PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Panda Four (ranked 2466 p4p, 3050 weight class) and Manus Murphy (ranked 353 p4p, 420 weight class). Manus Murphy will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Four
vs
Murphy

150 cm
26
205
12 - 10 - 0

195 cm
26
207
12 - 9 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Powerful

Conquer

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 12 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Panda Four!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Manus Murphy!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Arvi Lind and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Murphy shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Four defends it nicely.

Four closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Murphy is looking to improve his position.

Four is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Murphy is just riding it out for now. Four eventually gives up the hold.
Murphy gets full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Four has gone for a leg lock! Murphy slips out almost immediately though and dives into Four's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Four has his foot on Murphy's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Murphy works his way back into a safe position though.
Murphy trying to control the position from guard on top but Four is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Murphy pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Four is keeping the position for now.

Murphy avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
My spies in The Jungle Room inform me that Murphy has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Murphy seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Murphy forces his way into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Four moves into full guard.
Murphy advances to half guard.
Four wants to sweep but Murphy has passed to side control!

Murphy wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Four, who protects the arm well.
Four is looking to regain half guard here but Murphy keeps moving and retains side control.
Four is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Murphy is one step ahead and moves to full mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murphy trying to control but Four is having none of it.
Four is trying desperately to improve position.
Murphy takes his opponent's back. Perhaps a chance to lock up a rear naked choke here.
I really don't envy Four right now.
Murphy is trying to stick to Four's back but Four is turning into Murphy. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Murphy's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Four.
Four might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Murphy is trying to control the position but Four postures up.

Four has gone for a leg lock! Murphy slips out almost immediately though and dives into Four's guard.

Murphy won't allow Four to sweep him here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Murphy avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Four working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Murphy doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Murphy manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Murphy advances position into side control!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Four is looking to regain half guard here but Murphy keeps moving and retains side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Manus Murphy will probably get the nod.
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.

Four tries to clinch but Murphy is having none of it.

Four shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Four is looking for a kimura here.

Four is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Murphy defends it well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Four is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Murphy has managed to free his arm - good work.
Four is thwarting Murphy's attempts to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Four is looking for a kimura here.
Murphy is looking for a sweep. Four is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Four is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Four is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Murphy defends it well.
Murphy is pressing down on Four's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Four trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Murphy bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Four's guard.

Four looking for a guillotine here but Murphy defends easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Four looking for subs off his back but Murphy has passed one foot through into half guard.
Murphy tries to pass the half guard into mount. Four knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Four is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Murphy's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Murphy's back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Four is working on the RNC. He looks like he's got it but Murphy won't tap... Oh, he's out! The ref rips Four off his unconscious opponent!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:23 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Panda Four!
In defeat, Manus Murphy stepped up to the mic, saying 'WTF??? How did that happen?'.