PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mike Murdock (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Justin Rodrigues (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Murdock comes to the cage accompanied by Behind the Mask. Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Murdock
vs
Rodrigues

196 cm
23
262 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

200 cm
19
250 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Big right hand

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Tends to cut

Magic Mushrooms
Canadian Fighter Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Mike Murdock!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Justin Rodrigues!
The judges for this bout are Aafke Stam, Patrick Alders and Wagner Zegers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rodrigues shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Murdock as he avoids it easily.
Murdock misses with the combination.
Murdock shoots in for a takedown but Rodrigues shows good takedown defense.
Rodrigues shoots for a takedown but Murdock saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Murdock dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A punch combination from Murdock misses.
Murdock checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

Murdock has managed to clinch.
Murdock drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Rodrigues gets the underhooks and prevents it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Murdock.

Murdock breaks from the clinch.
Murdock getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Rodrigues throws a body kick that misses.
Mike Murdock seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rodrigues tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Murdock circles away from the clinch attempt.
Murdock takes a kick to the side of the head.
Murdock throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Murdock rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Rodrigues moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Rodrigues has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

It looks like Justin Rodrigues has been cut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Murdock instigates a clinch.
Murdock scores with a shoulder strike.
Murdock lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Rodrigues backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodrigues wants to stall.

Murdock breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Rodrigues closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Rodrigues lands in his opponent's guard.
Rodrigues trying to control but Murdock is working from the bottom.
Rodrigues might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Murdock kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Murdock tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Rodrigues won't allow Murdock to get back to his feet.
Rodrigues would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Rodrigues trying to control the position from guard on top but Murdock is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rodrigues stands and throws Murdock's legs to the side, diving into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rodrigues is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Murdock has escaped the position, nice work there.

Rodrigues working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Rodrigues has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Murdock!
Murdock regains half guard.

Murdock pushes Rodrigues off and gets back to his feet.
Rodrigues blocks the body kick.
Murdock punishes Rodrigues's body with a nice straight punch.
Rodrigues looks gassed!
Rodrigues fails with a takedown attempt.
Mike Murdock has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Justin Rodrigues.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murdock works over Rodrigues's head and body with a nice combination.

Murdock has managed to clinch.

Murdock pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Murdock clinches up against the cage.
Murdock lands a body shot.

Murdock breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Murdock lands a high kick!
This has been an exciting period of action!
A slapping leg kick lands for Murdock.
Murdock scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
A nice inside leg kick there by Murdock. That's going to slow Rodrigues down.
Nice jab there from Murdock.

Murdock feints and then winds up with a huge right hand that connects perfectly and sends Rodrigues sprawling to the canvas! Rodrigues rolls over backwards and springs off the cage and manages to regain his footing - how acrobatic! Oh, he's still wobbly - can Murdock finish him?!

Rodrigues is rocked!
Murdock throws a head kick that misses.
Rodrigues is still on wobbly legs! Can Murdock finish him?
Nice sprawl there from Rodrigues as Murdock shoots in.
Rodrigues seems to have recovered his senses.

Murdock drops Rodrigues with a beautiful combination! Rodrigues stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Murdock is looking for the KO!

That has opened up Justin Rodrigues's cut even more.
Murdock stuns Rodrigues with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

Murdock closes the distance and clinches.
Rodrigues has Murdock pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Murdock manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Murdock escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigues tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Murdock swivels and escapes.
Murdock connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

Murdock drops Rodrigues with a beautiful combination! Rodrigues stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Murdock is looking for the KO!
Rodrigues takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Murdock works over Rodrigues's head and body with a nice combination.
Rodrigues gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Murdock.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Murdock.
Murdock throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Murdock lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

The cut above Justin Rodrigues's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Rodrigues shoots in for a double leg but Murdock sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Rodrigues has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Murdock finds it's way round the side to connect with Rodrigues's head.
Rodrigues tries to clinch but Murdock moves out of range.
Murdock misses with a two punch combination.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rodrigues looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Murdock shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Murdock was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Murdock landing strikes from the mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Murdock dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Justin Rodrigues's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Rodrigues is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Horrible takedown by Rodrigues or perhaps it was just good defense by Murdock which made him look bad.
Murdock avoids the head kick by Rodrigues.
A right-left combo lands from Murdock.
Mike Murdock is winning the standup battle so far.

Murdock moves into the clinch successfully.

Rodrigues gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Murdock wants to stand but Rodrigues is controlling the position.

Murdock looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Rodrigues trying to control but Murdock is working from the bottom.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rodrigues wants to pass the guard but Murdock is keeping the position.
Rodrigues with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodrigues looking to sit in guard and control but Murdock gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Rodrigues not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Rodrigues keeping moving, preventing Murdock from controlling successfully.
Murdock is working Rodrigues over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Rodrigues is trying to control the position but Murdock postures up.

