PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Billy The Studd (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sanitha Muralitharan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

The Studd
vs
Muralitharan

186 cm
19
215 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

186 cm
22
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Inexperienced

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Billy The Studd!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Sanitha Muralitharan!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Elvis Blanc and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Muralitharan shoots in but no luck this time.

The Studd clinches up with Muralitharan and pushes him back against the cage.
Muralitharan gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from The Studd.

The Studd manages to pull guard.
Muralitharan looking to pass the guard.
Muralitharan is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
The Studd will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
The Studd is trying to control the position but Muralitharan postures up.
The Studd keeping full guard, as Muralitharan tries to pass.
Muralitharan trying to control the position from guard on top but The Studd is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Muralitharan closes the distance but The Studd moves to the side

and The Studd counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by The Studd.
The Studd lands a nice knee to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The Studd stalling the fight.
Muralitharan stops a takedown attempt from The Studd.

The Studd manages to pull guard.
The Studd tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Muralitharanis looking to pass into half guard but The Studd pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now The Studd is in guard.

Muralitharan has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but The Studd can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The Studd wants to control from the top but Muralitharan keeps moving.
The Studd lands a couple of digs.
The Studd stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Muralitharan swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Muralitharan working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. The Studd doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. The Studd manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The Studd trying to control but Muralitharan is working from the bottom.
The Studd preventing the sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Muralitharan looking to control.
The Studd connects with a couple of short punches.

Muralitharan looking for submissions from the bottom but instead The Studd passes into side control.
Muralitharan looks gassed!
The Studd in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.

The Studd tries for a kimura but Muralitharan is defending well.
Muralitharan is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on The Studd's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Muralitharan is looking to improve his position.
The Studd working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

Muralitharan looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The Studd controlling the action here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The Studd trying to control the action but Muralitharan is working from the bottom.
Muralitharan tries to get to full guard but The Studd has control of the leg.
The Studd lands with a punch from half guard.
Muralitharan wants to control but The Studd is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Muralitharan looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? The Studd is fending him off so far but Muralitharan persists. Nope, The Studd circles away and we're back to standing.

The Studd has closed the distance and engaged Muralitharan in a clinch.
Muralitharan fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Billy The Studd has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sanitha Muralitharan.
Muralitharan fails to pull guard.
Muralitharan tries to pull guard but The Studd holds him up against the cage and eventually Muralitharan drops back down to his feet.
The Studd tries for a takedown. No joy.
Muralitharan drops to a knee looking for a takedown but The Studd gets the underhooks and prevents it.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The Studd stands up and waves to Muralitharan to follow him.
Muralitharan misses with a takedown

and The Studd counters with a single leg into guard. Muralitharan didn't expect that.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The Studd passes Muralitharan's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Muralitharan is looking to improve his position.

Muralitharan looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Muralitharan is looking to get back to full guard here but The Studd has managed to pass to side control instead.
Muralitharan is trying to escape the mount.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The Studd is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Muralitharan can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Muralitharan is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Billy The Studd dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Muralitharan has his takedown stuffed

and The Studd counters by clinching up.

The Studd pulls guard successfully.
Muralitharan stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. The Studd swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The Studd looking to control.

Muralitharan drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and The Studd dives on top into guard.
Muralitharan keeping full guard, as The Studd tries to pass.

Muralitharan has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but The Studd can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

The Studd stands up and waves to Muralitharan to follow him.
Muralitharan stuffs the takedown.
The Studd fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The Studd looks for a takedown but Muralitharan sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Billy The Studd. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Muralitharan fails to land the takedown.
Billy The Studd is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Muralitharan fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Muralitharan throws a series of punches but The Studd moves out of range.
Muralitharan shoots for a double leg takedown but The Studd sprawls well. He's pushed Muralitharan's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
The Studd shoots in looking for a takedown. Muralitharan tries to sprawl out of it but The Studd keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Muralitharan manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Muralitharan closes the distance looking to clinch

and The Studd counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. The Studd connects with a nice short shot to Muralitharan's temple.

