PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Manus Murphy (ranked 1503 p4p, 1826 weight class) and Kiso Kisei (ranked 198 p4p, 239 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.

Murphy
vs
Kisei

195 cm
25
207
11 - 5 - 0

195 cm
25
209
8 - 7 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
World class MT
Good gas tank

HELLBENT
Conquer

HELLBENT
FUClothing

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 11 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Manus Murphy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Kiso Kisei!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Andrew Berry and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kisei throws a low kick but Murphy avoids it.
Kisei lunges at Murphy with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Murphy's hand.
Kisei scores with a nice right hand.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kisei. Murphy does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kisei stuffs the takedown.
Murphy sets himself, and Kisei steps forward looking for the clinch! Murphy avoids it this time.
Kisei thows a left - swing and a miss!
Murphy shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Murphy moves out of range as Kisei strikes.
Kisei slaps away a takedown attempt from Murphy, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Murphy has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Nice shot by Kisei.
Murphy takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Kisei's coach down at Cope's was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Kisei's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
A slow jab from Kisei misses its intended target.
Murphy changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kisei tries to avoid it but Murphy manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kisei to the ground. Kisei escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Manus Murphy. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kisei lands a body shot.
Murphy is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kisei sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Kisei fails to land with a series of punches.
Murphy appears to be looking for a big counter.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A jab from Kisei does it's job there.
Kisei throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kisei scores with a decent looking hook.
Kiso Kisei seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kisei misses with a hook.

Murphy feints and as Kisei raises his hands in defense, Murphy changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Murphy stops Kisei from standing up.
Murphy is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Murphy tries to free his leg and advance position but Kisei is retaining full guard.
Murphy forces his way into half guard.

Kisei pushes Murphy off and gets back to his feet.
A combination from Murphy does no damage.
Murphy gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Kisei.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Murphy is defended easily by Kisei.
Kisei is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murphy shoots in for a double leg but Kisei sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Murphy tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kisei swivels and escapes.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Murphy takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Murphy tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kisei sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Murphy somewhat.
Murphy changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kisei tries to avoid it but Murphy manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kisei to the ground. Kisei escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Murphy shoots in looking for a takedown but Kisei manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Murphy's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Murphy doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Kisei connects with a good right hand that stumbles Murphy. Murphy circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Kisei scores with a crisp jab that stopped Murphy in his tracks.
Murphy moves forwards but Kisei connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Kisei paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Kisei pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kisei connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Murphy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kisei stuns Murphy with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Murphy shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kisei as he jumps to the side.
Kisei misses with a wild body shot.
Kisei scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Kisei slaps away a takedown attempt from Murphy, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Murphy sets himself, and Kisei steps forward looking for the clinch! Murphy avoids it this time.
Murphy tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kisei sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Murphy somewhat.
Kisei swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kisei scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Kisei throws out a loose jab but Murphy uses good head movement to avoid it.
Murphy shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Kisei with a jab.
Kisei lands a jab to Murphy's midsection.
Kisei throws a hook but Murphy avoids it easily.
Murphy changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kisei tries to avoid it but Murphy manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kisei to the ground. Kisei escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Murphy blocks a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A slow jab from Kisei misses its intended target.
Kisei throws the left hand but Murphy avoids the punch easily.
As Kisei looks to move away, Murphy throws a big counter combo but Kisei just gets out of the way.
Kisei misses with a shot to the body
and Murphy counters with a one-two to the body.
Murphy ducks under a wild hook from Kisei.
Murphy changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Kisei takes a swing at Murphy's ribcage but misses.
Kisei ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Murphy moves away.
Murphy appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Kisei stuns Murphy with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Kisei waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Murphy.
A slow jab from Kisei misses its intended target.
Murphy throws a big counter combination but Kisei scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Kisei slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Murphy closes the distance and clinches up with Kisei, looking for a takedown. Murphy pushes Kisei against the cage but Kisei circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Murphy closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Murphy avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Murphy tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kisei swivels and escapes.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kisei fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Murphy looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Murphy misses with a body shot.
Murphy goes for a double leg but Kisei avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Kisei continues to drive forward.

Kisei has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Murphy uses from the top position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kiso Kisei dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Kisei fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Murphy manages to avoid it.
Murphy misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Kisei connects with a nice looking jab.
Nice sprawl there from Kisei as Murphy shoots in.
Murphy throws a series of punches but Kisei moves out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kisei. Murphy does a little dance to reset his feet.
Murphy seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Murphy shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kisei pinned against the cage. Kisei gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Manus Murphy. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kisei thuds a left hand into Murphy's body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Murphy tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kisei was well out of range. Poor timing from Murphy.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Kisei! But no joy.
Kisei has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Murphy waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kisei.
A left lands for Kisei.
Murphy takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Murphy keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kisei.
Murphy has a takedown stuffed.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Murphy.
Kisei connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Murphy's hands.
Kisei ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Murphy moves away.
An attempted straight right counter from Murphy misses the target.
Kisei works Murphy's body with a nice hook.
Murphy shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kisei as he jumps to the side.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kisei. Murphy does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kisei steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Murphy.

