PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Akihiro Murakami (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jack Russell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Russell has chosen dmx - dogs out as his entrance music. The key to victory for Akihiro Murakami has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Murakami
vs
Russell

165 cm
22
149 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

173 cm
19
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Intelligent

Control Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Akihiro Murakami!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jack Russell!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Shigeki Sano and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Russell fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Russell wants to clinch.

Russell closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Russell lands an elbow that stopped Murakami in his tracks for a moment.

It looks like Akihiro Murakami has been cut.
Russell lands a left hand that snaps the head of Murakami backwards.
A head punch on the inside from Russell fails to land.
Russell swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A right hand to the body from Russell.
A looping hook to the body misses from Russell. Murakami does a little dance to reset his feet.

Russell darts in and clinches Murakami up against the cage.
Murakami blocks an elbow strike from Russell.
A head punch on the inside from Russell fails to land.

Russell's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Russell throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Murakami misses with a straight right.

Russell closes the distance and pushes Murakami back into the cage.
Russell lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Murakami tries to pull guard but Russell won't allow it.
Murakami wants a takedown but no success here.
Russell is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Murakami is defending well for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Russell manages to break the clinch.
Akihiro Murakami seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Murakami misses with a series of wild punches.
Murakami throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Murakami waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Russell.

Russell closes the distance and clinches.
Russell lands a left hand.
Russell misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Russell cracks Murakami with a nice body shot.
Russell is stalling here.
Murakami changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Russell fights it off and pushes away nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Akihiro Murakami. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Russell closes the distance and clinches.
Russell tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Murakami avoids it.
Russell lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Russell lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Russell working aggressively here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murakami tries to score a body lock takedown but Russell shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Murakami is breathing heavily.
Russell lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Murakami backwards.
Russell lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Nice body punch from Russell - that landed with a thud.
Russell lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Murakami.
Still in the clinch, Russell scores with a nice short uppercut.
Russell pushes Murakami back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Russell lands with a light punch inside.

Russell breaks the clinch.
A good leg kick by Russell.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Russell takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

Russell has taken the fight to the clinch.
Russell taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Russell tries to land a knee to the head but Murakami blocks with his arms.
Russell lands a nice shot to the body.
Russell lands an elbow inside that Murakami shrugs off.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Russell takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Russell lands a right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russell has a couple of punches blocked by Murakami.
Murakami takes an elbow to the temple.
Russell lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Russell lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Russell is struggling to control the position.
A nice right hand lands inside from Russell.
Russell with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Russell comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Murakami managing to block the knees to the body from Russell.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Russell just misses with a elbow thrown towards Murakami's brow.

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

Russell clinches up against the cage.
Russell fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Murakami goes for a takedown attempt but Russell pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Russell throws a nice outside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Russell clinches.
A short body shot lands from Russell as the two fighters clinch.
Murakami blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Russell pushes Murakami back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Russell pressing his opponent against the cage.
The crowd are getting on Russell's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
Russell lands a damaging elbow.
A hook to the body from Russell.
Russell throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Russell lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Russell creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Murakami's defenses.
Russell doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Russell lands a nice elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Russell dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Akihiro Murakami's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Russell fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Murakami, pushing him back against the cage.
Russell misses with a hook from the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Murakami.
Come on Russell - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Russell lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Murakami or not.
Russell missing with knees to the body.

Russell breaks from the clinch.
Russell scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Russell lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Russell fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Murakami.
Akihiro Murakami is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Russell avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Russell closes the distance and clinches.
Russell gets underhooks to prevent Murakami's takedown attempt.
Russell taking a breather.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Russell comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Russell trying to land knees to the body.
Russell leaning against his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russell throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

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

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Russell lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Murakami or not.
Russell lands an elbow inside.
A short uppercut from Russell.
Russell lands an elbow just above Murakami 's eye.
Russell comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Russell working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Knees in the clinch landing for Russell.
Russell tries a knee to the head but Murakami blocks it.
A short uppercut from Russell.

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

Russell has closed the distance and engaged Murakami in a clinch.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Murakami blocks the elbow strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A nice right hand lands inside from Russell.
Still in the clinch, Russell scores with a nice short uppercut.
Russell throws a head punch that misses.
A right hook to the body lands for Russell.
Russell throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Murakamis head.
Russell pressing his opponent against the cage.
Murakami takes a shot to the head.
Russell comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Russell pushes Murakami back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A shot in the inside from Russell.
Still in the clinch, Russell scores with a nice short uppercut.

Russell decides to pull guard.
Russell preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russell is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Russell landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Russell has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Russell stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Murakami to get to his feet.
Russell throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Murakami on the side of the head.
Russell scoring well with a low kick there.
Russell lands with a kick to the ribs.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Russell lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Russell lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Murakami backwards.
Russell lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Russell with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Russell wants the takedown. Murakami is fighting it off but Russell persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Murakami's guard against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murakami wants to sweep but no luck.
Russell stays in close to Murakami's body and controls the position.
Russell trying to control the position from guard on top but Murakami is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Russell sitting in guard here, content to control.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Russell decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
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!
Russell moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Russell showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Akihiro Murakami's cut.
That's time! Murakami's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Russell throws a right and a left that Murakami avoids nicely.

Russell moves into the clinch.
Murakami tries to pull guard but Russell won't allow it.
Russell lands a hook to the side of the head.
Murakami drops down looking for an ankle pick but Russell pulls his leg out and moves away.

Russell drives through and clinches with Murakami against the cage.
Russell fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Russell lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Murakami backwards.
Russell tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Russell escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Russell closes the distance and clinches.
Russell misses with a hook from the clinch.
Russell lands a nice elbow.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Russell.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Russell manages to break the clinch.
Murakami has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Murakami there as he acknowledges the shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russell connects with a good right hand that stumbles Murakami. Murakami circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Murakami throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Russell cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Russell fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Murakami with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Russell to score with a decent uppercut.

Murakami is rocked!
Murakami shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Russell but Russell pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Oh Murakami is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Akihiro Murakami. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Russell rushes Murakami and presses him up against the cage.
Murakami seems to have got his legs back now.
Russell softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Russell lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Russell lands with a light punch inside.
Murakami blocking some punches.
Murakami takes an elbow to the forehead.
Russell tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Russell creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A body shot lands from Russell.
Murakami tries to pull guard but Russell won't allow it.
Murakami takes an elbow to the forehead.
Russell pressing his opponent against the cage.
Murakami can't get the takedown.
Russell scores a nice knee to the body.
Russell lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Russell has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

Russell escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Russell has closed the distance and engaged Murakami in a clinch.
Russell lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Russell scores with a shot to the side of Murakami's head.
Russell is trying to drag Murakami to the mat but Murakami just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Russell lands a nice elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murakami's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

Russell pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Russell buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Murakami takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Russell cracks Murakami with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Murakami takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
An inside leg kick lands from Russell.

Russell closes the distance and clinches.
Russell lands a shoulder strike.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Russell creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Russell is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Murakami is defending well for now.
Russell gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Russell lands with a left to the head.
Russell throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

Russell tightens his grip and picks Murakami up, before dumping him to the ground. Murakami manages to land in guard.
Russell must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Russell throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Murakami works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Jack Russell is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Russell's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Russell works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Murakami looks like he's trying to stand up.
Russell wants to free his trapped foot but Murakami is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Murakami trying to hold on to Russell's head to control him but Russell postures up.

Russell decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Russell cracks the inside of Murakami's front leg.

Russell moves into range and clinches up with Murakami.
Akihiro Murakami has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Russell.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jack Russell comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Russell 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 24:30
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 24:30
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 24:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jack Russell!