PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Geraldo Mason (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jeff Murray (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Mason
vs
Murray

155 cm
20
177 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

180 cm
25
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Geraldo Mason!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Jeff Murray!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Richard Clark and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Murray shoots for a takedown but Mason saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Mason went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
We've been hearing reports that Mason has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Murray tries for a takedown but Mason sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Mason could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Murray shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Mason counters with a one-two to the body.
Geraldo Mason has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jeff Murray.
Murray shoots in looking for a takedown but Mason manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Murray's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Horrible takedown attempt by Murray or perhaps it was just good defense by Mason, which made it look bad.

Murray shoots in and bounces Mason off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Murray is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Murray wants to stand but Mason has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mason 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.
Murray scoring with some ground and pound.
Murray wants to stand but Mason has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Murray controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Mason controls Murray momentarily but Murray frees himself.
Murray postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Murray lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Murray tries to stand but Mason is controlling from the bottom.
Murray slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Murray stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Mason swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Murray is stalling in the full guard.
Mason is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Murray is controlling him.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Nice sprawl there from Mason as Murray shoots in.
Mason throws a big counter combination but Murray scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Jeff Murray seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Murray darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Murray working Mason over with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Still in half guard, Murray seems content to control.
It looks like Murray might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Mason might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Murray tries to stand and escape but Mason is controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Mason tries to kick Murray off but Murray keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Murray winds up and cracks Mason with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Mason wants to get back to his feet.
Murray has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Murray landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Murray wants to pass the guard but Mason is defending well.
Murray stops Mason from getting back to his feet.
Murray is controlling the pace.
Mason pushes Murray off looking to stand but Murray dives back in and keeps control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jeff Murray dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Murray fails with a takedown attempt.
Mason appears to be looking for a big counter.
Murray has a takedown stuffed.
Mason is looking for a counter combo.
Mason throws a looping overhand right but Murray ducks down to avoid it.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Mason.

Murray sneaks out the side door and pushes Mason away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mason fails with an attempt to clinch.
Murray wants to counter with a clinch but Mason pushes him away.
Murray has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Murray looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Mason is fending him off so far but Murray persists. Nope, Mason circles away and we're back to standing.
Geraldo Mason has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jeff Murray.
Mason leaves Murray with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murray fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Mason avoids it really well and circles away.
Murray fails with a takedown attempt.
Mason displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Murray.
Murray fails with the takedown.

Mason gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

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

Mason closes the distance and clinches.
Murray tries for a takedown but Mason manages to get underhooks.

Mason gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Murray trying to control from the bottom.
Jeff Murray has got the better of the ground game so far.
Murray preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Murray trying to control from the bottom.
Mason knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Murray on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mason is looking to take a break and control but Murray is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Murray manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Murray closes this distance looking for a takedown but Mason circles away.
Murray tries to score a power double leg takedown but Mason sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Murray somewhat.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Murray.
Horrible takedown attempt by Murray or perhaps it was just good defense by Mason, which made it look bad.
Murray is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Murray is defended easily by Mason.
Mason misses with a two punch combination.
Murray shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Mason pinned against the cage. Mason gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Murray fails with a takedown attempt.
Geraldo Mason is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Murray.
As Murray looks to move away, Mason throws a big counter combo but Murray just gets out of the way.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Geraldo Mason dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Murray doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Mason counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Murray with a lazy takedown attempt
and Mason counters with a three punch combo that has Murray backing up. Murray nods at Mason to acknowledge the strikes.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Murray.
Mason feinted with a counter takedown.
Geraldo Mason has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jeff Murray.
Murray dives in for a single leg takedown but Mason sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Mason throws a right hand that Murray ducks under and follows up with a left that Murray also avoids with ease.

Mason rushes Murray and presses him up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Mason breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Mason ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Murray moves away.
Murray is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Mason with a body shot.
Murray tries for a takedown but Mason circles away easily
and Mason counters with a three punch combo that has Murray backing up. Murray nods at Mason to acknowledge the strikes.
Murray takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murray shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Mason as he jumps to the side.
Murray darts in looking for a takedown but Mason gets double underhooks and turns Murray into the cage.
Mason fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Murray on the side of the head.
Mason connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Murray misses with a takedown
and Mason counters with a nice uppercut.

Mason clinches up with Murray and pushes him back against the cage.

Mason breaks from the clinch.
Mason cracks a nice hook into Murray's ribs.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Murray.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mason moves into range and clinches up with Murray.

Mason manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Mason is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Murray trying to control but Mason is working from the bottom.
Murray lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Murray thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Murray sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Mason's guard.
Geraldo Mason is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mason is looking to escape.
Murray is controlling the pace.
Murray wants to pass to mount but Mason is defending the position.
Mason wants to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Mason has hold of Murray's hands but Murray slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Mason looks like he's trying to stand up.

Murray escapes and gets back to his feet.
Nice sprawl there from Mason as Murray shoots in.
Murray shoots in for a takedown but Mason shows good takedown defense.
Murray closes this distance looking for a takedown but Mason circles away.
Murray shoots in and drives through. Mason sprawls well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Murray fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Mason avoids it really well and circles away.
Mason appears to be looking for a big counter.

And that's the end of the fight!
Geraldo Mason showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Mason has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight for Geraldo Mason!
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight for Geraldo Mason!
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight for Geraldo Mason!

Geraldo Mason wins by unanimous decision!