PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mick Murphy (ranked 43 p4p, 7 weight class) and Junkyard Dog (ranked 166 p4p, 22 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Murphy
vs
Dog

193 cm
32
185 lbs
30 - 9 - 0

182 cm
33
195 lbs
31 - 20 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing
UnderGround Clothing Co.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 30 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mick Murphy!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 31 - 20 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Junkyard Dog!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Yuuki Gou and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Murphy looks to land a left hand but Dog moved out of range nicely.

Dog has managed to clinch.
Dog tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Murphy tries to work over Dog's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Murphy misses with a punch to the body.
Murphy can't find room to land a body shot as Dog controls the action.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Dog.
A hook to the body from Dog.
Murphy scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Dog.
Murphy doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Dog breaks the clinch.
Dog misses with a leg kick
and Murphy counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Murphy works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Murphy throws a hook to the side of Dog's head but Dog sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Murphy checks a leg kick.
Dog works Murphy's body with a nice hook.
Dog avoids the body shot from Murphy.

Dog bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Dog working the strikes but Murphy uses the opportunity to regain half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dog lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Dog lands strikes from half guard.
Dog thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Murphy wants to get back to full guard.

Dog is looking for a kimura here.
Dog is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murphy avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Dog.
Dog throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Dog misses with a head shot. Murphy uses the momentum to regain guard.
Dog throws an elbow that misses. Murphy uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Dog's guard. Nice move by Murphy!

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Dog is looking for a triangle but Murphy pushes his legs off easily.
Dog is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Dog has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Dog has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Murphy has passed into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dog is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Murphy is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Dog is in all sorts of trouble here.
Dog is still trying to improve position.
Murphy controlling his opponent.
Murphy prevents Dog from getting the reversal.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murphy controlling from the full mount.
Murphy prevents Dog from getting the reversal.
Murphy wants to control the pace but Dog is squirming around nicely.
Dog tries to lock up and control but Murphy gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Dog is trying desperately to improve position.
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 Mick Murphy will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Murphy checks the leg kick.
Murphy scores with a nice head shot.
Murphy scores with a decent looking hook.
Dog bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Dog! But no joy.
Murphy misses with a looping left.
Dog misses with a straight right.
Murphy throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Dog throws a leg kick which misses Murphy's front leg but catches the back leg as Murphy tries to avoid it.
Murphy is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Dog ducks under a wild hook from Murphy.
Murphy misses with a hook
and Dog counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Murphy thinking.
A left lands for Murphy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Murphy throws out a powerful jab.
Murphy throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Murphy throws a nice outside leg kick.
Dog tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Murphy was well out of range. Poor timing from Dog.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Dog slips a straight right by Murphy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dog rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Murphy counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Dog with a hook.
A chopping leg kick lands by Dog.
Dog keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Murphy.
Dog slips under a jab.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Murphy, as that shot connected.
Dog looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Dog takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Murphy takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Murphy misses with a straight right.
Dog avoids the body shot from Murphy.
Dog uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Murphy.
Nice defenses there by Dog.
A countering left hand to the body from Dog misses.
Murphy misses with a hook. Dog ducked under it nicely.
Mick Murphy is winning the standup battle so far.
Dog throws a leg kick
and Murphy counters with a nice uppercut.
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 missing with a left hand there. Dog was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dog misses with a body punch
and Murphy counters with a left to the body.
Murphy throws a hook but Dog blocks it.
Murphy waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Dog.
Dog throws a leg kick but Murphy moved away.
Dog slips under a jab from Murphy.
Mick Murphy is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Murphy lands a nice leg kick that just misses Dog's sensitive parts.
Murphy uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Dog.
It looked like Murphy wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Mick Murphy seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Dog looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Jab, jab by Murphy - just one landing.
Murphy feints and then cracks Dog's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Dog down.

