PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kalervo Kaunismieli (ranked 277 p4p, 43 weight class) and Mick Murphy (ranked 220 p4p, 34 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kaunismieli
vs
Murphy

183 cm
45
192 lbs
49 - 22 - 2

193 cm
31
195 lbs
27 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Zenith Nutrition (160q/$200)
Conviction

UnderGround Clothing Co.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 49 - 22 - 2, fighting out of New York, Kalervo Kaunismieli!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mick Murphy!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, James Glass and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kaunismieli jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Kaunismieli slips under a jab from Murphy.
Kaunismieli misses with a hook. Murphy ducked under it nicely.
Kaunismieli misses with a few strikes there.
Kaunismieli keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kaunismieli fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Kaunismieli throws a jab when Murphy was well out of range.
Murphy feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Kaunismieli's calf.
Murphy cracks a nice hook into Kaunismieli's ribs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Murphy scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Kaunismieli slips under a jab.
Kaunismieli misses with a head kick.
A slow jab from Murphy misses its intended target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kaunismieli throws a sloppy head kick
and Murphy counters with a nice low kick that buckles Kaunismieli's knee momentarily.
A swing and a miss from Kaunismieli.
Kaunismieli definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Murphy feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Kaunismielis jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Murphy is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kaunismieli.
Kaunismieli was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Murphy buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Murphy thuds his right hand into Kaunismieli's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Kaunismieli avoids the body shot from Murphy.
Kaunismieli uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Murphy.
Mick Murphy seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Murphy scores with a shot to the body.
Kaunismieli displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Murphy throws out the jab.
Murphy tests Kaunismieli's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murphy thuds a left hand into Kaunismieli's body.
A jab from Murphy finds it's way through Kaunismieli's defenses.
Murphy listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Murphy throws a good cross that connects.
Kaunismieli moves away from the strike by Murphy.
Murphy connects with a nice looking jab.
Kaunismieli lands a head shot.
Murphy has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Kaunismieli misses with an uppercut.
A shot to the liver by Murphy. Beautiful body shot.
Kaunismieli misses with a jab to the body
and Murphy counters with a stiff right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kaunismieli misses with a body punch
and Murphy counters with a stiff right hand.
Kaunismieli slips a straight right by Murphy.
Murphy moves out of range of the body kick.
Kaunismieli slips a jab from Murphy.
Kaunismieli with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Murphy to score with a decent uppercut.
Murphy's corner calls for a 1-2. Murphy obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Murphy is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Kaunismieli had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
A nice leg kick lands there from Murphy.
Murphy's jab looks to have found its range, popping Kaunismieli under the eye.
Kaunismieli takes a jab right on the kisser.
Kaunismieli moves out of range of the strikes.
A little feinted left hand from Kaunismieli on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
A jab from Murphy finds it's way through Kaunismieli's defenses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kaunismieli throws a right hand that misses
and Murphy counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
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!
Kaunismieli slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Kaunismieli moves out of range of the strikes.
Kaunismieli just misses with a punch to the body.
Murphy ducks under a wild hook from Kaunismieli.
Kaunismieli ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Murphy moves away.
Murphy misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kaunismieli.
Murphy scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Murphy throws a jab when Kaunismieli was well out of range.
Murphy throws a jab when Kaunismieli was well out of range.
Murphy connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mick Murphy dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Murphy misses with an uppercut
and Kaunismieli cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Murphy connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
A jab from Murphy misses.
Murphy lands with an overhand left.
Murphy scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Murphy misses with a lunging right hand
letting Kaunismieli counter with a right hand.
Murphy jabs Kaunismieli right on the nose. Kaunismieli blinks but takes it well.
Murphy has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Kaunismieli ducks under a wild hook from Murphy.
Kaunismieli throws a big counter combination but Murphy scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Murphy, right into the meat.
Mick Murphy seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kaunismieli misses with a wild body shot.
Murphy misses with a lunging right hand
and Kaunismieli counters with a nice body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Murphy moves out of range as Kaunismieli strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kaunismieli takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Kaunismieli might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Murphy ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Kaunismieli looks to land a right hand but Murphy moved out of range.
Murphy ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kaunismieli moves away.
Kaunismieli was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Kaunismieli moves out of range of the strikes.
Murphy will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Murphy blocks the body kick.
A jab from Murphy misses.
Murphy throws a quick inside leg kick.
Murphy connects with a body shot that sends Kaunismieli's belly button to the back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kaunismieli throws a shot from downtown. Murphy moves away and avoids it.
Murphy throws a jab when Kaunismieli was well out of range.
Kaunismieli steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Murphy.
Murphy jabs Kaunismieli to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Kaunismieli takes a swing at Murphy's ribcage but misses.
Murphy throws out a counter right but Kaunismieli avoids it with no problem.
Murphy has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kaunismieli throws a lazy uppercut
enabling Murphy to counter with a crisp jab.
Murphy ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kaunismieli moves away.
Kaunismieli was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Murphy feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Kaunismieli's calf.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nice defenses there by Kaunismieli.
Murphy throws a hook but Kaunismieli blocks it.
Murphy uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Kaunismieli has time to react.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murphy moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Murphy dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kaunismieli scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Murphy throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
It appears Kaunismieli was looking to counter with a kick there.

