PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kevin Murphy (ranked 5889 p4p, 601 weight class) and Sergio Martinez (ranked 24437 p4p, 780 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Murphy
vs
Martinez

185 cm
26
190 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

189 cm
24
185 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kevin Murphy !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Sergio Martinez!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, Bruno Lombardi and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Murphy tries for a takedown but Martinez sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Murphy is trying hard to land a takedown here. Martinez sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Martinez fails with the takedown.
Murphy throws a leg kick

and Martinez counters with a nice double leg into side control. Murphy won't be happy with that.

Martinez working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Murphy is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Martinez asserts his dominance and retains side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sloppy strikes there by Martinez.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Martinez prevents Murphy from escaping the position.
Murphy on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Murphy bucks up and tries to throw Martinez off but instead Martinez has got his back!

Murphy is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Martinez gets his way!

Martinez has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Murphy has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Murphy manages to get to his feet, escaping the difficult position.
Murphy lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Murphy .
Murphy throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Martinez's waist but Martinez gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Murphy off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kevin Murphy . That's going to take a lot out of him.
Martinez shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Murphy defends it nicely.
Murphy tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Martinez paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Martinez changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Murphy tries to avoid it but Martinez manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Murphy to the ground. Murphy escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Murphy throws a right and a left that both miss.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Murphy throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Martinez was covering up waiting for the punch and Murphy finishes the takedown easily into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Kevin Murphy will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Martinez shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Murphy defends it nicely.
Murphy appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.

Martinez closes the distance and pushes Murphy back into the cage.
Murphy tries to break the clinch but Martinez is controlling the position.

Murphy works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Martinez is wriggling around but Murphy manages to pass to half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Martinez trying to control from the bottom.
Murphy sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Martinez defending well though.

Murphy has hold of the far side arm. He's working for the Kimura, can Martinez defend it? Murphy steps over the head and cranks it - Martinez is tapping out! That was textbook stuff right there - nice submission victory for Murphy !

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:55 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Kevin Murphy !