PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Aktiv Vajag (ranked 3106 p4p, 4135 weight class) and Shinzade Murakami (ranked 383 p4p, 474 weight class). Shinzade Murakami is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Vajag
vs
Murakami

178 cm
26
155
2 - 1 - 0

188 cm
26
155
5 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Conquer

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Aktiv Vajag!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Shinzade Murakami!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, John Roberts and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vajag throws a shot to the body.

Murakami gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Vajag is trying to break free.
Vajag definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Murakami lands with a left to the head.
Vajag is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Murakami lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Murakami can't find room to land a body shot as Vajag controls the action.
Murakami lands a body punch.
Vajag is trying to push Murakami away but Murakami has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Vajag has had enough of the clinch but Murakami keeps him there for the moment.
Murakami effectively controlling the action here.
Murakami is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Murakami can't find room to land a body shot as Vajag controls the action.
Murakami digs a right hand into Vajag's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Vajag's gas tank.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A frustrated look appears on Vajag's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Murakami struggles to land a body shot inside as Vajag controls his hands.
Vajag is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Vajag is trying to break the clinch but Murakami is controlling him.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murakami digs a right hand into Vajag's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Vajag's gas tank.
Murakami cracks Vajag with a nice body shot.
Vajag is trying to stall.
Vajag is trying to break the clinch but Murakami has him pressed against the cage.
A right handed body shot lands from Murakami.
Murakami prevents Vajag from breaking the clinch.
Murakami tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Murakami stalling in the clinch.
Murakami looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Murakami tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Murakami tries to work over Vajag's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Vajag struggles to land a body shot inside as Murakami controls his hands.
Come on Vajag - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Murakami misses with a body punch.
Vajag tries to break the clinch but Murakami is controlling the position.
Murakami lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vajag misses with a body punch.
Murakami lands a right hand that snaps the head of Vajag backwards.
Murakami has Vajag pressed against the cage, preventing Vajag from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
A frustrated look appears on Vajag's face as he tries to break the clinch.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Vajag wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Murakami goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Murakami misses with a hook to the ribs.
Murakami keeps control of Vajag as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Murakami stalling in the clinch.
Murakami tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Murakami tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Vajag's elbow.
Murakami has Vajag pushed against the cage.
Vajag avoiding damage.
Vajag tries to break free but Murakami pushes him back against the cage.
Vajag is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Murakami is keeping busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vajag is trying to force a seperation but Murakami has the dominant position.
Murakami stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Vajag tries to break the clinch but Murakami is controlling the position.
Vajag wants to break the clinch but can't.
Vajag misses with a body punch.
Murakami keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Vajag's efforts to push away.
Vajag's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A body shot lands from Murakami.
Murakami tries a body shot but Vajag blocks it.
Vajag is trying to break free.
Nice body punch from Murakami.
A nice right hand lands inside from Murakami.
Vajag tries to circle away but Murakami has him pinned against the cage.
A hook to the body from Murakami.
Murakami lands a hook that snaps the head of Vajag backwards.
Murakami lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Murakami struggles to land a body shot inside as Vajag controls his hands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vajag's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Vajag wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Murakami has him pressed against the cage.
Vajag misses with a punch to the body.
Murakami misses with a punch to the body.
Murakami misses with a punch to the body.

Vajag escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Vajag lands a two punch combo.
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!
Donk. Murakami catches Vajag right on the button with a cross.
Vajag swings away with a body shot that misses
and Murakami counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Murakami just misses with a punch to the body.
Murakami connects with a body shot that sends Vajag's belly button to the back.
Vajag throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Murakami counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Murakami wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Murakami lands a nice shot to the body.

Murakami closes the distance and pushes Vajag back into the cage.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Vajag wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Shinzade Murakami dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Vajag tries to bum rush Murakami with a series of wild strikes but Murakami uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Vajag lands a really nice looking cross but Murakami seems unphased.
Vajag takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Vajag jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Vajag falls off balance throwing a combination
and Murakami counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Vajag misses with a double jab.
Vajag takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Vajag showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Murakami.
Murakami thows a left - swing and a miss!
Murakami lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Vajag falls off balance throwing a combination
and Murakami counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Good standup being displayed there by Murakami as he connects with a hook.
Murakami has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Vajag gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Murakami counters with a stiff right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vajag throws a lazy right hand but Murakami sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A telegraphed right hand from Murakami misses the target.
Vajag defending well as Murakami loads up on a big left hand.

