PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Bartlomiej Burch (ranked 5924 p4p, 534 weight class) and Cathal Murphy (ranked 6664 p4p, 577 weight class). The key to victory for Bartlomiej Burch has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Burch
vs
Murphy

196 cm
19
179 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

180 cm
23
180 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Bartlomiej Burch!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Cathal Murphy!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Trevor Gratis and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Murphy slips a jab and a cross from Burch.
Murphy tries to counter by closing the distance.
Burch stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
A right-left combo lands from Burch.
Murphy shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Burch sprawls well. Burch wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Murphy gets slowly back to his feet.

Murphy drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Burch wants to get back to his feet but Murphy is dominant here and he's now got Burch's back!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Murphy is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Burch is defending well though. Murphy let's go of the attempt for now.
I really don't envy Burch right now.

Murphy tightening his grip on Burch, looking for the choke.
Burch trying to control the hands but Murphy won't let him.
Burch avoids the strikes from Murphy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burch trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.

Murphy looking for the choke but no joy.

Burch fending off the submission attempt from Murphy.
Burch tries to break free.
Murphy is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.

Murphy patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Burch knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Murphy on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Murphy is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.

Burch fending off the submission attempt from Murphy.

Murphy working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Burch tries to break free.
Murphy throws a series of strikes and Burch wriggles onto his back, so he's now mounted. He's in real trouble here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Murphy jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Burch is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Burch and Murphy has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

Murphy wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Burch, who protects the arm well.

Murphy is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Burch knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Murphy is working Burch over with some ground and pound from side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cathal Murphy dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Burch throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Murphy.
Murphy will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Burch tests Murphy's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Burch jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Murphy fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Murphy shoots for a takedown but Burch saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Bartlomiej Burch has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cathal Murphy.
Burch swinging wildly here.
Murphy wants to counter with a clinch but Burch pushes him away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murphy shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Burch as he avoids it easily.
Burch went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Murphy avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Burch throws the left hand but Murphy avoids the punch easily.

Murphy bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Burch sneaks back into half guard.
Murphy controlling the action here.
Burch wants to get back to full guard.
Murphy content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burch wants to improve his position but Murphy is controlling well.
Burch on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Burch tries to get out of the position.

Murphy looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Murphy sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Burch defending well though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murphy looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Burch with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Murphy working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

Murphy seems to be looking for submissions.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Murphy not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Murphy works his way into full mount!
Murphy sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Cathal Murphy has got the better of the ground game so far.
Murphy postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Burch looks a forlorn figure.

Murphy looking for a guillotine from mount but Burch is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Murphy goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Burch turns into him and now he's in Murphy's guard.
Murphy not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Burch wants to control from the top but Murphy keeps moving.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Murphy looking to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Bartlomiej Burch will probably get the nod.
That's time! Burch's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. 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.

Burch works over Murphy's head and body with a nice combination.
Nice sprawl there from Burch as Murphy shoots in.
Murphy on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Murphy dives in and grabs Burch's left leg, looking for a takedown. Burch pushes down on Murphy's head and hops out.
Burch is looking to counter punch.
Murphy with a lazy takedown attempt
and Burch counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Bartlomiej Burch has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cathal Murphy.
Murphy checks a low kick from Burch.
Murphy changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Burch tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Murphy was well out of range. Poor timing from Burch.
And Murphy tries to counter it with a takedown but Burch pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Burch seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Burch throws a leg kick

and Murphy counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Burch has momentary wrist control but Murphy slips an elbow through the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murphy controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Murphy working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Burch's head.
Burch is trying to control the position but Murphy postures up.
Burch is really struggling to control Murphy but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Murphy passes Burch's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Burch trying to control but Murphy postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Murphy looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Burch avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Murphy.

Murphy seems to be looking for submissions.
Murphy has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Murphy prevents Burch from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burch keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Murphy landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Murphy is controlling the pace.
Burch really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Murphy working Burch over with strikes.

Murphy maintaining the dominant position here and is working for a kimura. He's locked it up! Burch could be in real trouble here! He's trying to wriggle out but Murphy has cracked it and Burch is screaming in pain - he's tapped out! Great finish by Murphy!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Cathal Murphy!
An out of breath and clearly excited Cathal Murphy thanked VanDam Clothing for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).