PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between James Mitchell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lee Murray (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mitchell's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Voices- Rev Theory. Murray comes into a darkened arena with his song building. KO muzik kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Mitchell
vs
Murray

185 cm
26
210 lbs
10 - 7 - 0

190 cm
33
218 lbs
19 - 9 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Great elbows
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Milwaukee's Best 160

Milwaukee's Best 160
Milwaukee's Best Nutrition

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 10 - 7 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, James Mitchell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 9 - 0, fighting out of London, Lee Murray!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Taro Takaoka and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice shot by Murray.
Murray jabs Mitchell to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Mitchell fails in his attempt to clinch.
Murray keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Mitchell tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Murray swivels and escapes.
Murray lands with a right hand.
Murray tests Mitchell's chin there with a solid looking shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Murray throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Mitchell takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Murray scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Mitchell misses the jab.

Mitchell rushes Murray and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Our sources have told us that Mitchell has been working on his elbows in the gym.
Mitchell is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Murray is defending well.
Mitchell tries to pull guard but Murray forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for James Mitchell. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Murray.
Murray wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Murray wants to get back to striking at distance but Mitchell won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Murray breaks from the clinch.
Mitchell misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Murray slips a straight right by Mitchell.
Mitchell shoots for a takedown but Murray saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Murray tries to bum rush Mitchell with a series of wild strikes but Mitchell uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Murray digs a good body shot into Mitchell's ribs.
Murray lands a nice shot that snaps Mitchell's head back.
Murray cracks a nice hook into Mitchell's ribs.
Murray wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
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!
Mitchell on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Murray is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Mitchell rather than just go for the knockout.
Murray throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Murray lands a nice shot to the body.

Murray shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Mitchell is trying to defend but Murray finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Murray wants to take a breather but Mitchell is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Murray throwing shots but Mitchell is blocking nicely.
Mitchell is pressing down on Murray's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mitchell wants to sweep but no luck.
Murray is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Mitchell looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Murray has picked Mitchell up and slammed him! Mitchell can't keep hold of the triangle and Murray manages to pass to side control!
Murray lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Mitchell down.
Murray scoring with punches and elbows.
Mitchell tries to buck Murray off but Murray is having none of it.
Murray is looking to take a break and control but Mitchell is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Murray scoring with punches and elbows.
Mitchell is not content to let Murray control the position.
Mitchell is looking for a sweep.
Mitchell is not content to let Murray control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mitchell tries to improve position but can't.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Murray staying calm.
Mitchell is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Murray's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Mitchell is looking to improve his position.
Mitchell gets full guard.
Mitchell lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Murray!
Murray takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murray tries to lock up and control but Mitchell gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Murray is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mitchell fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Murray wants to control but Mitchell is having none of it.
Murray has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Murray is wriggling around trying to escape.
Murray takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Murray is working to get back to half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Mitchell lands a big elbow.
Mitchell avoids the attempt from Murray to control.

Mitchell goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Murray is on top in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lee Murray dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Mitchell takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Murray throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Mitchell has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Mitchell there as he acknowledges the shot.
James Mitchell is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mitchell uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Murray.
Murray ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Murray misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mitchell.
Mitchell thows a left - swing and a miss!
Good exchange - Murray coming out on top.
Murray will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Mitchell just misses with a punch to the body.
Murray swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Murray misses with a takedown
enabling Mitchell to counter with a crisp jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murray connects with a crisp jab.
Murray moves into range and connects with a jab.
Murray scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Murray looks to score with a jab to the body but Mitchell is just out of range.
Murray tries to score a power double leg takedown but Mitchell sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Murray somewhat.
Murray misses with a leg kick.
Murray scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Murray misses with a hook to the body
and Mitchell cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Lee Murray seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Mitchell takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mitchell throws a lazy uppercut

and Murray counters with a nice double leg into side control. Mitchell won't be happy with that.
Murray is looking to take a break and control but Mitchell is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mitchell is trying to get back to half guard.
Murray tries to advance to mount but Mitchell denies him.
Mitchell 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.
Mitchell tries to bench press Murray off him but Murray keeps the position.

Murray is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Mitchell has escaped the position, nice work there.
Murray trying to control the position but Mitchell is working away.
Murray controls the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murray creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Mitchell is looking for a sweep.
Mitchell is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Murray's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Mitchell manages to get to full guard.

Murray drops back looking for a leg! Mitchell is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Mitchell manages to kick Murray off! Murray jumps back into Mitchell's guard.
Mitchell is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Mitchell bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Murray's guard.
Mitchell wants to pass the guard but Murray is keeping the position.
James Mitchell overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mitchell trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Mitchell is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Mitchell drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Murray manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Mitchell has Murray in his guard.
Murray trying to control the position from guard on top but Mitchell is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Murray 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.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Mitchell is on top in guard.
Mitchell is looking to work some ground and pound but Murray has wrist control.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Mitchell is looking to work some ground and pound but Murray has wrist control.

Murray working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Mitchell doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Mitchell manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Mitchell drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Murray dives on top into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lee Murray showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Murray misses with a body shot.
Murray looks to score with a jab to the body but Mitchell is just out of range.
Murray defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Mitchell.
Mitchell keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Murray scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Murray is trying hard to land a takedown here. Mitchell sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Murray jabs Mitchell to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Murray fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Mitchell manages to avoid it.
Murray lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Mitchell is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Mitchell shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Murray sprawls well. Murray wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Mitchell gets slowly back to his feet.
Murray scores with a jab to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murray keeps the fight on the outside.
Murray connects with a looping right hand.
Murray thows a body shot but no joy.
Murray dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Murray shoots for a takedown but Mitchell saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Murray lands a body shot.
Mitchell throws a hook but Murray avoids it easily.
Mitchell tries a head kick but it misses.
The fighters circle momentarily. Murray darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Murray fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Mitchell avoids it really well and circles away.
James Mitchell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lee Murray.
Murray connects with a body shot that sends Mitchell's belly button to the back.
Lee Murray is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Murray misses the shot to the body.
Murray throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Mitchell keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Murray scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Murray throws a predictable looking body shot

and Mitchell counters with a nice double leg into side control. Murray won't be happy with that.
Mitchell is chipping away with strikes.

Mitchell swings around for an armbar but Murray sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Mitchell's guard.
Mitchell is looking to sweep but instead, Murray has passed into half guard.
Mitchell is looking for a sweep. Murray is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Mitchell makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Mitchell.
Murray controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Murray must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mitchell looking for a sweep. Not yet Mitchell, not yet.
Mitchell has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Murray has passed into side control.
Mitchell tries to improve position but can't.
Murray controls the position from side control.
James Mitchell has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mitchell manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murray perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Mitchell is pressing down on Murray's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Mitchell is looking for a triangle here but Murray uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Murray is staying tight to Mitchell's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Mitchell tries to buck Murray off but Murray is having none of it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
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.
Mitchell is not content to let Murray control the position.
Mitchell is trying to escape the position but Murray is controlling the position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Lee Murray.
A shot to the liver by Murray. Beautiful body shot.
Mitchell takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lee Murray comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Murray 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 Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 27:30
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lee Murray!
Lee Murray looked relieved post fight as he said the following; 'I knew this would be a fun fight!! I want back in the cage ASAP!! Ill fight anyone'.