PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Johnny Reach (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Taisto Murkula (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Reach comes into the arena with Rich Like Me blaring out of the sound system. Murkula comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Forever Angel kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! 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.

Reach
vs
Murkula

195 cm
34
195 lbs
33 - 11 - 2

184 cm
35
188 lbs
36 - 10 - 2

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Bullet Proof System
Museum of Monsters & Madmen

Museum of Monsters & Madmen
Perkele!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 33 - 11 - 2, fighting out of New York, Johnny Reach!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 36 - 10 - 2, fighting out of Amsterdam, Taisto Murkula!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Phil Schofield and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Murkula connects with the punch.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Murkula has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Murkula lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Murkula throws a sloppy body shot

and Reach counters by moving into the clinch.

Murkula breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Murkula fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Reach manages to avoid it.
It looked like Reach wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
We've been told by Reach's head coaches at K.O.N.Y. that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Reach steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Murkula. That one must have hurt.
Murkula throws a body shot but no joy.
Reach wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Reach moves away from the strike by Murkula.
Reach is looking to counter punch.
Murkula misses with a looping left.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Reach crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Murkula - the referee stops the clock and Reach gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Murkula. Reach manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Murkula swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Murkula digs a good hook to Reach's body.
Murkula fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Murkula lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Murkula throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Reach tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Murkula is in Reach's guard.

Reach has his feet on Murkula's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murkula lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Murkula loads up on a big right hand but Reach slips the punch.
Reach connects with a right hand. Murkula shakes it off.
Reach takes a jab right on the kisser.
Reach fails with an attempt to clinch.
Johnny Reach is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Murkula lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Murkula connects with a jab.

Reach has Murkula up against the cage in a clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Reach misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Murkula lands a right hand.
Reach misses with a short punch on the inside.
Murkula struggles to land a body shot inside as Reach controls his hands.

Murkula breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murkula throws a right hand that misses
and Murkula takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Murkula connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Reach momentarily.
Reach misses with a lunging right hand
and Murkula counters with a nice low kick that buckles Reach's knee momentarily.
Reach throws a half hearted mid kick.
Murkula throws a shot from downtown. Reach moves away and avoids it.

Murkula gets a double leg takedown into Reach's guard.
Murkula working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Reach keeping full guard, as Murkula tries to pass.
Murkula throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Reach works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Murkula stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Reach swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Murkula missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reach wants to stand and escape but Murkula is having none of it.
Murkula being controlled here momentarily.
Murkula wants to pass the guard but Reach is keeping the position.
Reach is looking to stand up but Murkula isn't so interested in that idea.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Reach pulls Murkula in to control the position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Reach goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Murkula throws a nice outside leg kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Reach misses the target.
Reach slips a jab and a cross from Murkula.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murkula swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Reach counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Taisto Murkula seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Reach blocks a jab.
Reach is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Murkula.
Reach misses with a left hand
and Murkula counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Reach tries to close the distance and clinch up but Murkula swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Murkula moves out of range of the body kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Murkula.
Murkula digs a good hook to Reach's body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Murkula connects with a solid leg kick.
Murkula lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Reach displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Murkula throws out the jab.
Reach moves out of range as Murkula strikes.
Reach was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Reach looks for the body kick but Murkula saw that one coming.
Reach throws a sloppy body shot
and Murkula counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Reach throws a big shot that misses.
Reach checks a leg kick nicely.
Murkula throws out a loose jab but Reach uses good head movement to avoid it.
Murkula lands a leg kick that knocks Reach off balance momentarily.
Reach pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Murkula avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Reach uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Murkula.
Murkula with a nice cross.
Murkula lands a jab to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Murkula misses with a left hand
and Murkula takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Murkula misses with an uppercut.
A big right from Murkula misses.
Murkula throws the kick towards the body but Reach avoids it.
Taisto Murkula seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Murkula gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Reach counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murkula feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Reachs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Murkula connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Murkula works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Reach misses the jab.
Reach scores with a sloppy right hand. Murkula should have avoided that one.
A solid leg kick lands there for Murkula.
Murkula lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Reach misses with a body shot.
A jab from Murkula finds it's way through Reach's defenses.
Reach tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Reach backing away here, and Murkula unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Murkula throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Reach on the side of the head.
Murkula misses with a body kick.
Reach is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Reach missing with a left hand there. Murkula was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Murkula feints the counter takedown.
Murkula has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Reach chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Murkula can pounce on him.
Murkula scores with a nice right hand.
Murkula punishes Reach's body with a nice straight punch.
Murkula looks for a takedown but Reach sprawls well.
An attempted straight right counter from Reach misses the target.
Reach scores with a jab. Murkula acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Reach takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Murkula fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Reach is out of range.
Murkula cracks Reach with a good jab.
Reach is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
A slapping leg kick lands for Murkula.
Reach throws a lazy head kick
and Murkula counters with a low kick, right behind Reach 's knee.
Reach takes a body punch but keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murkula chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Reach takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Reach throws a hook to the side of Murkula's head but Murkula sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Reach drops his hands momentarily and Murkula takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Murkula works Reach's body with a nice hook.
Murkula on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Reach bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A bone on bone clash there as Reach blocks the leg kick.
Reach cracks Murkula with a right hand to the side of the head.

