PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Edgar Bowen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Murphy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Murphy comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Sinead O'connor The foggy Dews kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Michael Murphy has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Bowen
vs
Murphy

214 cm
25
151 lbs
2 - 6 - 0

177 cm
25
151 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Edgar Bowen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Michael Murphy!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Cecil Peabody and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Murphy fails to land with a series of punches.
Murphy misses with a jab, cross combination.
Murphy fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Bowen manages to avoid it.

Bowen gets in close and instigates a clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Murphy.

Bowen breaks the clinch.
Murphy scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

Bowen moves into the clinch.

Murphy breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A punch combination from Murphy misses.
Some wild striking there from Murphy.
Bowen staying out of range there.
Murphy misses with a wild body shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Murphy throws a shot to the body.

Bowen has managed to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bowen manages to break the clinch.
Murphy throws a left and a right that both miss
and Bowen counters with a three punch combo that has Murphy backing up. Murphy nods at Bowen to acknowledge the strikes.
Murphy throws a combination. Bowen tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

Murphy closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Bowen quickly recovers to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bowen works his way to full guard. Good work.
Murphy working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Bowen's head.

Bowen had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Murphy defends it easily.
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!

Bowen is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

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

Bowen had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Murphy defends it easily.
Bowen really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Bowen throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Murphy wanted to stand there but Bowen had control of the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bowen utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Murphy distracts Bowen with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Murphy wanted to stand there but Bowen had control of the position.
Murphy landing some decent shots from guard.

Bowen looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Murphy in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Murphy with a flurry of punches that miss.
Murphy really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Bowen. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Murphy wants to control from the top but Bowen keeps moving.
Murphy is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Bowen is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Murphy must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Bowen looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Bowen looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Murphy scoring with punches to the head and body.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Murphy's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Bowen looking for a guillotine here but Murphy defends easily.
Bowen is breathing heavily.

Bowen is looking for a triangle but Murphy pushes his legs off easily.
Murphy trying to control the position from guard on top but Bowen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bowen tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murphy is looking to work some ground and pound but Bowen has wrist control.
Bowen manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Murphy manages to get himself to full guard.

Bowen with a flurry of punches that miss.
Bowen content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Murphy 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.
Murphy not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Bowen content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Murphy working for a triangle but Bowen defends it easily.
Murphy looking to hit a scissor sweep but Bowen is one step ahead there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Michael Murphy will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Murphy loads up on a big right hand but Bowen slips the punch.
Bowen is looking to counter the offense by Murphy and move into the clinch.
Murphy will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A punch combination from Murphy misses.
Murphy lunges at Bowen with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Bowen's hand.
Bowen shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Murphy sprawls well. Murphy wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Bowen gets slowly back to his feet.
Bowen takes a body punch but keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Murphy feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Murphy wants to control from the top but Bowen keeps moving.

Bowen is looking for a triangle here but Murphy uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bowen is trying to improve his position.
Bowen sneaks back into half guard.
Bowen gets back to full guard.

Murphy got a little sloppy there for a moment and Bowen has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Murphy has managed to get both his arms back between Bowen's legs - danger averted.
Murphy missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Murphy postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Bowen with a couple of shots from the bottom there - nothing Murphy can't handle though.
Murphy looking to pass the guard.

Bowen is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Murphy defends well.
Murphy postures up and lands a big shot to Bowen's brow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bowen has momentary wrist control but Murphy slips an elbow through the middle.

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

Bowen is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Bowen is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Murphy preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Murphy regains full guard. Nicely done.
Murphy utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Murphy 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.
Bowen makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bowen working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Murphy's head.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Bowen's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Bowen throws a strike but Murphy rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Murphy passes into half guard.
Bowen gets full guard.
Bowen throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Murphy content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Bowen is on top in guard.

Bowen is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Murphy striking off his back but it's not causing Bowen any problems.

Bowen gets to his feet - Murphy follows without any prompting.
Bowen avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murphy tries to bum rush Bowen with a series of wild strikes but Bowen uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A counter left hand to the body from Bowen misses its target.
Bowen fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Murphy avoids it really well and circles away.
Murphy bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Bowen's head.
Murphy is looking to clinch but Bowen is avoiding it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bowen tries to move into range but Murphy moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Murphy misses with a wild combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Murphy showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Murphy drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Murphy stopping the sweep attempt from Bowen.
Bowen has momentary wrist control but Murphy slips an elbow through the middle.

Bowen is looking for a triangle but Murphy pushes his legs off easily.
Murphy cracks Bowen with a solid left hand.
Bowen keeping moving, preventing Murphy from controlling successfully.

Bowen is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Murphy accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Bowen has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bowen keeping moving, preventing Murphy from controlling successfully.
Bowen looking for a sweep. Not yet Bowen, not yet.

Bowen working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Murphy doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Murphy manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Murphy stopping the sweep attempt from Bowen.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bowen is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Murphy is aware though and is defending well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bowen tries to strike from the bottom.
Edgar Bowen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Bowen is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Murphy trying to control but Bowen is working from the bottom.
Murphy connects with a couple of short punches.

Bowen is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Bowen trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Murphy postures up and lands a big shot to Bowen's brow.
Bowen 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.
Murphy postures up and lands a big shot to Bowen's brow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murphy scoring with some ground and pound.
Murphy distracts Bowen with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Bowen is rocked!
Bowen has momentary wrist control but Murphy slips an elbow through the middle.
Oh Bowen is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Murphy scoring with punches to the head and body.
Murphy content to stall in guard here.
Bowen tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Murphy tries to stand but Bowen is controlling from the bottom.
Murphy scoring with some ground and pound.
Murphy is in close to Bowen's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Murphy trying to control but Bowen is working from the bottom.
Murphy stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Bowen swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Bowen has his foot on Murphy's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Murphy works his way back into a safe position though.
Murphy has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Murphy is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Bowen looking for subs off his back but Murphy has passed one foot through into half guard.
Bowen on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Murphy lands a nice short elbow.
Murphy is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Murphy wants to lay and pray for a moment but Bowen keeps working.
Bowen tries to get to full guard but Murphy has control of the leg.
Bowen misses with some strikes from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murphy looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Bowen with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Murphy lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Bowen wants to get back to full guard.
Murphy is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Bowen is looking to improve his position.
Nice strikes from Murphy there.
Murphy is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Murphy cracks Bowen with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Murphy prevents Bowen from getting the reversal.
Murphy fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Murphy looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Murphy tries to control but Bowen wriggling away.
Bowen is looking to get to half guard.
Bowen is working hard here to advance position.
The referee warns Bowen that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Bowen is desperately trying to improve his position but Murphy has a good base and remains in mount.
Murphy cracks Bowen with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Murphy is in the full mount, landing strikes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The referee warns Bowen that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Bowen gets back to half guard.
Murphy with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Murphy landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bowen looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Bowen tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

Murphy stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Bowen gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Murphy lands the left hand.
Murphy connects with a nice looking jab.
Murphy misses with the combination.
Murphy throws a nice looking combination but Bowen bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Bowen tries to clinch but Murphy is having none of it.
Bowen dodges the punch combination from Murphy.

Bowen has taken the fight to the clinch.

Murphy escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Bowen looks to score with a jab to the body but Murphy is just out of range.
Murphy misses with a hook to the body

and Bowen counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Murphy breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Murphy circles away from the clinch attempt.
Edgar Bowen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Michael Murphy is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Michael Murphy seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Murphy lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Bowen circles away quickly and effectively.
Bowen throws the kick towards the body but Murphy avoids it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Michael Murphy comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Murphy winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:30
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 28:29
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michael Murphy!
Michael Murphy decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.