PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Shane Murphy (ranked 6589 p4p, 498 weight class) and Josh Roffen (ranked 3715 p4p, 373 weight class). Josh Roffen has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Murphy
vs
Roffen

185 cm
31
190 lbs
7 - 12 - 0

175 cm
28
185 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Determined

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 7 - 12 - 0, fighting out of London, Shane Murphy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Josh Roffen!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Murphy forces Roffen back against the ropes and clinches.

Murphy escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A combination from Roffen does no damage.
A head kick misses from Murphy.
Murphy throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Roffen wants to counter the offense by Murphy and move into the clinch position.

Murphy gets tackled into the ropes by Roffen. Roffen maintains the clinch.

Murphy breaks the clinch.
Murphy is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Murphy lands with a slapping head kick.

It looks like Josh Roffen has been cut.
Murphy connects with a high kick.
Murphy ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Murphy looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Murphy wants to clinch up but Roffen keeps it at a distance.

Murphy drives through and clinches with Roffen against the ropes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Murphy manages to break the clinch.
A head kick by Murphy misses
and Roffen counters with a series of strikes. Murphy will be more careful next time no doubt.
Murphy moves forwards but Roffen connects with a nice, crisp jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murphy darts in trying to clinch
and Roffen counters with a left and a right that stings Murphy.
Murphy scores with a head kick. Roffen tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Roffen circles away from the clinch attempt.
Despite the aggression on Roffen's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Murphy avoids a punch combination nicely.
Murphy tries to close the distance and clinch up but Roffen swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Murphy tries for a takedown but Roffen sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Murphy shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Roffen sprawls well. Roffen wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Murphy gets slowly back to his feet.

Roffen closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Murphy's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Murphy lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Roffen swats away the attempt to clinch by Murphy.
Roffen swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Murphy misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Shane Murphy seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Murphy tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Roffen defends well and Murphy ends up having to push Roffen into the ropes where they will battle it out in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shane Murphy. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Roffen throws a nice looking combination but Murphy bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Murphy lands with a kick to the temple. Roffen shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Murphy fails with a takedown attempt.
Roffen is looking for the big counter here.
Roffen moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

It looks like Shane Murphy has been cut.
Roffen throws a series of punches but Murphy moves out of range.
A head kick misses from Roffen.
Josh Roffen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Roffen takes a kick to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murphy tries to move into range but Roffen moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Roffen avoids the head kick by Murphy.
Roffen appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Roffen slaps away a takedown attempt from Murphy, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Roffen blocks a head kick by Murphy.
As Murphy backs off Roffen throws a huge counter combo but Murphy manages to avoid it all.
Murphy wants to clinch but Roffen slips to the side
and Roffen counters with a one-two to the body.
Murphy tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Murphy shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Roffen as he jumps to the side.
Roffen tries to bum rush Murphy with a series of wild strikes but Murphy uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Murphy shoots for a double leg takedown but Roffen sprawls well. He's pushed Murphy's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Roffen has worked on his takedown defense in the runup to this fight and it is paying off so far.
A lazy left from Roffen finds it's target.
Roffen takes a kick to the side of the head.

That has opened up Josh Roffen's cut even more.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Murphy pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Roffen swinging wildly here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Roffen blocks a head kick by Murphy.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Roffen! But no joy.
Roffen slaps away a takedown attempt from Murphy, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Roffen clinches up with Murphy and pushes him back against the ropes.
Roffen misses with a punch on the inside.
Murphy putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Roffen in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Murphy has Roffen pressed against the ropes, preventing Roffen from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Roffen presses Murphy against the ropes and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Murphy putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Roffen in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Roffen looks winded!
Murphy working Roffen over with knees to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Murphy effectively controlling the action here.
Murphy lands a knee to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Josh Roffen will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Murphy's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Murphy tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Murphy is defended easily by Roffen.
Murphy tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Roffen tries to keep at a distance but Murphy has taken the fight into the clinch.
Murphy blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Murphy breaks from the clinch.
Murphy throws a nice head kick!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Murphy moves into the clinch.

