PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Tobias Murphy (ranked 250 p4p, 32 weight class) and Adonis Stevenson (ranked 899 p4p, 116 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Murphy
vs
Stevenson

179 cm
27
170 lbs
13 - 5 - 1

180 cm
28
175 lbs
14 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Groove Gear
Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tobias Murphy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Adonis Stevenson!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Shigeki Sano and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A jab from Stevenson misses.
Stevenson throws a nice outside leg kick.
Stevenson throws a nice outside leg kick.
Stevenson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Murphy manages to avoid it.
It looked like Murphy wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Murphy lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Stevenson has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Stevenson and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Stevenson scores with a nice right hand.
Stevenson lands a jab to the nose.
Stevenson checks a leg kick.
Stevenson lands with a cross.
Stevenson with a jab.
Murphy uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Stevenson.
An attempted straight right counter from Murphy misses the target.
Stevenson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Murphy sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Murphy swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Stevenson darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stevenson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Murphy bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Murphy walks into a stiff left hand from Stevenson.
A swing and a miss from Murphy.
Stevenson takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Stevenson digs a good body shot into Murphy's ribs.
Stevenson swings away with a body shot that misses
and Murphy counters with a series of strikes. Stevenson will be more careful next time no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murphy uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Murphy throws a body punch but Stevenson moves out of range.
Both fighters circling a little - Murphy finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Stevenson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Murphy misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Stevenson.
Murphy fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Stevenson looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Stevenson misses with a looping right.
Stevenson 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.
Murphy takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Stevenson staying out of range there.
Murphy takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Adonis Stevenson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Murphy throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Murphy looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Stevenson misses with a straight left.
That kick from Murphy tenderised Stevenson's leg. Stevenson is trying to keep his angry face on.
Stevenson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Murphy tries a head kick but it misses.
Stevenson tries a quick counter leg kick but Murphy is wise to it.
Stevenson takes a swing at Murphy's ribcage but misses.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stevenson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Murphy.
Stevenson scores with a decent looking hook.
A jab from Murphy misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson's jab looks to have found its range, popping Murphy under the eye.
Stevenson feints a jab promting Murphy to slip. Stevenson then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Murphy slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Stevenson gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Murphy counters with a stiff right hand.
Stevenson throws a body shot but no joy.
Murphy lands a nice shot to the body.
Stevenson does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Murphy keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Murphy throws a wild body kick that Stevenson sees coming a mile off.
Murphy checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Murphy misses with a body shot.
Stevenson looks to land a right hand but Murphy moved out of range.
As Stevenson backs away, Murphy returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Stevenson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Murphy.
Murphy connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Stevenson fails in his attempt to clinch.
Stevenson walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Murphy checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Stevenson is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Murphy had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Murphy takes a kick to the side of the head.
Stevenson misses with a double jab.
Stevenson throws out a loose jab but Murphy uses good head movement to avoid it.
Murphy half committed to a counter leg kick.
Stevenson throws a right and a left that Murphy avoids nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murphy throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Good work by Stevenson as he checks the leg kick.
Stevenson throws a big shot that misses.
A big left from Stevenson misses.
Stevenson defending well as Murphy loads up on a big left hand.
Murphy scores with a hook.
Stevenson moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Murphy throws a looping overhand right but Stevenson ducks down to avoid it.
The fighters circle momentarily. Murphy darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
A combination from Stevenson does no damage.
Stevenson lands with a thumping leg kick.
Stevenson dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Murphy. That did some damage!
Nice jab there from Murphy.
Murphy fails in his attempt to clinch.
Stevenson throws a hook but Murphy avoids it easily.
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!
Stevenson on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Murphy ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Stevenson moves away.
Murphy throws a low kick but Stevenson moves out of range easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson misses with a hook to the body
and Murphy counters with a good low kick that Stevenson was not able to check.
Murphy on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Murphy moves away from the strike by Stevenson.
Murphy connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Stevenson's hands.
A swing and a miss from Stevenson.
Murphy jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Stevenson throws a solid leg kick but Murphy takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Stevenson.
Murphy tries to land a body kick
and Stevenson counters with a right hand to the body.
Murphy misses with a straight left.
Stevenson fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Murphy looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Stevenson scores with a sloppy right hand. Murphy should have avoided that one.
Murphy takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Murphy misses with a shot to the body
letting Stevenson counter with a right hand.
Murphy lands a leg kick that knocks Stevenson off balance momentarily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Murphy has taken the fight to the clinch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Murphy.
Murphy throws a punch but it's blocked by Stevenson.
Stevenson is trying to break the clinch but Murphy is controlling him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Adonis Stevenson 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.

