PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Darwin Budluvski (ranked 910 p4p, 415 weight class) and Paul Muhapuro (ranked 138 p4p, 67 weight class). Muhapuro has chosen Warrant - Cherry Pie as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Budluvski
vs
Muhapuro

175 cm
36
172
26 - 14 - 2

177 cm
30
179
23 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Conquer
Conviction

Voodoo Nutrition
PWNAGE Elite - $25 Tees

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 26 - 14 - 2, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Darwin Budluvski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Paul Muhapuro!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Timothy Bukovac and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Budluvski forces Muhapuro back against the cage and clinches.
Muhapuro throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Budluvskis head.

Budluvski breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Muhapuro clinches.
Budluvski blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Muhapuro tries to throw a body punch but Budluvski avoids it by throwing Muhapuro back against the cage.
Muhapuro is trying to force a seperation but Budluvski has the dominant position.
Muhapuro has a couple of punches blocked by Budluvski.
Budluvski is trying to force a seperation but Muhapuro has the dominant position.
Muhapuro throws a head punch that misses.
Budluvski tries to pull guard but Muhapuro holds him up against the cage and eventually Budluvski drops back down to his feet.
Muhapuro blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Muhapuro fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Budluvski throws a punch but it's blocked by Muhapuro.
Muhapuro avoiding damage as Budluvski throws knees to the body.

Budluvski escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A looping hook to the body misses from Muhapuro. Budluvski does a little dance to reset his feet.
Budluvski attempts a counter takedown but Muhapuro avoids it well and moves away.
Muhapuro misses with a body shot.

Muhapuro rushes Budluvski and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Budluvski tries a knee to the head but Muhapuro blocks it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Muhapuro.
Muhapuro creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

Muhapuro pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Budluvski is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Muhapuro.

Muhapuro closes the distance and clinches.
Budluvski is looking for a takedown.
Muhapuro misses with a short punch on the inside.
Muhapuro swings wildly with an uppercut but Budluvski uses good head movement to avoid it.
Muhapuro throws a punch but it's blocked by Budluvski.
Budluvski is pushing Muhapuro up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Muhapuro swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Muhapuro has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Budluvski tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Muhapuro smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Darwin Budluvski. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Muhapuro clinches up with Budluvski and pushes him back against the cage.
Budluvski is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Muhapuro is defending well.
Muhapuro lands a right hand.
Budluvski tries to pull guard but Muhapuro forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Budluvski breaks from the clinch.

Budluvski has taken the fight to the clinch.
Muhapuro throws a head punch that misses.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Muhapuro fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Budluvski dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
A shot in the inside from Muhapuro.
Budluvski blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Budluvski blocking some punches.
Muhapuro lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A head punch on the inside from Muhapuro fails to land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Budluvski blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Budluvski wants to take the fight to the mat but Muhapuro manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Budluvski tries to pull guard but Muhapuro won't allow it.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Budluvski just misses with a elbow thrown towards Muhapuro's brow.
Muhapuro scores with a shoulder strike.
Muhapuro lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Budluvski backwards.
Budluvski throws an elbow but it misses.
Muhapuro misses with a punch to the body.
Budluvski is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Budluvski fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Muhapuro swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A head punch on the inside from Muhapuro fails to land.
Budluvski tries for a takedown. No joy.
Muhapuro is pressed up against the cage. Budluvski has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Muhapuro down to the mat. Muhapuro avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Muhapuro pushes Budluvski up against the cage in a clinch.
Still in the clinch, Muhapuro scores with a nice short uppercut.
Muhapuro swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Muhapuro swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Muhapuro breaks from the clinch.
A good leg kick by Budluvski.

Muhapuro has closed the distance and engaged Budluvski in a clinch.
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!
Muhapuro tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Muhapuro avoids the elbow strike from Budluvski, against the cage.
Budluvski is trying to drag Muhapuro to the mat but Muhapuro just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Budluvski manages to break the clinch.

Budluvski has managed to clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Budluvski.

Budluvski's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Muhapuro clinches up with Budluvski and pushes him back against the cage.
Muhapuro tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Budluvski breaks the clinch.
Muhapuro tries to clinch there but Budluvski circles away.

Muhapuro rushes Budluvski and presses him up against the cage.
Budluvski misses with the head strike.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Muhapuro dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Budluvski tries to keep at a distance but Muhapuro has taken the fight into the clinch.
Muhapuro is trying to force a seperation but Budluvski has the dominant position.

Budluvski jumps guard.

Muhapuro stands up from Budluvski's guard - Muhapuro perhaps looking for a knockout.

Budluvski fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Muhapuro, pushing him back against the cage.
Budluvski blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Muhapuro tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Muhapuro has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Budluvski.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Muhapuro prevents a takedown attempt there.
Still in the clinch, Muhapuro scores with a nice short uppercut.
Paul Muhapuro seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Budluvski can't break the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Muhapuro fails to land.
Budluvski wants to get back to striking at distance but Muhapuro won't allow it.
Muhapuro misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Muhapuro breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Muhapuro closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Muhapuro misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Budluvski working hard to break the clinch.
Muhapuro throws a head punch that misses.
Muhapuro on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Budluvski blocks an uppercut.

