PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ispa Murhaa (ranked 110 p4p, 204 weight class) and Kron Kai (ranked 15 p4p, 27 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Murhaa
vs
Kai

185 cm
32
199
28 - 9 - 0

188 cm
34
192
27 - 13 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Conviction
Aspire Clothing

HELLS BALLS RECOVERY
Aspire Clothing

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 28 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ispa Murhaa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 13 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kron Kai!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Sam Margolis and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Murhaa comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Murhaa throws an off balance right hand

and Kai counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Kai looking to slow down the pace here.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Kai can't find room to land a body shot as Murhaa controls the action.
Murhaa is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Kai lands a shoulder strike.
Kai lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Murhaa backwards.
Murhaa blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Murhaa misses with a hook from the clinch.
Murhaa stalling.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kai tries to work over Murhaa's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kai working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Murhaa blocking some punches.
Kai works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Kai lands a nice uppercut.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Murhaa.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Murhaa tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kai's elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kai misses with the head strike.
Murhaa blocks a body shot from Kai.
Kai lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Murhaa backwards.
Murhaa goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Murhaa tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kai's elbow.
Murhaa misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kai has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Murhaa seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Kai can turn it around.
Kai fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Murhaa misses with a short punch on the inside.
Murhaa blocks an uppercut.
Murhaa tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Murhaa lands a body shot in the clinch.
Kai swings wildly with an uppercut but Murhaa uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kai swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Murhaa fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kai tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kai displaying some good clinch control by pressing Murhaa up against the cage.
Murhaa misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kai throws a head punch that misses.
Murhaa working aggressively here.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Kai digs a right hand underneath Murhaa's ribcage. Murhaa let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Kai tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Murhaa's elbow.
Murhaa misses with a hook from the clinch.
Murhaa stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Murhaa pushes Kai back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Kai misses with some punches.
Murhaa lands with a left to the head.
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!
Kai has a couple of punches blocked by Murhaa.
A head punch on the inside from Kai fails to land.
Kai has Murhaa pushed against the cage.
Murhaa tries a body shot but Kai blocks it.
Kai is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Kai tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murhaa misses with the head strike.
Murhaa working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Murhaa lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Murhaa has a couple of punches blocked by Kai.
Murhaa blocks an uppercut.
Kai misses with the head strike.
Kai has a couple of punches blocked by Murhaa.
Murhaa doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kai swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Murhaa misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A right hand to the body from Murhaa.
Kai fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kai swings wildly with an uppercut but Murhaa uses good head movement to avoid it.
Murhaa prevents a body shot from Kai.
Murhaa lands an uppercut.
Murhaa throws a punch but it's blocked by Kai.
Kai blocking some punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A left hand lands to the body for Kai.
Kai misses with some punches.
Murhaa has a couple of punches blocked by Kai.
Kai misses with some punches.
Murhaa blocking some punches.
Kai leaning his opponent against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Murhaa lands with a left to the head.
Murhaa takes a shot to the head.
Kai's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

Murhaa's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nice shot by Kai.
Kai throws a shot from downtown. Murhaa moves away and avoids it.
Murhaa lands with a straight right. Kai didn't see that one coming.

It looks like Kron Kai has been cut.
Murhaa throws a combination. Kai tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
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 Ispa Murhaa will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Kron Kai's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Murhaa jabs Kai to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Kai misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Murhaa.

Murhaa drives through and clinches with Kai against the cage.
Murhaa blocks an uppercut.
Kai tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Murhaa looking to slow down the pace here.
Murhaa blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kai throws a punch but it's blocked by Murhaa.
Murhaa trying to control the position but instead, Kai has worked for underhooks and has pushed Murhaa into the cage.
Kron Kai seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Kai misses with a short punch on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kai lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Murhaa swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kai blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kai lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Murhaa backwards.
Kai goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murhaa blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kai pushes Murhaa back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Murhaa blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Murhaa works on Kai's body with a couple of short punches.
Kai tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Murhaa's elbow.
Kai working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Murhaa blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Murhaa manages to break the clinch.
Murhaa avoids a kick to the body.
Murhaa swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Kai counters with an inside leg kick.
Murhaa scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Murhaa misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kai.
Murhaa misses with a wild body shot.
Kai appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Murhaa lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Kai tried to score with a low kick but Murhaa checks it.
Murhaa appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murhaa is looking to slow Kai down with leg kicks.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Good exchange - Murhaa coming out on top.
Murhaa has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Kai finds it's way round the side to connect with Murhaa's head.
Kai thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Murhaa if he has to take too many more of those.
A big right from Kai misses.
Murhaa misses with a looping right.
Murhaa walks forward, straight into a front kick from Kai.
Kai moves out of range of the strikes.
The crowd cheers as Kai lands an impressive looking overhand right. Murhaa doesn't seem phased though.
Kai has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Murhaa finds it's way round the side to connect with Kai's head.
Murhaa looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Kai lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Kai has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Murhaa finds it's way round the side to connect with Kai's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kai takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Murhaa gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Kai.
Kai tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Murhaa was well out of range. Poor timing from Kai.
Kai tries to land a leg kick but Murhaa saw it coming and moves away.
Kai throws a wild body kick that Murhaa sees coming a mile off.
Murhaa was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
A lazy left from Murhaa finds it's target.

