PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bobby LaBonte (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Scruffy Murphy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). LaBonte comes to the cage accompanied by Bawitdaba by Kid Rock. Murphy has chosen I'm Shipping Up to Boston as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

LaBonte
vs
Murphy

194 cm
22
259 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

194 cm
22
270 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Dangerous knees
Intelligent

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Determined

White Gorilla Nutrition

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Bobby LaBonte!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Scruffy Murphy!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Steve Smith and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

LaBonte scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Murphy is pressing down on LaBonte's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Murphy is trying to keep LaBonte in close.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
LaBonte wants to stand but Murphy has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Murphy manages to escape and get back to his feet.

LaBonte moves into range and clinches up with Murphy.
LaBonte goes for a takedown in the clinch but Murphy prevents it.
Murphy lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Knees to the body from LaBonte.
LaBonte throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Murphy blocks it with crossed arms.
LaBonte with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
LaBonte tries to score a body lock takedown but Murphy shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
LaBonte missing with knees to the body.
LaBonte avoiding damage as Murphy throws knees to the body.
LaBonte throws a knee to the head but misses.
Murphy tries to stall but LaBonte uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Murphy breaks from the clinch.

Murphy has closed the distance and engaged LaBonte in a clinch.
LaBonte trying to land knees to the body.
Knees to the body from Murphy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
LaBonte avoiding damage as Murphy throws knees to the body.
LaBonte throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Murphy blocks it with crossed arms.
LaBonte is breathing heavily.

Murphy breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Murphy with a poor takedown

and LaBonte counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by LaBonte.
LaBonte is on the wrong end of a couple of strikes there.
LaBonte knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Murphy on the ground.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Murphy is on top in guard.
Murphy wants to pass the guard but LaBonte is keeping the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

LaBonte has his feet on Murphy's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
LaBonte shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Murphy as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bobby LaBonte. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Murphy has managed to clinch.
Knees in the clinch landing for Murphy.
Murphy landing knees to the head.
Murphy lands a nice knee to the body.
Murphy can't break the clinch.
LaBonte lands a knee to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
LaBonte with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
LaBonte with a knee to the head.

It looks like Scruffy Murphy has been cut.
LaBonte tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
LaBonte throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Murphy blocks it with crossed arms.
Murphy landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
LaBonte changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Murphy fights it off and pushes away nicely.

LaBonte drives through with a takedown into guard.
Murphy manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Murphy on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Murphy tries to get out of the position.
Murphy thowing shots but they're missing.
LaBonte really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Murphy misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
You get the feeling that LaBonte really doesn't like being in this position too much.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murphy throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for LaBonte because Murphy loaded up on that one.
LaBonte wants to get back to his feet.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Murphy prevents LaBonte from getting the reversal.
LaBonte is working hard here to advance position.
Murphy landing punches.
Murphy with the ground and pound from mount.
LaBonte is trying to stand.
LaBonte wants to control but Murphy is having none of it.
LaBonte tries to get back to half guard but can't.

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 landing punches.
LaBonte is looking to improve his position but Murphy isn't that keen on the idea.
Murphy misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
LaBonte tries to hold on but Murphy postures up.
LaBonte wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Murphy prevents LaBonte from getting the reversal.
LaBonte throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
LaBonte is working to get back to half guard.
Murphy raining down shots from the mount!
LaBonte tries to get back to half guard but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bobby LaBonte dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Scruffy Murphy'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.

LaBonte feints and as Murphy raises his hands in defense, LaBonte changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
LaBonte lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Murphy trying to control the position.
LaBonte postures up and lands a big shot to Murphy's brow.
LaBonte wanted to stand there but Murphy had control of the position.

LaBonte gets to his feet - Murphy follows without any prompting.
Murphy closes the distance looking to clinch

and LaBonte counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by LaBonte.
LaBonte misses with a knee strike.
Murphy missing with knees to the body.

LaBonte drags the fight down to the ground.
Murphy is breathing heavily.
Murphy keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of LaBonte's head.
LaBonte is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Murphy has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Murphy thows a big elbow that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murphy prevents LaBonte from getting back to his feet.