Murphy breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Murphy looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Murphy on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murphy tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Roffen let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Roffen misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Murphy throws a sloppy head kick and Roffen moves out of range easily.
Roffen throws a hook to the side of Murphy's head but Murphy sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Roffen avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Nice shot by Roffen.
Roffen moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Murphy moves to clinch but Roffen breaks away

and Roffen counters with a single leg into guard. Murphy didn't expect that.
Roffen stopping the sweep attempt from Murphy.
Murphy lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Roffen is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Murphy is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murphy is looking to advance position but Roffen has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Roffen is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
Murphy lands with a slapping head kick.
Murphy tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Roffen throws a counter combo.
Roffen lands with a cross.
Murphy throws a sloppy head kick and Roffen moves out of range easily.
Murphy tries a head kick but it misses.
Shane Murphy is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Murphy chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Nice body punch from Roffen.
Roffen misses with the combination.
Josh Roffen seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Roffen avoids the head kick by Murphy.
Roffen let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Murphy is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Murphy lands with a kick to the temple. Roffen shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

The cut above Josh Roffen's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Roffen lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Murphy looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Roffen is fending him off so far but Murphy persists. Nope, Roffen circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shane Murphy. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Danga de danga de dang - Roffen scores with a four punch combination!
A head kick from Murphy lands but Roffen takes it in his stride.
Murphy fails with the takedown
and Roffen counters with a stiff right hand.
Murphy tries to clinch up but Roffen circles away and keeps his distance.
Roffen is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Murphy with a body shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A head kick misses from Murphy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murphy closes the distance but Roffen moves to the side
and Roffen counters with a nice body shot.
Some wild striking there from Roffen.
Roffen throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Murphy closes this distance looking for a takedown but Roffen circles away.
It seemed like Roffen was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Roffen looks to land a combination. Murphy sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Murphy throws a head kick but Roffen moves out of range.
Roffen throws out a counter right but Murphy avoids it with no problem.
Murphy throws a sloppy head kick and Roffen moves out of range easily.
Roffen defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Murphy.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Murphy moves in looking to clinch but Roffen pushes him off.
Murphy doesn't manage to clinch there - Roffen circles away.
Roffen scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh Roffen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
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 tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Murphy misses with a takedown attempt
and Roffen counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Roffen misses with a jab, cross combination.
Roffen throws a series of punches but Murphy moves out of range.
Roffen slaps away a takedown attempt from Murphy, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Roffen appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Murphy connects with a high kick.
Murphy tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Roffen manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Murphy shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shane Murphy. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Murphy drives through and clinches with Roffen against the ropes.
A right hook to the body lands for Roffen.
Roffen with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Roffen avoiding damage as Murphy throws knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Roffen breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Murphy shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Roffen sprawls well. Roffen wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Murphy gets slowly back to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Roffen lands with a shot to the body.
Roffen misses with the combination.
Roffen throws a head kick that misses.

Murphy looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Roffen has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Murphy is on him like a limpet, forcing Roffen back against the ropes.

Murphy breaks the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Roffen tries to bum rush Murphy with a series of wild strikes but Murphy uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Murphy fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
No joy there for Roffen, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Murphy is looking to clinch but Roffen is avoiding it.
Roffen steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Murphy.

Murphy pushes Roffen up against the ropes in a clinch.
Murphy utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Knees in the clinch landing for Murphy.

Murphy escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Murphy blocks a low kick nicely.
Murphy displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Roffen throws out the jab.
Well,Murphy is on his way to losing a decision here. Can he use his experience to pull something off in the closing minutes?

Murphy closes the distance and clinches.
Still in the clinch, Roffen scores with a nice short uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Murphy escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Murphy lands a head kick. Roffen smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Murphy misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Roffen lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Murphy misses with a head kick.
Murphy dodges the punch combination from Roffen.
Murphy fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Murphy is pinned up against the ropes taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Murphy shoots in looking for a takedown. Roffen tries to sprawl out of it but Murphy keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Roffen manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Murphy tries a head kick but it misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Roffen misses with a two punch combination.

Murphy darts in and clinches Roffen up against the ropes.
Shane Murphy has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Roffen wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Roffen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Roffen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Murphy moves away.
Murphy gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Roffen counters with a left to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Murphy closes the distance and pushes Roffen back into the ropes.
Murphy is trying to stall.
Shane Murphy has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Murphy breaks the clinch.
Murphy fails in his attempt to clinch.
Josh Roffen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Murphy throws a sloppy head kick
and Roffen counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Murphy tries a head kick but it misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Josh Roffen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Roffen winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight for Josh Roffen!
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight for Josh Roffen!
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight for Josh Roffen!

Josh Roffen wins by unanimous decision!