Budluvski breaks the clinch.

Budluvski gets tackled into the cage by Muhapuro. Muhapuro maintains the clinch.
Muhapuro misses with a short punch on the inside.
Muhapuro throws a punch but it's blocked by Budluvski.

Budluvski gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Muhapuro wants to stand up but Budluvski is controlling him.

Muhapuro has his feet on Budluvski's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Darwin Budluvski is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Budluvski clinches.

Budluvski drags the fight down to the ground.

Muhapuro stands up from Budluvski's guard - Muhapuro perhaps looking for a knockout.
Muhapuro tries to close the distance and clinch but Budluvski swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Budluvski is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Muhapuro.

Budluvski tries to keep at a distance but Muhapuro has taken the fight into the clinch.
Budluvski blocking some punches.
Budluvski blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Muhapuro breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Budluvski closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Muhapuro fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Budluvski is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Muhapuro is defending well.
Budluvski blocking some punches.
Budluvski blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Budluvski avoids a wild elbow strike from Muhapuro.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Muhapuro working aggressively here.
Budluvski is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Muhapuro gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Darwin Budluvski. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Budluvski fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Budluvski blocks an uppercut.
Muhapuro fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Muhapuro misses with some punches.

Muhapuro pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Muhapuro tries to clinch but Budluvski moves out of range.

Budluvski forces Muhapuro back against the cage and clinches.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Muhapuro.
Budluvski blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Budluvski.
Muhapuro misses with a punch on the inside.
Muhapuro working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A short right from Muhapuro on the inside.
Budluvski fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Muhapuro keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Budluvski's efforts to push away.
Budluvski blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Budluvski breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Muhapuro instigates a clinch.
Muhapuro misses with a short punch on the inside.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Muhapuro in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Muhapuro tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Muhapuro throws a head punch that misses.
A frustrated look appears on Budluvski's face as he tries to break the clinch.
A short right from Muhapuro.
Muhapuro misses with some punches.
Muhapuro gets through Budluvski's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Budluvski wants to break free but Muhapuro has control.

Muhapuro's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Muhapuro connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Budluvski's hands.
Muhapuro keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Muhapuro tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Budluvski pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Muhapuro wants to clinch up but Budluvski keeps it at a distance.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Muhapuro showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Muhapuro moves into the clinch successfully.
Budluvski is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Muhapuro pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Budluvski blocking some punches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Budluvski.
Muhapuro misses with a short punch on the inside.
Muhapuro misses with some punches.
Muhapuro working aggressively here.
Muhapuro misses with the head strike.

Muhapuro's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Muhapuro clinches up with Budluvski and pushes him back against the cage.
Budluvski goes for a takedown in the clinch but Muhapuro prevents it.

Budluvski gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Muhapuro regains guard.

Muhapuro is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
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!

Muhapuro escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Muhapuro tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Budluvski manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Muhapuro is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Darwin Budluvski is winning the standup battle so far.
Muhapuro wants to clinch up but Budluvski keeps it at a distance.

Muhapuro closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Muhapuro throws a punch but it's blocked by Budluvski.
Muhapuro working some nice short punches in the clinch.

Budluvski breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Muhapuro tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Muhapuro rushes Budluvski and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Budluvski blocking some punches.
Muhapuro lands with a light punch inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Muhapuro.
Budluvski scores with a shot to the side of Muhapuro's head.
Muhapuro looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Muhapuro throws a head punch that misses.
A short right from Muhapuro.
Darwin Budluvski has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Paul Muhapuro 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.
Muhapuro managing to block the knees to the body from Budluvski.

Muhapuro pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Budluvski throws a head kick that misses.

Muhapuro gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Budluvski blocks a body shot from Muhapuro.
Nice body punch from Muhapuro.
Budluvski looking to slow down the pace here.
Budluvski goes for a takedown attempt but Muhapuro pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Darwin Budluvski. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Muhapuro is looking to clinch.
Budluvski appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Budluvski drops his hands momentarily and Muhapuro takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

Muhapuro closes the distance and clinches.
A short right from Budluvski.
Muhapuro swings wildly with an uppercut but Budluvski uses good head movement to avoid it.
Muhapuro lands an uppercut.
Budluvski is looking to break free of the clinch but Muhapuro has double underhooks.

Budluvski's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Budluvski scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

Muhapuro has Budluvski up against the cage in a clinch.
Muhapuro has Budluvski pressed against the cage, preventing Budluvski from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Budluvski wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Muhapuro has him pressed against the cage.
Budluvski is trying to pull guard but Muhapuro turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Muhapuro gets underhooks to prevent Budluvski's takedown attempt.
Nice body punch from Budluvski - that landed with a thud.
Muhapuro blocks a body shot from Budluvski.
Budluvski fails to pull guard.

Budluvski's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Muhapuro gets a clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Paul Muhapuro comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Muhapuro 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30

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