PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Stipe Miocic (ranked 4813 p4p, 0 weight class) and Coltrane Murphy (ranked 4749 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Miocic
vs
Murphy

191 cm
23
215 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

193 cm
18
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Stipe Miocic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Coltrane Murphy!
The judges for this bout are David Schapiro, Steve Montenegro and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Murphy closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Miocic has hold of one of Murphy's legs. Murphy is fighting the takedown attempt but Miocic gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.

Miocic decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Murphy, up you get!
Murphy fails with the takedown
enabling Miocic to counter with a crisp jab.
Good work by Miocic as he checks the leg kick.
Murphy slips a jab and a cross from Miocic.
Murphy doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Miocic scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Miocic throws a hook but Murphy avoids it easily.

Miocic shoots in and gets a takedown into Murphy's guard.
Murphy is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Miocic dives into side control.

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
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.
Miocic is working Murphy over with some ground and pound from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murphy is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
The referee asks Miocic politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Miocic prefers to stall for the moment though.
Murphy takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Murphy is trying to get back to half guard.

Miocic has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Murphy shoots in looking for a takedown. Miocic tries to sprawl out of it but Murphy keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Miocic manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Miocic rushes Murphy and presses him up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Miocic manages to pull guard.

Murphy postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Miocic is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Murphy, into his guard.

Miocic advances to half guard.
Miocic keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Miocic is pressing down on Murphy's thigh, looking to free his foot. Murphy is holding on for now.
Miocic prevents Murphy from improving his position.
Miocic content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Miocic working the head and body with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Miocic connects with a nice short shot to Murphy's temple.
Miocic prevents Murphy from improving his position.
Miocic looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Miocic is nestled in close to Murphy, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Miocic winds up and cracks Murphy with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murphy is looking to control Miocic's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Murphy avoid being mounted?
Miocic controlling the action here.
Murphy tries to get to full guard but Miocic has control of the leg.
Miocic winds up and cracks Murphy with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Miocic is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Miocic seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Murphy for as long as he can get away with.
Miocic prevents Murphy from improving his position.
Miocic is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stipe Miocic dominated that round.
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.

Murphy misses with a body punch

and Murphy is countered with a crisp right hand from Miocic that sends him to the canvas! Miocic follows him to the mat into side control.

Murphy is still looking wobbly from the end of the last round!
Murphy is looking for a sweep.
Murphy is still in real trouble! Can Miocic finish him?
Murphy prevents Miocic from moving into mount.
Murphy is trying to escape the position but Miocic is controlling the position.
Miocic working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Miocic tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Miocic has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Miocic staying calm.
Miocic cracks Murphy with a big elbow. Oh, he's hurt! Miocic immediately mounts and start dropping bombs! Murphy is done! The referee jumps in and saves him from any more punishment - a quick and decisive finish by Miocic!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:54 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Stipe Miocic!