PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Joe Reealopubo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dmitry Muratov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Reealopubo kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Chop Suey. The key to victory for Joe Reealopubo has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Reealopubo
vs
Muratov

180 cm
24
145 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

180 cm
26
146 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cuts easily

Good takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Joe Reealopubo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Dmitry Muratov!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Gwen Towbar and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Reealopubo closes the distance and pushes Muratov back into the cage.
Reealopubo with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Reealopubo looking to throw knees to the head but Muratov is blocking nicely.
Reealopubo tries to land a knee to the head but Muratov blocks with his arms.
Muratov looking for a takedown.
Reealopubo looking to throw knees to the head but Muratov is blocking nicely.
Reealopubo tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Muratov is trying to push Reealopubo away but Reealopubo has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Reealopubo with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Reealopubo misses with a knee strike.
Reealopubo is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Muratov is defending well for now.
Muratov is trying to break the clinch but Reealopubo has him pressed against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Reealopubo with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Muratov can't break the clinch.
Reealopubo tries a knee to the head but Muratov blocks it.
Muratov throws an elbow that misses.
Muratov is working for takedown but Reealopubo is calmly controlling the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Muratov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Muratov has a takedown stuffed.
Joe Reealopubo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dmitry Muratov.
Nice takedown defense from Reealopubo. No joy for Muratov on that attempt.

Reealopubo clinches up against the cage.
Reealopubo with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Reealopubo with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Muratov wants to break free but Reealopubo has control.
Reealopubo with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Reealopubo tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Reealopubo tries to land a knee to the head but Muratov blocks with his arms.
Reealopubo with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Reealopubo throws a knee to the head but misses.
Reealopubo with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Muratov is trying to break free.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Muratov just leaning against Reealopubo, taking a breather.
Muratov avoiding damage as Reealopubo throws knees to the body.
Muratov tries to land knees in the clinch but Reealopubo avoids the damage to the body.
Muratov is working Reealopubo over against the cage.

Muratov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Muratov tries for a takedown but Reealopubo sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Reealopubo clinches up with Muratov and pushes him back against the cage.
Reealopubo tries to land a knee to the head but Muratov blocks with his arms.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Reealopubo throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Muratov blocks it with crossed arms.
Muratov wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Reealopubo tries a knee to the head but Muratov blocks it.
Reealopubo connects with a knee to the head.

Muratov breaks from the clinch.

Muratov shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Reealopubo wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Muratov controlling the action here.
Reealopubo really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Muratov is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Reealopubo has managed to free his arm - good work.
Muratov looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Reealopubo is trying to stand.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Muratov trying to control the pace.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Muratov throwing shots but Reealopubo is blocking nicely.
Reealopubo keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Muratov not doing much here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Reealopubo clinches up with Muratov and pushes him back against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Reealopubo dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Muratov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Reealopubo connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Muratov shoots in for a takedown but Reealopubo shows good takedown defense.

Muratov gets tackled into the cage by Reealopubo. Reealopubo maintains the clinch.
Reealopubo connects with a knee to the head.
Reealopubo throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Muratov blocks it with crossed arms.
Reealopubo tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Reealopubo throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Muratov blocks it with crossed arms.
Muratov trying to land knees to the body.
Reealopubo misses with a knee strike.
Muratov has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Reealopubo tries a knee to the head but Muratov blocks it.
Reealopubo looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Muratov can't break the clinch.
Reealopubo with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Reealopubo misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Muratov.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Muratov pulls guard effortlessly.
Muratov is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Reealopubo tries to stand but Muratov is controlling from the bottom.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Muratov manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
The referee is keeping an eye on Muratov - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Reealopubo with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Muratov wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Reealopubo is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Muratov can do to turn this around?
Muratov drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Joe Reealopubo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dmitry Muratov.
Reealopubo throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Muratov blocks it with crossed arms.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reealopubo missing with knees to the body.
Muratov has thrown a lot of knees so far in this fight and we're lead to believe that's something he's been working on the gym prior to this fight.
Muratov wants to break free but Reealopubo has control.
Reealopubo with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Muratov tries a knee to the head but Reealopubo blocks it.
Muratov is working for takedown but Reealopubo is calmly controlling the position for now.
Muratov looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Reealopubo tries a knee to the head but Muratov blocks it.
Reealopubo with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Reealopubo tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Reealopubo tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Muratov avoids it.
Muratov can't get the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Muratov jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Reealopubo walks away with a smile on his face. Muratov gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Muratov on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

