PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Tobias Murphy (ranked 535 p4p, 83 weight class) and Thomas Raske (ranked 728 p4p, 109 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Murphy
vs
Raske

179 cm
32
170 lbs
19 - 11 - 2

188 cm
31
170 lbs
22 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter

Groove Gear
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

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 19 - 11 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tobias Murphy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Thomas Raske!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Hirohito Nitta and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Raske throws a head kick that misses.
Murphy is looking to counter punch.
Murphy scores with a nice head shot.
Murphy lands with a hook. Raske tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

It looks like Thomas Raske has been cut.
Murphy lands a nice shot to the body.
Raske avoids the body shot from Murphy.
Raske was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Murphy throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Murphy scores with a shot to the body.
Murphy misses with a kick to the body.
Murphy scores with a nice right hand.
Raske fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Murphy manages to avoid it.
Murphy looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Murphy clobbers Raske with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Murphy throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Raske on the side of the head.
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!
The fighters circling - Raske throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Murphy connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Raske momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A shot to the body from Murphy misses
and Raske counters with a left to the body.
Raske throws a sloppy head kick and Murphy moves out of range easily.
Murphy throws a leg kick that is checked

and Raske counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Raske.
Murphy throws a punch but it's blocked by Raske.
Raske scores with a shot to the side of Murphy's head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Raske.
Raske has a couple of punches blocked by Murphy.
Murphy has a couple of punches blocked by Raske.
Raske lands with a light punch inside.
Murphy misses with a hook to the ribs.
Raske working aggressively here.
Raske lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Murphy.
Murphy digs a right hand underneath Raske's ribcage. Raske let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Murphy lands a left hand.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Murphy.
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!
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Murphy.
Raske tries to work over Murphy's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murphy misses with a short punch on the inside.
Murphy scores with a hook to the body.
Raske can't find room to land a body shot as Murphy controls the action.
Raske misses with a body punch.
Raske misses with some punches.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Raske.
Murphy throws a punch but it's blocked by Raske.
Raske throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Murphys head.
Murphy struggles to land a body shot inside as Raske controls his hands.
Raske misses with a hook to the ribs.
Murphy throws a punch but it's blocked by Raske.
Murphy lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Raske tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Raske lands a body punch in the clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Raske.
Murphy blocks a body shot from Raske.
Raske lands a shoulder strike.
Murphy doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Murphy misses with some punches.
A short body shot lands from Murphy as the two fighters clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raske misses with a punch to the body.
Raske struggles to land a body shot inside as Murphy controls his hands.
Raske lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Raske can't find room to land a body shot as Murphy controls the action.
Raske misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Raske takes a shot to the head.
A nice left hand lands by Raske.
Still in the clinch, Murphy scores with a nice short uppercut.
Raske goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A short uppercut from Raske.
Raske works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Murphy blocks a body shot from Raske.
A head punch on the inside from Raske fails to land.
Murphy misses with a body punch.
Raske misses with the head strike.
Murphy cracks Raske with a nice body shot.
A short left from Murphy.
Murphy lands with a short punch from the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Murphy misses with a punch on the inside.
A shot in the inside from Raske.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murphy lands an uppercut.
Raske lands a body shot.
Raske throws a punch but it's blocked by Murphy.
Murphy misses with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Murphy fails to land.
A short left from Raske.
A short left from Murphy.
Raske lands a body shot.
Murphy throws a head punch that misses.
Raske goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A short left from Raske.
Raske tries to work over Murphy's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Raske throws a head punch that misses.
Raske using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Murphy has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Murphy misses with a short punch on the inside.
Raske misses with a body punch.
Murphy lands a right hand that snaps the head of Raske backwards.
Murphy lands a nice shot to the body.
Raske tries to throw a body punch but Murphy avoids it by throwing Raske back against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Tobias Murphy will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Thomas Raske's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Raske tries to close the distance and clinch but Murphy swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
It looks like Murphy has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
Murphy slips a straight right by Raske.
Murphy throws a jab but it's blocked by Raske.
Raske keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Raske walks into a left hand.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Murphy 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 Raske has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Raske and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Murphy fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Raske is out of range.
A slow jab from Murphy misses its intended target.
Murphy tries to bum rush Raske with a series of wild strikes but Raske uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Murphy takes a swing at Raske's ribcage but misses.
Murphy misses with a low kick.
Raske swings away with a body shot that misses
and Murphy counters with a straight right hand.
Murphy works the jab nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murphy throws a half hearted mid kick.
Raske raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Tobias Murphy is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Murphy lands a nice looking kick to the body. Raske takes a step back to recover.
Murphy ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Raske moves away.
Raske blocks a head kick by Murphy.
Tobias Murphy seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Raske chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Murphy can pounce on him.
Murphy takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Murphy lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Murphy misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Raske.
Raske avoids a kick to the body.
