PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mickey Murdoch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rick Fist (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Murdoch might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Know your Enemy/ Rage Against the Machine. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Murdoch
vs
Fist

185 cm
24
185 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

175 cm
20
176 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Likes ground

Divine - Mary Jane

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mickey Murdoch!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rick Fist!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Daniel Franklin and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No joy there for Murdoch, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Murdoch throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Fist shoots in for a takedown but Murdoch shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Fist closes the distance and clinches up with Murdoch, looking for a takedown. Fist pushes Murdoch against the cage but Murdoch circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Fist blocks a head kick by Murdoch.
Murdoch throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Murdoch misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Fist shoots in for a takedown but Murdoch shows good takedown defense.
Mickey Murdoch has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rick Fist.
Murdoch throws a sloppy head kick and Fist moves out of range easily.
Murdoch throws a head kick but Fist moves out of range.
Murdoch misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Murdoch fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Fist.
Fist avoids the head kick by Murdoch.
Fist throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Murdoch works over Fist's head and body with a nice combination.
Murdoch misses with a head kick.
Murdoch fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No joy there for Fist, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Fist wants to clinch up but Murdoch keeps it at a distance.
Murdoch throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Fist moves into the clinch.
Murdoch is trying to force a seperation but Fist has the dominant position.
Murdoch is breathing heavily.
Murdoch misses with a knee to the head.
Fist drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Murdoch is trying to break the clinch but Fist has him pressed against the cage.
Murdoch tries a body shot but Fist blocks it.

Murdoch ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Murdoch no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Fist wants to control from the top but Murdoch keeps moving.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Murdoch wants to stand and escape but Fist is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Murdoch tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murdoch keeping moving, preventing Fist from controlling successfully.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Fist misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Murdoch misses with a straight right.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Murdoch throws a lazy head kick

and Fist counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Fist.
Murdoch tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Fist is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Murdoch gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Murdoch's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Murdoch misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Murdoch misses with a combination
and Fist counters with a right hand to the body.
Fist doesn't manage to clinch there - Murdoch circles away.
Murdoch throws a left and a right that both miss
and Fist counters with a three punch combo that has Murdoch backing up. Murdoch nods at Fist to acknowledge the strikes.
Fist fails in his attempt to clinch.
Murdoch misses with a double jab
and Fist counters with a three punch combo that has Murdoch backing up. Murdoch nods at Fist to acknowledge the strikes.
Murdoch throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Fist counters by clinching up.
Fist tries to score a body lock takedown but Murdoch shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Murdoch tries a knee to the head but Fist blocks it.
Murdoch wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Fist has him pressed against the cage.
Fist keeps control of Murdoch as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
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 Mickey Murdoch will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Murdoch falls off balance throwing a combination

and Fist holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Fist prevents Murdoch from breaking the clinch.
Murdoch can't break the clinch.
Fist has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Murdoch avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Murdoch gets control of Fist's arms and successfully pulls guard. Murdoch will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fist won't allow Murdoch to sweep him here.
Fist slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fist stopping the sweep attempt from Murdoch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fist stops Murdoch from standing up.
Fist showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

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.
Fist preventing the sweep.
Murdoch keeping moving, preventing Fist from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murdoch wants to sweep here but Fist controlling him for the moment.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Fist takes a kick to the side of the head.
Murdoch throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Fist counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Murdoch!
Murdoch keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fist controlling from mount.
Murdoch tries to control the position but Fist now has his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rick Fist 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.

Good shot there by Murdoch.
Murdoch's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Murdoch duly obliges.

Fist has Murdoch up against the cage in a clinch.
Murdoch softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Murdoch is looking to break free of the clinch but Fist has double underhooks.

Murdoch breaks from the clinch.
Fist misses the shot to the body.
Murdoch throws a left and a right that both miss
and Fist counters with a nice body shot.
Fist looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Fist changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Murdoch tries to avoid it but Fist manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Murdoch to the ground. Murdoch escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Murdoch scores with a head kick.
Murdoch misses with the combination.
A head kick by Murdoch misses

and Fist moves into the clinch.
Murdoch has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Murdoch prevents the takedown attempt.
Mickey Murdoch has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rick Fist.
Murdoch can't break the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fist wants a takedown but no success here.

Murdoch breaks the clinch.
Murdoch swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Fist counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Murdoch!
Fist controlling his opponent.
Murdoch wants to hold on but Fist pushes him away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fist controlling from the full mount.
Murdoch is trying to escape the mount.
Fist tries to push Murdoch's head away but Murdoch is holding on tight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murdoch tries to control the position but Fist now has his back.
Fist is not going to allow Murdoch to sit and survive in this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
A lull in the action here.
Murdoch tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Mickey Murdoch did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Murdoch swinging wilding here.
Murdoch throws a left and a right that both miss

and Fist counters with a takedown into side control.
Fist staying calm.
Murdoch is trying to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murdoch prevents Fist from improving position.
Fist has control of an arm but Murdoch manages to advance to Fist's back!
Murdoch tries to escape but Fist has the hooks in and won't let him break free.

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.
Fist tries to get the hooks in deep but Murdoch pushed the leg off.
Fist wants to control but Murdoch manages to buck him off and is now in Fist's guard! Nice work there by Murdoch!
Fist is adopting a defensive guard.
Fist working a defensive guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Murdoch scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Murdoch throws a head kick but Fist moves out of range.
Fist dodges the punch combination from Murdoch.
Murdoch throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Fist.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fist blocks a jab.
Mickey Murdoch is winning the standup battle so far.
Good standup being displayed there by Murdoch as he connects with a hook.
Murdoch misses with a double jab

and Fist counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Murdoch's guard now.
Murdoch looking to control.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Fist trying to control but Murdoch is working from the bottom.
Murdoch is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Fist is controlling him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rick Fist dominated that fourth round.
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!

Fist moves in looking to clinch but Murdoch pushes him off.
Murdoch scores with a head kick.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Fist 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 Murdoch has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Murdoch and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Murdoch fails with an attempt to clinch.
Murdoch closes the distance looking to clinch

and Fist decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Murdoch's guard.
Fist trying to control but Murdoch is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murdoch wants to sweep here but Fist controlling him for the moment.

Murdoch pushes Fist off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Fist avoids the head kick by Murdoch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Fist fails with a takedown attempt.
Murdoch darts in trying to clinch

and Fist decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Murdoch's guard.
Fist stops Murdoch from standing up.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Murdoch is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Fist advances position into side control!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fist passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Murdoch!
Murdoch is trying desperately to improve position.

That's four 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.
Murdoch tries to lock up and control but Fist gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Fist manages to capitalize on a mistake by Murdoch to take his back!

And that's the end of the fight!
Rick Fist comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Fist has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 47:48
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 47:48
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rick Fist!
Rick Fist is the new middleweight champion!