Muratov feints and as Reealopubo raises his hands in defense, Muratov changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Reealopubo wants to get back to his feet but Muratov is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Muratov pushes down on Reealopubo's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Reealopubo wants to get back to his feet.
Muratov is trying to control. Reealopubo wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Dmitry Muratov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Muratov stops Reealopubo from getting back to his feet.
Reealopubo knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Muratov on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Muratov moves nicely into side control.
Muratov is putting a hurting on Reealopubo here, landing some big shots from side control.

Muratov is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Reealopubo has escaped the position, nice work there.
Reealopubo wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Muratov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Reealopubo keeps working.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Reealopubo dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Reealopubo clinches up with Muratov and pushes him back against the cage.
Reealopubo tries to land a knee to the head but Muratov blocks with his arms.
Reealopubo prevents a takedown attempt there.
Reealopubo throws a knee to the head but misses.
Reealopubo throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Muratov blocks it with crossed arms.

Muratov manages to break the clinch.
Reealopubo tries to clinch but Muratov is having none of it.
Muratov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Reealopubo is fending him off so far but Muratov persists. Nope, Reealopubo circles away and we're back to standing.
Reealopubo slaps away a takedown attempt from Muratov, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Joe Reealopubo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dmitry Muratov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Muratov fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Muratov fails to land the takedown.
Reealopubo tries to clinch but Muratov moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Muratov shoots in looking for a takedown but Reealopubo manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Muratov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Joe Reealopubo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Muratov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Reealopubo is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Muratov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Reealopubo avoids it really well and circles away.
Reealopubo tries to close the distance and clinch but Muratov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Muratov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Reealopubo is fending him off so far but Muratov persists. Nope, Reealopubo circles away and we're back to standing.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Muratov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Reealopubo doesn't manage to clinch there - Muratov circles away.
Reealopubo is looking to clinch.
Reealopubo moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

Reealopubo closes the distance and clinches.
Muratov throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Reealopubo crunches a lovely knee into Muratov's ribcage.
Muratov changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Reealopubo fights it off and pushes away nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Muratov is defended easily by Reealopubo.
Muratov keeps the fight on the outside.
Muratov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Reealopubo circles away.
Reealopubo tries to clinch up.
Muratov throws a counter combo.
Reealopubo doesn't manage to clinch there - Muratov circles away.
Reealopubo tries to clinch but Muratov moves out of range.
Reealopubo fails in his attempt to clinch.
Reealopubo tries to clinch up.
Muratov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Reealopubo throws a body shot but no joy.
Muratov unleashes a big counter combination but Reealopubo bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Muratov dives in for a single leg takedown but Reealopubo sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Reealopubo moves in looking to clinch but Muratov pushes him off.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The fight stays on the outside here - Reealopubo looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Reealopubo tries to clinch but Muratov moves out of range.
Joe Reealopubo is winning the standup battle so far.
Muratov shoots in but Reealopubo avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Reealopubo has Muratov up against the cage in a clinch.
Reealopubo tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Reealopubo using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Muratov has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Reealopubo with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Muratov tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Reealopubo smiles and moves away.
Reealopubo wants to clinch.
Reealopubo tries to close the distance and clinch but Muratov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Muratov shoots in but Reealopubo avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Reealopubo moves into the clinch successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Muratov is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Reealopubo with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Reealopubo tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Reealopubo with a knee to the head.
Reealopubo throws a knee to the head but misses.
Reealopubo tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Muratov can't break the clinch.

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

Reealopubo uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Joe Reealopubo is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Reealopubo takes the fight into the clinch.
Dmitry Muratov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Reealopubo throws a knee to the head but misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joe Reealopubo showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Reealopubo, 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 George Francis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 30:27
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joe Reealopubo!
A relieved looking Joe Reealopubo thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.