PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ryan Murphy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chris Sotiropoulos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Murphy comes to the cage accompanied by Sandstorm. Ryan Murphy has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Murphy
vs
Sotiropoulos

191 cm
18
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
18
185 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Counter striker
Knockout power

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ryan Murphy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Chris Sotiropoulos!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Murphy is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Sotiropoulos's half guard.

Murphy is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Sotiropoulos is trying to stand up here but Murphy is controlling him well.

Murphy seems to be looking for submissions.
Sotiropoulos is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Murphy thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Sotiropoulos is trying to stand.
The fighters are battling for position here. Sotiropoulos manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Murphy throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Sotiropoulos looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Sotiropoulos looks gassed!

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Murphy jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murphy misses with a takedown attempt - Sotiropoulos sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Murphy shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Sotiropoulos sprawls well. Sotiropoulos wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Murphy gets slowly back to his feet.
Sotiropoulos tries to clinch up but Murphy circles away and keeps his distance.
Murphy shoots in for a takedown but Sotiropoulos shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ryan Murphy. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sotiropoulos tries to clinch up.

Sotiropoulos moves into the clinch.
Sotiropoulos scores with a knee to the head.
Murphy on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Murphy is looking to break free of the clinch but Sotiropoulos has double underhooks.
Murphy misses with a knee strike.
Murphy tries to break free but Sotiropoulos pushes him back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Sotiropoulos tries to land a knee to the head but Murphy blocks with his arms.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Sotiropoulos as Murphy tries to tie him up.
Murphy changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Sotiropoulos fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Murphy swats away the attempt to clinch by Sotiropoulos.
Murphy keeps the fight on the outside.
Sotiropoulos displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Murphy.
Murphy throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Murphy will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murphy keeps the fight on the outside.
Murphy swats away the attempt to clinch by Sotiropoulos.
Murphy looks for a takedown but Sotiropoulos sprawls well.

Sotiropoulos clinches up against the cage.
Murphy fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Murphy is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Murphy tries for a takedown. No joy.
Sotiropoulos tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Sotiropoulos lands a knee to the head.
Murphy wants to get back to striking at distance but Sotiropoulos won't allow it.
Murphy can't break the clinch.
Sotiropoulos with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Sotiropoulos lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Sotiropoulos leaning his opponent against the cage.
Sotiropoulos lands a knee to the head.
Murphy has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Sotiropoulos with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Murphy is trying to break free.
Murphy is trying to break free.
Sotiropoulos connects with a nasty looking knee right to Murphy's face.

Murphy jumps into guard, dragging Sotiropoulos to the mat.

Murphy looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Sotiropoulos prevents Murphy from getting back to his feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Murphy is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Chris Sotiropoulos will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Murphy keeps the fight on the outside.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Murphy!
Murphy clinches but Sotiropoulos breaks the clinch

and Sotiropoulos counters by clinching up.
Sotiropoulos tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Murphy has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Sotiropoulos with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Murphy looking for a takedown.
Sotiropoulos prevents the takedown attempt.
Murphy tries to pull guard but Sotiropoulos won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ryan Murphy. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sotiropoulos using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Murphy has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Sotiropoulos tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Murphy wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Sotiropoulos has him pressed against the cage.
Murphy holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Sotiropoulos with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Murphy wants to get back to striking at distance but Sotiropoulos won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murphy is trying to break the clinch but Sotiropoulos is controlling him.
Sotiropoulos misses with a knee strike.
Murphy is looking to break free of the clinch but Sotiropoulos has double underhooks.
Sotiropoulos prevents the takedown attempt.
Murphy taking a breather.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Sotiropoulos obliges.
The referee is keeping an eye on Sotiropoulos - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Sotiropoulos scores a nice knee to the body.
Sotiropoulos tries to land a knee to the head but Murphy blocks with his arms.
Sotiropoulos tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Murphy wants to get back to striking at distance but Sotiropoulos won't allow it.
Sotiropoulos using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Murphy has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Sotiropoulos tries a knee to the head but Murphy blocks it.
Knees to the body from Sotiropoulos.
Murphy is trying to break the clinch but Sotiropoulos is controlling him.
Sotiropoulos with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Murphy misses with a knee strike.
Sotiropoulos lands a knee to the head.
Sotiropoulos keeps control of Murphy as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Sotiropoulos unloads a knee to the mid-section.
A knee to the head by Sotiropoulos.
Sotiropoulos working Murphy over with knees to the body.

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.
Sotiropoulos misses with a knee to the head.
Sotiropoulos with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Sotiropoulos obliges.
Knees to the body from Sotiropoulos.
Sotiropoulos looking to throw knees to the head but Murphy is blocking nicely.
Knees to the body from Sotiropoulos.
Sotiropoulos connects with a knee to the head.
Sotiropoulos scores with a knee to the head.
A knee to the head by Sotiropoulos.
Sotiropoulos connects with a knee to the head.
Sotiropoulos with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Sotiropoulos throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Murphy blocks it with crossed arms.
Murphy tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Knees to the body from Sotiropoulos.
Sotiropoulos with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Murphy tries to break free but Sotiropoulos pushes him back against the cage.
Murphy jumps guard but Sotiropoulos stands there with Murphy around his waist. Murphy gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Come on Sotiropoulos - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Murphy wants to break the clinch but can't.
Murphy tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Sotiropoulos smiles and moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murphy looks for a takedown but Sotiropoulos sprawls well.
Ryan Murphy seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sotiropoulos wants to clinch
and Murphy counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Murphy tries to clinch

