PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Murray Jackson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Taisto Murkula (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Murkula has chosen Forever Angel 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?

Jackson
vs
Murkula

182 cm
36
195 lbs
27 - 7 - 0

184 cm
29
188 lbs
20 - 4 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Reaper Combatwear
Conquer

KnockOut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 27 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Murray Jackson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Taisto Murkula!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Steven Brown and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Murkula throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Jackson is looking to counter punch.
Murkula bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Jackson looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Murkula steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Jackson.
Jackson throws a hook to the side of Murkula's head but Murkula sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Murkula tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Jackson was well out of range. Poor timing from Murkula.
Jackson was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Jackson blocks a jab.
A looping hook to the body misses from Murkula. Jackson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Murkula lands with a nice body punch.
The fighters circling - Murkula throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Jackson throwing a counter right hand but Murkula manages to avoid it.
Murkula has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Murkula dives in and grabs Jackson's left leg, looking for a takedown. Jackson pushes down on Murkula's head and hops out.
Murkula throws a body kick that misses
and Jackson counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Jackson throws a body shot but no joy.
Murkula connects with a crisp jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murkula throws a low kick but Jackson moves out of range easily.
Jackson appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Jackson thuds his right hand into Murkula's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Murray Jackson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Murkula moves away from the strike by Jackson.
Murkula throws a lazy right hand but Jackson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A quick step to the side and Jackson tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.

Murkula closes the distance and pushes Jackson back into the cage.
Jackson has had enough of the clinch but Murkula keeps him there for the moment.
Murkula lands a left hand.
Murkula goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Murkula creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Jackson lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Murkula.
Murkula struggles to land a body shot inside as Jackson controls his hands.
Jackson is trying to break the clinch but Murkula has him pressed against the cage.
Jackson misses with a hook from the clinch.
A hook to the body from Murkula.
Jackson lands a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Jackson.
Jackson blocks a body shot from Murkula.
Murkula lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Jackson pushes Murkula back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Murkula throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Jacksons head.
Murkula throws a punch but it's blocked by Jackson.
Jackson scores with a shoulder strike.
Murkula lands a nice shot to the body.
Jackson blocks a body shot from Murkula.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Murkula creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Murkula struggles to land a body shot inside as Jackson controls his hands.
Murkula changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Jackson fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Murkula connects with a nice looking jab.
Murkula fails to land the takedown.
Jackson went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Murray Jackson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Taisto Murkula.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murkula shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Murkula connects with an inside leg kick.
Murkula throws a leg kick but Jackson sees it coming and moves out of range.
Murkula scores with a body shot.
Murkula looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Jackson is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Murkula steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Jackson.
Taisto Murkula seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jackson moves forwards but Murkula connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Jackson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Jackson on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Murkula looks to land a body kick but Jackson moved away.
Murkula tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Jackson was well out of range. Poor timing from Murkula.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murkula misses with a lunging right hand
and Jackson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Murkula scores with a head kick. Jackson tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Jackson on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Murkula throws a hook but Jackson avoids it easily.
A quick step to the side and Jackson tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Murkula throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Murkula throws a lazy uppercut
and Jackson counters with a lovely shot to the body.
A big right from Murkula misses.
Murkula lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Jackson backs up against the cage.
Murkula goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Murkula avoids the body shot from Jackson.
Murkula falls off balance throwing a combination
and Jackson counters with a lovely straight right hand!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Taisto Murkula dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Murkula throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Murkula tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Jackson is able to avoid easily.
Jackson misses with a wild body shot.
Murkula doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Jackson counters with a stiff right hand.
Murkula misses with an uppercut
and Murkula takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Murkula is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Jackson.
Murkula has his takedown stuffed
and Jackson counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A bone on bone clash there as Jackson blocks the leg kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Jackson. Murkula does a little dance to reset his feet.
Murkula rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Jackson counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murkula scores with a nice head shot.
Murkula throws a jab when Jackson was well out of range.
Jackson was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Murkula misses with a takedown attempt - Jackson sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Murray Jackson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Taisto Murkula.
A leg kick checked by Jackson.
Murkula looks to land a left hand but Jackson moved out of range nicely.
Jackson keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Murkula.
A counter left hand to the body from Jackson misses its target.
Murkula lands a really nice looking cross but Jackson seems unphased.
Murkula blocks a jab.
Murkula motions for Jackson to come forward. Murkula throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Murkula misses with a low kick as Jackson jumps back.
Murkula throws a head kick but Jackson moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jackson has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Jackson there as he acknowledges the shot.
Murkula misses with a shot to the body
letting Jackson counter with a right hand.
Nice defenses there by Jackson.
Jackson avoids the body shot from Murkula.
Jackson defending well as Murkula loads up on a big left hand.
Jackson moves away from the strike by Murkula.
A head kick from Murkula lands but Jackson takes it in his stride.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Murkula misses with a takedown attempt - Jackson sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Jackson slips under a jab.
Murkula misses the jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murkula chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Murkula throws a hook to the side of Jackson's head but Jackson sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Jackson misses with a looping right.
Jackson ducks under a wild hook from Murkula.
Jackson appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Jackson takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Murkula connects with a jab.
Jackson takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Murkula takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Murkula jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A quick step to the side and Jackson tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Murkula throws an off balance right hand
and Jackson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Murkula misses with a looping left.
Murkula misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A quick step to the side and Jackson tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murkula wants to land a leg kick but Jackson is out of range.
Murkula throws a leg kick but Jackson sees it coming and moves out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Murkula tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Jackson counters with a stiff right hand.
Jackson scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Murkula throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Jackson was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Murkula tries to clinch up but Jackson circles away and keeps his distance.
Murkula keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Murkula tests Jackson's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Jackson avoids a kick to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Taisto Murkula showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