Reach closes the distance and clinches.
Reach blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Reach can't find room to land a body shot as Murkula controls the action.
Reach lands on the inside with an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reach lands a damaging elbow.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Reach lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Reach misses with a punch to the body.

Murkula pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Murkula misses with a two punch combination.
Reach throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Reach throws a half hearted mid kick.
Murkula appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Reach gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Murkula.
Murkula is looking to land body kicks.
Murkula ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

Reach darts in and clinches Murkula up against the cage.
Murkula blocking some punches.
Murkula misses with a punch on the inside.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Reach.
Reach lands a shoulder strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Taisto Murkula showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Murkula avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Murkula looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Murkula moves into range and connects with a jab.
Reach slips under a jab from Murkula.
Murkula slips under a jab.
Murkula tried to score with a low kick but Reach checks it.
Murkula throws a leg kick that is checked
and Reach counters with a nice uppercut.
Reach missing with a left hand there. Murkula was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A lazy body kick from Reach

and Murkula counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Reach pushes Murkula off and scrambles back to his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Reach avoids a kick to the body.
Murkula missing with a left hand there. Reach was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Murkula connects with a single shot there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murkula throws a big shot that misses.
A punch combination from Murkula misses.
Reach misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Murkula.
Reach looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
A nice inside leg kick there by Murkula. That's going to slow Reach down.
Murkula lands a jab to the nose.
Murkula throws a quick inside leg kick.
Reach takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Murkula darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Reach scores with a nice head shot.
Murkula lands a nice looking body shot.
Murkula shoots in and drives through. Reach sprawls well.
Reach looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Reach scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Good standup being displayed there by Reach as he connects with a hook.
An inside leg kick lands from Murkula.
A solid leg kick lands there for Murkula.
Reach digs a good hook to Murkula's body.
A lazy left from Reach finds it's target.
Murkula lands a nice looking kick to the body. Reach takes a step back to recover.
Murkula cracks Reach with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Murkula rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Reach cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Reach scores with a nice right hand.

