PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight kickboxing rules bout between Rico Kehl (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Murdock (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rico Kehl had a look across the ring there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Kehl
vs
Murdock

173 cm
19
150 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

175 cm
19
156 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Excellent boxer
Solid chin

KAISER Nutrition - Q160/$250

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rico Kehl!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Michael Murdock!
The judges for this bout are Paulsen Ambrosius, Paul Aken and Radbod Blank.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kehl takes the fight into the clinch.

Murdock escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Murdock checks a leg kick.
Kehl tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Murdock is able to avoid easily.
Kehl fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Murdock.
Kehl looks to throw a body kick
and Murdock counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kehl connects with an inside leg kick.
Kehl looks to throw the jab but Murdock is out of range.
Murdock was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Murdock checks a leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kehl lands a leg kick that knocks Murdock off balance momentarily.
Kehl lands a nice looking kick to the body. Murdock takes a step back to recover.
Kehl misses with a looping right.
Murdock attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kehl throws a sloppy head kick and Murdock moves out of range easily.
Murdock is looking to score with low kicks.
We've been informed that Murdock has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Kehl moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Kehl. That's going to slow Murdock down.
Murdock checks the leg kick.

Kehl pushes Murdock up against the ropes in a clinch.
Kehl misses with a punch to the body.
I was talking to Kehl's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
A hook to the body from Kehl.
A body shot lands from Murdock.
Kehl gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Murdock dodges an elbow strike from Kehl.
Murdock blocks a body shot from Kehl.
Murdock blocks the elbow strike.

Murdock pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Murdock misses with a hook
and Kehl counters with a good low kick that Murdock was not able to check.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A leg kick checked by Murdock.
Murdock throws out a counter right but Kehl avoids it with no problem.
Kehl throws a head kick that misses.
Kehl tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kehl buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Kehl throws a leg kick but Murdock checks it.
Kehl throws a head kick but Murdock moves out of range.
A little jabbing left from Murdock on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Murdock throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Kehl throws a quick inside leg kick.
Kehl throws a quick inside leg kick.
Kehl misses with a low kick.
Murdock throws out a counter right but Kehl avoids it with no problem.
Rico Kehl seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Murdock checks a leg kick.
Murdock swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Murdock misses with a leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rico Kehl dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Kehl changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Kehl is looking to chop away at Murdock's legs.
Kehl is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Murdock can do to turn this around?
Kehl lands with a thumping leg kick.
Good leg kick by Kehl there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Kehl walks into a jab.
A clash of legs there as Murdock blocks the low kick.
Murdock flicks out a counter leg kick but Kehl steps away.
Kehl tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Murdock is able to avoid easily.
Kehl lands a leg kick that knocks Murdock off balance momentarily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kehl finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Kehl throws a sloppy head kick and Murdock moves out of range easily.
A chopping leg kick lands by Kehl.
Murdock moves out of range of the leg kick from Kehl.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kehl misses with a low kick.
Murdock tries a quick counter leg kick but Kehl is wise to it.
Murdock connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Murdock checks a low kick from Kehl.
Kehl throws a head kick but Murdock moves out of range.
Kehl blocks a jab.
Kehl misses with a body kick.
A good leg kick by Kehl.
A low kick from Kehl misses
and Murdock makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Murdock is looking to score with low kicks.
Kehl misses with a leg kick.
Murdock has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Kehl.
A lazy body kick from Kehl
and Kehl takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kehl throws a body punch but Murdock moves out of range.
Murdock looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Murdock throws a low kick but Kehl avoids it.
Kehl tried to counter with a leg kick but Murdock avoided it.
Kehl wants to clinch.
Kehl moves out of range of the strikes.
Murdock moves out of range of the leg kick from Kehl.
Murdock appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
A combination from Murdock does no damage.
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!
Kehl misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kehl throws a jab when Murdock was well out of range.
A chopping leg kick lands by Kehl.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rico Kehl dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Murdock checks the leg kick.
Murdock appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Kehl misses with a leg kick
and Murdock counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kehl tries a head kick but it misses.
Murdock was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Kehl moves out of range as Murdock strikes.
A chopping leg kick lands by Kehl.
Murdock connects with a right hand. Kehl shakes it off.
Murdock swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kehl throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Murdock looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kehl moves into the clinch successfully.