A slapping leg kick lands for Raske.
Murphy throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Raske looks like he wants to counter punch here.
A lazy body kick from Murphy
and Raske counters with a straight right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murphy avoids the body shot from Raske.
Murphy scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Raske displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Murphy throws out the jab.
Raske moves out of range as Murphy throws a body kick.
Murphy takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Raske moves out of range as Murphy throws a body kick.
Raske throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Murphy misses with a body shot.
Raske throws a fast counter high kick but Murphy manages to duck under it in time.
Murphy misses with a leg kick
and Raske counters with a low kick, right behind Murphy 's knee.
Raske takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Murphy is looking to land body kicks.
Raske takes a swing at Murphy's ribcage but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raske fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Murphy.
Murphy with a hook.
A slapping leg kick lands for Murphy.
Murphy takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Raske swings away with a body shot that misses
and Murphy counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Raske lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Tobias Murphy is winning the standup battle so far.
Raske takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Raske moves out of range as Murphy throws a body kick.
Raske throws a big counter head kick but Murphy avoids it with no problem.
Raske is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Murphy rather than just go for the knockout.
Murphy blocks a head kick by Raske.
Raske throws a shot to the body.
Murphy lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Raske checks a low kick from Murphy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A shot to the body from Murphy misses
and Raske counters with a two punch combo.
Murphy throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Raske stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Raske lands with a straight right. Murphy didn't see that one coming.
Raske scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Murphy doesn't seem bothered though.
Murphy digs a good hook to Raske's body.
Murphy motions for Raske to come forward. Murphy throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
A swing and a miss from Murphy.
Raske feints a counter leg kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Murphy. Raske does a little dance to reset his feet.
Raske keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Murphy.
Raske takes a swing at Murphy's ribcage but misses.
Murphy rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Raske counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Murphy thinking.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tobias Murphy dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Thomas Raske's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Murphy misses with an uppercut.
Murphy fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Raske.
Raske shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Murphy.
Murphy lands a glancing blow to the side of Raske's head.
Murphy looks to throw a body kick
and Raske makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Raske dips to his left and cracks Murphy with an uppercut!
Murphy looks to land a left hand but Raske moved out of range nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Murphy throws a head kick that misses.
Raske comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Murphy cracks Raske with a right hand to the side of the head.
Raske has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Murphy looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raske throws a chopping leg kick but Murphy manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Murphy misses with a hook.
Raske now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Raske takes a swing at Murphy's ribcage but misses.
Murphy misses with a looping right.
Raske uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Murphy.
Murphy backing away here, and Raske unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Murphy takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Raske cracks a nice hook into Murphy's ribs.
Raske defending well as Murphy loads up on a big left hand.
Murphy fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Raske is out of range.
Murphy swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Raske throws a head kick but Murphy moves out of range.
Murphy scores with a sloppy right hand. Raske should have avoided that one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Murphy.
Raske displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Murphy throws out the jab.
Murphy avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Murphy blocks a leg kick.
Murphy digs a good hook to Raske's body.
Raske misses the shot to the body.
Raske lands a nice leg kick that just misses Murphy's sensitive parts.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Murphy misses with a right hand
and Murphy takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Murphy thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Raske if he has to take too many more of those.
Murphy tries to land a front kick but Raske steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Murphy is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Raske.
Thomas Raske has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Raske.
Murphy gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Raske cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Raske takes one to the side of the head.
A telegraphed right hand from Raske misses the target.
Murphy seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Murphy misses with a leg kick
and Raske counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Raske takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Murphy lands with a kick to the ribs.
Murphy throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Raske throws a fast counter high kick but Murphy manages to duck under it in time.
Nice body kick there by Murphy.

Raske has taken the fight to the clinch.
Murphy misses with a short punch on the inside.
Tobias Murphy is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Raske lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Murphy backwards.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Murphy struggles to land a body shot inside as Raske controls his hands.
Murphy blocks a body shot from Raske.
Raske prevents a body shot from Murphy.
Murphy misses with a hook from the clinch.
Raske swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Raske lands a hook to the side of the head.
Thomas Raske seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A hook to the body from Murphy.
Raske tries to work over Murphy's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Murphy blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Raske lands a hook to the side of the head.
Raske lands with a right to the head.
Murphy has a couple of punches blocked by Raske.
Raske lands a body punch in the clinch.
Raske can't find room to land a body shot as Murphy controls the action.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Raske.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Tobias Murphy.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Murphy, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 29:28
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 30:28
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tobias Murphy!
An out of breath Tobias Murphy thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
Thomas Raske spoke after the fight, saying 'Sometimes you lose. Sometimes I lose. Losing sucks dick. I'm out!'.