PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Pavle Korchagin (ranked 7236 p4p, 597 weight class) and Cathal Murphy (ranked 4621 p4p, 477 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Korchagin
vs
Murphy

182 cm
18
181 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

180 cm
22
180 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Determined

VanDam Clothing

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Pavle Korchagin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Cathal Murphy!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Robert Douchet and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Murphy gets caught napping as Korchagin dives in and scores a takedown. Murphy manages to retain guard.
Korchagin tries to free his leg and advance position but Murphy is retaining full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Murphy controlling the position.
Korchagin is looking to pass into half guard but Murphy pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Murphy is in guard.

Murphy pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Korchagin is keeping the position for now.
Korchagin wants to sweep here but Murphy controlling him for the moment.
Murphy is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Murphy is in close to Korchagin's body, working some short punches and elbows.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Murphy stays in close to Korchagin's body and controls the position.
Korchagin is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Korchagin is looking to advance position but Murphy won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murphy is looking to improve his position.
Korchagin tries to pass the half guard into mount. Murphy knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Murphy works his way to full guard. Good work.
Korchagin won't allow Murphy to sweep him here.
Murphy is controlling Korchagin's posture.
Korchagin definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Korchagin looking to pass the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Korchagin passes Murphy's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Korchagin blocks the strikes from Murphy.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Murphy trying to control here.
Korchagin moves nicely into side control.
Murphy prevents Korchagin from moving into mount.

Korchagin swings around for an armbar but Murphy sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Korchagin's guard.

Murphy drops back, looking for a kneebar! Korchagin looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Korchagin looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Korchagin!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murphy is looking for a sweep.

Korchagin looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Murphy tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Korchagin tries to move into full mount but can't pass Murphy's legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Murphy tries to improve position but can't.
Korchagin advances to mount.
Korchagin fails to take his opponent's back.
Korchagin moves to take his opponent's back.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Murphy trying to get back to his feet but Korchagin is in full control for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pavle Korchagin dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Korchagin fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Murphy to the ground. Korchagin is now in Murphy's guard.
Pavle Korchagin overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Korchagin stands and throws Murphy's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Murphy is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Korchagin's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Murphy trying to control here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Korchagin is looking for a kimura but Murphy is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Korchagin to get the leverage.
Murphy is positioning himself well to prevent Korchagin advancing to mount.
Murphy is trying to stand.

Korchagin is looking for a kimura here.
Murphy wants to control but Korchagin is keeping busy.
Murphy striking from half guard on the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Murphy wants to sweep but Korchagin has passed to side control!
Murphy manages to get back to half guard.
Murphy trying to control but Korchagin postures up.
Korchagin moves into full mount! Murphy won't be happy about that!
Korchagin wants to take his opponent's back but instead Murphy manages to regain half guard.
Korchagin wants to free his trapped foot but Murphy is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murphy is trying to maintain the position but Korchagin is very close to passing his half guard.
Murphy controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Korchagin trying to mount his opponent but Murphy defends it.
Murphy has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Korchagin is working away from the top position though.
Murphy is looking for a sweep. Korchagin is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Murphy controlling the position well.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Korchagin gets caught flat footed, as Murphy shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Murphy postures up in Korchagin's guard and throws a big left but Korchagin blocks it.
Korchagin controls Murphy momentarily but Murphy frees himself.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Murphy landing some decent shots from guard.
Korchagin wants to sweep but no luck.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Pavle Korchagin will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Murphy scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Murphy stands up and we're back to a striking position.

Korchagin gets caught flat footed, as Murphy shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Murphy throws a big right hand that misses.
Korchagin looking to control.
Murphy showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Murphy throws a big elbow that misses.
Murphy trying to control the position from guard on top but Korchagin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Korchagin is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Korchagin is working an open guard so Murphy takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Murphy throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

Korchagin looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Murphy has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Korchagin has passed into side control.

Korchagin tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Korchagin working away.
Murphy prevents Korchagin from moving into mount.
Murphy is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Korchagin wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Murphy, who protects the arm well.

Korchagin has hold of Murphy's arm here. He's working for an Americana. It looks like he might have it! Murphy tries to escape but he's just digging himself in deeper - Korchagin cranks the arm and Murphy screams in pain! The ref makes a decision and ends the fight before the tap - no complains from Murphy, who is just happy to have his arm attached to his body.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:36 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Pavle Korchagin!