PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Shin Murakami (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pepeng Pinakamalupet (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shin Murakami has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Murakami
vs
Pinakamalupet

170 cm
29
170 lbs
5 - 9 - 0

155 cm
24
169 lbs
6 - 9 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Voodoo Nutrition

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 5 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Shin Murakami!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Pepeng Pinakamalupet!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Yukihiro Shimada and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Murakami tries to score a power double leg takedown but Pinakamalupet sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Murakami somewhat.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Pinakamalupet! But no joy.

Pinakamalupet gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Murakami keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Pinakamalupet's efforts to push away.
Pinakamalupet is trying to push Murakami away but Murakami has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pinakamalupet is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Pinakamalupet breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Murakami tries to move into range but Pinakamalupet moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.

Pinakamalupet darts in and clinches Murakami up against the cage.

Murakami breaks the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pinakamalupet moves in looking to clinch but Murakami pushes him off.
Murakami wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.

Pinakamalupet clinches up against the cage.

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

Pinakamalupet gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Murakami with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Murakami is trying to break the clinch but Pinakamalupet is controlling him.
Pinakamalupet wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Murakami is trying to break the clinch but Pinakamalupet is controlling him.

Murakami breaks from the clinch.
Pepeng Pinakamalupet seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Pinakamalupet has closed the distance and engaged Murakami in a clinch.

Pinakamalupet breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murakami attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.

Pinakamalupet clinches up against the cage.

Pinakamalupet manages to break the clinch.
Pinakamalupet fails in his attempt to clinch.
Murakami tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Pinakamalupet manages to circle out of the way.
Murakami tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Pinakamalupet manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Pinakamalupet doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Pinakamalupet has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Murakami is landing a low percentage of strikes.

Murakami gets tackled into the cage by Pinakamalupet. Pinakamalupet maintains the clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Pinakamalupet as Murakami tries to tie him up.
Murakami is trying to break free.
Pinakamalupet keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Murakami's efforts to push away.
Pinakamalupet tries to circle away but Murakami has him pinned against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murakami tries to land knees in the clinch but Pinakamalupet avoids the damage to the body.
Murakami looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Pinakamalupet has had enough of the clinch but Murakami keeps him there for the moment.

Murakami breaks the clinch.
Murakami on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Pinakamalupet digs a good hook to Murakami's body.

Pinakamalupet gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Pinakamalupet keeps control of Murakami as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Pinakamalupet manages to break the clinch.
Murakami blocks the body kick.
Pinakamalupet will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Pinakamalupet is looking to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Murakami tries to keep at a distance but Pinakamalupet has taken the fight into the clinch.

Murakami breaks from the clinch.

Pinakamalupet gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Murakami fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Pinakamalupet is trying to break free.
Pinakamalupet wants to get back to striking at distance but Murakami won't allow it.

Murakami manages to break the clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Pinakamalupet darts in and clinches Murakami up against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Murakami is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Pinakamalupet is defending well for now.
Pinakamalupet wants to break the clinch but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Murakami tries to clinch up
letting Pinakamalupet counter with a right hand.
Murakami is looking to clinch.

Pinakamalupet fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Murakami, pushing him back against the cage.
Murakami gets through Pinakamalupet's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Pinakamalupet is trying to push Murakami away but Murakami has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Murakami is trying to break the clinch but Pinakamalupet is controlling him.
Pinakamalupet has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Murakami stalling the fight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Murakami gets control of Pinakamalupet's arms and successfully pulls guard. Murakami will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Murakami working a defensive guard here.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pinakamalupet gets to his feet - Murakami follows without any prompting.

Pinakamalupet gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Pinakamalupet prevents Murakami from breaking the clinch.
Pinakamalupet working hard to break the clinch.
Murakami is looking to break free of the clinch but Pinakamalupet has double underhooks.
Murakami tries to pull guard but Pinakamalupet holds him up against the cage and eventually Murakami drops back down to his feet.
Murakami has Pinakamalupet pressed against the cage, preventing Pinakamalupet from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

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

Pinakamalupet moves into the clinch successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murakami jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Pinakamalupet walks away with a smile on his face. Murakami gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Murakami tries to keep at a distance but Pinakamalupet has taken the fight into the clinch.