Muralitharan actively working from the bottom here.
The Studd trying to control from half guard but Muralitharan is working away.
The Studd keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The Studd seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Muralitharan does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The Studd wants to pass the guard but Muralitharan is defending well.
Muralitharan is looking for a sweep. The Studd is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Muralitharan tries to clinch there but The Studd circles away.
Muralitharan will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Horrible takedown by The Studd or perhaps it was just good defense by Muralitharan which made him look bad.
Muralitharan shoots and misses

and The Studd moves into the clinch.

The Studd successfully pulls guard.
Muralitharan pushing down on The Studd's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
The Studd wants to improve his position but Muralitharan is controlling well.
Muralitharan is keen to just control but The Studd is a slippery customer.

Muralitharan is looking for a kimura here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Muralitharan throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

The Studd is defending against the submission attempts here by Muralitharan.
The Studd moves into full guard.

Muralitharan drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and The Studd dives on top into guard.

Muralitharan looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Muralitharan looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
The Studd preventing the sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The Studd decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

The Studd rushes Muralitharan and presses him up against the cage.

The Studd successfully pulls guard.
Muralitharan wants to control from the top but The Studd keeps moving.

The Studd scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Muralitharan misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

The Studd clinches up with Muralitharan and pushes him back against the cage.

The Studd breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
The Studd keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The Studd fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Muralitharan tries for a takedown but The Studd circles away easily

and The Studd counters by clinching up.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Muralitharan is pressed up against the cage. The Studd has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Muralitharan down to the mat. Muralitharan avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Billy The Studd dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! And we move into the final round!

The Studd closes the distance and clinches.
Muralitharan tries to pull guard but The Studd holds him up against the cage and eventually Muralitharan drops back down to his feet.

The Studd breaks from the clinch.

The Studd shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Muralitharan's guard.

Muralitharan has his foot on The Studd's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. The Studd works his way back into a safe position though.

Muralitharan is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
The Studd stays in close to Muralitharan's body and controls the position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Muralitharan looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Muralitharan is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Muralitharan has his foot on The Studd's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. The Studd works his way back into a safe position though.
Muralitharan is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Muralitharan is looking to advance position but The Studd won't allow it.

The Studd looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Muralitharan is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. The Studd doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Muralitharan.
The Studd trying to control here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Muralitharan is looking to stall here but The Studd recovers full guard.
Muralitharan passes easily into side control. Nice work.
The Studd manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
The Studd stalling away here and it's allowed Muralitharan to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Muralitharan keeping moving, preventing The Studd from controlling successfully.

The Studd gets to his feet. Muralitharan looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Muralitharan scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Muralitharan fails with the takedown.
The Studd looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Muralitharan will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
The Studd throws a left and a right that both miss
and Muralitharan counters with a two punch combo.
The Studd shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Muralitharan but Muralitharan pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Muralitharan displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as The Studd throws out the jab.
Muralitharan throws a one two combo.
The Studd lands a head kick!
The Studd throws a series of punches but Muralitharan moves out of range.
Muralitharan lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Muralitharan.
Muralitharan shoots in looking for a takedown. The Studd tries to sprawl out of it but Muralitharan keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. The Studd manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Billy The Studd has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sanitha Muralitharan.

Excellent takedown into side control there by The Studd.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Muralitharan tries to improve position but can't.
Muralitharan taking a bit of punishment here - The Studd scoring with strikes.
Muralitharan is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked The Studd off and has taken his back!
The Studd trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
The Studd is really stuck here.
The Studd tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
The Studd is trying desperately to improve position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The Studd is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

Muralitharan swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and The Studd is now in Muralitharan's guard. A big mistake from Muralitharan there, giving up the dominant position!
Sanitha Muralitharan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Muralitharan throws his legs up looking for a submission but The Studd uses it to pass to side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Sanitha Muralitharan.
I think The Studd has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 29:28
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 29:28
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Billy The Studd!