PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Pauke Murhapuro (ranked 163 p4p, 307 weight class) and Lenny Kowalski (ranked 27 p4p, 48 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.

Murhapuro
vs
Kowalski

192 cm
31
226
22 - 16 - 0

190 cm
30
210
22 - 9 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

SynCity Fightwear
Mile High

Carnage Clothing
SynCity Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 22 - 16 - 0, fighting out of New York, Pauke Murhapuro!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, Lenny Kowalski!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and Percy O'Donnell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Murhapuro throws an overhand right that lands on Kowalski's shoulder, as Kowalski tries to avoid the shot.
Kowalski blocks the body kick.
Kowalski throws a low kick but it's checked well by Murhapuro.
Kowalski's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Murhapuro connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Kowalski scrambles back to his feet.
Murhapuro lands with a straight right. Kowalski didn't see that one coming.
Nice sprawl there from Kowalski as Murhapuro shoots in.
Murhapuro tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Kowalski manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kowalski swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
The fighters circling - Kowalski throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kowalski just misses with a punch to the body.
A cross from Murhapuro lands.
A clash of legs there as Kowalski blocks the low kick.
Kowalski changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Both fighters circling a little - Murhapuro finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good shot there by Murhapuro.
Kowalski throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kowalski checks the leg kick.
Murhapuro sizes up Kowalski with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Kowalski defending well as Murhapuro loads up on a big left hand.
Kowalski lands with a right hand.
Kowalski walks into a jab.
Murhapuro shoots in looking for a takedown but Kowalski manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Murhapuro's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Kowalski tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Murhapuro misses with a takedown attempt - Kowalski sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
A little jabbing left from Kowalski on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pauke Murhapuro. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kowalski blocks a leg kick.
Kowalski drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Murhapuro defends it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Kowalski misses its intended target.
Murhapuro looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Kowalski misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Murhapuro counters with a straight right hand.
Kowalski throws a hook but Murhapuro blocks it.
Murhapuro is looking to score with low kicks.
Murhapuro misses with a kick to the body
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Murhapuro throws a shot from downtown. Kowalski moves away and avoids it.
Murhapuro tries to clinch up.
Kowalski misses with a straight left.
Kowalski with a hook.
Murhapuro misses with a hook.
It seemed like Kowalski was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Murhapuro misses with the body kick

and Kowalski counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Kowalski.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Murhapuro is looking for a triangle but Kowalski pushes his legs off easily.
Kowalski throws a big elbow that misses.
Kowalski pushes down on Murhapuro's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Kowalski is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Murhapuro is just riding it out for now. Kowalski eventually gives up the hold.

Kowalski is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Murhapuro is just riding it out for now. Kowalski eventually gives up the hold.
Kowalski trying to advance position but Murhapuro counters by regaining guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Murhapuro had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Kowalski defends it easily.
Kowalski tries to free his leg and advance position but Murhapuro is retaining full guard.
Murhapuro tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kowalski pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Murhapuro is keeping the position for now.

Murhapuro throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Kowalski passes Murhapuro's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Murhapuro is looking to control Kowalski's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Murhapuro avoid being mounted?
Kowalski is trying to control the action in half guard but Murhapuro is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Lenny Kowalski 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.

Murhapuro scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Murhapuro lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Kowalski at a distance.
Murhapuro throws an off balance right hand
letting Kowalski counter with a right hand.
Murhapuro fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Murhapuro misses with a hook
and Kowalski counters with a nice uppercut.
Murhapuro cracks Kowalski with a right hand to the side of the head.
Pauke Murhapuro is winning the standup battle so far.
Kowalski checks a leg kick.
Kowalski tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Murhapuro misses with a body kick.
And Kowalski tries to counter it with a takedown but Murhapuro pushes his down on his head and steps out.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
No luck for Murhapuro with that takedown attempt.
Kowalski blocks a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kowalski throws a nice outside leg kick.

Kowalski gets caught flat footed, as Murhapuro shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Murhapuro trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Kowalski looking for subs off his back but Murhapuro has passed one foot through into half guard.

Murhapuro is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Kowalski is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Murhapuro pulls his head out easily.
Kowalski has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Murhapuro is working away from the top position though.
Lenny Kowalski has got the better of the ground game so far.
Murhapuro looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Murhapuro wants to work for an arm triangle but Kowalski is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Kowalski trying to control from the bottom.

Murhapuro is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Murhapuro is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Kowalski sees it coming and defends easily.

Murhapuro is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Kowalski sees it coming and defends easily.
Kowalski trying to control here.
Murhapuro seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Kowalski does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Kowalski is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Murhapuro pulls his head out easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murhapuro wants to pass the guard but Kowalski is defending well.

Murhapuro seems to be looking for submissions.

Kowalski looking for submissions off his back.
Kowalski works his way to full guard. Good work.
Kowalski can't keep his opponent in guard - Murhapuro advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Murhapuro is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Kowalski doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Murhapuro.
Kowalski is trying to maintain the position but Murhapuro is very close to passing his half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Kowalski is concentrating on defense, preventing Murhapuro from advancing position.

Kowalski is defending against the submission attempts here by Murhapuro.

Murhapuro is working for a kimura from half guard. He's really concentrating on the hold and it's allowed Kowalski to slip a leg under and get back to full guard.

Kowalski escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Murhapuro gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kowalski trying to keep a closed guard but Murhapuro is proving a slippery customer.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Pauke Murhapuro dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Murhapuro fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Murhapuro misses the target.
And Kowalski tries to counter it with a takedown but Murhapuro pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Murhapuro throws a leg kick
and Kowalski counters with a stiff right hand.
Kowalski jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Murhapuro misses with a kick to the body

and Kowalski counters with a nice double leg into side control. Murhapuro won't be happy with that.
Murhapuro manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Murhapuro is looking for a sweep. Kowalski is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kowalski wants to take a breather but Murhapuro is having none of it.
Murhapuro is trying to get back to full guard.

Kowalski is trying to work for a kimura but Murhapuro is defending well.
Murhapuro tries to get to full guard but Kowalski has control of the leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murhapuro trying to control but Kowalski postures up.

Kowalski is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Kowalski landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Kowalski is nestled in close to Murhapuro, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Murhapuro won't allow Kowalski to pass to mount.

Murhapuro with the active half guard here but Kowalski passes nicely into side control.
Murhapuro gets back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kowalski seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Murhapuro does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Kowalski is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Murhapuro!

Kowalski with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Kowalski wants to control the pace but Murhapuro is squirming around nicely.
Kowalski might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Murhapuro haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

Kowalski has control of Murhapuro's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Murhapuro regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Kowalski wants to take his opponent's back but he's not managed it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kowalski unloads with some shots from mount but Murhapuro bucks and avoids them well.
Murhapuro tries to hold on but Kowalski postures up.
Murhapuro sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

Kowalski is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Murhapuro doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Kowalski.
Murhapuro is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Kowalski thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Murhapuro's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Murhapuro looking for submissions off his back.
Murhapuro controlling the position well.
Kowalski lands with a punch from half guard.
Kowalski tries to pass the half guard into mount. Murhapuro knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Murhapuro has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Kowalski is working away from the top position though.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Murhapuro taking some punishment here, with Kowalski in his half guard.

Kowalski is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Murhapuro sees it coming and defends easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lenny Kowalski comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kowalski 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Lenny Kowalski!
A relieved looking Lenny Kowalski thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.