Murphy tries to keep at a distance but Dog has taken the fight into the clinch.
Murphy blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Murphy misses with a body punch.
Dog softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Murphy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dog blocks an uppercut.
Dog swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Murphy blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Dog breaks the clinch.
Murphy avoids the body shot from Dog.
As Dog backs away, Murphy returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Dog cracks Murphy with an open hand slap.
Dog misses with a wild body shot.
Murphy is looking to counter punch.
Murphy dips to his left and cracks Dog with an uppercut!
Dog blocks a jab.
Dog is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Murphy.
Murphy scores with a shot to the body.
Nice defenses there by Dog.
Murphy lands an overhand right.
Dog bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Murphy connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
A bone on bone clash there as Murphy blocks the leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murphy fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Murphy fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Dog has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Murphy smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Dog throws a leg kick but Murphy checks it.
Dog throws a body kick that misses.
Dog lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Murphy scores with a hook.
Dog throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
The fighters circling - Dog throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Murphy misses with a right hand
and Murphy takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Dog ducks right into an uppercut from Murphy.
Murphy dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Murphy takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Dog throws a nice outside leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mick Murphy dominated that second 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.

Murphy lands a head shot.
Murphy has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Dog.
Dog tries to clinch but Murphy is having none of it.
Murphy is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Dog can do to turn this around?
Murphy misses with a jab, cross combination.
Murphy throws a nice outside leg kick.
Murphy misses with a straight right.
Dog throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Murphy sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Murphy is looking to counter punch.
Murphy takes a swing at Dog's ribcage but misses.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Murphy.
Nice straight punches there by Murphy. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Murphy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Murphy looks to throw the jab but Dog is out of range.
Dog rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Murphy makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Murphy connects with a crisp jab.
A nice inside leg kick there by Murphy. That's going to slow Dog down.
Murphy takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dog slips a jab from Murphy.
Dog connects with a right hand. Murphy shakes it off.
Murphy blocks a jab.
Dog looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Murphy throws a lazy right hand but Dog sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A swing and a miss from Murphy.
Dog takes one to the side of the head.
Dog throws a hook but Murphy blocks it.
Dog has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Murphy finds it's way round the side to connect with Dog's head.
Dog throws a poor cross that misses
and Murphy counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Dog cracks Murphy with an open hand slap.
Murphy feints and then cracks Dog's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Dog down.
Dog slips under a jab from Murphy.
Dog's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Murphy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Dog steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Murphy.
Murphy looks to land a right hand but Dog moved out of range.
Dog throws a predictable looking body shot
and Murphy counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Dog just misses with a punch to the body.
Murphy uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Dog.
Murphy swings for the body but Dog moves out of range.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Dog! But no joy.
Murphy connects with a leg kick. Dog looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Dog misses the jab.
Murphy misses with a left hand
and Dog cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Murphy just misses with a punch to the body.
Dog throws out a counter right but Murphy avoids it with no problem.
Dog scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Murphy bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Murphy throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Dog appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
A good leg kick by Dog.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dog looks to land a left hand but Murphy moved out of range nicely.
Murphy lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Dog ducks under a wild hook from Murphy.
Dog uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Murphy.
Murphy takes a swing at Dog's ribcage but misses.
Dog looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Murphy misses with an uppercut. Dog saw that one coming.
Dog ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Murphy moves away.
Murphy jabs Dog right on the nose. Dog blinks but takes it well.
Dog tries to clinch up.
Dog has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Dog takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Murphy feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Dog's calf.
Murphy feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Dogs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Dog keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Murphy connects with a body shot that sends Dog's belly button to the back.
Dog thows a leg kick but Murphy checks it
and Murphy counters with a lovely shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murphy throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Murphy throws a jab when Dog was well out of range.
It seemed like Dog was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Nice defenses there by Murphy.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Murphy blocks a leg kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Dog.
Dog throws the left hand but Murphy avoids the punch easily.
An attempted straight right counter from Murphy misses the target.
A punch lands to the side of Dog 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Decent striking displayed by Dog there.
Murphy swings for the body but Dog moves out of range.
Dog now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Dog bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Murphy's head.
A lazy body kick from Dog
enabling Murphy to counter with a crisp jab.
Murphy throws out a loose jab but Dog uses good head movement to avoid it.
Murphy throws out a powerful jab.
Murphy walks into a left hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mick Murphy clearly takes that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Murphy connects with a single shot there.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Murphy.
Dog takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
A telegraphed right hand from Dog misses the target.
Murphy bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Dog's head backwards.
Dog misses with an uppercut. Murphy saw that one coming.
Murphy swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Dog slips under a jab from Murphy.
Murphy throws a hook to the side of Dog's head but Dog sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Murphy scores with a jab to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dog takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Dog tries to clinch
and Murphy counters with a stiff right hand.
Murphy jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nice straight punches there by Murphy. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Murphy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murphy staying out of range there.
Dog throws a body shot but no joy.
Dog throws a body shot but no joy.
Murphy throws an off balance right hand
and Dog counters with a nice leg kick.
Dog uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Murphy.
Murphy lands a nice hook to Dog's body. Dog takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Murphy moves away from the strike by Dog.
Murphy throwing a counter right hand but Dog manages to avoid it.
Dog lands a nice shot to the body.
Murphy uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Dog has time to react.
Dog ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A nice side step and Dog releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Murphy looks to land a right hand but Dog moved out of range.
Murphy keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Dog.
Murphy was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Murphy scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Dog lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice uppercut lands for Dog. That snapped Murphy's head back.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Murphy misses with a straight right.
Dog misses with a body kick.
Dog lands an overhand right.
Dog throws an off balance right hand
and Murphy counters with a stiff right hand.
Dog staying out of range there.
Dog throws a body shot but no joy.
A little feinted left hand from Murphy on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Dog tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Dog needs to keep his hands up - Murphy had a free shot at his head there.
Murphy throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Dog counters with a stiff right hand.
Dog misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Dog takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Some wild striking there from Dog.
A punch lands to the side of Dog 's head but he takes it in his stride.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murphy has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Dog finds it's way round the side to connect with Murphy's head.
Murphy with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Dog jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Jab by Murphy.
Some bone on bone action there as Dog checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Murphy defending well as Dog loads up on a big left hand.
Nice body punch from Murphy.
Murphy moves out of range of the strikes.
Murphy misses with a straight left.
Dog throws a looping overhand right but Murphy ducks down to avoid it.
It looked like Murphy wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Murphy throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Dog on the side of the head.
Murphy looks to land a right hand but Dog moved out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Murphy, right into the meat.
Murphy throws a leg kick
and Dog counters with a nice leg kick.
Murphy takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Murphy scores with a nice right hand.
Murphy swings away with a body shot that misses
and Dog counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Dog blocks a jab.
Murphy scores with a jab to the body.
Dog uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Murphy.
Dog tries a head kick but it misses.
Murphy lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Murphy keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Murphy sizes up Dog with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Murphy lands the left hand.
Murphy 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.

