PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Korolev (ranked 2982 p4p, 2782 weight class) and Paddy Murphy (ranked 417 p4p, 397 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Murphy's choice of entrance music: Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ya. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Korolev
vs
Murphy

180 cm
21
196
3 - 2 - 0

185 cm
21
185
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

Nutritional Shaved Ice

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 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexander Korolev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Paddy Murphy!
The judges for this bout are David Schapiro, Columbo Gatti and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A slow jab from Korolev misses its intended target.
Korolev throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Murphy wants to counter with a clinch but Korolev pushes him away.
Korolev misses with an uppercut.
Korolev misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Murphy has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Korolev is landing a low percentage of strikes.

Murphy moves into the clinch.
Murphy is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Korolev is defending well for now.
Murphy wants to stall.
Murphy lands a nice elbow.

It looks like Alexander Korolev has been cut.
Murphy unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Korolev goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Murphy with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Korolev escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Murphy doesn't manage to clinch there - Korolev circles away.
Murphy wants to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murphy tries to close the distance and clinch but Korolev swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Korolev throws the left hand but Murphy avoids the punch easily.
Korolev looks to throw the jab but Murphy is out of range.
Korolev looks to throw the jab but Murphy is out of range.
Korolev sets himself, and Murphy steps forward looking for the clinch! Korolev avoids it this time.
Korolev misses with a looping right.
Murphy tries to counter with a clinch but Korolev shakes him off and moves away.
Murphy is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Korolev misses with a hook. Murphy ducked under it nicely.
Korolev throws a right and a left that Murphy avoids nicely.
Korolev looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Murphy bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Good standup being displayed there by Korolev as he connects with a hook.
Korolev throws a lazy right hand but Murphy sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Murphy uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Korolev.
Korolev throws a shot from downtown. Murphy moves away and avoids it.
Korolev throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Korolev misses with a looping right.
Korolev missing with a left hand there. Murphy was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Murphy keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Korolev.
Murphy steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Korolev.
Murphy steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Korolev.
Murphy tries to close the distance and clinch up but Korolev swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Murphy wants to clinch.
Korolev is looking to counter punch.
Korolev throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Murphy stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Murphy throws a head kick but Korolev moves out of range.

Murphy clinches up against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Korolev is trying to push Murphy away but Murphy has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Korolev tries to break the clinch but Murphy is controlling the position.
Murphy missing with knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murphy throws a knee to the head but misses.
Murphy throws an elbow but it misses.
Murphy misses with a knee to the head.
Murphy throws an elbow but it misses.
Murphy misses with an elbow over the top.
Korolev dodges an elbow strike from Murphy.
Murphy is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
A short right from Korolev.
Murphy keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Korolev's efforts to push away.
Korolev has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Murphy has Korolev pressed against the cage, preventing Korolev from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Murphy throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Korolev blocks it with crossed arms.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murphy landing knees to the body.
Murphy lands an elbow inside that Korolev shrugs off.
With the fighters up against the cage, Murphy throws an elbow but misses.
Korolev throws a punch but it's blocked by Murphy.
Murphy's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Murphy just misses with a elbow thrown towards Korolev's brow.
Korolev avoids a wild elbow strike from Murphy.
Korolev can't find room to land a body shot as Murphy controls the action.
Murphy throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Korolev avoids the elbow strike from Murphy, against the cage.
Murphy tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Alexander Korolev will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Alexander Korolev's cut.
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.

Murphy moves in looking to clinch but Korolev pushes him off.
Korolev throws a looping overhand right but Murphy ducks down to avoid it.
Murphy steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Korolev.
Murphy is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Korolev lands with a nice combination. Murphy backs away looking to recover.
Murphy walks into a left hand.
Korolev's jab looks to have found its range, popping Murphy under the eye.
Murphy displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Korolev throws out the jab.
Murphy doesn't manage to clinch there - Korolev circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Korolev throws a big shot that misses.
Korolev misses the jab.
Korolev connects with a crisp jab.
A jab lands there for Korolev.
Korolev uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Murphy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murphy tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Korolev manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Korolev went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Murphy uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Korolev.
Korolev pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Murphy is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Murphy delivers a nice body kick.
Murphy slips under a jab.
Murphy is looking to clinch but Korolev is avoiding it.
Korolev throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

Murphy closes the distance and clinches.
A frustrated look appears on Korolev's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Murphy lands an elbow inside.
Murphy tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Murphy misses with a knee strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murphy is trying to maintain a safe position but Korolev gets an underhook and turns Murphy into the cage.
Murphy with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Korolev wants to break free but Murphy has control.
Korolev slows down the pace here.
Korolev blocks an elbow strike from Murphy.
Murphy throws an elbow but it misses.
Nice body punch from Korolev - that landed with a thud.

