PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Yoshihiko Murasaki (ranked 4256 p4p, 390 weight class) and Kip Menhaden (ranked 6399 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Murasaki
vs
Menhaden

165 cm
21
150 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Good chin

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Granite 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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Yoshihiko Murasaki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kip Menhaden!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Johanna Lukiainen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Menhaden 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.

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

Murasaki has hold of one of Menhaden's legs. Menhaden is fighting the takedown attempt but Murasaki gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.

Menhaden looking for a guillotine here but Murasaki defends easily.
Menhaden is trying to keep Murasaki in close.
Murasaki lands a couple of elbows.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Menhaden looking for a sweep. Not yet Menhaden, not yet.
Murasaki wants to stand and escape but instead Menhaden has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Murasaki 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.
Menhaden pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Murasaki is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murasaki thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Menhaden looking to pass the guard.

Murasaki throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Murasaki tries to strike from the bottom.
Menhaden chips away with some ground and pound.
Menhaden scoring with some ground and pound.
Murasaki looking for a sweep. Not yet Murasaki, not yet.
Menhaden postures up and lands a big shot to Murasaki's brow.
Menhaden is stalling in the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Menhaden slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Menhaden has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Murasaki taking a bit of punishment here - Menhaden scoring with strikes.
Menhaden happy to just control the position for now.
Murasaki taking a bit of punishment here - Menhaden scoring with strikes.
Menhaden working the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Murasaki is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Menhaden off and has taken his back!

Murasaki goes for a risky armbar from back mount and it's not paid off. Menhaden escapes and is now in half guard on top.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Menhaden is trying to work for a kimura but Murasaki is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Menhaden seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Menhaden is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Murasaki is in trouble now - Menhaden has advanced to mount!
Murasaki working to try and regain half guard.
Murasaki is breathing heavily.
Menhaden working away from the top, dropping strikes.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Menhaden cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Menhaden has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Murasaki's face.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
BOOM! Menhaden connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Menhaden lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Menhaden connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Menhaden breaks from Murasaki's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Menhaden lands a heavy elbow.
Menhaden is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Murasaki can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Menhaden in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Menhaden scores with a couple of good head shots there.
BOOM! Menhaden connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Menhaden controlling his opponent.
Menhaden looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kip Menhaden dominated that round.
That's time! Murasaki's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Menhaden throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Menhaden throws a low kick but it's checked well by Murasaki.
Murasaki throws a quick counter kick to the body but Menhaden avoids it.

Murasaki gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Menhaden to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Menhaden passes Murasaki's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Menhaden drops an elbow to the side of Murasaki's head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Murasaki looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Menhaden trying to pass the guard but Murasaki defending well.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Menhaden lands a nice short elbow.
Menhaden has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Menhaden sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Murasaki trying to control from the bottom.
Menhaden has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Menhaden dominating with strikes here.
Menhaden working Murasaki over with strikes here.
Murasaki is trying desperately to improve position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Murasaki is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Menhaden fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
A nice elbow there by Menhaden.
Murasaki is looking to get to half guard.
Murasaki is bucking up trying to escape but Menhaden cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Menhaden is landing with some decent strikes but Murasaki is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Menhaden putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Menhaden lands a couple of good shots and Murasaki has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Kip Menhaden has got the better of the ground game so far.
Menhaden punishes Murasaki with strikes from the back mount.
Menhaden lands punches and elbows.
Menhaden scores with a nice shot to the head of his opponent. Murasaki is looking for a way out.
Menhaden has the hooks in. Murasaki is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Menhaden is landing with strikes from the back.

Menhaden is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Murasaki has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Menhaden controlling the position well here. Murasaki rolled but Menhaden kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
Menhaden lands with a hammerfist to the side of Murasaki's head.
Menhaden has good solid back control here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murasaki is taking damage to the body and head.
The referee is taking a good look at Murasaki as he is on the wrong end of some big shots from Menhaden!

Menhaden looking for the choke but no joy.
Menhaden scores with a nice shot to the head of his opponent. Murasaki is looking for a way out.

Menhaden looking to break Murasaki's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Murasaki remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Menhaden will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Menhaden has Murasaki flattened out and is raining down punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kip Menhaden showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Menhaden closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Murasaki's guard.
Menhaden stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Murasaki swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Murasaki working for submissions but it's allowed Menhaden to get to half guard.
Menhaden keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Menhaden scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Murasaki knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Menhaden on the ground.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Menhaden landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

Murasaki pushes Menhaden off and gets back to his feet.

Menhaden drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Murasaki on the wrong end of some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murasaki is looking for a sweep.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Murasaki is not content to let Menhaden control the position.
Menhaden lands a few punches from side control.
Menhaden lands some shots froms side control.
Murasaki trying his best to control but Menhaden has mounted him.
Menhaden dominating with strikes here.
Murasaki is working to get back to half guard.
Kip Menhaden is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Menhaden landing strikes, looking to finish!
Menhaden looking to finish Murasaki with some ground and pound. This is bad for Murasaki!
Menhaden controlling from mount.
Menhaden postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Murasaki looks a forlorn figure.
Murasaki takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Menhaden controlling from the full mount.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Menhaden has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Murasaki's face.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murasaki throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Menhaden can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Murasaki is looking to escape.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Menhaden cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!

Menhaden jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Murasaki is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Murasaki and Menhaden has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Menhaden scores with a couple of short elbows.
Murasaki is trying to control Menhaden's posture but Menhaden avoids it.
Menhaden wants to lay and pray for a moment but Murasaki keeps working.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murasaki tries to buck Menhaden off but Menhaden is having none of it.
Menhaden happy to just control the position for now.
Murasaki tries to buck Menhaden off but Menhaden is having none of it.
Murasaki takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Murasaki is trying to get back to half guard.
Menhaden working the ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kip Menhaden comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Menhaden 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight for Kip Menhaden!
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight for Kip Menhaden!
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight for Kip Menhaden!

Kip Menhaden wins by unanimous decision!