PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kaven Murphy (ranked 2344 p4p, 2724 weight class) and Zavian Barkley (ranked 272 p4p, 309 weight class). Zavian Barkley has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Murphy
vs
Barkley

185 cm
23
219
7 - 6 - 0

191 cm
24
213
4 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
World class MT
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 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Kaven Murphy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Zavian Barkley!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Alec Ball and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Murphy throws a leg kick but Barkley sees it coming and moves out of range.

Murphy moves into the clinch.
Our sources have told us that Murphy has been working on his knees in the buildup to the fight.
Murphy lands a body shot in the clinch.
Murphy manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Murphy pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Murphy takes an elbow to the forehead.
Barkley throws an elbow that misses.
Murphy content to slow the pace in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barkley being controlled against the cage.
Barkley digs a right hand into Murphy's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Murphy's gas tank.
Barkley tries to work over Murphy's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murphy misses with a hook from the clinch.
Barkley misses with an elbow over the top.
Barkley avoids a wild elbow strike from Murphy.
Murphy unloads a knee to the mid-section. Barkley lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Murphy prevents a body shot from Barkley.
Barkley tries to pull guard but Murphy won't allow it.
Murphy blocking some punches.
Murphy throws an elbow that misses.
Barkley blocks a body shot from Murphy.
Murphy blocks the elbow strike.
Murphy scores with a hook to the body.
Barkley takes an elbow to the temple.

It looks like Zavian Barkley has been cut.
Barkley is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Murphy to keep the fight standing.
Barkley misses with a punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barkley managing to block the knees to the body from Murphy.
Murphy using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Barkley has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Murphy slows down the pace here.
Murphy lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Murphy tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Barkley tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Murphy's elbow.
A head punch on the inside from Murphy fails to land.
A short left from Murphy.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Murphy working Barkley over with knees to the body.
Murphy lands a body punch.
Murphy leaning against his opponent.
Barkley avoiding damage as Murphy throws knees to the body.
Murphy lands an elbow just above Barkley 's eye.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murphy lands with a light punch inside.

Barkley 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.

Barkley is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Murphy defends well.
Murphy trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Barkley can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Murphy controls the pace.
Barkley looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Murphy's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Barkley looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Barkley is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Barkley looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Murphy has picked Barkley up and slammed him! Barkley can't keep hold of the triangle and Murphy manages to pass to side control!
Barkley is looking for a sweep.
Barkley gets back to half guard.
Murphy takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

That's five minutes gone in the round.

Barkley looking for submissions off his back.
Murphy content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Barkley wants to get back to full guard.
Murphy with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

Barkley is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Murphy pulls his head out easily.

Murphy stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Barkley throws a hook to the side of Murphy's head but Murphy sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A looping hook to the body misses from Murphy. Barkley does a little dance to reset his feet.
Barkley throws a jab but it's blocked by Murphy.

Murphy gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Barkley tries to pull guard but Murphy won't allow it.
Kaven Murphy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zavian Barkley.
Barkley manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Murphy with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Barkley gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
A hook to the body from Murphy.
Barkley is trying to force a seperation but Murphy has the dominant position.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Barkley wants to stall.
Barkley has Murphy pushed against the cage.
Murphy blocks a body shot from Barkley.
Murphy connects with a knee to the head.
Barkley throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Murphy.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Murphy leaning his opponent against the cage.
Barkley struggles to land a body shot inside as Murphy controls his hands.
A left hand lands to the body for Murphy.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Murphy blocks an elbow strike from Barkley.
Murphy stalling the fight.
Murphy misses with a body punch.
Murphy lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Barkley throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Murphy lands a hook to the side of the head.
Murphy tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Murphy dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Barkley misses with a body punch.
Barkley managing to block the knees to the body from Murphy.
Murphy blocks an uppercut.
Murphy content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Murphy throws a knee to the head but misses.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Barkley blocks a body shot from Murphy.