A left lands for Murkula.
Murkula tries to land a leg kick but Jackson saw it coming and moves away.
Murkula lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Murkula shoots in for a takedown but Jackson shows good takedown defense.
Jackson takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

Murkula clinches up with Jackson and pushes him back against the cage.
Jackson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Jackson misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Jackson scores with an uppercut up the middle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A nice right hand lands inside from Murkula.
Murkula has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Jackson is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Jackson blocking some punches.
Taisto Murkula seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Jackson pushes Murkula back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Jackson misses with a short punch on the inside.
Jackson misses with the head strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short left from Jackson.
Murkula lands a right hand that snaps the head of Jackson backwards.
Murkula has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Jackson throws a head punch that misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Jackson.
Murkula misses with a short punch on the inside.

Murkula escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Jackson connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Jackson blocks a low kick nicely.
Jackson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Jackson on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Murkula scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Jackson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Murkula.
A quick step to the side and Jackson tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Jackson cracks Murkula with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Murkula ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Jackson moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jackson misses the shot to the body.
Jackson misses with a body shot.
Murkula scores with a jab to the jaw.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Murkula lands a leg kick that knocks Jackson off balance momentarily.
Jackson takes a swing at Murkula's ribcage but misses.
Jackson keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Murkula.
Taisto Murkula seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Murkula waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Jackson.
Jackson was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Murkula scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Murkula throws a body shot but no joy.

