PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between John Murder (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Omar Little (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Murder
vs
Little

190 cm
22
190 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

172 cm
18
185 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, John Murder!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Omar Little!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Murder scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Murder goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Murder pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Left hook, right uppercut from Murder.
A right-left combo lands from Murder.

Little changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Murder looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Sloppy strikes there by Little.
Little in side control lands a decent elbow.
Murder tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Murder is not content to let Little control the position.

Little looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Little controlling the position from side mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Little trying to control the action but Murder is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Murder is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Murder is trying to get back to his feet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Murder tries to keep at a distance but Little has taken the fight into the clinch.

Little pulls guard effortlessly.

Little had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Murder is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Little Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Murder's back instead.
Little controls the position.
Murder tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murder is squirming around, avoiding Little's attempts to control the action.
Murder sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Murder trying to control but Little postures up.

Murder is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Little pulls his head out easily.
Murder is staying active underneath Little, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Little prevents Murder from standing back up.
Murder is breathing heavily.
Little wants to pass the guard but Murder is defending well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Murder wants to get back to his feet.
Little with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Murder keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

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.
Murder with a lazy takedown attempt

and Little counters with a nice double leg into side control. Murder won't be happy with that.
Murder is looking to regain half guard here but Little keeps moving and retains side control.
Little controls the position.
Murder is trying to improve his position.
Murder gets back to half guard.
Little is thwarting Murder's attempts to control the position.

Murder looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Little thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Murder punching from the bottom.
Murder trying to hold on to Little's head to control him but Little postures up.
Little wants to lay and pray for a moment but Murder keeps working.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Murder fails with the takedown

and Little counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Murder!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Murder defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Little.
Murder is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Little wants to control the pace but Murder is squirming around nicely.
Murder wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.
Murder looking very determined here, making life difficult for Little.
Murder tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Little looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Murder avoids a series of strikes thrown by Little.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Omar Little dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Murder misses with a takedown attempt

and Little counters with a shoot takedown. Murder fights it but they end up in guard.
Omar Little has got the better of the ground game so far.
Murder keeping moving, preventing Little from controlling successfully.
Little pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Murder is keeping the position for now.
Murder is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Little is controlling him.
Murder looking to hit a scissor sweep but Little is one step ahead there.
Little pushes down on Murder's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Little works his foot free and advances to mount.

Little jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Murder is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Murder and Little has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Murder is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Little thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Little tries to stand but Murder is controlling his head.
Murder manages to get back to half guard.
Murder is refusing to be controlled, as Little sits in half guard.
Little wants to pass to mount but Murder is defending the position.

Little is working for a kimura but Murder is defending it quite comfortably.
Little controlling the pace.
Little throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's two 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.

Little seems to be looking for submissions.
Little trying to mount his opponent but Murder defends it.
Little seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Murder does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Little shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Little sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Murder defending well though.
Little tries to pass to full mount but Murder defends it.
Murder is looking for a sweep. Little is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Murder is not content to let Little control the position.
The fighters are battling for position here. Murder manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Murder lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Little!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murder wants to control but instead Little manages to regain half guard.

Murder escapes and gets back to his feet.
Murder fails with the takedown

and Little decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Murder's guard.

Murder looking for a guillotine here but Little defends easily.

Murder is looking for a triangle but Little pushes his legs off easily.
Little throwing strikes from guard but Murder blocks nicely.

Murder keeping busy on the bottom but Little has passed one foot through into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Little keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Murder wants to get back to full guard.
Murder trying to control here.
Murder looks like he's trying to stand up.
Little wants to lay and pray for a moment but Murder keeps working.
Little sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Murder defending well though.
Little trying to pass the guard but Murder defending well.

Little is looking for a kimura but Murder is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Little to get the leverage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Murder has his takedown stuffed

and Little counters with a nice double leg into side control. Murder won't be happy with that.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Murder. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Little is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Murder is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Omar Little showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Murder lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Murder fails with the takedown.
Murder lands with an overhand left.
Murder fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Little instigates a clinch.

Little gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Little tries to pass to full mount but Murder defends it.

Little is looking for a kimura but Murder is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Little to get the leverage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Little seems to be looking for submissions.
Murder is pressing down on Little's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Murder working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Little doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Little manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Little slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Murder wants to stand and escape but Little is having none of it.

Murder looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Little wants to control from the top but Murder keeps moving.
Murder is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Murder is trying to keep Little in close.
Murder wants to stand up but Little is controlling him.

Murder working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Little has passed into half guard!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murder is refusing to be controlled, as Little sits in half guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Murder moves into range and clinches up with Little.
Murder tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Little smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Murder. That's going to take a lot out of him.
No luck for Murder with that takedown attempt.
Little shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Murder scores with a jab to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murder gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Little counters with a single leg into guard. Murder didn't expect that.
Murder will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Murder throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Little 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.
Little slips nicely into half guard.

Little is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Little decides to return to a standing position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!

Little closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Little wants to lay and pray for a moment but Murder keeps working.
Little might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Murder kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Little moves into full mount!

Little has hold of Murder's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Murder manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Murder wants to hold on but Little pushes him away.
John Murder has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Murder is squirming around, avoiding Little's attempts to control the action.
Little misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Little postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Murder looks a forlorn figure.
Murder is working to get back to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Omar Little comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Little 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Omar Little!