Barkley decides to pull guard.
Murphy is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Barkley is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Barkley trying to control the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Barkley working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Murphy doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Murphy manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Murphy sitting in guard here, content to control.
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 Zavian Barkley's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Murphy avoids the elbow strike from Barkley, against the cage.
Murphy misses with a hook from the clinch.
Murphy tries to land knees in the clinch but Barkley avoids the damage to the body.
Barkley blocks an elbow strike from Murphy.
Murphy stalling the fight.
Barkley jumps guard but Murphy turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Murphy avoids a wild elbow strike from Barkley.
Murphy avoiding damage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Barkley just misses with a elbow thrown towards Murphy's brow.
Murphy lands with a right to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murphy tries a knee to the head but Barkley blocks it.
Murphy is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Barkley is defending well for now.
Barkley is trying to break the clinch but Murphy has him pressed against the cage.
Murphy throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Barkley blocks it with crossed arms.
The referee calls for Murphy to work.
Murphy throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Barkley working aggressively here.
Barkley misses with an elbow over the top.
With the fighters up against the cage, Barkley throws an elbow but misses.
Murphy crunches a lovely knee into Barkley's ribcage.
Barkley misses with an elbow strike.
Murphy is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Barkley can do to turn this around?
A right hand to the body from Murphy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barkley fails to pull guard.
A short right from Murphy on the inside.
Murphy throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Murphy misses with a hook from the clinch.
Barkley jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Murphy walks away with a smile on his face. Barkley gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Kaven Murphy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zavian Barkley.
Barkley is looking to land body kicks.
Good shot there by Barkley.
Barkley misses with a head kick.

Murphy has closed the distance and engaged Barkley in a clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Murphy tries to work over Barkley's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Murphy is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Barkley is defending well for now.
Murphy slows down the pace here.
Murphy comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barkley tries a body shot but Murphy blocks it.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Murphy just misses with a elbow thrown towards Barkley's brow.
Barkley tries to pull guard but Murphy won't allow it.
Murphy lands a body punch in the clinch.
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 looking to throw knees to the head but Barkley is blocking nicely.
Barkley on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Murphy pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Nice body punch from Murphy - that landed with a thud.
Murphy is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Barkley is defending well for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barkley pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Murphy tries to throw a body punch but Barkley avoids it by throwing Murphy back against the cage.
Nice elbow from Murphy.
Barkley jumps guard but Murphy turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Barkley is trying to pull guard but Murphy turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Barkley tries to pull guard but Murphy won't allow it.
Barkley throws a head punch that misses.
Kaven Murphy has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Barkley tries a body shot but Murphy blocks it.
Murphy effectively controlling the action here.
Murphy lands a good knee to the midsection. Barkley won't want to take too many of those.
Barkley blocks an elbow strike from 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.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Murphy.
Barkley tries to pull guard but Murphy forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Barkley tries to work over Murphy's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Barkley takes a knee to the side of the body.
Barkley tries to pull guard but Murphy holds him up against the cage and eventually Barkley drops back down to his feet.
A short right from Murphy on the inside.
Murphy lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Barkley or not.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Murphy.
With the fighters up against the cage, Murphy throws an elbow but misses.
Murphy is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Barkley is defending well for now.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Murphy lands a body shot in the clinch.
Murphy is stalling here.
Come on Murphy - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Barkley misses with a hook from the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Barkley.
A knee to the head by Murphy.
Barkley tries to work over Murphy's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Murphy lands a damaging elbow.
Barkley is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Murphy to keep the fight standing.
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!
A short left from Murphy.
Murphy stalling the fight.
Barkley jumps guard but Murphy turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters up against the cage, Barkley throws an elbow but misses.
Murphy with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Murphy tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Murphy lands a shot to the body.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Barkley tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Barkley is breathing heavily.
Murphy slows down the pace here.
Murphy throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Barkley fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Murphy gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Barkley blocks an elbow strike.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Murphy looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Murphy stalling the fight.
Murphy landing knees to the head.
Murphy is stalling here.
Murphy gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Murphy stalling against the cage.
Barkley managing to block the knees to the body from Murphy.
Barkley struggles to land a body shot inside as Murphy controls his hands.
Nice body punch from Murphy.
Barkley being controlled against the cage.
Murphy prevents a body shot from Barkley.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Murphy landing knees to the body.
Barkley takes an elbow to the forehead.
Murphy misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Barkley.
Barkley tries to pull guard but Murphy forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Murphy lands a nice knee to the body.
Barkley has a couple of punches blocked by Murphy.
Barkley swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Murphy lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Barkley.
Murphy lands an elbow that stopped Barkley in his tracks for a moment.
A nice right hand lands inside from Murphy.
Murphy manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kaven Murphy dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Zavian Barkley's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Barkley takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