and Sotiropoulos counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Sotiropoulos tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Sotiropoulos misses with a knee strike.
Sotiropoulos missing with knees to the body.
Sotiropoulos stops a takedown attempt from Murphy.
Murphy can't get the takedown.
Sotiropoulos unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Murphy tries to pull guard but Sotiropoulos won't allow it.
Sotiropoulos with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Sotiropoulos lands a knee to the head.
Murphy jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Sotiropoulos walks away with a smile on his face. Murphy gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Murphy fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Sotiropoulos, pushing him back against the cage.
Sotiropoulos unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Sotiropoulos putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Murphy in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Murphy takes a knee to the side of the body.
Sotiropoulos stalling in the clinch.
Murphy putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Sotiropoulos in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
The referee calls for Sotiropoulos to work.
Murphy tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Sotiropoulos smiles and moves away.
Murphy pulls out of a head kick attempt.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Murphy circles away from the clinch attempt
and Murphy counters with a lovely shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Sotiropoulos showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Nice takedown defense from Sotiropoulos. No joy for Murphy on that attempt.
Murphy closes the distance looking to clinch

and Sotiropoulos moves into the clinch.
Knees to the body from Sotiropoulos.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Sotiropoulos as Murphy tries to tie him up.
Sotiropoulos putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Murphy in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Knees to the body from Sotiropoulos.
Sotiropoulos scores a nice knee to the body.
Sotiropoulos tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Murphy wants to break the clinch but can't.
Sotiropoulos keeps control of Murphy as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Sotiropoulos lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Sotiropoulos with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sotiropoulos lands a knee to the head.
Murphy wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Sotiropoulos has him pressed against the cage.
Sotiropoulos scores with a knee to the head.
Sotiropoulos crunches a lovely knee into Murphy's ribcage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sotiropoulos connects with a knee to the head.
Sotiropoulos on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Sotiropoulos lands a good knee to the midsection. Murphy won't want to take too many of those.
Murphy is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Sotiropoulos tries to land a knee to the head but Murphy blocks with his arms.
Sotiropoulos with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Sotiropoulos throws a knee to the head but misses.
Sotiropoulos with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Murphy tries to score a body lock takedown but Sotiropoulos shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Murphy breaks the clinch.
Murphy throws a head kick that misses

and Sotiropoulos counters by clinching up.
Sotiropoulos lands a nice elbow.
Sotiropoulos using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Murphy has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Murphy is looking to break free of the clinch but Sotiropoulos has double underhooks.
Sotiropoulos with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Murphy manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Murphy manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Murphy throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sotiropoulos takes the fight into the clinch.
Sotiropoulos working Murphy over with knees to the body.
Sotiropoulos scores a nice knee to the body.
Murphy throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Sotiropoulos blocks it with crossed arms.
Murphy fails to pull the fight into his guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ryan Murphy. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sotiropoulos utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Knees to the body from Sotiropoulos.
Sotiropoulos is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Murphy is keeping busy.
Sotiropoulos landing knees to the head.
Sotiropoulos throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Murphy blocks it with crossed arms.
Sotiropoulos blocks an uppercut.
Murphy tries to circle away but Sotiropoulos has him pinned against the cage.
Murphy tries to throw a body punch but Sotiropoulos avoids it by throwing Murphy back against the cage.
Murphy takes a knee to the side of the body.
Sotiropoulos tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Sotiropoulos is pushing Murphy up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sotiropoulos is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Sotiropoulos crunches a lovely knee into Murphy's ribcage.
Murphy jumps guard but Sotiropoulos stands there with Murphy around his waist. Murphy gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Sotiropoulos connects with a nasty looking knee right to Murphy's face.
Murphy misses with an elbow over the top.
Sotiropoulos with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Sotiropoulos prevents Murphy from breaking the clinch.
Murphy is trying to break the clinch but Sotiropoulos is controlling him.
Sotiropoulos with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Murphy misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Sotiropoulos.
Sotiropoulos scores with a knee to the head.
Sotiropoulos utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Murphy takes a knee to the side of the body.
Murphy jumps guard but Sotiropoulos stands there with Murphy around his waist. Murphy gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Knees in the clinch landing for Sotiropoulos.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Murphy is trying to stall.
Sotiropoulos tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Murphy trying to control the position but instead, Sotiropoulos has worked for underhooks and has pushed Murphy into the cage.
Sotiropoulos scores with a knee to the head.
Sotiropoulos is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Murphy tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Sotiropoulos connects with a knee to the head.
Sotiropoulos holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Sotiropoulos with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Sotiropoulos tries a knee to the head but Murphy blocks it.
Murphy is trying to break the clinch but Sotiropoulos is controlling him.
Sotiropoulos working Murphy over with knees to the body.
Chris Sotiropoulos is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A frustrated look appears on Murphy's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Sotiropoulos is struggling to control the position.
Sotiropoulos tries to land a knee to the head but Murphy blocks with his arms.
Ryan Murphy has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sotiropoulos blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chris Sotiropoulos comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Sotiropoulos winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chris Sotiropoulos!