PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Emilio Izturis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Carlos Murray (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Izturis
vs
Murray

190 cm
19
190 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

188 cm
20
202 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Emilio Izturis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Carlos Murray!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Alyssa Summers and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Murray looks to throw the jab but Izturis is out of range.
Murray moves out of range as Izturis strikes.
Emilio Izturis seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Izturis is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Murray's half guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Izturis wants to free his trapped foot but Murray is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Murray regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Izturis.
Murray controls Izturis momentarily but Izturis frees himself.
Murray being controlled here, momentarily.
Murray working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Izturis.
Murray trying to control the position.
Izturis is looking to work some ground and pound but Murray has wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murray looking to hit a scissor sweep but Izturis is one step ahead there.
Murray controlling Izturis's posture.
Izturis sitting in guard here, content to control.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Izturis slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Murray checks a low kick from Izturis.
Izturis misses the jab.
Izturis misses the body punch
and Izturis takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Izturis swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Izturis shoots in for a takedown but Murray shows good takedown defense.

Izturis is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Murray's half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

Murray is defending against the submission attempts here by Izturis.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Murray desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Izturis missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Izturis wants to pass the guard but Murray is defending well.
Izturis is nestled in close to Murray, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Izturis missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Izturis wants to free his trapped foot but Murray is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Izturis has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Izturis thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Izturis is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Murray!
Murray takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Izturis lands a big elbow.

Murray is rocked!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Izturis postures up and throws a couple of big shots that have Murray in real trouble here! The ref calls for Murray to improve his position which he doesn't do, so the referee has no choice but to end the fight due to the strikes!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Emilio Izturis!
During a confident post fight interview, Emilio Izturis thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.