to control the pace but Melton is squirming around nicely.
Murakami prevents Melton from getting the reversal.
Murakami trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Murakami working Melton over with strikes here.
Murakami sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

Murakami is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Melton has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Melton!
Murakami working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Melton.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shin Murakami comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Murakami 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 Taro Takaoka scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 27:30
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shin Murakami!