Murkula is rocked!
Reach misses with a looping right.
Murkula is still on wobbly legs! Can Reach finish him?
Murkula throws a nice outside leg kick.
Murkula seems to have recovered his senses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murkula tries to work over Reach's front leg with a kick but Reach checks it.
Murkula lands a nice leg kick that just misses Reach's sensitive parts.
Murkula misses with an attempted mid kick.
Murkula changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
A shot to the liver by Murkula. Beautiful body shot.
Murkula connects with a looping right hand.
Murkula moves forwards but Reach connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Murkula walks into a stiff left hand from Reach.
A telegraphed right hand from Murkula misses the target.
Reach is looking to counter punch.
Reach moves out of range as Murkula throws a body kick.
Murkula scores with a jab. Reach acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
A jab from Reach misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murkula fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Reach manages to avoid it.
Murkula shoots for a takedown but Reach saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Murkula fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Reach on the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A lazy body kick from Murkula
and Reach counters with a solid body kick.
Murkula throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Murkula misses with a low kick.
Reach is looking to counter the offense by Murkula and move into the clinch.
Murkula takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Murkula throws a leg kick but Reach sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Reach wants to clinch but Murkula slips to the side
and Murkula counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Murkula throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Murkula throws a series of punches but Reach avoids them all with ease.
Reach is looking to counter with head kicks.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Murkula wants to land a leg kick but Reach is out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Taisto Murkula really dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Murkula is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Reach.
Reach throws a quick counter kick to the body but Murkula avoids it.
Murkula looks to throw a body kick
and Reach counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Murkula misses the shot to the body.
Murkula misses with a leg kick
and Reach counters with a right hand to the body.
Nice body kick there by Reach.
Murkula gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Reach.
Murkula rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Reach counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Murkula throws a quick inside leg kick.
Murkula lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Murkula misses with a body kick.
A solid leg kick lands there for Murkula.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Reach darts in and clinches Murkula up against the cage.

Murkula breaks from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murkula has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Reach finds it's way round the side to connect with Murkula's head.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Murkula.
Murkula gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Murkula takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Reach has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Murkula.
Murkula misses with a straight right.
Reach swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Murkula.
Murkula fails with the takedown.
Murkula throws a body kick that misses
and Reach counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
A leg kick checked by Reach.
Reach tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Murkula manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Murkula connects with an inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good leg kick by Murkula there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Reach takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Murkula thuds his shin into the meat of Reach's side.
Reach checks a leg kick nicely.
Murkula throws a body kick that misses.
And Reach counters with a quick kick to the body but Murkula blocks it.
Murkula dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Murkula throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Murkula lands with an uppercut that bounces Reach off the cage and back into range.
Murkula looks to land a left hand but Reach moved out of range nicely.
Murkula feints and then cracks Reach's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Reach down.
Nice jab there from Reach.
Reach uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Murkula.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Reach clinches.
Murkula scores with a shot to the side of Reach's head.
Murkula avoiding damage as Reach throws knees to the body.
Reach misses with an elbow over the top.
Reach lands a body punch.
Reach misses with a punch to the body.
Reach lands a left hand.
Reach blocks an uppercut.
Reach makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Johnny Reach has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Reach goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Murkula has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Reach stops a takedown attempt from Murkula.
Murkula can't get the takedown.
Johnny Reach has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Taisto Murkula.
Murkula is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Reach is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Murkula misses with the head strike.
Murkula working aggressively here.
Reach misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reach swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Reach working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Reach misses with a hook to the ribs.
Reach will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Murkula has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Reach avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Murkula takes a shot to the head.
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!
A head punch on the inside from Reach fails to land.
Murkula working aggressively here.
Reach lands a hook that snaps the head of Murkula backwards.
Murkula looking for a takedown.
Murkula blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Murkula takes an elbow to the temple.
Murkula blocking some punches.
Reach misses with a body punch.
Reach misses with the head strike.
Reach tries a body shot but Murkula blocks it.
Murkula misses with a hook from the clinch.
Murkula is trying to push Reach away but Reach has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Reach had his way with Taisto Murkula in that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Murkula uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Reach.
Reach takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Reach checks the leg kick nicely there.
Reach was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Murkula throws a predictable looking body shot
letting Reach counter with a right hand.
Reach scores with a jab to the head.

Reach lands a big right hand that sends Murkula crashing to the mat! Reach stays standing though and waves Murkula back to his feet!
Murkula slips a jab from Reach.
Murkula follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Reach blocks a jab.
Murkula uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Reach.
Murkula with the counter takedown but Reach avoids it easily.
A good leg kick by Murkula.
Reach checks a leg kick.
It looked like Reach wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Murkula throws an off balance right hand
and Reach counters with a monster hook and another for good measure! Murkula falls to the ground, out cold! Stick some heavy metal music over the top of that clip and it's one for the highlight makers!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:59 of round 5, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Johnny Reach!
Johnny Reach retains his middleweight title!
An out of breath Johnny Reach thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.