PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Trace Mack (ranked 2739 p4p, 2637 weight class) and Kaven Murphy (ranked 309 p4p, 301 weight class). Trace Mack could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Kaven Murphy's chin.

Mack
vs
Murphy

190 cm
21
220
1 - 1 - 0

185 cm
22
219
5 - 4 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

Honest Apparel ($30 SPECIAL ALL T-Shirts!)

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Trace Mack!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Kaven Murphy!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Trevor Gratis and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mack lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Murphy lands a slapping body shot.
Murphy tries to clinch but Mack is having none of it.
Mack seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

Murphy has closed the distance and engaged Mack in a clinch.
Murphy misses with an elbow strike.
Murphy told us before the fight that he's been working on his elbows. An under utilised technique these days - let's see if it can sway the outcome of the fight.
Mack blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Murphy misses with a knee to the head.
Mack managing to block the knees to the body from Murphy.
Murphy pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice body punch from Mack - that landed with a thud.
Mack lands with a short punch from the clinch.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Murphy just misses with a elbow thrown towards Mack's brow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mack blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Mack blocking some punches.
Mack takes a knee to the side of the body.
Mack blocks an elbow strike from Murphy.
Murphy throws an elbow but it misses.
Murphy controlling the action here for a moment.
Murphy misses with a knee strike.
Murphy pushes off an throws an elbow but Mack leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Murphy creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Mack's defenses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mack blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Murphy misses with a punch to the body.
Murphy unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Mack misses with a body punch.
Murphy scores a nice knee to the body.
The referee calls for Murphy to work.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Murphy.
Mack tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Murphy tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Mack's elbow.
Murphy tries to land knees in the clinch but Mack avoids the damage to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murphy manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Murphy misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Mack working hard to break the clinch.
Murphy goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Murphy throws an elbow that misses.
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.
Murphy will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Mack up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Mack has Murphy pressed against the cage.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Murphy.
Murphy holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Murphy continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.
Murphy stalls.
Murphy receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Kaven Murphy.
Murphy throws a hook but Mack avoids it easily.
Murphy throws a hook but Mack blocks it.
Mack was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Murphy throws a lazy right hand but Mack sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Mack appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.

Murphy moves into range and clinches up with Mack.
Mack definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mack.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Murphy.
Murphy misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Mack.
Murphy throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Mack blocks it with crossed arms.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Murphy.
Mack scores with a shot to the side of Murphy's head.
Murphy manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Murphy tries to land a knee to the head but Mack blocks with his arms.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Murphy tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Mack avoids it.
Murphy lands an elbow just above Mack 's eye.
Murphy is stalling here.
Murphy holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Mack takes a knee to the side of the body.
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.
Murphy tries to throw a body punch but Mack avoids it by throwing Murphy back against the cage.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Mack is trying to break the clinch but Murphy has him pressed against the cage.
Murphy swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Mack being controlled against the cage.
Mack takes an elbow to the temple.

It looks like Trace Mack has been cut.
Murphy tries to land knees in the clinch but Mack avoids the damage to the body.
Mack is trying to break free.
A bit of stalling here from Murphy.
Murphy fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Murphy is stalling here.
Murphy scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Murphy swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Murphy tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Murphy stalling the fight.
Murphy swings wildly with an uppercut but Mack uses good head movement to avoid it.
A right hook to the body lands for Murphy.
Murphy dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Kaven Murphy.

Murphy moves into the clinch successfully.
Murphy pushes off an throws an elbow but Mack leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Murphy misses with a knee strike.
Murphy avoiding damage.
Come on Murphy - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
The crowd are getting on Murphy's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
Mack blocks an elbow strike from Murphy.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Mack's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Murphy tries to close the distance and clinch but Mack swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kaven Murphy dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Trace Mack's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Mack takes a swing at Murphy's ribcage but misses.
Murphy scores with a hook to the body. Mack takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

Murphy fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Mack, pushing him back against the cage.
Murphy stalling.
Murphy tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Mack avoids it.
Murphy holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Murphy leaning his opponent against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mack is trying to break free.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mack being controlled against the cage.
Murphy looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Kaven Murphy seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Mack avoiding damage as Murphy throws knees to the body.
Mack wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Murphy pressing his opponent against the cage.
Mack avoiding damage as Murphy throws knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Murphy tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
With the fighters up against the cage, Murphy throws an elbow but misses.
Murphy stalls.
Murphy tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Mack avoids it.
Murphy throws a punch but it's blocked by Mack.
Murphy tries to throw a body punch but Mack avoids it by throwing Murphy back against the cage.
Murphy dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Murphy tries to land a knee to the head but Mack blocks with his arms.
Murphy has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Murphy misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murphy slows down the pace here.
Murphy with a knee to the head.
Mack looking to slow down the pace here.
Murphy cracks Mack with a nice body shot.
Mack blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Murphy taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Murphy taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Kaven Murphy.
Murphy tries to clinch but Mack moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murphy throws a body shot but no joy.
Mack is looking to counter punch.

