PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Casper Timmermans (ranked 34 p4p, 6 weight class) and Phol Murhaa (ranked 29 p4p, 5 weight class). Phol Murhaa has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Timmermans
vs
Murhaa

187 cm
28
187 lbs
22 - 8 - 0

182 cm
34
188 lbs
35 - 12 - 3

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

HELLBENT
Conviction

CAGED CROW Clothings 50$
Aspire Clothing

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 22 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Casper Timmermans!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 35 - 12 - 3, fighting out of St Petersburg, Phol Murhaa!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Timmermans slips under a jab from Murhaa.
Phol Murhaa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Timmermans uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Murhaa.
Timmermans ducks under a wild hook from Murhaa.
Murhaa 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.
Timmermans checks the leg kick.
Timmermans throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Murhaa lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Murhaa feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Timmermans's calf.
Murhaa swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Timmermans.
Timmermans lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Murhaa at a distance.
Timmermans misses with an attempted mid kick.
Murhaa throws a body shot but no joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Murhaa misses the shot to the body.
A nice leg kick lands there from Murhaa.
No joy there for Timmermans, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Timmermans throws a hook to the side of Murhaa's head but Murhaa sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Murhaa.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Timmermans steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Murhaa.
Timmermans misses with a hook. Murhaa ducked under it nicely.
Timmermans throws a wild body kick that Murhaa sees coming a mile off.
Phol Murhaa is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Murhaa moves out of range of the leg kick from Timmermans.
Timmermans looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Good work by Murhaa as he checks the leg kick.
Timmermans on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Murhaa. Murhaa obviously looking to wear him down.
Murhaa lands with a thumping leg kick.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Timmermans, as that shot connected.
Timmermans ducks under a wild hook from Murhaa.
Timmermans thuds a left hand into Murhaa's body.
A slapping leg kick lands for Murhaa.
Timmermans connects with a jab.
Murhaa misses with an uppercut. Timmermans saw that one coming.
A nice leg kick lands there from Murhaa.
Timmermans cracks the inside of Murhaa's front leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Murhaa scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Timmermans doesn't seem bothered though.
Timmermans connects with a crisp jab.
Timmermans ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Timmermans takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Murhaa moves out of range of the body kick from Timmermans.
Timmermans walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Murhaa takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Murhaa ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A solid leg kick lands there for Timmermans.
Timmermans throws a jab but it's blocked by Murhaa.
Murhaa checks a low kick from Timmermans.
Timmermans throws a hook but Murhaa blocks it.
Timmermans tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Murhaa counters with a body kick.
Timmermans throws a jab when Murhaa was well out of range.
Timmermans loads up on a big right hand but Murhaa slips the punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Timmermans misses with a head kick.
Timmermans ducks under a wild hook from Murhaa.
Murhaa lands a nice leg kick that just misses Timmermans's sensitive parts.
Timmermans takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Murhaa throws a leg kick but Timmermans sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Murhaa takes one on the button.
Timmermans misses with a hook. Murhaa ducked under it nicely.
Murhaa lands a leg kick that knocks Timmermans off balance momentarily.
Murhaa throws an overhand right that lands on Timmermans's shoulder, as Timmermans tries to avoid the shot.
Murhaa throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Murhaa misses with an uppercut
and Timmermans counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Timmermans drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Murhaa pushes Timmermans off and gets back to his feet.
Timmermans is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Murhaa throws a right and a left that Timmermans avoids nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Murhaa.
Murhaa fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Timmermans.
Timmermans lands a jab to the head.
Timmermans misses with a straight left.
Murhaa was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Murhaa is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Timmermans.
Timmermans ducks under a wild hook from Murhaa.
Timmermans is looking to counter punch.
Murhaa scores with a push kick.
Timmermans throws a leg kick
and Murhaa connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A slow jab from Timmermans misses its intended target.
Murhaa loads up on a big right hand but Timmermans slips the punch.
Murhaa keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Timmermans blocks a jab.

Timmermans gets a double leg takedown into Murhaa's guard.

