PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Joseph Murray (ranked 3666 p4p, 472 weight class) and Lateef Lisimba (ranked 6957 p4p, 705 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Murray
vs
Lisimba

172 cm
21
170 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

188 cm
25
183 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Dangerous knees
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Joseph Murray!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Lateef Lisimba!
The judges for this bout are Ryoma Takatsuka, Chris Saunders and Roger Salmon.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Murray moves into range and clinches up with Lisimba.
Come on Murray - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Murray digs a right hand underneath Lisimba's ribcage. Lisimba let out a lung full of air as it connected.
A hook to the body from Murray.
Murray prevents Lisimba from breaking the clinch.
Murray unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Murray connects with a nasty looking knee right to Lisimba's face.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Murray.
A nice left hand lands by Murray.
Murray lands a shot to the body.
Lisimba softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Nice body punch from Murray - that landed with a thud.
Murray landing knees to the body.
Murray prevents Lisimba from breaking the clinch.
Murray working Lisimba over with knees to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Murray landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Lisimba throws a head punch that misses.
Murray lands a good knee to the midsection. Lisimba won't want to take too many of those.
Murray pushes Lisimba back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Murray.
Murray putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Lisimba in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Murray lands with a right to the head.
Murray digs a right hand into Lisimba's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Lisimba's gas tank.
Murray lands a knee to the head.
Lisimba is trying to break free.
Lisimba fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Murray is leaning against Lisimba and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Stalling in the clinch from Murray.
Murray slowing the pace effectively.
Murray with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Murray lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Murray lands a nice shot to the body.
Murray holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Murray lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Murray digs a right hand into Lisimba's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Lisimba's gas tank.
Murray lands a nice knee to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lisimba throws a punch but it's blocked by Murray.
Lisimba stalling in the clinch but Murray improves position.
Lisimba's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Murray.
Lisimba looks winded!
Murray scores with a knee to the head.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Murray.
Murray stalling against the cage.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Knees in the clinch landing for Murray.
Lisimba wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Murray has him pressed against the cage.
Murray's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Murray lands a good knee to the midsection. Lisimba won't want to take too many of those.
Murray lands with a short shot to the head.
Murray crunches a lovely knee into Lisimba's ribcage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lisimba's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A nice left hand lands by Murray.
Murray works on Lisimba's body with a couple of short punches.
Murray unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Murray landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Murray dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Murray scores a nice knee to the body.
Murray connects with a knee to the head.
Murray manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Murray lands a knee to the head.
Murray is stalling here.
Murray lands a knee to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Murray landing knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for Murray to work.
Murray lands a nice uppercut.
Murray lands a right hand that snaps the head of Lisimba backwards.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Murray obliges.
Murray scores a nice knee to the body.
Murray using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Murray obliges.
Murray lands a body punch in the clinch.
Lisimba jumps guard but Murray turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
A shot in the inside from Murray.
Lisimba takes a knee right on the jaw!
Murray with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Murray lands a body shot.
Murray landing knees to the body.
Murray taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Murray obliges.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joseph Murray dominated that round.
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.