Murphy darts in and clinches Barkley up against the cage.
Murphy tries to land knees in the clinch but Barkley avoids the damage to the body.
Murphy scores a nice knee to the body.
Murphy lands an elbow inside.
Barkley jumps guard but Murphy stands there with Barkley around his waist. Barkley gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Murphy has Barkley pushed against the cage.
Murphy looking to throw knees to the head but Barkley is blocking nicely.
Murphy stalling the fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barkley tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Murphy lands a body shot in the clinch.
Barkley takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Barkley tries to pull guard but Murphy holds him up against the cage and eventually Barkley drops back down to his feet.
Kaven Murphy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zavian Barkley.
Barkley misses with an elbow over the top.
Barkley is trying to pull guard but Murphy has him pressed against the cage.
Barkley goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Murphy throws a knee to the head but misses.
Murphy will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Barkley up against the cage.
Murphy pushes off an throws an elbow but Barkley leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Murphy holding his opponent close, against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murphy is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Barkley is defending well for now.
Barkley misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Murphy with a knee to the head.
Murphy creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Barkley's defenses.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Murphy lands an elbow inside that Barkley shrugs off.
Murphy throws an elbow but it misses.
Murphy content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Murphy slowing the pace effectively.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barkley goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Murphy lands a left hand that snaps the head of Barkley backwards.
Murphy comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
The referee calls for Murphy to work.
Barkley lands an elbow just above Murphy 's eye.
Barkley tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Murphy just stands there and leans against the cage.
Murphy with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Nice elbow from Murphy.
Murphy lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Murphy tries to land knees in the clinch but Barkley avoids the damage to the body.
The referee is keeping an eye on Murphy - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Murphy 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.
Murphy manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Barkley tries to throw a body punch but Murphy avoids it by throwing Barkley back against the cage.
Barkley lands an elbow inside that Murphy shrugs off.
Barkley lands a body punch.
Barkley misses with a hook from the clinch.
Barkley swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Murphy is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Murphy.
Zavian Barkley has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Barkley tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Barkley holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Murphy tries a body shot but Barkley blocks it.
Murphy can't find room to land a body shot as Barkley controls the action.
Murphy lands a body punch in the clinch.
Barkley is trying to pull guard but Murphy has him pressed against the cage.
Murphy doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Barkley pulls guard successfully.
Murphy knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Barkley on the ground.

Barkley looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Murphy showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's six minutes gone in the round.

Murphy stands up from Barkley's guard - Murphy perhaps looking for a knockout.
Barkley takes a jab right on the kisser.
Murphy tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Barkley manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Murphy pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Barkley throws a head kick but Murphy moves out of range.
A bone on bone clash there as Barkley blocks the leg kick.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Murphy lands a nice leg kick that just misses Barkley's sensitive parts.
Murphy connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Barkley momentarily.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Barkley lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Murphy has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Murphy and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Barkley looks for the body kick but Murphy saw that one coming.
As Barkley tries to get set, Murphy tries to push him back and clinch up but Barkley manages to avoid the attempt.
Barkley takes one on the button.
Murphy throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Barkley ducks under a wild hook from Murphy.
Murphy misses with a low kick.
Barkley ducks under a wild hook from Murphy.
Murphy waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Barkley.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Murphy takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Barkley misses with a body kick.
Kaven Murphy is winning the standup battle so far.
Murphy on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Barkley. Barkley obviously looking to wear him down.
Barkley misses with the body kick
and Murphy connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Murphy moves into range and clinches up with Barkley.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Murphy throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Murphy can't find room to land a body shot as Barkley controls the action.
Murphy tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Barkley misses with a punch to the body.
Barkley takes an elbow to the temple.
Barkley misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Barkley jumps guard but Murphy stands there with Barkley around his waist. Barkley gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Murphy taking a breather.
Murphy throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Barkley blocks it with crossed arms.
Murphy throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Barkley tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Murphy's elbow.
Murphy blocks the elbow strike.
Murphy lands a knee to the head.
Murphy misses with a hook to the ribs.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Barkley misses with a hook to the ribs.
Barkley throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Murphy tries to throw a body punch but Barkley avoids it by throwing Murphy back against the cage.
Kaven Murphy is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Murphy throws an elbow that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kaven Murphy showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Murphy, 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 Ian Loll scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 30:27
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kaven Murphy!
Kaven Murphy was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.