Nice body kick there by Murphy.
Murphy misses with a low kick.
Stevenson swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Murphy.
Stevenson avoids the head kick by Murphy.
Murphy moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Stevenson throws a quick inside leg kick.
Murphy swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Stevenson throws an overhand right that lands on Murphy's shoulder, as Murphy tries to avoid the shot.
Stevenson checks a leg kick.
A solid leg kick lands there for Stevenson.
Adonis Stevenson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Murphy is looking to clinch but Stevenson is avoiding it.
Murphy lands a lovely overhand right.
Murphy cracks Stevenson with a good jab.
Stevenson misses with a jab to the body
and Murphy counters with an outside leg kick.
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!

Murphy rushes Stevenson and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Stevenson wants to break free but Murphy has control.
Murphy misses with a punch to the body.
Stevenson tries to break free but Murphy pushes him back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Murphy escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A slapping leg kick lands for Murphy.
Stevenson blocks a head kick by Murphy.
Murphy lands a leg kick that knocks Stevenson off balance momentarily.
Murphy throws a front kick that sends Stevenson stumbling back into the cage.
Stevenson connects with an inside leg kick.
Stevenson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Stevenson takes a swing at Murphy's ribcage but misses.
Murphy is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Murphy darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Stevenson throws a nice outside leg kick.
Stevenson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Murphy staying out of range there.
Stevenson misses with a leg kick
and Murphy counters with a low kick, right behind Stevenson 's knee.
Stevenson thuds a left hand into Murphy's body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Murphy stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Stevenson.
Stevenson throws a body shot but no joy.
Murphy fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Stevenson checks it well.
Stevenson punishes Murphy's body with a nice straight punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murphy needs to keep his hands up - Stevenson had a free shot at his head there.
Murphy has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Stevenson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Murphy was well out of range. Poor timing from Stevenson.
Stevenson scores with a spinning back kick!
Murphy throws a body punch but Stevenson moves out of range.
Stevenson bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Stevenson connects with an inside leg kick.
Stevenson missing with a left hand there. Murphy was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Murphy tried to counter with a leg kick but Stevenson avoided it.
Stevenson gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Murphy slips a jab from Stevenson.
Stevenson misses with a two punch combination.
Murphy scores with a nice body kick.
Stevenson misses with a right hand

and Murphy counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Murphy.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Murphy.
Stevenson tries to circle away but Murphy has him pinned against the cage.
Murphy working aggressively here.
Murphy tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Stevenson's elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murphy lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Stevenson backwards.
Stevenson is trying to break free.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Murphy creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Murphy swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Stevenson breaks from the clinch.
An inside leg kick from Stevenson misses.
Stevenson throws a one two combo.
Murphy pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Stevenson takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Stevenson on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Murphy. Murphy obviously looking to wear him down.
Murphy misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Stevenson.
Stevenson takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Stevenson circles away from the clinch attempt.
Stevenson lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
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!
Murphy moves out of range as Stevenson strikes.
An attempted straight right counter from Murphy misses the target.
Murphy thumps Stevenson with a low kick.
Murphy avoids the body shot from Stevenson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murphy connects with a nice looking jab.
Murphy looks for the body kick but Stevenson saw that one coming.
Stevenson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Murphy.
Murphy is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Murphy uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Stevenson.
Good work by Murphy as he checks the leg kick.
Stevenson fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
A swing and a miss from Stevenson.
Murphy swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Stevenson flicks out a counter leg kick but Murphy steps away.
Murphy throws a jab but it's blocked by Stevenson.
Murphy checks a leg kick.
Murphy sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.