Kaunismieli lands a big head kick that sends Murphy tumbling to the mat! Kaunismieli takes a step backwards and waves Murphy back to his feet - he wants the finish!

It looks like Mick Murphy has been cut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kaunismieli on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Murphy misses with a right hand
and Kaunismieli counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kaunismieli bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Murphy misses the jab.
Kaunismieli misses with a series of wild punches.
Kaunismieli looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murphy misses with a left hand
and Kaunismieli counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kaunismieli is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Murphy misses with a hook. Kaunismieli ducked under it nicely.
Murphy misses with a body shot.
It looked like Kaunismieli wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Kaunismieli moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Murphy scores with a sloppy right hand. Kaunismieli should have avoided that one.
Murphy lands with a straight right. Kaunismieli didn't see that one coming.
Murphy stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Kaunismieli is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Kaunismieli throws a hook but Murphy avoids it easily.
Kaunismieli takes a body punch but keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mick Murphy showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Mick Murphy's cut.
That's time! Kaunismieli's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Murphy lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Kaunismieli keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Murphy misses with a straight left.
Murphy ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kaunismieli moves away.
Kaunismieli throws a right hand that misses
and Murphy makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Murphy connects with a nice looking jab.
A thudding body kick lands there by Murphy!
Murphy misses with a hook.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Murphy steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kaunismieli.
A telegraphed right hand from Kaunismieli misses the target.
Kaunismieli throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Murphy counters with a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murphy checks a low kick from Kaunismieli.
Kaunismieli lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Jab from Murphy.
Kaunismieli swats away the attempt to clinch by Murphy.
An attempted straight right counter from Kaunismieli misses the target.
Kaunismieli with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Murphy to score with a decent uppercut.
Murphy connects with a jab.
Murphy misses with a straight right.
Kaunismieli throwing a counter right hand but Murphy manages to avoid it.
Good exchange - Murphy coming out on top.
Kaunismieli scores with a jab to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murphy wants to land a leg kick but Kaunismieli is out of range.
Kaunismieli throwing a counter right hand but Murphy manages to avoid it.
A big left from Murphy misses.
Murphy throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A quick step to the side and Kaunismieli tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kaunismieli misses the shot to the body.
Kaunismieli takes a jab right on the kisser.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kaunismieli misses with a head kick.
Mick Murphy is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Murphy throws an off balance right hand
and Kaunismieli connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Kaunismieli looks to throw a body kick
and Murphy connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Kaunismieli walks into a stiff left hand from Murphy.
Kaunismieli defending well as Murphy loads up on a big left hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murphy misses with a lunging right hand
and Murphy takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Murphy connects with a jab.
Murphy misses with an uppercut.
Kaunismieli ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Decent striking displayed by Murphy there.
Nice defenses there by Kaunismieli.
Kaunismieli on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Murphy uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kaunismieli.
Nice cross by Murphy.
Murphy buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Kalervo Kaunismieli has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kaunismieli misses with a hook. Murphy ducked under it nicely.
Murphy cracks the inside of Kaunismieli's front leg.
A big left from Murphy misses.
Murphy fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Kaunismieli on the side of the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kaunismieli looks to land a left hand but Murphy moved out of range nicely.
Murphy throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Murphy lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Murphy uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Kaunismieli throws a shot from downtown. Murphy moves away and avoids it.
Murphy connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mick Murphy comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Murphy 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mick Murphy!
An out of breath Mick Murphy thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.