Murray drives through and clinches with Lisimba against the cage.
Lisimba's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Murray lands a shot to the body.
Lisimba takes a knee to the side of the body.
Murray slows down the pace here.
Murray has Lisimba pressed against the cage, preventing Lisimba from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Lisimba is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Murray lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Murray working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Murray lands a body punch in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A right handed body shot lands from Murray.
Murray working Lisimba over with knees to the body.
Lisimba is breathing heavily.
Murray scores a nice knee to the body.
A short body shot lands from Murray as the two fighters clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Murray working some nice short punches in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lisimba working aggressively here.
Murray scores with a hook to the body.
A short right from Murray on the inside.
A bit of stalling here from Murray.
Murray avoiding damage.
Murray lands a knee to the head.
Murray will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Lisimba up against the cage.
Murray with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
A hook to the body from Murray.
Murray lands a knee to the head.
Murray digs a right hand into Lisimba's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Lisimba's gas tank.
Murray landing knees to the head.
Lisimba throws a punch but it's blocked by Murray.
Murray dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murray is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Joseph Murray has scored more points in the clinch so far.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Murray landing knees to the body.
Murray working Lisimba over with knees to the body.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Murray.
Murray lands a body punch in the clinch.
Knees in the clinch landing for Murray.
Murray scores with a hook to the body.
Lisimba takes a knee right on the jaw!
A right handed body shot lands from Murray.
Murray works on Lisimba's body with a couple of short punches.
Murray scores with a hook to the body.
Lisimba has a couple of punches blocked by Murray.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Murray.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Murray.
Murray dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Murray softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murray unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Lisimba is trying to pull guard but Murray turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Knees to the body from Murray.
Murray working Lisimba over with knees to the body.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Murray is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Lisimba can do to turn this around?
Murray lands a good knee to the midsection. Lisimba won't want to take too many of those.
Murray putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Lisimba in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Knees in the clinch landing for Murray.
A knee to the head by Murray.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Murray takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Lisimba stalling in the clinch but Murray improves position.
Murray lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Lisimba backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murray lands a body shot in the clinch.
Murray utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Murray unloads a knee to the mid-section. Lisimba lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Murray is struggling to control the position.
Murray lands a nice shot to the body.
Murray landing knees to the head.
A body shot lands from Murray.
A short left from Murray.
Murray lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Murray unloads a knee to the mid-section. Lisimba lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Murray lands on the inside with an uppercut.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Murray prevents Lisimba from breaking the clinch.
Murray scores a nice knee to the body.
Murray digs a right hand into Lisimba's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Lisimba's gas tank.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joseph Murray dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Lisimba taking a breather.
Lisimba fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Murray landing knees to the body.
Knees in the clinch landing for Murray.
Lisimba wants to break the clinch but can't.
Murray lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Lisimba is trying to pull guard but Murray turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Come on Murray - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Murray presses Lisimba against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Murray lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Lisimba or not.
Lisimba takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Murray lands a good knee to the midsection. Lisimba won't want to take too many of those.
Murray has Lisimba pushed against the cage.
Murray scores with a shot to the side of Lisimba's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A body shot lands from Murray.
Nice body punch from Murray - that landed with a thud.
Murray lands a good knee to the midsection. Lisimba won't want to take too many of those.
Murray landing knees to the head.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Murray lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Murray lands a knee to the head.
Murray putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Lisimba in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Murray stalling in the clinch.
Lisimba jumps guard but Murray turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Joseph Murray has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lateef Lisimba.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Murray leaning his opponent against the cage.
A short body shot lands from Murray as the two fighters clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Murray obliges.
Lisimba takes a knee right on the jaw!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Murray content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Murray scores with a knee to the head.
Lisimba is looking to control Murray's arms but Murray gets an underhook and turns him. Now Lisimba has his back to the cage.
Lisimba takes a knee right on the jaw!
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Murray landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Murray lands a right hand.
A short left from Murray.
Murray presses Lisimba against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Murray putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Lisimba in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Murray lands a body punch in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murray scores a nice knee to the body.
Lisimba swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Murray stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
The referee is keeping an eye on Murray - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Murray seems to have come into the fight with the intention of avoiding any damage in the clinch, rather than actually showing any aggression.
Knees in the clinch landing for Murray.
Murray landing knees to the body.
Murray unloads a knee to the mid-section. Lisimba lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Murray stalls.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
A hook to the body from Murray.
Lisimba misses with a punch on the inside.
Murray blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Lateef Lisimba has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murray presses Lisimba against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Murray scores with a hook to the body.
Murray lands a shot to the body.
A right hook to the body lands for Murray.
Murray lands a knee to the body.
Lisimba stalling in the clinch but Murray improves position.
Lisimba fails to pull guard.
Murray leaning against his opponent.
Murray stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lisimba takes a knee to the side of the body.
Murray throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Lisimbas head.
Murray lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Murray lands an uppercut.
Murray is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Murray scores with a knee to the head.
Lisimba looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joseph Murray showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Murray has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 30:24
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 30:24
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 30:24

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joseph Murray!
Lateef Lisimba was interviewed post fight and said 'He was a tough test for me on my debut. I will be back, and I will be better every time you see me. Inshallah'.