Stevenson darts in and clinches Murphy up against the cage.
Stevenson wants to get back to striking at distance but Murphy won't allow it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Murphy working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Stevenson working hard to break the clinch.
Stevenson has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Murphy.
Murphy lands a nice uppercut.
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 Tobias Murphy will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Murphy closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Murphy misses with a hook.
Stevenson throws a nice inside leg kick.
Stevenson throws a body shot but no joy.
A looping hook to the body misses from Murphy. Stevenson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Stevenson fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Stevenson throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Murphy on the side of the head.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Stevenson lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Murphy has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Murphy and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Stevenson misses with a low kick as Murphy jumps back.
Murphy has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Murphy there as he acknowledges the shot.
Murphy swings for the body but Stevenson moves out of range.
Stevenson pivots, looking for a leg kick but Murphy is out of range and Stevenson settles back down.
Nice jab there from Murphy.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Murphy lands a right hook to the body.
Murphy scores with a jab to the head.
Stevenson falls off balance throwing a combination
and Murphy connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Stevenson takes a jab right on the kisser.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevenson lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Stevenson lands a head kick!
Stevenson throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
A telegraphed right hand from Stevenson misses the target.
Murphy pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Murphy tries to work over Stevenson's front leg with a kick but Stevenson checks it.
Stevenson with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Stevenson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Stevenson blocks the body kick.
Stevenson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Stevenson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Murphy.
Stevenson misses with a wild body shot.
Murphy feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Stevenson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Murphy.
Murphy blocks a head kick by Stevenson.
Murphy tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Murphy checks a leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murphy moves into range and connects with a jab.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stevenson blocks the body kick.
Murphy misses with a body kick.
Stevenson has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Stevenson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Stevenson throws a hook but Murphy blocks it.
A telegraphed right hand from Stevenson misses the target.
Stevenson keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Stevenson! But no joy.
Murphy looks to throw the jab but Stevenson is out of range.
Stevenson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Stevenson misses with a wild body shot.
As Stevenson backs away, Murphy returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Stevenson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Murphy.
Murphy takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Stevenson throws a shot from downtown. Murphy moves away and avoids it.
Murphy feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Murphy connects with a high kick.
Murphy fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Stevenson.
Murphy lands an overhand right.
Stevenson misses with an attempted mid kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson throws a hook but Murphy avoids it easily.
Murphy lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Stevenson at a distance.
Murphy dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Stevenson. That did some damage!
A good leg kick by Murphy.
Murphy dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Stevenson. That did some damage!
Murphy swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Stevenson.
Murphy moves in looking to clinch but Stevenson pushes him off.
Murphy cracks Stevenson with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Stevenson misses with the combination.
Murphy misses with a body kick.
Stevenson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Murphy.
Stevenson throws a leg kick that misses.
Stevenson misses with a shot to the body
and Murphy counters with a nice uppercut.

Murphy darts in and clinches Stevenson up against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Murphy working aggressively here.
Murphy misses with the head strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson tries to break free but Murphy pushes him back against the cage.

Stevenson manages to break the clinch.
Stevenson throws a lazy right hand but Murphy sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A nice inside leg kick there by Murphy. That's going to slow Stevenson down.
Murphy throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Murphy throws a looping overhand right but Stevenson ducks down to avoid it.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Murphy.
Stevenson steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Murphy. That one must have hurt.
Stevenson stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Murphy ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Stevenson moves away.
Stevenson takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Murphy takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stevenson throws a body punch but Murphy moves out of range.
Murphy wants to slow Stevenson down by chopping away at his legs.
Stevenson lands with a nice body kick.
Murphy keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tobias Murphy showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Murphy 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 Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 29:28
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 29:28
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 29:29

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