That has opened up Kron Kai's cut even more.
Kai wants to slow Murhaa down by chopping away at his legs.
Murhaa dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Murhaa scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Kai lands with a shot to the body.
Murhaa swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kai throws out a loose jab but Murhaa uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kai throws a head kick but Murhaa moves out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kai's corner calls for a 1-2. Kai obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Murhaa fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Kai has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Murhaa.
Kai tries to clinch but Murhaa is having none of it.
A little feinted left hand from Murhaa on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Ispa Murhaa is winning the standup battle so far.
Kai jabs Murhaa to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Kai slips a jab from Murhaa.
Kai looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Murhaa tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Murhaa lands a jab-cross combination.
Murhaa looks to land a left hand but Kai moved out of range nicely.
Murhaa ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kai moves away.
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 Ispa Murhaa will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Kron Kai's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Murhaa ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kai moves away.
A good leg kick by Murhaa.
Kai takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Kai throws out a counter right but Murhaa avoids it with no problem.
Murhaa misses with a low kick.
Murhaa fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kai manages to avoid it.
A jab from Murhaa does it's job there.
Murhaa fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kai manages to avoid it.
Murhaa throws an overhand right that lands on Kai's shoulder, as Kai tries to avoid the shot.
Kai wants to counter the offense by Murhaa and move into the clinch position.
Murhaa throws a low kick but Kai moves out of range easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kai is looking to land body kicks.
Murhaa avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Murhaa avoids the body shot from Kai.
Kai ducks under a wild hook from Murhaa.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murhaa cracks Kai with a good jab.
Kai ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Nice defenses there by Murhaa.
Kai throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Murhaa moves out of range of the body kick from Kai.
Kai misses with an uppercut
and Murhaa counters with a low kick, right behind Kai 's knee.
Kai misses with a hook
and Murhaa connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Murhaa has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Kai.
Kai scores with a jab.
Kai ducks under a wild hook from Murhaa.
Kai scores with a shot to the body.
Kron Kai has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ispa Murhaa is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murhaa keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Murhaa just misses with a punch to the body.
Murhaa scores with a jab.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kai looks to land a body kick but Murhaa moved away.
Kai scores with a kick to the body.
Murhaa throws a nice outside leg kick.
Kai missing with a left hand there. Murhaa was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Murhaa cracks Kai with an open hand slap.
Kai tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Murhaa was well out of range. Poor timing from Kai.
Kai on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Kai closes the distance but Murhaa moves to the side
and Murhaa counters with a right hand to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murhaa misses with a wild body shot.
Kai looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Kai uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Murhaa.
Kai looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Murhaa scores with a punch to the head.
Murhaa staying out of range there.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kai. Murhaa does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kai misses with a lunging right hand
and Murhaa counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Kai thinking.
Ispa Murhaa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kai takes a swing at Murhaa's ribcage but misses.
And Murhaa counters with a quick kick to the body but Kai blocks it.
Murhaa lands a nice looking body shot.
Murhaa rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kai moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Murhaa cracks Kai with a right hand to the side of the head.
An inside leg kick lands from Kai.
A slow jab from Kai misses its intended target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murhaa scoring well with a low kick there.
Kai throws out a loose jab but Murhaa uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kai throws a chopping leg kick but Murhaa manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Kai throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kai misses the body punch
and Kai takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Murhaa moves out of range as Kai throws a body kick.
Murhaa scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Murhaa stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Murhaa throws a body punch but Kai moves out of range.
A little jabbing left from Kai on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Donk. Murhaa catches Kai right on the button with a cross.
Kai jabbing away but nothing is landing.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ispa Murhaa showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Murhaa, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Donald Grub scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Ispa Murhaa!
After winning the bout, Ispa Murhaa thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.