Murhaa pushes Timmermans off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Murhaa misses with a leg kick
and Timmermans counters with a right hand to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Phol Murhaa will probably get the nod.
That's time! Timmermans's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Timmermans slips a straight right by Murhaa.
Some bone on bone action there as Timmermans checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Murhaa throws a front kick aimed at Timmermans's knee but Timmermans avoids it well.
Timmermans drops down looking for a counter takedown but Murhaa sprawls and moves away.
Timmermans moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Murhaa gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Timmermans.
Murhaa scores with a jab. Timmermans acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Murhaa throws out a powerful jab.
Murhaa thuds his right hand into Timmermans's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Murhaa keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Timmermans lands with a hook. Murhaa tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Murhaa fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Murhaa thuds a left hand into Timmermans's body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A jab from Murhaa misses.
Timmermans drops down looking for a counter takedown but Murhaa sprawls and moves away.
Timmermans on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Murhaa lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Timmermans misses with a low kick.
The crowd cheers as Timmermans lands an impressive looking overhand right. Murhaa doesn't seem phased though.
Murhaa tries to work over Timmermans's front leg with a kick but Timmermans checks it.
Murhaa scores with a nice head shot.
A swing and a miss from Timmermans.
Timmermans fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Murhaa manages to avoid it.
Murhaa let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
A nice leg kick lands there from Murhaa.
Murhaa connects with a jab.
Timmermans scores with a leg kick.
Timmermans takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Murhaa throws a jab when Timmermans was well out of range.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Timmermans.
Timmermans throws a lazy right hand but Murhaa sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Murhaa misses with a low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Timmermans thows a left - swing and a miss!
Murhaa lands a jab to the nose.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Timmermans takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Timmermans fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Murhaa throws a leg kick that misses.
Nice defenses there by Timmermans.
Timmermans has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Timmermans there as he acknowledges the shot.
Timmermans slips under a jab from Murhaa.
Murhaa misses with an uppercut

and Timmermans counters with a takedown into side control.
Timmermans looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Murhaa is avoiding damage well.
Timmermans is staying tight to Murhaa's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Timmermans working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Timmermans working the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Timmermans advances to mount.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Timmermans is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Murhaa can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Murhaa is squirming around, avoiding Timmermans's attempts to control the action.
Timmermans sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Timmermans looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Timmermans unloading with bombs!
Murhaa wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Timmermans.
Timmermans throwing strikes here but Murhaa is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Murhaa blocking the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Timmermans looking to ground and pound but Murhaa is blocking nicely.
Murhaa wants to hold on but Timmermans pushes him away.
Murhaa slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Timmermans looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Murhaa trying to hold on to Timmermans's head to control him but Timmermans postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Casper Timmermans will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Timmermans chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Murhaa can pounce on him.
Timmermans walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Murhaa checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Good work by Murhaa as he checks the leg kick.
Timmermans misses with a double jab.
Timmermans swings for the body but Murhaa moves out of range.
Timmermans wants to slow Murhaa down by chopping away at his legs.
Timmermans moves out of range as Murhaa strikes.
Timmermans throws a lazy right hand but Murhaa sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Murhaa defending well as Timmermans loads up on a big left hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Murhaa scores with a jab to the head.
Murhaa lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Murhaa chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Timmermans takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Murhaa fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murhaa connects with a body shot that sends Timmermans's belly button to the back.
Timmermans lands a body shot.
Timmermans moves out of range of the strikes.
Murhaa's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Murhaa duly obliges.
Timmermans thows a left - swing and a miss!
Murhaa ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Timmermans moves away.
Timmermans misses with a hook.
Timmermans throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Murhaa sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Timmermans moves out of range as Murhaa throws a body kick.
Timmermans looks to land a left hand but Murhaa moved out of range nicely.
Murhaa cracks the inside of Timmermans's front leg.
A clash of legs there as Timmermans blocks the low kick.
Timmermans on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Timmermans lands with a cross.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Murhaa just misses with a punch to the body.
Murhaa feints and then cracks Timmermans's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Timmermans down.
Murhaa turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Timmermans takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Timmermans connects with a right hand. Murhaa shakes it off.
Timmermans throws a push kick but Murhaa slaps the foot to one side.
Murhaa lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Timmermans misses the shot to the body.
Timmermans backing away here, and Murhaa unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Murhaa throws an ugly left hook that misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Timmermans throws a hook to the side of Murhaa's head but Murhaa sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Murhaa tries a quick counter leg kick but Timmermans is wise to it.
Timmermans looks for the body kick but Murhaa saw that one coming.
Murhaa now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Timmermans slips under a jab.
Murhaa thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Timmermans throws a lazy right hand but Murhaa sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
That kick from Timmermans tenderised Murhaa's leg. Murhaa is trying to keep his angry face on.
Murhaa throws a body shot but no joy.
Murhaa takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Murhaa leaves Timmermans with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That kick from Murhaa tenderised Timmermans's leg. Timmermans is trying to keep his angry face on.
Murhaa looks to score with a jab to the body but Timmermans is just out of range.
Murhaa scores with a three punch combo!
Murhaa throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Timmermans walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Murhaa checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Murhaa connects with a body shot.
Timmermans is looking to slow Murhaa down with leg kicks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Timmermans tried to score with a low kick but Murhaa checks it.
Murhaa connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Murhaa fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Timmermans checks it well.
Timmermans throws a quick counter kick to the body but Murhaa avoids it.
Murhaa throws a leg kick that misses.
Murhaa is looking to slow Timmermans down with leg kicks.
Timmermans steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Murhaa.
Timmermans drops down looking for a counter takedown but Murhaa sprawls and moves away.
Timmermans tries to land a leg kick but Murhaa saw it coming and moves away.
Timmermans lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Timmermans uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Murhaa.
Timmermans slips under a jab.
Timmermans connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Timmermans throws a shot from downtown. Murhaa moves away and avoids it.
Murhaa takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Murhaa throws an overhand right that lands on Timmermans's shoulder, as Timmermans tries to avoid the shot.
Timmermans tries to counter with a takedown but Murhaa is quick to defend against it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Phol Murhaa just about did enough to take it.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Murhaa misses with a straight left.
Timmermans half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Murhaa throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Murhaa defending well as Timmermans loads up on a big left hand.
Murhaa jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Timmermans throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
A nice leg kick lands there from Murhaa.
A bone on bone clash there as Murhaa blocks the leg kick.
Murhaa attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Murhaa takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Murhaa defending well as Timmermans loads up on a big left hand.
Murhaa appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A jab lands there for Murhaa.
Murhaa takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Murhaa fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Timmermans manages to avoid it.
Timmermans tries to counter with a takedown but Murhaa is quick to defend against it.