Murakami gets a clinch.
Vajag is trying to break free.
Vajag tries to circle away but Murakami has him pinned against the cage.
Murakami tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Vajag's elbow.
Murakami tries to throw a body punch but Vajag avoids it by throwing Murakami back against the cage.
Murakami keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Vajag's efforts to push away.
Vajag takes a shot to the head.
Murakami lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Vajag.
A hook to the body from Murakami.
A short uppercut from Murakami.
Murakami softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Murakami has Vajag pressed against the cage, preventing Vajag from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murakami lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Murakami makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Murakami lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Vajag backwards.
Murakami misses with a hook to the ribs.
Murakami lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Vajag.
Shinzade Murakami seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Vajag prevents a body shot from Murakami.
Vajag is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Vajag looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Vajag is trying to break the clinch but Murakami has him pressed against the cage.
Vajag takes a shot to the head.
Murakami has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Murakami lands a shoulder strike.
Murakami dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Murakami lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Vajag or not.
Vajag tries to circle away but Murakami has him pinned against the cage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Murakami.
Vajag working hard to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Murakami.
Murakami stalling the fight.
Vajag has had enough of the clinch but Murakami keeps him there for the moment.
Murakami pressing his opponent against the cage.
Vajag prevents a body shot from Murakami.
Vajag being controlled against the cage.
Murakami lands a body shot.
Vajag has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Vajag is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Murakami misses with a hook to the ribs.
Vajag tries to circle away but Murakami has him pinned against the cage.
Vajag takes a shot to the head.
Vajag working hard to break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vajag can't break the clinch.
Murakami lands a right hand that snaps the head of Vajag backwards.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Murakami.
Vajag tries to break free but Murakami pushes him back against the cage.
Murakami lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A short right from Murakami.
Murakami misses with a body punch.
A left hand lands to the body for Murakami.
Murakami taking a breather.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Murakami.
Vajag has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Murakami tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Vajag's elbow.
Murakami doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Vajag wants to break free but Murakami has control.
Vajag wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Vajag is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Vajag letting Murakami take a breather here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Shinzade Murakami showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Murakami moves into range and clinches up with Vajag.
Murakami tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Vajag wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Murakami has him pressed against the cage.
Vajag wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Murakami has him pressed against the cage.
Vajag tries to break the clinch but Murakami is controlling the position.
Vajag working hard to break the clinch.
Murakami throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Murakami lands a shot to the body.
Murakami working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Murakami doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Murakami doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A short body shot lands from Murakami as the two fighters clinch.
Murakami keeps control of Vajag as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Murakami tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Murakami lands with a short shot to the head.
Vajag wants to break free but Murakami has control.
A left hand lands to the body for Murakami.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murakami lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Murakami struggles to land a body shot inside as Vajag controls his hands.
Murakami presses Vajag against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Vajag trying to stall but Murakami improves his position.
Vajag tries to circle away but Murakami has him pinned against the cage.
Murakami lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Vajag or not.
Vajag has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Good body shot from Murakami.
Murakami can't find room to land a body shot as Vajag controls the action.
A short left from Murakami.
Murakami is working Vajag over against the cage.
Murakami struggles to land a body shot inside as Vajag controls his hands.
Murakami has Vajag pressed against the cage, preventing Vajag from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
A right hook to the body lands for Murakami.
Murakami is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Murakami throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murakami prevents Vajag from breaking the clinch.
Murakami misses with a body punch.
Murakami scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Murakami tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Vajag is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
A body shot lands from Murakami.
Murakami keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Vajag's efforts to push away.
Vajag wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Murakami has him pressed against the cage.
Murakami lands a right hand.
Vajag stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Murakami goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Murakami lands a body punch.
Vajag is trying to force a seperation but Murakami has the dominant position.
Murakami is working Vajag over against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Murakami just leaning against Vajag, taking a breather.
Murakami lands a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Murakami.
Murakami lands a body punch in the clinch.
Murakami is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Vajag has had enough of the clinch but Murakami keeps him there for the moment.
Vajag is trying to break the clinch but Murakami has him pressed against the cage.
Vajag has had enough of the clinch but Murakami keeps him there for the moment.
Shinzade Murakami is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Murakami has Vajag pushed against the cage.
Murakami stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Vajag is trying to break the clinch but Murakami has him pressed against the cage.
Murakami lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Vajag misses with a hook to the ribs.
Murakami struggles to land a body shot inside as Vajag controls his hands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murakami stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Murakami is stalling here.
Murakami lands a body shot.
Murakami has Vajag pressed against the cage, preventing Vajag from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Murakami tries to work over Vajag's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Murakami tries to throw a body punch but Vajag avoids it by throwing Murakami back against the cage.
Vajag has had enough of the clinch but Murakami keeps him there for the moment.
Vajag is looking to break free of the clinch but Murakami has double underhooks.
Murakami lands with a left to the head.
Vajag tries to circle away but Murakami has him pinned against the cage.
Murakami keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Vajag's efforts to push away.
Murakami lands an uppercut.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Murakami tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Vajag's elbow.
Aktiv Vajag has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Murakami is stalling here.
Murakami misses with a body punch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shinzade Murakami comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Murakami has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 26:30
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 26:30
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shinzade Murakami!
Shinzade Murakami managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Conquer, into his post fight interview.