PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Dave Thompson (ranked 3967 p4p, 3931 weight class) and Joachim Murat (ranked 309 p4p, 306 weight class). Thompson comes to the cage accompanied by Emmure - Nemesis. The key to victory for Dave Thompson has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Thompson
vs
Murat

177 cm
28
155
10 - 9 - 0

173 cm
19
155
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Good gas tank

BRAZEN - Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Dave Thompson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Joachim Murat!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Viktor Lagutenko and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Murat fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Thompson sprawls well initially but Murat persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Murat wants to pass the guard but Thompson is defending well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Thompson tries to kick Murat off but Murat keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Murat working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Thompson won't allow Murat to pass to mount.
Murat content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Thompson wants to get back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Murat drops an elbow to the side of Thompson's head.
Murat stops Thompson from getting back to his feet.
Murat working Thompson over with strikes.
Murat keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murat lands strikes from half guard.
Murat lands with a punch from half guard.
Thompson pushes Murat off looking to stand but Murat dives back in and keeps control.
Murat working the head and body with strikes.
Thompson is trying to stand up here but Murat is controlling him well.
Thompson has hold of Murat's hands but Murat slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

Thompson is rocked!

Murat is looking for a kimura but Thompson is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Murat to get the leverage.
Murat wants to take a breather but Thompson is having none of it.
Thompson has hold of Murat's hands but Murat slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Oh Thompson is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Thompson is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Murat scores with a couple of nice shots.

Murat is working for a submission of some sort.
Murat is figuring out what he wants to do next.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Murat looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Thompson with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Murat working over Thompson with some ground and pound. Thompson looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Murat is taking a breather. Thompson says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Thompson is trying to stand back up but Murat is controlling him

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murat wants to free his trapped foot but Thompson is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Murat takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Murat landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Murat lands a big elbow from half guard. That looks like it's hurt Thompson quite badly. Thompson pulls Murat in close trying to recover. Murat postures up and lands two really hard shots that put Thompson on queer street! The ref takes a look and decides to call an end to the fight! Possibly an early stoppage but Thompson doesn't seem to be complaining too much.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:34 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Joachim Murat!
During a confident post fight interview, Joachim Murat thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.