PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Mark Murray (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Keiji Kawada (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Keiji Kawada was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Murray
vs
Kawada

170 cm
24
145 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

167 cm
25
145 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Brute
Crippler's Corner

Brute

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Mark Murray!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Keiji Kawada!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Donald Grub and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kawada is defended easily by Murray.
Kawada is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kawada misses with the combination.
Keiji Kawada seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kawada shoots in for a takedown but Murray shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Kawada tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Murray manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kawada shoots in for a double leg but Murray sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Mark Murray has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Keiji Kawada.
Kawada walks into a straight right hand from Murray.
Kawada wants to clinch
and Murray counters with a low kick, right behind Kawada 's knee.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murray takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Murray bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Kawada takes one on the chin but seems OK.
A combination from Kawada does no damage.
Kawada fails in his attempt to clinch.

Kawada shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Kawada showed some decent athleticism there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Kawada not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Murray is concentrating on defense, preventing Kawada from advancing position.
Murray won't allow Kawada to pass to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kawada not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Murray keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Kawada throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Kawada trying to control the action but Murray is working from the bottom.
Murray tries to get to full guard but Kawada has control of the leg.
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!
Murray is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Kawada's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Kawada's back!
Kawada trying to control but not successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murray connects with a big shot to the side of Kawada's head.
Kawada can't escape the position.
Kawada tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Kawada has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Murray throws some wild stikes that Kawada manages to avoid easily.
Murray tries to control but Kawada wriggling away.
Murray is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Kawada is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Kawada is trying to stand up.
Kawada is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Kawada sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Kawada wants to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kawada avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Murray.

Murray is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Kawada is just riding it out for now. Murray eventually gives up the hold.
Kawada is not content to let Murray control the position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Murray is thwarting Kawada's attempts to control the position.
Murray prevents Kawada from standing back up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kawada tries to get to full guard but Murray has control of the leg.
Kawada makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Kawada.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Keiji Kawada will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Kawada scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Murray doesn't seem bothered though.
Kawada misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Murray throws out a powerful jab.
Murray keeps the fight on the outside.
Kawada shoots in but no luck this time.
Murray connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Murray lands a jab to the nose.
Kawada stuns Murray with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
No luck for Kawada with that takedown attempt.
Kawada shoots in but no luck this time.
Mark Murray has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Keiji Kawada.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kawada shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kawada is defended easily by Murray.
Kawada is breathing heavily.
Murray keeps the fight on the outside.
Kawada tries for a takedown but Murray circles away easily
and Murray counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Murray scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Kawada throws a head kick but Murray moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kawada is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kawada tries to clinch up.
Kawada shoots in for a takedown but Murray shows good takedown defense.
Keiji Kawada is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kawada shoots for a takedown but Murray saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Kawada shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Murray defends it nicely.
Keiji Kawada seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kawada tries to move into range but Murray moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Murray connects with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kawada shoots for a double leg takedown but Murray sprawls well. He's pushed Kawada's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Murray tests Kawada's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kawada avoids the body shot from Murray.
Kawada takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Murray throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kawada's waist but Kawada gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Murray off to one side.
Kawada misses with the combination.
Kawada stuffs the takedown.
Kawada fails to land the takedown.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Murray, right into the meat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kawada instigates a clinch.
Murray misses with some punches.
Murray has a couple of punches blocked by Kawada.

Murray breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kawada fails with an attempt to clinch.
Murray scores with a jab to the body.
Kawada throws a body punch but Murray moves out of range.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Murray throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kawada shoots in and drives through. Murray sprawls well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Murray dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Kawada throws a sloppy head kick
enabling Murray to counter with a crisp jab.
Murray lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Murray fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kawada manages to avoid it.
Murray throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kawada's waist but Kawada gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Murray off to one side.

Kawada moves into range and clinches up with Murray.
Murray blocks the elbow strike.
Kawada can't break the clinch.
Kawada is pressed up against the cage. Murray has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Kawada down to the mat. Kawada avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Murray swats away the attempt to clinch by Kawada.
Kawada misses with a few strikes there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A slow jab from Kawada misses its intended target.
Murray bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Kawada's head backwards.
Kawada tries to clinch
and Murray counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kawada thows a leg kick but Murray checks it
and Murray finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Kawada is looking to clinch but Murray is avoiding it.

Murray gets tackled into the cage by Kawada. Kawada maintains the clinch.
Murray drops down looking for an ankle pick but Kawada pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mark Murray. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Kawada changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Murray looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kawada is looking to take a break and control but Murray is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.

Kawada decides to stand back up.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kawada fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Murray avoids it really well and circles away.
Kawada takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kawada fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Murray avoids it really well and circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kawada looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kawada looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Murray is fending him off so far but Kawada persists. Nope, Murray circles away and we're back to standing.
Kawada shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Murray counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Kawada thinking.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kawada.
Murray slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Kawada looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kawada throws a leg kick
and Murray counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Kawada thinking.

Murray shoots in and bounces Kawada off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Murray is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Kawada looking for a sweep. Not yet Kawada, not yet.
Murray throws a big elbow that misses.
Murray is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Murray trying to control the position from guard on top but Kawada is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kawada trying to keep a closed guard but Murray is proving a slippery customer.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Keiji Kawada.
I think Kawada 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 Chris Edwards scores the fight 29:28
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 28:29
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a draw!