Murphy instigates a clinch.
Murphy creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Murphy tries a body shot but Mack blocks it.
Murphy throws a punch but it's blocked by Mack.
Murphy misses with a hook from the clinch.
Murphy lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Murphy stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Murphy dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Murphy.
Mack'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.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Murphy lands an elbow just above Mack 's eye.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Murphy landing knees to the body.
Mack wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Murphy has him pressed against the cage.
Murphy tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Mack avoids it.
Murphy misses with an elbow over the top.
Murphy tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Mack avoids it.
Murphy tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Mack's elbow.
The referee is keeping an eye on Murphy - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Mack throws a punch but it's blocked by Murphy.
Mack avoiding damage as Murphy throws knees to the body.
Mack throws a punch but it's blocked by Murphy.
Mack avoids a wild elbow strike from Murphy.
The referee is keeping an eye on Mack - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Murphy tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Murphy misses with a hook to the ribs.
Mack avoiding damage as Murphy throws knees to the body.
Murphy missing with knees to the body.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Murphy displaying some good clinch control by pressing Mack up against the cage.
Mack takes an elbow to the temple.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Murphy misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Mack.
A short left from Murphy.

Mack ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Mack no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Murphy works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Mack is trying to stand up here but Murphy is controlling him well.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Murphy keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Murphy wants to stand up but Mack has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Mack looks like he's trying to stand up.
Mack is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Murphy seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Mack pushes Murphy off looking to stand but Murphy dives back in and keeps control.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kaven Murphy showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Trace Mack's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Mack throws a body punch but Murphy moves out of range.
Murphy feints a counter leg kick.
Murphy shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Murphy takes a swing at Mack's ribcage but misses.
A quick step to the side and Mack tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Murphy scores with a three punch combo!
A big right from Murphy misses.
A chopping leg kick lands by Murphy.
Murphy throws a hook but Mack avoids it easily.
A little feinted left hand from Mack on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mack jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Murphy tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Mack was well out of range. Poor timing from Murphy.
As Murphy looks to move away, Mack throws a big counter combo but Murphy just gets out of the way.
Murphy connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murphy with a nice calf kick.

Murphy has closed the distance and engaged Mack in a clinch.
Murphy misses with a hook to the ribs.
Murphy landing knees to the body.
Mack is trying to maintain a safe position but Murphy gets an underhook and turns Mack into the cage.
Murphy tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Mack avoids it.
Mack takes an elbow to the forehead.
Mack pressing his opponent against the cage.
Murphy pressing his opponent against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murphy with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Mack has Murphy pressed against the cage.
Murphy stalls.
Murphy misses with a hook from the clinch.
Murphy working Mack over with knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murphy misses with a punch to the body.
Murphy tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Nice body punch from Murphy.
Murphy with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Mack digs a right hand underneath Murphy's ribcage. Murphy let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Murphy lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Murphy misses with an elbow over the top.
Murphy misses with a body punch.
Murphy lands a shot to the body.
Murphy content to slow the pace in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murphy manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
A hook to the body from Murphy.

Mack escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Murphy connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Mack tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Mack slips under a jab from Murphy.
A little feinted left hand from Mack on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Kaven Murphy seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Murphy tries to clinch but Mack is having none of it.
It looked like Mack was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Murphy.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Murphy moves in looking to clinch but Mack pushes him off.
Mack takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Mack swings widly with a right hand
and Murphy counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Murphy misses with an uppercut.
Mack is looking to counter punch.
Murphy misses with a hook. Mack ducked under it nicely.
Murphy connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Murphy tries to close the distance and clinch but Mack swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Murphy throws a low kick but Mack moves out of range easily.
Mack throwing a counter right hand but Murphy manages to avoid it.
Murphy walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Murphy tries to clinch but fails miserably
enabling Mack to counter with a crisp jab.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Mack throws a half hearted mid kick.
Mack tries to move into range but Murphy moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Mack ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Mack stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Murphy.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A swing and a miss from Mack.
Mack sets himself, and Murphy steps forward looking for the clinch! Mack avoids it this time.
A punch lands to the side of Mack 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Mack takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Murphy displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Mack throws out the jab.
Mack throws a sloppy head kick and Murphy moves out of range easily.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Mack blocks a jab.
Mack has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Murphy finds it's way round the side to connect with Mack's head.

Murphy moves into range and clinches up with Mack.
Trace Mack has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Murphy lands a hook that snaps the head of Mack backwards.
Murphy lands a nice elbow.
Murphy controlling the action here for a moment.
Mack blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Knees in the clinch landing for Murphy.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Murphy is stalling here.
Murphy gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Murphy stalling.
Murphy connects with a nasty looking knee right to Mack's face.

Trace Mack's cut is getting worse.
Murphy is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Murphy is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Mack prevents a body shot from Murphy.
Murphy digs a right hand into Mack's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Mack's gas tank.
Murphy taking a breather.
Murphy scores with a knee to the head.
A knee to the head by Murphy.
Mack avoids the elbow strike from Murphy, against the cage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Murphy has a couple of punches blocked by Mack.
Murphy working Mack over with knees to the body.
Kaven Murphy is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Murphy misses with a body punch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kaven Murphy comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Murphy 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 Gregory Folan scores the fight 27:30
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kaven Murphy!
Kaven Murphy decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.