PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Joel Sikoa (ranked 4186 p4p, 3999 weight class) and Liam Murphy (ranked 454 p4p, 438 weight class). The key to victory for Joel Sikoa has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Sikoa
vs
Murphy

187 cm
26
199
3 - 6 - 0

175 cm
20
190
2 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Experienced

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Powerful

Dangerous Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Joel Sikoa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Liam Murphy!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Yves DeLean and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sikoa with a nice calf kick.
Nice jab there from Sikoa.
Murphy looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Murphy shoots for a double leg takedown but Sikoa sprawls well. He's pushed Murphy's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Sikoa slaps away a takedown attempt from Murphy, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Joel Sikoa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Liam Murphy.
Sikoa scores with a head kick. Murphy tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Sikoa shoots in for a takedown but Murphy shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Murphy has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Sikoa tries a head kick but it misses.
Sikoa shoots for a takedown but Murphy saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Murphy is defended easily by Sikoa.

Murphy looking to score a takedown here. Sikoa is defending well but Murphy drives through and ends up in Sikoa's guard.
Murphy won't allow Sikoa to get back to his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Murphy working some strikes from top position.
Murphy works over Sikoa with some ground and pound from guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sikoa is looking to stand up but Murphy isn't so interested in that idea.
Murphy pushing down on Sikoa's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Murphy lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Murphy landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Murphy with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Murphy slips a nice elbow through Sikoa's hands, connecting with Sikoa's forehead.
Sikoa pushes Murphy off looking to stand but Murphy dives back in and keeps control.
Murphy is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Sikoa is looking to escape.
Murphy scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Murphy takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Murphy content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Murphy lands a nice short elbow.
Sikoa wants to get back to his feet.
Murphy working over Sikoa with some ground and pound. Sikoa looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Murphy working Sikoa over with strikes.
Sikoa taking some punishment here, with Murphy in his half guard.
Murphy working the head and body with strikes.

Sikoa is rocked!
Murphy lands a massive shot from half guard that has rocked Sikoa! More strikes land and this one is all over! Murphy jumps to his feet and is applauded loudly by the crowd!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:52 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Liam Murphy!
A very excited looking Liam Murphy made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.