Murdock avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Murdock in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Murdock gets to his feet. Rodrigues looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Murdock shoots for a double leg takedown but Rodrigues sprawls well. He's pushed Murdock's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Rodrigues is defended easily by Murdock.
Murdock keeps the fight on the outside.
A head kick misses from Murdock.
Murdock tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Rodrigues swivels and escapes.
Rodrigues on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Rodrigues tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Left hook, right uppercut from Murdock.
Murdock connects with a body shot.
Murdock displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Rodrigues.
Mike Murdock has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Justin Rodrigues.
Rodrigues will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Rodrigues tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Murdock tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rodrigues paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Murdock moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Murdock is looking to clinch but Rodrigues is avoiding it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigues shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Murdock sprawls well. Murdock wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Rodrigues gets slowly back to his feet.
Murdock sizes up Rodrigues with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Murdock shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Murdock misses with a head kick.
Rodrigues throws a body kick that misses.
Rodrigues tries to work over Murdock's front leg with a kick but Murdock checks it.
Murdock scores with a jab.
Rodrigues closes the distance but Murdock moves to the side
and Murdock counters with a head kick. That will keep Rodrigues thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Nice shot lands for Murdock.
Murdock slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Murdock will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Rodrigues dodges the punch combination from Murdock.
Rodrigues tries to clinch
and Rodrigues takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Murdock avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigues throws a leg kick but Murdock sees it coming and moves out of range.
Murdock takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Rodrigues tries to clinch up.
Murdock misses with the combination.
Murdock takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Rodrigues avoids the head kick by Murdock.
Murdock tries for a takedown but Rodrigues circles away easily
and Rodrigues counters with a body kick.
Rodrigues throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Rodrigues tries to clinch
and Murdock counters with a lovely straight right hand!
The fight stays on the outside here - Rodrigues looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Murdock blocks the body kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Rodrigues has Murdock up against the cage in a clinch.
Rodrigues tries for a takedown but Murdock manages to get underhooks.
Murdock is pressed up against the cage. Rodrigues has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Murdock down to the mat. Murdock avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Murdock dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Justin Rodrigues's cut.
That's time! Murdock's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Murdock throws a right and a left that both miss.
Mike Murdock is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Murdock stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Murdock defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Rodrigues.
Rodrigues fails to land the takedown.
Rodrigues shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Murdock defends it nicely.
Mike Murdock has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Justin Rodrigues.
Rodrigues showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Murdock.
Murdock throws a right hand that Rodrigues ducks under and follows up with a left that Rodrigues also avoids with ease.

Rodrigues drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Murdock sneaks out the side door and pushes Rodrigues away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Murdock misses with the combination.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Murdock keeps the fight on the outside.
Murdock keeps the fight on the outside.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Murdock closes the distance and clinches.
Murdock is trying to break free.
Murdock comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

Rodrigues has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Murdock clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Murdock is trying to get back to his feet but Rodrigues has full control of the position and if anything, Murdock has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Murdock staying busy and making it hard for Rodrigues to control.
Rodrigues throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.
Murdock is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

Murdock defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Rodrigues's arms.
Murdock controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Murdock is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Rodrigues gets his way!
Rodrigues not allowing Murdock to control his hands.
Murdock is really stuck here.
Murdock is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

Rodrigues is looking for a rear naked choke here but Murdock reverses the position brilliantly into Rodrigues's guard!
Rodrigues trying to keep a closed guard but Murdock is proving a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigues looking for a sweep. Not yet Rodrigues, not yet.
Murdock throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Rodrigues works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Rodrigues working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Murdock doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Murdock manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Rodrigues takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
The fight stays on the outside here - Rodrigues looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Murdock gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Rodrigues is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Murdock gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Rodrigues is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Murdock gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Murdock breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Murdock scores with a one two! Rodrigues had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Rodrigues chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Murdock can pounce on him.
Murdock lands a jab-cross combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murdock lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

Justin Rodrigues's cut is absolute horrible now. This looks like something out of a horror film with blood covering both fighters.
Murdock lands a nice hook to Rodrigues's body. Rodrigues takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Murdock throws a nice looking combination but Rodrigues bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Rodrigues with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Murdock to score with a decent uppercut.
Murdock scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Murdock stuffs the takedown attempt from Rodrigues. Rodrigues gets slowly back to his feet.
A right-left combo lands from Murdock.
A left and a right from Murdock both land. Nice combination.
Murdock misses with a few strikes there.
Rodrigues has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Murdock looks for a takedown but Rodrigues sprawls well.
Rodrigues shoots for a takedown but Murdock saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Mike Murdock is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Murdock connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Murdock tries to bum rush Rodrigues with a series of wild strikes but Rodrigues uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Rodrigues misses with a low kick.
Justin Rodrigues has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Murdock looks to land a body kick but Rodrigues moved away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Murdock showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Murdock, 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 Aafke Stam scores the fight 30:27
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Murdock!