PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Steven Steele (ranked 2175 p4p, 248 weight class) and Freddy Murphy (ranked 3207 p4p, 348 weight class). Steele comes into the arena with Bloody Sunday blaring out of the sound system. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Steele
vs
Murphy

184 cm
26
197 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

185 cm
24
195 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Very quick

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Intelligent

Arcticus University: London

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Steven Steele!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Freddy Murphy!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, William Peck and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Steele darts in and clinches Murphy up against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Murphy.
Murphy missing with knees to the body.
Steele takes a shot to the head.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Steele just misses with a elbow thrown towards Murphy's brow.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Steele just misses with a elbow thrown towards Murphy's brow.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Steele.
Murphy wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Steele has him pressed against the cage.
Steele lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Steele throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Murphy takes an elbow to the temple.

It looks like Freddy Murphy has been cut.
Steele pushes off an throws an elbow but Murphy leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Steele just misses with a elbow thrown towards Murphy's brow.
Murphy is trying to break free.
Steele creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Murphy's defenses.
Steele misses with an elbow over the top.
Murphy jumps guard but Steele turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Steele comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Murphy blocks an uppercut.

Steele gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Murphy regains guard.
Steele prevents Murphy from getting back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steele wanted to stand there but Murphy had control of the position.
Murphy wants to sweep but no luck.
Murphy will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Murphy can do anything to dispel that myth.
Murphy trying to keep a closed guard but Steele is proving a slippery customer.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Steele wants to stand but Murphy has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Murphy throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Steele pushes Murphy up against the cage in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Steele gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Murphy misses with a punch to the body.
Steele lands a nice elbow.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Steele as Murphy tries to tie him up.
Murphy misses with a knee to the head.
Murphy tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Murphy just misses with a elbow thrown towards Steele's brow.
Murphy has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Steele after a bit of a struggle.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Murphy takes an elbow to the forehead.

Steele is trying to trip Murphy. He has hold of a leg but Murphy is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Steele persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Steele has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Murphy is proving hard to escape from.
Murphy trying to control the position.
Steele trying to stand up but can't free himself from Murphy's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murphy is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Steele wants to stand but Murphy is controlling his posture from full guard.
Murphy is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

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

That's four 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.

Steele darts in and clinches Murphy up against the cage.
Murphy takes an elbow to the forehead.
Steele throws an elbow but it's blocked.
A short right from Murphy on the inside.
Murphy blocks an elbow strike from Steele.
Murphy wants a takedown.
Steven Steele has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Freddy Murphy.

Steele is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Murphy can't fight it off and eventually Steele manages to take the fight to the floor. Murphy looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Steele has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Steele knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Murphy on the ground.
Murphy has a closed guard, preventing Steele from standing up.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Murphy is on top in guard.

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steven Steele dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Freddy Murphy's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Murphy avoids a wild elbow strike from Steele.
Steele lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Murphy blocks an elbow strike from Steele.
Murphy wants a takedown.
Steele creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Steele misses with some punches.
Murphy is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Murphy takes an elbow to the forehead.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice elbow from Steele.

Murphy's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Steele is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Murphy can do to turn this around?

Steele pushes Murphy up against the cage in a clinch.
Murphy throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Steele blocks it with crossed arms.
Murphy lands a hook to the side of the head.
Steele pushes off an throws an elbow but Murphy leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steele lands with a short shot to the head.
Steele lands an elbow inside.
Murphy is trying to break free.
Murphy takes an elbow to the forehead.
Murphy is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Steele pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Murphy is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Steele is keeping busy.
Steele lands an elbow inside.

Steele turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Steele manages to end up in side control.
Steele tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Steven Steele overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steele moves out of range of the body kick from Murphy.

Steele has managed to clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Steele works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Murphy wants to get back to his feet but Steele is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Steele wanted to stand there but Murphy had control of the position.
Murphy is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Steele is controlling him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murphy wants to sweep but no luck.
Murphy looking to control.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Murphy is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Steele drives through and clinches with Murphy against the cage.

Steele turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Steele manages to end up in side control.
Murphy wants to control but Steele postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steele wants to stand but Murphy is controlling his arm.
Murphy is trying to control Steele's posture but Steele avoids it.
Murphy is looking for a sweep.
Steele tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Murphy can't do much from the bottom here.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steven Steele dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Freddy Murphy's cut.
That's time! Steele's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Steele closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Murphy drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Steele gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Murphy is trying to push Steele away but Steele has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Steele throws an elbow that misses.
Steele blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Steele creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Murphy's defenses.
Steele lands a nice elbow.

Steele turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Murphy is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Steele off and has taken his back!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Murphy keeps control of the position as Steele tries to break free.

Murphy has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
I really don't envy Steele right now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Murphy looking for the choke from the back.
Steele trying to control the position but Murphy manages to sink in the hooks.
You can see the frustration on Steele's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Murphy avoiding Steele 's attempts to control his hands.

Steele defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Murphy's arms.
Steele tries to break free.
Steele rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Steele wants to get back to full guard.

Murphy is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Murphy content to control rather than advance.
Steele is concentrating on defense, preventing Murphy from advancing position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Murphy is looking for a kimura but Steele is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Murphy to get the leverage.
Steele controlling the position for now.
Murphy seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.

Murphy is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Steele doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Murphy.
Steele is staying active underneath Murphy, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Steele is looking to improve his position.

Murphy is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steele is controlling Murphy's trapped leg to prevent Murphy from advancing to side control.
Steele wants to improve his position but Murphy is controlling well.
Steele wants to get back to full guard but Murphy has mounted him!
Murphy working the ground and pound effectively.
Murphy is looking to stand but Steele has his arms wrapped tightly around him, looking to prevent the damage.
Steele tries to lock up and control but Murphy gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Steele holds on for dear life, controlling Murphy's posture momentarily.
Steele can't escape the position.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Murphy working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Murphy is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Steele has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Steven Steele is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Steele is in all sorts of trouble here.
Steele tries to hold on but Murphy pushes him away.
Steele is wriggling around trying to escape.

Murphy with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Steele wants to hold on but Murphy pushes him away.
Murphy trying to control but Steele is having none of it.
Steele regains half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Freddy Murphy comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Steele has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Alec Ball scores the fight 29:28
Judge William Peck scores the fight 29:28
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Steven Steele!