PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Charles Murdock (ranked 1793 p4p, 1322 weight class) and Ilya Kushnirov (ranked 250 p4p, 196 weight class). Murdock's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Feel good Inc.. 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.

Murdock
vs
Kushnirov

188 cm
23
198
8 - 7 - 0

175 cm
23
195
7 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Good low kicks
Good gas tank

High Peak Fightwear
Voodoo Nutrition

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 8 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Charles Murdock!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ilya Kushnirov!
The judges for this bout are Percy O'Donnell, Timothy Bukovac and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Murdock blocks a head kick by Kushnirov.
A little feinted left hand from Murdock on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Good standup being displayed there by Kushnirov as he connects with a hook.
Murdock ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kushnirov buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Kushnirov looks to score with a jab to the body but Murdock is just out of range.
Murdock misses with a body shot.
Murdock missing with a left hand there. Kushnirov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kushnirov pivots, looking for a leg kick but Murdock is out of range and Kushnirov settles back down.
Kushnirov tries a head kick but it misses.
Murdock is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Murdock tries to clinch but Kushnirov is having none of it.
Kushnirov misses with a body shot
and Murdock counters with a stiff right hand.
Murdock blocks a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kushnirov misses with a leg kick
and Murdock counters with a nice uppercut.
Kushnirov takes one on the button.
Murdock misses with a shot to the body
and Kushnirov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Murdock jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A slapping leg kick lands for Kushnirov.
Murdock looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Murdock uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kushnirov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kushnirov looks to land a left hand but Murdock moved out of range nicely.
Murdock blocks a jab.
A counter left hand to the body from Murdock misses its target.
Murdock keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Murdock misses the shot to the body.
Kushnirov tests Murdock's chin there with a solid looking shot.
The fighters circle momentarily. Kushnirov darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Kushnirov dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Murdock. That did some damage!
Kushnirov catches Murdock with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Kushnirov misses with a looping left.
Murdock tries to counter by clinching up but Kushnirov breaks away and moves out of range.
Nice shot by Murdock.
Kushnirov changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Murdock doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Murdock ducks under a wild hook from Kushnirov.
Kushnirov lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kushnirov misses with a lunging right hand
and Murdock counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Murdock is looking to clinch but Kushnirov is avoiding it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kushnirov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Murdock.
Murdock moves out of range as Kushnirov strikes.
Murdock slips a jab and a cross from Kushnirov.

Murdock pushes Kushnirov up against the cage in a clinch.
Kushnirov tries to land knees in the clinch but Murdock avoids the damage to the body.
Kushnirov working hard to break the clinch.
Kushnirov wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Kushnirov tries to break free but Murdock pushes him back against the cage.
Kushnirov wants to break the clinch but can't.
Murdock scores with a shot to the side of Kushnirov's head.

Kushnirov manages to break the clinch.
Kushnirov lands with a nice body kick.
Kushnirov chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Kushnirov fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Murdock checks it well.
Kushnirov scores with a jab. Murdock acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kushnirov just misses with a punch to the body.
Nice shot lands for Murdock.
Kushnirov throws a leg kick
letting Murdock counter with a right hand.
Kushnirov takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Murdock throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Murdock closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Kushnirov wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Murdock has him pressed against the cage.
Murdock being controlled against the cage.
Kushnirov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Kushnirov wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Kushnirov is trying to force a seperation but Murdock has the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murdock swings wildly with an uppercut but Kushnirov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Murdock misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kushnirov is trying to break free.
Kushnirov is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Murdock cracks Kushnirov with a nice body shot.
Kushnirov misses with a punch on the inside.
Murdock keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Kushnirov's efforts to push away.
Murdock keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Kushnirov's efforts to push away.
Kushnirov wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Kushnirov wants to break free but Murdock has control.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Murdock.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ilya Kushnirov dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kushnirov tries to work over Murdock's front leg with a kick but Murdock checks it.
A quick step to the side and Murdock tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Kushnirov.
Murdock is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Murdock swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kushnirov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kushnirov cracks Murdock with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Ilya Kushnirov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kushnirov scores with a hook to the body. Murdock takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Murdock moves out of range of the strikes.
Kushnirov throws a head kick that misses.
Kushnirov just misses with a punch to the body.
Nice cross by Murdock.
Murdock bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Kushnirov looks to land a right hand but Murdock moved out of range.
Murdock lands a lovely overhand right.
Kushnirov throws a series of punches but Murdock moves out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kushnirov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Murdock has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Kushnirov.
A head kick misses from Kushnirov.
Kushnirov lands a jab to the nose.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Kushnirov.
Murdock scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Kushnirov tries a head kick but it misses.
Murdock tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kushnirov was well out of range. Poor timing from Murdock.
Murdock keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kushnirov.
Ilya Kushnirov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kushnirov tests Murdock's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kushnirov misses with a combination
and Murdock counters with a stiff right hand.
Kushnirov tries to score with a low kick but Murdock moves his leg out of the way.
Kushnirov avoids the body shot from Murdock.
Kushnirov takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Kushnirov swings widly with a right hand

and Murdock moves into the clinch.
Murdock blocks a body shot from Kushnirov.

