PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Paul Muhapuro (ranked 714 p4p, 932 weight class) and Isaac Vernon (ranked 96 p4p, 128 weight class). Muhapuro comes to the cage accompanied by Warrant - Cherry Pie. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Muhapuro
vs
Vernon

177 cm
32
173
26 - 13 - 1

180 cm
29
185
15 - 11 - 2

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Brooklyn Apothecary
Brooklyn Threads

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 26 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Paul Muhapuro!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 11 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Isaac Vernon!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Chris Edwards and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vernon misses with a hook.
Vernon connects with a solid leg kick.
Vernon jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Muhapuro changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Vernon has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Muhapuro checks the leg kick.
Muhapuro changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Muhapuro ducks under a wild hook from Vernon.
Vernon loads up on a big right hand but Muhapuro slips the punch.

Vernon shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Muhapuro is trying to defend but Vernon finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vernon looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Muhapuro kicks Vernon off and gets back to his feet.
Vernon swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Vernon shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Muhapuro manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Vernon trying to control the position from guard on top but Muhapuro is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Muhapuro keeping full guard, as Vernon tries to pass.

Muhapuro scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Vernon looks to score with a jab to the body but Muhapuro is just out of range.
Muhapuro feinted with a counter takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vernon misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Muhapuro.
Muhapuro changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

Muhapuro gets tackled into the cage by Vernon. Vernon maintains the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Muhapuro wants to take the fight to the mat but Vernon manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Vernon throws a punch but it's blocked by Muhapuro.
Vernon struggles to land a body shot inside as Muhapuro controls his hands.

Vernon is trying to trip Muhapuro. He has hold of a leg but Muhapuro is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Vernon persists though and gets the takedown into guard.

Muhapuro uses the cage to get back to his feet.
A swing and a miss from Vernon.
Vernon throws a head kick but Muhapuro moves out of range.
Muhapuro steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Vernon.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vernon throws a body shot but no joy.
Muhapuro appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Vernon shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Muhapuro uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Vernon.
Muhapuro feinted with a counter takedown.
Vernon misses the jab.
Muhapuro drops down looking for a counter takedown but Vernon sprawls and moves away.
Vernon throws a leg kick but Muhapuro moved away.
Muhapuro attempts a counter takedown but Vernon avoids it well and moves away.
Muhapuro looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

Vernon throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Muhapuro was covering up waiting for the punch and Vernon finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Muhapuro is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Vernon is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vernon trying to control the position from guard on top but Muhapuro is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Vernon tries to free his leg and advance position but Muhapuro is retaining full guard.
Vernon throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Muhapuro works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Muhapuro keeping moving, preventing Vernon from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Isaac Vernon dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Vernon darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Vernon trying to pass the guard but Muhapuro defending well.

Muhapuro manages to escape and get back to his feet!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vernon misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Muhapuro.
Vernon throws a hook but Muhapuro blocks it.
Muhapuro appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Muhapuro drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Muhapuro defending well as Vernon loads up on a big left hand.
Muhapuro tries to counter with a takedown but Vernon is quick to defend against it.
Muhapuro ducks under a wild hook from Vernon.
Muhapuro appears to be looking for a counter takedown.

Muhapuro gets caught napping as Vernon dives in and scores a takedown. Muhapuro manages to retain guard.
Vernon looking to pass the guard.
Vernon trying to control the position from guard on top but Muhapuro is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Muhapuro is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Vernon trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vernon trying to control but Muhapuro is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Muhapuro is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Vernon is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Vernon closes the distance and pushes Muhapuro back into the cage.
Vernon tries to throw a body punch but Muhapuro avoids it by throwing Vernon back against the cage.
Vernon misses with a punch on the inside.
Vernon struggles to land a body shot inside as Muhapuro controls his hands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Muhapuro has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Vernon is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Muhapuro has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Vernon is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Vernon pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Isaac Vernon seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Muhapuro staying out of range there.
Muhapuro feinted with a counter takedown.
Vernon throws out a loose jab but Muhapuro uses good head movement to avoid it.
Muhapuro appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Muhapuro slips a jab and a cross from Vernon.
Muhapuro attempts a counter takedown but Vernon avoids it well and moves away.
Vernon moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Vernon motions for Muhapuro to come forward. Vernon throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Muhapuro drops down looking for a counter takedown but Vernon sprawls and moves away.
Vernon tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Muhapuro was well out of range. Poor timing from Vernon.
Muhapuro attempts a counter takedown but Vernon avoids it well and moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vernon throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Vernon misses with a body shot.
Isaac Vernon seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Vernon cracks Muhapuro with a good jab.
Vernon connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Vernon throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

Vernon closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Vernon lands in his opponent's guard.

Muhapuro has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Vernon has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Muhapuro blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Isaac Vernon showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Vernon misses with a low kick.
Muhapuro feinted with a counter takedown.
A big right from Vernon misses.
Muhapuro attempts a counter takedown but Vernon avoids it well and moves away.
Muhapuro avoids the body shot from Vernon.
Nice defenses there by Muhapuro.
Muhapuro tries to counter with a takedown but Vernon is quick to defend against it.
Vernon throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Vernon connects with the punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Muhapuro takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Vernon throws a front kick aimed at Muhapuro's knee but Muhapuro avoids it well.
Vernon throws an overhand right that lands on Muhapuro's shoulder, as Muhapuro tries to avoid the shot.
Muhapuro changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Vernon has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Vernon manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Muhapuro on his heels. He'll look to pass Muhapuro's guard now, I'm sure.
Muhapuro being controlled here, momentarily.
Vernon won't allow Muhapuro to get back to his feet.
Muhapuro keeping full guard, as Vernon tries to pass.
Vernon trying to control but Muhapuro is working from the bottom.
Vernon trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vernon not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Vernon trying to control but Muhapuro is working from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
A big left from Vernon misses.
Muhapuro tries to counter with a takedown but Vernon is quick to defend against it.
A decent looking cross lands there for Vernon.
A slow jab from Vernon misses its intended target.
Muhapuro keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Muhapuro changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Vernon lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Muhapuro defending well as Vernon loads up on a big left hand.
Vernon jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Vernon lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Vernon scores with a jab to the jaw.
Isaac Vernon is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
A swing and a miss from Vernon.
Vernon throws a series of punches but Muhapuro avoids them all with ease.
Vernon throws a low kick but Muhapuro moves out of range easily.
Muhapuro slips a straight right by Vernon.
Muhapuro drops down looking for a counter takedown but Vernon sprawls and moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vernon throws a body punch but Muhapuro moves out of range.
Muhapuro changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Vernon misses with a straight left.
Muhapuro tries to counter with a takedown but Vernon is quick to defend against it.
Vernon misses with a straight right.
Muhapuro displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Vernon throws out the jab.
Muhapuro tries to counter with a takedown but Vernon is quick to defend against it.
Muhapuro stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Vernon.
Vernon throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.

Vernon gets the takedown into side control.
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 crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Vernon remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Paul Muhapuro has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Vernon is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Muhapuro is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
Isaac Vernon comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Vernon 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Isaac Vernon!
A victorious Isaac Vernon thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.