Korolev breaks from the clinch.
Korolev scores with a hook to the body. Murphy takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Korolev throws a lazy right hand but Murphy sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Korolev misses with a hook.
Murphy wants to clinch.
Korolev is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Murphy can do to turn this around?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Murphy looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
It looked like Korolev wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Murphy tries to clinch up but Korolev circles away and keeps his distance.

Murphy gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Korolev blocks an elbow strike from Murphy.
Murphy keeps control of Korolev as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Murphy just misses with a elbow thrown towards Korolev's brow.
Murphy tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Murphy.
Korolev blocks an elbow strike.
Murphy misses with a knee to the head.
Korolev throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Korolev swings wildly with an uppercut but Murphy uses good head movement to avoid it.
Murphy with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
The referee calls for Murphy to work.
Korolev tries to work over Murphy's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Murphy pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Murphy misses with an elbow over the top.
Murphy pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Korolev avoids the elbow strike from Murphy, against the cage.
Paddy Murphy seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Korolev being controlled against the cage.
Murphy tries to land knees in the clinch but Korolev avoids the damage to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Korolev dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Alexander Korolev's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Korolev works Murphy's body with a nice hook.
Murphy tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Korolev was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Murphy slips a jab from Korolev.
Murphy dodges the punch combination from Korolev.
Korolev connects with a looping right hand.
Korolev misses with a straight left.
Korolev misses with an uppercut. Murphy saw that one coming.
Korolev misses with a straight right.
Korolev sets himself, and Murphy steps forward looking for the clinch! Korolev avoids it this time.
Korolev misses the jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Murphy tries to clinch but Korolev moves out of range.
Murphy is looking to clinch.
Korolev scores with a jab to the jaw.
A big right from Korolev misses.
Murphy tries to close the distance and clinch but Korolev swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murphy cracks Korolev with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Murphy is looking to clinch but Korolev is avoiding it.
Murphy doesn't manage to clinch there - Korolev circles away.
Korolev throws a big shot that misses.
Korolev misses with a looping left.
Korolev lands with a straight right. Murphy didn't see that one coming.
Murphy throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A big left from Korolev misses.
Murphy ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Murphy tries to close the distance and clinch up but Korolev swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Korolev misses with a looping left.
Korolev swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Korolev throws an overhand right that lands on Murphy's shoulder, as Murphy tries to avoid the shot.
Korolev misses with a body shot.
Korolev throws a body shot but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Korolev swats away the attempt to clinch by Murphy.
Korolev misses with a body shot.
Murphy wants to counter with a clinch but Korolev pushes him away.
Korolev looks to land a right hand but Murphy moved out of range.
Murphy tries to close the distance and clinch but Korolev swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Murphy misses the shot to the body.
Korolev misses with a hook.
Alexander Korolev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Murphy on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Korolev wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Korolev missing with a left hand there. Murphy was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Murphy's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Korolev connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Murphy scrambles back to his feet.
A looping hook to the body misses from Korolev. Murphy does a little dance to reset his feet.
A telegraphed right hand from Korolev misses the target.
Murphy uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Korolev.
Paddy Murphy has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Korolev cracks Murphy with a right hand to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murphy tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Korolev manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Korolev lands the left hand.
Alexander Korolev is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Murphy moves into the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Korolev fails to land.

Korolev pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Murphy, as that shot connected.
Murphy steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Korolev.
Korolev fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Murphy manages to avoid it.
Murphy avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Murphy clinches.
Murphy taking a breather.
Murphy stalling in the clinch but Korolev improves position.
Korolev wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Murphy tries a knee to the head but Korolev blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murphy lands an elbow just above Korolev 's eye.

Alexander Korolev's cut is getting worse.
Murphy misses with a knee to the head.
Murphy using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Korolev has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Murphy trying to stall but Korolev improves his position.
Murphy pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Korolev is trying to push Murphy away but Murphy has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Murphy tries to land a knee to the head but Korolev blocks with his arms.

Korolev breaks the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Korolev cracks a nice hook into Murphy's ribs.
Korolev throws a hook but Murphy blocks it.
Korolev throws a jab when Murphy was well out of range.
Korolev misses with a hook.
Korolev sizes up Murphy with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexander Korolev showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Korolev, 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 David Schapiro scores the fight 30:28
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 30:27
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexander Korolev!
A victorious Alexander Korolev thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.