Murdock breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Murdock throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Kehl delivers a nice body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kehl closes the distance and pushes Murdock back into the ropes.
Murdock will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Kehl up against the ropes.
Murdock takes an elbow to the temple.
Murdock is trying to push Kehl away but Kehl has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.
Murdock taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Kehl throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Murdock wants to break the clinch but can't.
Murdock is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Kehl working aggressively here.
Murdock takes an elbow to the temple.
Kehl tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Murdock's elbow.
Murdock takes an elbow to the temple.
Kehl has Murdock pressed against the ropes, preventing Murdock from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Murdock avoids a wild elbow strike from Kehl.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Kehl just misses with a elbow thrown towards Murdock's brow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murdock dodges an elbow strike from Kehl.
Murdock has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Murdock can't break the clinch.
Murdock blocks an elbow strike.

Murdock escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Murdock tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Kehl misses with a leg kick.
Kehl looks for the body kick but Murdock saw that one coming.
Nice defenses there by Kehl.
Kehl pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kehl scoring well with a low kick there.
Murdock keeps the fight on the outside.
Kehl throws a solid leg kick but Murdock takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Kehl.
Murdock appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rico Kehl clearly takes that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kehl tries a head kick but it misses.
Kehl throws a nice inside leg kick.
A head kick misses from Kehl.
Murdock throws a hook to the side of Kehl's head but Kehl sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kehl keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Kehl throws a leg kick that is checked
enabling Murdock to counter with a crisp jab.
A chopping leg kick lands by Kehl.

Murdock gets tackled into the ropes by Kehl. Kehl maintains the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Murdock breaks the clinch.
Kehl connects with a jab.
Kehl throws a nice outside leg kick.
Murdock stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Kehl.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murdock throws a jab when Kehl was well out of range.
Murdock throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kehl sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kehl tries to clinch there but Murdock circles away.
Kehl tries a head kick but it misses.
Kehl looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Kehl lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Murdock has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Murdock and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Murdock throws out a counter right but Kehl avoids it with no problem.
Kehl does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
The crowd cheers as Murdock lands an impressive looking overhand right. Kehl doesn't seem phased though.
Kehl takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Murdock throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
An inside leg kick lands from Kehl.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murdock swats away the attempt to clinch by Kehl.
Murdock appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Murdock blocks a low kick nicely.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Kehl wants to clinch
and Murdock counters with a straight right hand.
Murdock does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Kehl throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Kehl buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
An inside leg kick from Murdock misses.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The fight stays on the outside here - Kehl looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
It seemed like Murdock was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Rico Kehl will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Murdock chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Kehl can pounce on him.
Murdock on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kehl. Kehl obviously looking to wear him down.
Kehl with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
A clash of legs there as Kehl blocks the low kick.
Kehl lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Kehl throws a shot from downtown. Murdock moves away and avoids it.
Murdock replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Kehl blocks it well.
Kehl fails with an attempt to clinch.
Murdock swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Murdock avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Kehl looks for the body kick but Murdock saw that one coming.
Murdock connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

Kehl closes the distance and pushes Murdock back into the ropes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murdock takes an elbow to the forehead.
Kehl tries to work over Murdock's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kehl struggles to land a body shot inside as Murdock controls his hands.

Murdock pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Michael Murdock has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kehl motions for Murdock to come forward. Kehl throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
A clash of legs there as Murdock blocks the low kick.
Murdock looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Kehl fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Murdock.
Kehl throws a low kick but Murdock moves out of range easily.
Murdock throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Kehl bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Murdock blocks a head kick by Kehl.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Murdock! But no joy.
Kehl shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kehl takes a swing at Murdock's ribcage but misses.
Murdock throws a counter combo.
Kehl is looking to score with low kicks.

Kehl clinches up against the ropes.

Murdock manages to break the clinch.
Murdock feints and then cracks Kehl's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Kehl down.
Kehl throws a head kick but Murdock moves out of range.
Murdock misses with a looping left.
Murdock's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

Kehl closes the distance and clinches.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kehl goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Murdock misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Murdock pushes Kehl back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Murdock tries a body shot but Kehl blocks it.
Rico Kehl is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Murdock blocks the elbow strike.
Murdock tries to work over Kehl's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rico Kehl showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Kehl has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 50:45
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 50:45
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rico Kehl!
Post fight, Rico Kehl stared into the camera and said 'Very glad to get the bronze medal! KT rules!!!'.