LaBonte looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Murphy stands up over LaBonte, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
LaBonte will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Murphy slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
LaBonte misses with an elbow from the bottom.
Murphy working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.

Murphy decides to take the fight back to the feet.

Murphy clinches up against the cage.
LaBonte tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Knees to the body from Murphy.
LaBonte landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Murphy prevents the takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murphy managing to block the knees to the body from LaBonte.
LaBonte looking to throw knees to the head but Murphy is blocking nicely.

LaBonte has hold of one of Murphy's legs. Murphy is fighting the takedown attempt but LaBonte gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Murphy has momentary wrist control but LaBonte slips an elbow through the middle.
Murphy throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Murphy doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

Murphy kicks LaBonte off and gets to his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
LaBonte circles away from the clinch attempt

and LaBonte counters with a single leg into guard. Murphy didn't expect that.
Murphy not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
LaBonte tries to free his leg and advance position but Murphy is retaining full guard.

LaBonte stands and steps away. Murphy gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Murphy gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Murphy is on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murphy scoring with some ground and pound.

Murphy stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Murphy darts in trying to clinch

and LaBonte holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
LaBonte with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Murphy can't break the clinch.
Murphy should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
LaBonte with an attempt at a knee that misses.
A knee to the head by LaBonte.
LaBonte with a knee to the head.
Knees to the body from LaBonte.
LaBonte with a knee to the head.

Murphy is rocked!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
LaBonte with a knee to the head.
Murphy is still on wobbly legs! Can LaBonte finish him?
LaBonte with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Murphy crunches a lovely knee into LaBonte's ribcage.
Murphy lands a nice knee to the body.
Murphy seems to have recovered his senses.
LaBonte with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
LaBonte misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Murphy.
LaBonte tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
LaBonte with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Knees to the body from Murphy.
LaBonte tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
LaBonte landing knees to the body.
LaBonte scores a nice knee to the body.
LaBonte tries to land knees in the clinch but Murphy avoids the damage to the body.
LaBonte tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
LaBonte looking to throw knees to the head but Murphy is blocking nicely.
LaBonte tries to land knees in the clinch but Murphy avoids the damage to the body.
Murphy trying to land knees to the body.
Murphy avoiding damage.
LaBonte trying to land knees to the body.
LaBonte tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Bobby LaBonte has scored more points in the clinch so far.

Murphy has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but LaBonte regains guard immediately.
Murphy content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Murphy gets to his feet. LaBonte looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Murphy tries to clinch but fails miserably

and LaBonte counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
LaBonte misses with a knee strike.
Murphy with an attempt at a knee that misses.
LaBonte drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Murphy gets the underhooks and prevents it.
LaBonte tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bobby LaBonte dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Scruffy Murphy's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Murphy clinches but LaBonte breaks the clinch

and LaBonte decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Murphy's guard.
Murphy thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Murphy looking for a sweep. Not yet Murphy, not yet.
LaBonte is looking to stand up but Murphy won't let him.
LaBonte tries to free his leg and advance position but Murphy is retaining full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Murphy is on top in guard.
LaBonte trying to keep a closed guard but Murphy is proving a slippery customer.

LaBonte is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Murphy gets to his feet - LaBonte follows without any prompting.
Murphy tries to clinch up

and LaBonte counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murphy controls LaBonte momentarily but LaBonte frees himself.
LaBonte takes a decent strike to the side of the head.
Murphy lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for LaBonte!
Murphy has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of LaBonte's face.
Murphy landing strikes, looking to finish!
Murphy dominating with strikes here.
LaBonte is trying to stand up.
Murphy throwing strikes here but LaBonte is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
LaBonte working to try and regain half guard.
LaBonte wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murphy putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
LaBonte is wriggling around trying to escape.
LaBonte wants to control but Murphy is having none of it.
LaBonte trying desperately to get to his feet.
Murphy postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. LaBonte looks a forlorn figure.
Murphy lands a big shot there that rocks LaBonte but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Murphy working away from the top, dropping strikes.

LaBonte is flailing around, obviously not happy about being mounted. Murphy locks hold of one of his arms and spins for an armbar. He's got it! LaBonte is forced to tap!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:03 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Scruffy Murphy!