PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mike Palmer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mark Murk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Palmer
vs
Murk

195 cm
25
210 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

190 cm
25
200 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mike Palmer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mark Murk!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Steve Smith and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Palmer gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Palmer avoiding damage as Murk throws knees to the body.
Murk is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Palmer is defending well for now.
Palmer blocks an elbow strike from Murk.
Palmer is stalling here.
Murk blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Murk prevents a takedown attempt there.
Palmer on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Murk is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Palmer is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Murk is keeping busy.
Palmer tries to pull guard but Murk holds him up against the cage and eventually Palmer drops back down to his feet.
Palmer is struggling to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murk misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Palmer.
Palmer misses with a knee strike.
With the fighters up against the cage, Murk throws an elbow but misses.
Murk misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Palmer.
Palmer with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Palmer wants to take the fight to the mat but Murk manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mike Palmer. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Palmer dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Murk is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Murk is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Palmer is defending well for now.
Murk stalling against the cage.
Palmer is trying to maintain a safe position but Murk gets an underhook and turns Palmer into the cage.
Palmer blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murk lands an elbow that stopped Palmer in his tracks for a moment.
Murk gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Palmer on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Murk missing with knees to the body.
Palmer takes a knee to the side of the body.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Palmer takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Murk stalling against the cage.
Nice elbow from Murk.
Murk lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Murk obliges.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Murk obliges.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murk is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Palmer is breathing heavily.
A right handed body shot lands from Murk.
A body shot lands from Murk.
Murk misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Palmer.
Murk lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Murk using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Murk's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Murk lands an elbow inside.
Palmer avoiding damage as Murk throws knees to the body.
Palmer managing to block the knees to the body from Murk.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Murk obliges.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Murk tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Palmer avoids it.
Murk scores with a hook to the body.
Murk crunches a lovely knee into Palmer's ribcage.
Murk missing with knees to the body.
Murk pushes Palmer back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Murk utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Murk has Palmer pressed against the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Palmer is pushing Murk up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Murk dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Murk tries to clinch up but Palmer circles away and keeps his distance.
The fight stays on the outside here - Murk looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Palmer throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Murk displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Palmer.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Murk defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Palmer.
Mike Palmer seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Palmer has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mike Palmer. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Murk wants to clinch up but Palmer keeps it at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Palmer keeps the fight on the outside.
Palmer lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Palmer avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Mark Murk is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Murk tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Palmer swats away the attempt to clinch by Murk.
Murk tries to clinch up but Palmer circles away and keeps his distance.

Murk takes the fight into the clinch.
Palmer is looking to control Murk's arms but Murk gets an underhook and turns him. Now Palmer has his back to the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murk manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Mark Murk seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Palmer using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Murk has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
A bit of stalling here from Palmer.
Palmer blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Murk lands a shoulder strike.
Palmer avoiding damage as Murk throws knees to the body.
Palmer tries to pull guard but Murk forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Palmer avoiding damage as Murk throws knees to the body.
Murk tries to land knees in the clinch but Palmer avoids the damage to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murk lands a good knee to the midsection. Palmer won't want to take too many of those.
Murk is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Palmer is defending well for now.
Palmer managing to block the knees to the body from Murk.
Murk throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Palmer tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Palmer looking for a takedown.
Murk unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Murk.
Palmer is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
The referee is keeping an eye on Murk - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Palmer tries to land a knee to the head but Murk blocks with his arms.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Palmer is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Murk to keep the fight standing.
Murk tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Palmer avoids it.
Murk unloads a knee to the mid-section. Palmer lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Murk is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Palmer is defending well for now.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Palmer drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Murk gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Murk lands an elbow inside.
Murk struggles to land a body shot inside as Palmer controls his hands.
Murk misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Palmer.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Palmer manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Murk is looking to stand up but Palmer won't let him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Murk showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Palmer's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Palmer tries to clinch there but Murk circles away.

Murk darts in and clinches Palmer up against the cage.
Murk is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Palmer is defending well for now.
Palmer with a knee to the head.
Murk tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Palmer avoids it.
Murk missing with knees to the body.
Palmer with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Murk lands a nice knee to the body.
Murk is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Palmer is defending well for now.
Palmer takes an elbow to the forehead.
Palmer is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Palmer wants a takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murk tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Palmer's elbow.
Palmer misses with a knee to the head.
Palmer tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Murk just stands there and leans against the cage.
Murk misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Palmer.
Murk unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Palmer is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mike Palmer. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Murk lands a knee to the body.
Palmer on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Murk is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Palmer is defending well for now.
Palmer landing knees to the head.
Palmer avoiding damage as Murk throws knees to the body.
Palmer on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Murk lands a good knee to the midsection. Palmer won't want to take too many of those.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murk is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
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!
Murk lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Murk utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Murk taking a breather.
Murk working Palmer over with knees to the body.
Murk trying to land knees to the body.
Murk tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Palmer avoids it.
Palmer blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Murk landing knees to the body.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Murk.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Palmer managing to block the knees to the body from Murk.
Murk unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Murk using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Murk unloads a knee to the mid-section. Palmer lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Murk has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Palmer avoiding damage as Murk throws knees to the body.
Stalling in the clinch from Murk.
Palmer blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Murk tries to land knees in the clinch but Palmer avoids the damage to the body.

Palmer ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Palmer no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Palmer trying to control the position.

Murk gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murk wants to clinch up but Palmer keeps it at a distance.

Palmer looking to score a takedown here. Murk is defending well but Palmer drives through and ends up in Murk's guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Murk is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Palmer is controlling him.
Palmer throws a big right hand that misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Murk is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Palmer is controlling him.
Mike Palmer has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

And that's the end of the fight!
Mark Murk comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Murk 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 Trevor Gratis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mark Murk!