Murkula shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Jackson wants to sweep here but Murkula controlling him for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murkula is fighting to break Jackson's control of his arms but Jackson is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Murkula pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Jackson is keeping the position for now.
Murkula trying to control the position from guard on top but Jackson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Jackson wants to sweep but no luck.
Murkula wants to control from the top but Jackson keeps moving.
Murkula stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Jackson swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Murkula throwing strikes from guard but Jackson blocks nicely.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Murkula wants to slow Jackson down by chopping away at his legs.
A little feinted left hand from Jackson on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Murkula takes a swing at Jackson's ribcage but misses.
Murkula tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Jackson was well out of range. Poor timing from Murkula.
Jackson keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Jackson swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Jackson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Jackson slips a straight right by Murkula.
Murkula throws a poor cross that misses
and Jackson counters with a left to the body.
Jackson blocks a low kick nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Taisto Murkula really dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Murkula scores with the left hand. Jackson knows he should have avoided that one.
Murkula is looking to chop away at Jackson's legs.
Murkula tried to score with a low kick but Jackson checks it.
Jackson throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Murkula on the side of the head.
Murkula throws a jab when Jackson was well out of range.
Jackson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Murkula manages to avoid it.
Murkula throws a leg kick
and Jackson counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Jackson bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Murkula's head backwards.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Murkula throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A little feinted left hand from Jackson on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Jackson swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Murkula closes the distance and pushes Jackson back into the cage.
Murkula tries to work over Jackson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Jackson trying to stall but Murkula improves his position.
Jackson lands a right hand that snaps the head of Murkula backwards.
Jackson is trying to maintain a safe position but Murkula gets an underhook and turns Jackson into the cage.
Murkula goes for a takedown attempt but Jackson pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Murkula cracks the inside of Jackson's front leg.
Murkula fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Jackson checks it well.
Murkula throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Murkula misses with an uppercut.
Jackson lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Murkula at a distance.
Murkula walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Jackson checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jackson lands a slapping body shot.
Murkula throws a jab but it's blocked by Jackson.
Jackson is looking to wear down Murkula with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Jackson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Murkula.
Jackson checks the leg kick.
Jackson connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Murkula's hands.
Murkula looks for the body kick but Jackson saw that one coming.
Murkula fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Murkula feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Jackson's calf.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murkula jabs Jackson to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Murkula connects with an inside leg kick.
Jackson scores with a nice strike.
Murkula wants to slow Jackson down by chopping away at his legs.
Murkula throws a right hand that misses
and Murkula takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Jackson checks a leg kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Murkula. Jackson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Jackson ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Murkula tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Jackson defends well and Murkula ends up having to push Jackson into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Murray Jackson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Taisto Murkula.
Murkula looks to score with a jab to the body but Jackson is just out of range.
It looked like Jackson wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Jackson ducks under a wild hook from Murkula.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murkula misses with a head kick.
Murkula pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Murkula swings for the body but Jackson moves out of range.
Murkula throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Jackson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Murkula is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A counter left hand to the body from Jackson misses its target.
Jackson avoids the body shot from Murkula.
Murkula finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jackson swings for the body but Murkula moves out of range.
Murkula blocks a jab.
Jackson is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Murkula throws a lazy uppercut
and Murkula takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Murray Jackson had his way with Taisto Murkula in that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

A slow jab from Murkula misses its intended target.
Murkula throws a lazy uppercut
enabling Jackson to counter with a crisp jab.
Murkula fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Murkula throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Murkula takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Jackson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Murkula manages to avoid it.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Jackson crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Murkula - the referee stops the clock and Jackson gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Murkula. Jackson manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Murkula scores with a jab to the head.
Murkula scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jackson moves out of range of the body kick from Murkula.
Murkula looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Jackson is fending him off so far but Murkula persists. Nope, Jackson circles away and we're back to standing.
Jackson swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Murkula wants to clinch up but Jackson keeps it at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson scores with a shot to the body.
Murkula lands a leg kick that knocks Jackson off balance momentarily.
Jackson ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Jackson appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Jackson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Murkula was well out of range. Poor timing from Jackson.
Murkula getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Murkula tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Murkula takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Murkula shoots in but Jackson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Murkula throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Jackson sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Murkula pivots, looking for a leg kick but Jackson is out of range and Murkula settles back down.
Murkula looks to land a left hand but Jackson moved out of range nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jackson avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
A counter left hand to the body from Jackson misses its target.
Jackson looks to score with a jab to the body but Murkula is just out of range.
Murkula misses with a right hand
and Jackson cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Jackson blocks the body kick.
Jackson staying out of range there.
Murkula looks to score with a jab to the body but Jackson is just out of range.
Murkula lands with a nice body kick.
Murkula cracks Jackson with a right hand to the side of the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Jackson moves away from the strike by Murkula.
A counter left hand to the body from Jackson misses its target.

Murkula shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Murkula showed some decent athleticism there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Murkula.
Murkula missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Murkula is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Murkula is landing with some decent strikes but Jackson is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Murkula unloads with some shots from mount but Jackson bucks and avoids them well.
Murray Jackson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jackson avoids a series of strikes thrown by Murkula.
Murkula trying to control but Jackson is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murkula lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Murkula cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!

It looks like Murray Jackson has been cut.
Murkula takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Murkula lands a big shot there that rocks Jackson but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Murkula pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Jackson tries to hold on but Murkula pushes him away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Taisto Murkula comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Murkula 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge James Glass scores the fight 46:49
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 46:49
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Taisto Murkula!
Taisto Murkula is the new middleweight champion!
Taisto Murkula spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.