Timmermans closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Timmermans lands in his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Timmermans pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Murhaa is keeping the position for now.
Timmermans missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Timmermans's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Timmermans throws an elbow that misses. Murhaa uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Timmermans's guard. Nice move by Murhaa!

Timmermans is pulling down on Murhaa's head. It's preventing any offense from Murhaa, at least for the moment.
Timmermans being controlled here, momentarily.

That's two 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.
Timmermans has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Murhaa stopping the sweep attempt from Timmermans.
Timmermans trying to control the position.
Murhaa is fighting to break Timmermans's control of his arms but Timmermans is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Murhaa postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murhaa is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Murhaa is looking to stand up but Timmermans won't let him.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Timmermans is trying hard to land a takedown here. Murhaa sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Murhaa blocks the body kick.
Timmermans looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Timmermans staying out of range there.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Murhaa.
Murhaa staying out of range there.
Murhaa cracks Timmermans with an open hand slap.
Timmermans tries a head kick but it misses.
Timmermans uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Murhaa is looking to score with low kicks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murhaa lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Murhaa connects with a leg kick. Timmermans looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Murhaa misses with an attempted mid kick.
Timmermans throws a combination. Murhaa tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Timmermans swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A nice combination there by Timmermans.
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!
Murhaa throws a low kick but Timmermans moves out of range easily.
Timmermans thumps Murhaa with a low kick.
Murhaa uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
A jab from Murhaa finds it's way through Timmermans's defenses.
Murhaa 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.
Murhaa throws a big shot that misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Murhaa. Timmermans does a little dance to reset his feet.
Timmermans appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Casper Timmermans will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Murhaa fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Timmermans has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
The fighters circling - Murhaa throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Timmermans half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Murhaa connects with a solid leg kick.
Murhaa blocks a jab.
Murhaa misses with an uppercut. Timmermans saw that one coming.
Timmermans takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Murhaa throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Timmermans moves out of range as Murhaa throws a body kick.
Murhaa swings for the body but Timmermans moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Murhaa slips a straight right by Timmermans.
Murhaa sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Timmermans misses with a body punch
and Murhaa makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Murhaa misses with a right hand

and Timmermans counters with a shoot takedown. Murhaa fights it but they end up in guard.
Murhaa looking for a sweep. Not yet Murhaa, not yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murhaa keeping moving, preventing Timmermans from controlling successfully.
Timmermans slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Murhaa controlling the position.
Murhaa looking for a sweep. Not yet Murhaa, not yet.
Timmermans throws a strike but Murhaa rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Timmermans is pulling down on Murhaa's head to control his posture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Murhaa's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Timmermans looking to control.
Murhaa not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Murhaa stands up and waves to Timmermans to follow him.
A left and a right from Murhaa both land. Nice combination.
Timmermans takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Timmermans throws a body shot but no joy.
Murhaa waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Timmermans.
A decent looking cross lands there for Murhaa.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murhaa swinging wildly here.
Murhaa scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Timmermans doesn't seem bothered though.
Timmermans takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Timmermans checks a leg kick.
Timmermans connects with a right hand. Murhaa shakes it off.
Murhaa throws a quick inside leg kick.
Murhaa misses with a right hand

and Timmermans counters with a shoot takedown. Murhaa fights it but they end up in guard.
Murhaa manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Timmermans manages to get himself to full guard.

Murhaa trying to stand up but can't free himself from Timmermans's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Timmermans is on top in guard.

Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Timmermans throws a big elbow that misses.
Timmermans wants to pass the guard but Murhaa is keeping the position.
Timmermans throws a big elbow that misses.
Timmermans throwing strikes from guard but Murhaa blocks nicely.
Murhaa keeping moving, preventing Timmermans from controlling successfully.
Timmermans postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

And that's the end of the fight!
Phol Murhaa comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Murhaa has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 48:48
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 48:47
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 45:50

The fight is ruled a draw!
Casper Timmermans retains his title. It's always disappointing when a championship fight ends as a draw but that's what happens when you leave the fight in the judges hands!