Murphy drives through with a takedown into Kisei's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Kisei is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Murphy dives into side control.

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kisei is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Murphy working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Kisei wants to get back to his feet but Murphy drags him back down.

Murphy tries for a kimura but Kisei is defending well.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kisei is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Murphy asserts his dominance and retains side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murphy wants to control but Kisei is keeping him busy.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Kisei lands a glancing blow to the side of Murphy's head.
Kisei misses with a left hand
and Murphy counters with a left and a right that stings Kisei.
Murphy slips under a jab from Kisei.
Murphy looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Kisei jabs at Murphy's body.
Kisei misses with an uppercut. Murphy saw that one coming.
Manus Murphy is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kisei checks a low kick from Murphy.
Murphy shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Kisei defends it nicely.
Kisei missing with a left hand there. Murphy was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kisei jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Murphy looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Murphy steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kisei.
It looked like Murphy wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Kisei scores with a body shot.
Murphy takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Murphy takes one on the button.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kiso Kisei showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Kisei cracks a nice hook into Murphy's ribs.
Kisei cracks Murphy with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Murphy changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kisei tries to avoid it but Murphy manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kisei to the ground. Kisei escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Kisei is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Murphy shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kisei misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Murphy.
Kisei throws an overhand right that lands on Murphy's shoulder, as Murphy tries to avoid the shot.
Kisei scores with a jab. Murphy acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Murphy staying out of range there.
Murphy shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Manus Murphy. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The fighters circling - Kisei throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Murphy drops down looking for a counter takedown but Kisei sprawls and moves away.
Murphy changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kisei tries to avoid it but Murphy manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kisei to the ground. Kisei escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Nice jab there from Kisei.
Kisei paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Murphy lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Kisei lands a nice hook to Murphy's body. Murphy takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kisei slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Kisei misses with a straight right.
Murphy darts in looking for a takedown but Kisei gets double underhooks and turns Murphy into the cage.
Murphy tries for a takedown. No joy.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kisei gets control of Murphy's arms and successfully pulls guard. Kisei will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Murphy prevents Kisei from getting back to his feet.
Kisei is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Nice sprawl there from Kisei as Murphy shoots in.
Kisei misses the shot to the body.
Kiso Kisei is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Kisei lands a right hook to the body.
Kisei scores with a punch to the head.
Kisei with a hook.
Kisei lands a jab to Murphy's midsection.
Kisei lands a jab to Murphy's midsection.
Murphy fails with the takedown.
Kiso Kisei is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kisei jabs Murphy right on the nose. Murphy blinks but takes it well.
Murphy looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kisei is fending him off so far but Murphy persists. Nope, Kisei circles away and we're back to standing.
Kisei scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Murphy uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kisei.
Kisei listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Murphy scores with the left hand. Kisei knows he should have avoided that one.
The fighters circle momentarily. Kisei darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Murphy tries to move into range but Kisei moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Murphy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murphy misses with a takedown attempt - Kisei sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Kisei displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Murphy.
Kisei cracks Murphy with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Murphy looks for a takedown but Kisei sprawls well.
Kisei scores with a shot to the body.
Kisei throws a lazy right hand but Murphy sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kisei lands with an uppercut that bounces Murphy off the cage and back into range.
Nice shot lands for Kisei.
Murphy takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Kisei scores with a kick to the body.
Kisei swings for the body but Murphy moves out of range.
Kisei cracks a nice hook into Murphy's ribs.
Murphy keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kisei.
Kiso Kisei seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Kisei finds it's way through Murphy's defenses.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kisei lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Murphy at a distance.
Kisei lands a nice shot that snaps Murphy's head back.
Murphy shoots in but Kisei avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Kisei defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Murphy.
Kisei throws a hook but Murphy blocks it.
Kisei scores with a hook.
Kisei misses with an uppercut. Murphy saw that one coming.
Nice takedown defense from Kisei. No joy for Murphy on that attempt.
Kisei throws a body shot but no joy.
Kisei is looking to slow Murphy down with leg kicks.
Murphy keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kisei.
Kisei moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Kisei connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Manus Murphy has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kisei scores with a jab to the jaw.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kiso Kisei comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Kisei winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 James Ackerman scores the fight 26:30
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 26:30
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kiso Kisei!
Kiso Kisei managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, FUClothing, into his post fight interview.
In defeat, Manus Murphy stepped up to the mic, saying 'WTF??? How did that happen?'.