PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Matt Murdock (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sonny Corleone (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Corleone has chosen The Godfather Waltz as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Murdock
vs
Corleone

183 cm
22
200 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

185 cm
26
195 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

Hell's Kitchen Lab Corp

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 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Matt Murdock!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Sonny Corleone!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, John Roberts and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Murdock throws a leg kick that is checked
and Corleone connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Corleone.
Horrible takedown by Corleone or perhaps it was just good defense by Murdock which made him look bad.
Murdock ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Corleone moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Murdock looks to score with a jab to the body but Corleone is just out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Corleone closes this distance looking for a takedown but Murdock circles away.
Matt Murdock has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sonny Corleone.
Murdock misses with a body shot

and Corleone counters with a shoot takedown. Murdock fights it but they end up in guard.

Corleone thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Corleone sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Corleone in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Murdock wants to sweep but no luck.
Corleone postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Corleone trying to control but Murdock is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Corleone accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murdock keeping moving, preventing Corleone from controlling successfully.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Sonny Corleone hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Murdock throws a right hand that misses

and Corleone counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Murdock wants to get back to his feet.
Murdock is not content to let Corleone control the position.
Corleone has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Corleone passes to side control.
Corleone scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Murdock to see if he's OK.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Corleone swings around for an armbar but Murdock sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Corleone's guard.
Murdock slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Corleone working for submissions but it's allowed Murdock to get to half guard.
Murdock keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Corleone is trying to stand.
Murdock slows the pace down in half guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Matt Murdock wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Corleone shoots in but no luck this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sonny Corleone dominated that round.
That's time! Murdock's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Corleone shoots for a takedown but Murdock saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Corleone shoots in for a double leg but Murdock sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Murdock throws a lazy right hand but Corleone sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Murdock swings widly with a right hand

and Corleone counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Murdock's guard now.
Corleone pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Murdock is keeping the position for now.
Murdock pulls Corleone in close to his closed guard and prevents Corleone from doing any damage or advancing position.
Murdock looking to hit a scissor sweep but Corleone is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murdock is looking to stand up but Corleone isn't so interested in that idea.
Murdock looking to hit a scissor sweep but Corleone is one step ahead there.
Murdock is working hard here to advance position.
Corleone trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Murdock manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Murdock looking to control but Corleone is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

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.
Corleone is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Corleone wants to hold on but Murdock pushes him away.
Corleone is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murdock controlling from mount.
Corleone keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's four 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.
Corleone tries to hold on but Murdock pushes him away.
Murdock tries to control but Corleone wriggling away.
Murdock looking to control and managing it successfully.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

We're going to have a standup here because Matt Murdock wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Corleone blocks the body kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Sonny Corleone will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Murdock throws a lazy uppercut

and Corleone counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Corleone slips nicely into half guard.
Corleone is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Murdock pushes Corleone off looking to stand but Corleone dives back in and keeps control.
Murdock regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Corleone.
Corleone trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Murdock wants to stand up but Corleone is controlling him.
Murdock keeping moving, preventing Corleone from controlling successfully.
Corleone with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Corleone in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Murdock preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Corleone loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Corleone drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Murdock dives on top into guard.
Corleone is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Murdock slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
You can see the frustration on Corleone's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Murdock stands up and beckons Corleone to his feet.
The crowd cheers as Murdock lands an impressive looking overhand right. Corleone doesn't seem phased though.
Murdock comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Matt Murdock has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Corleone keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Murdock.
No luck for Corleone with that takedown attempt.
Murdock fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Corleone keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Corleone shoots in looking for a takedown. Murdock tries to sprawl out of it but Corleone keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Murdock manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Corleone moves out of range of the leg kick from Murdock.
Sonny Corleone is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Murdock tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Corleone was well out of range. Poor timing from Murdock.
Corleone throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Murdock's waist but Murdock gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Corleone off to one side.
Matt Murdock has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sonny Corleone.
Corleone fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Matt Murdock.
I think Corleone has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Chad Campbell scores the fight 28:29
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 28:29
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sonny Corleone!