Mick Murphy had his way with Junkyard Dog in that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Murphy needs to keep his hands up - Dog had a free shot at his head there.
Dog moves out of range as Murphy strikes.
Murphy lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Murphy throws a quick inside leg kick.
A big left from Murphy misses.
Dog misses with an uppercut. Murphy saw that one coming.
A big right from Murphy misses.
Dog moves away from the strike by Murphy.
Dog throws a poor cross that misses
and Murphy counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Dog fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Murphy sprawls well initially but Dog persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Dog missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Murphy is trying to maintain the position but Dog is very close to passing his half guard.
Murphy keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murphy is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Dog working the head and body with strikes.
Dog thows a huge punch but Murphy dodges it nicely.
Dog thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Dog sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Murphy defending well though.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Dog misses with a head shot. Murphy uses the momentum to regain guard.
Murphy preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Dog content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Junkyard Dog has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dog throws a big right hand that misses.
Murphy working a defensive guard here.
Dog slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Dog throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Mick Murphy is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Dog misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Dog misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Dog has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Murphy blocking the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murphy is desperately trying to improve his position but Dog has a good base and remains in mount.
Dog landing shots from mount.
Murphy holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Dog tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Dog throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Murphy wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Dog.
Dog scores with a couple of good head shots there.
A nice elbow there by Dog.
Dog working away from the top, dropping strikes.

Murphy is rocked!
Dog loads up with a big shot that hurts Murphy! He's pulled Dog in close but Dog has postured up and lands more strikes. Can Murphy survive? More strikes from Dog and Murphy is out! The ref jumps in to save him! Brutal ground and pound!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 5, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Junkyard Dog!
Junkyard Dog is the new middleweight champion!
A relieved looking Junkyard Dog thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.
Mick Murphy was interviewed post fight and said 'I think somebody roofied me . . .'.