Kushnirov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Murdock lands a slapping body shot.
Murdock doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kushnirov throws a leg kick that misses.
Kushnirov throws a lazy right hand but Murdock sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Jab from Murdock.
Kushnirov throws a sloppy head kick and Murdock moves out of range easily.
Murdock seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Murdock lands with an uppercut that bounces Kushnirov off the cage and back into range.
Kushnirov takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Murdock takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Murdock 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.
Good standup being displayed there by Murdock as he connects with a hook.
Murdock throws a shot to the body.
Kushnirov throws a jab but it's blocked by Murdock.
Murdock is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Kushnirov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Murdock tries to clinch but Kushnirov is having none of it.
Murdock lands with a nice body punch.
Kushnirov takes one to the chin there.
Kushnirov throws a body punch but Murdock moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murdock misses the jab.
Kushnirov throws a body kick despite being completely out of range

and Murdock holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Murdock.
Kushnirov is trying to break the clinch but Murdock is controlling him.
Kushnirov misses with some punches.
Murdock throws a punch but it's blocked by Kushnirov.
Murdock keeps control of Kushnirov as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Kushnirov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kushnirov lands a nice shot to the body.
Murdock slips a jab and a cross from Kushnirov.
Kushnirov throws a jab but it's blocked by Murdock.
Kushnirov throws the left hand but Murdock avoids the punch easily.
Kushnirov stalks Murdock and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Murdock's face. Murdock staggers backwards, shaken.
Kushnirov tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kushnirov lands with a shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kushnirov thows a left - swing and a miss!
A chopping leg kick lands by Kushnirov.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kushnirov connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Murdock misses the shot to the body.
Murdock swings for the body but Kushnirov moves out of range.
Murdock misses with a body shot.
Kushnirov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Murdock.
Murdock tries to counter by clinching up but Kushnirov breaks away and moves out of range.
Murdock throws a body shot but no joy.
Murdock takes one to the chin there.
Kushnirov slips under a jab.
Kushnirov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Murdock.
Kushnirov follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kushnirov. Murdock does a little dance to reset his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kushnirov ducks under a wild hook from Murdock.
Kushnirov cracks a nice hook into Murdock's ribs.
Murdock throws a body shot but no joy.
Kushnirov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Murdock was well out of range. Poor timing from Kushnirov.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ilya Kushnirov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Kushnirov throws out a loose jab but Murdock uses good head movement to avoid it.
Good shot there by Kushnirov.
Murdock fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Kushnirov looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Kushnirov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Murdock swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kushnirov scores with a nice strike.
Kushnirov throws a lazy head kick
and Murdock counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Murdock moves forwards but Kushnirov connects with a nice, crisp jab.
A big right from Kushnirov misses.
A decent looking cross lands there for Murdock.
Kushnirov lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Kushnirov throws a jab but it's blocked by Murdock.
Kushnirov takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Murdock has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kushnirov throws a half hearted mid kick.
Murdock is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Kushnirov.
Murdock defending well as Kushnirov loads up on a big left hand.
Murdock punishes Kushnirov's body with a nice straight punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kushnirov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Murdock throws out a loose jab but Kushnirov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kushnirov misses with a combination

and Murdock counters by clinching up.
Murdock struggles to land a body shot inside as Kushnirov controls his hands.
Kushnirov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Kushnirov is trying to force a seperation but Murdock has the dominant position.
Kushnirov tries to break free but Murdock pushes him back against the cage.
Kushnirov has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Kushnirov wants to get back to striking at distance but Murdock won't allow it.
Murdock can't find room to land a body shot as Kushnirov controls the action.
Murdock keeps control of Kushnirov as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Murdock throws a punch but it's blocked by Kushnirov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kushnirov prevents a body shot from Murdock.
Kushnirov wants to stall.
Murdock working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Murdock pushes Kushnirov back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A nice left hand lands by Murdock.
Still in the clinch, Murdock scores with a nice short uppercut.
Murdock lands a hook to the side of the head.
Murdock lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Charles Murdock has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Nice body punch from Murdock.
Kushnirov is trying to break free.
Murdock lands a left hand.
Murdock stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Kushnirov has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Murdock.
Murdock lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Ilya Kushnirov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Kushnirov has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
A nice right hand lands inside from Murdock.
Murdock prevents Kushnirov from breaking the clinch.
Murdock blocking some punches.
Murdock tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kushnirov's elbow.
Murdock lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Kushnirov's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Kushnirov is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Kushnirov wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Nice body punch from Murdock - that landed with a thud.
Murdock misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kushnirov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Murdock swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Murdock instigates a clinch.
Nice body punch from Murdock - that landed with a thud.
Charles Murdock has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kushnirov is trying to break the clinch but Murdock has him pressed against the cage.
A short left from Murdock.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Murdock is working Kushnirov over against the cage.
Murdock slowing the pace effectively.
Murdock misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kushnirov misses with some punches.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Murdock lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Kushnirov.
Murdock avoiding damage as Kushnirov throws knees to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Charles Murdock showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kushnirov has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Ilya Kushnirov!
Our winner, Ilya Kushnirov, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.