Murakami manages to break the clinch.

Pinakamalupet gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Murakami wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Pepeng Pinakamalupet seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Pinakamalupet tries to circle away but Murakami has him pinned against the cage.
Pinakamalupet keeps control of Murakami as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Pinakamalupet is looking to break free of the clinch but Murakami has double underhooks.
Pinakamalupet tries to break the clinch but Murakami is controlling the position.

Pinakamalupet breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pinakamalupet listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.

Pinakamalupet forces Murakami back against the cage and clinches.
Pinakamalupet wants to break the clinch but can't.
Murakami is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Pinakamalupet to keep the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shin Murakami. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Murakami is looking to break free of the clinch but Pinakamalupet has double underhooks.
Pinakamalupet tries to break free but Murakami pushes him back against the cage.
Murakami misses with a hook to the ribs.
Murakami wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Murakami keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Pinakamalupet's efforts to push away.

Pinakamalupet breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pinakamalupet circles away from the clinch attempt.

Pinakamalupet moves into the clinch.
Murakami looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Murakami has Pinakamalupet pressed against the cage, preventing Pinakamalupet from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Pinakamalupet keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Murakami's efforts to push away.
Murakami keeps control of Pinakamalupet as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Pinakamalupet manages to break the clinch.
Pinakamalupet throws a series of punches but Murakami avoids them all with ease.

Pinakamalupet pushes Murakami up against the cage in a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Pinakamalupet gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Pinakamalupet is defending well against a takedown attempt.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Murakami keeps control of Pinakamalupet as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

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

Pinakamalupet fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Murakami, pushing him back against the cage.
Pinakamalupet is trying to break the clinch but Murakami is controlling him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Murakami is working for takedown but Pinakamalupet is calmly controlling the position for now.
Pinakamalupet is trying to break free.
Murakami tries to pull guard but Pinakamalupet forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shin Murakami. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pinakamalupet prevents Murakami from breaking the clinch.
Pinakamalupet is trying to push Murakami away but Murakami has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Murakami landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

Pinakamalupet pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Pinakamalupet is looking to clinch but Murakami is avoiding it.
Murakami tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Pinakamalupet manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Pinakamalupet swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Murakami shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Pinakamalupet sprawls well. Pinakamalupet wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Murakami gets slowly back to his feet.
Pinakamalupet is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Pinakamalupet scores with a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murakami tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Pinakamalupet defends well and Murakami ends up having to push Pinakamalupet into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Pinakamalupet forces Murakami back against the cage and clinches.

Pinakamalupet breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Pinakamalupet drives through and clinches with Murakami against the cage.

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

Pinakamalupet closes the distance and clinches.
Murakami jumps guard but Pinakamalupet turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Pinakamalupet manages to break the clinch.
Murakami blocks a leg kick.

A jab-cross combination lands for Pinakamalupet and sends Murakami crashing to the mat! Pinakamalupet follows him down to the mat - Murakami regains half guard but he's not out of trouble yet!

It looks like Shin Murakami has been cut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Pinakamalupet stands up and beckons Murakami to join him on the feet.

Pinakamalupet drives through and clinches with Murakami against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murakami is trying to break the clinch but Pinakamalupet has him pressed against the cage.

Murakami's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Shin Murakami is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Pinakamalupet gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Murakami is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Pinakamalupet pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Pinakamalupet breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Pinakamalupet lands with a straight right. Murakami didn't see that one coming.
Murakami wants to clinch.

Pinakamalupet rushes Murakami and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murakami keeps control of Pinakamalupet as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Murakami has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Pinakamalupet after a bit of a struggle.

Pinakamalupet breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Pinakamalupet rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Murakami moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Murakami half committed to a counter leg kick.

Pinakamalupet gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Pinakamalupet pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Pepeng Pinakamalupet is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Pinakamalupet clinches.
Pinakamalupet tries to break the clinch but Murakami is controlling the position.
A frustrated look appears on Pinakamalupet's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Shin Murakami has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Murakami throws a head punch that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pepeng Pinakamalupet comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Pinakamalupet 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 Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 26:30
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 26:30
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pepeng Pinakamalupet!
After the big win, Pepeng Pinakamalupet made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors Voodoo Nutrition and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.