PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Jayson Ward (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Arjay Murphy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Murphy is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Feel the Rush. 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.

Ward
vs
Murphy

170 cm
22
135 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

175 cm
22
142 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Improved boxing
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Demonic Drugs

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jayson Ward!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Arjay Murphy!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Daniel Franklin and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Murphy fails to land the takedown.
Ward looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
Ward swinging wilding here.
Murphy tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ward swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Murphy thows a body shot but no joy.
Ward misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Nice defenses there by Ward.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ward throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Murphy falls off balance throwing a combination

and Ward counters with a shoot takedown. Murphy fights it but they end up in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Murphy looking for a guillotine here but Ward defends easily.
Murphy working a defensive guard here.

Murphy has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Ward can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Ward wants to stand and escape but instead Murphy has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ward had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Murphy is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Ward Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Murphy's back instead.
Ward is trying to stick to Murphy's back but Murphy is turning into Ward. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Ward's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Murphy.
Murphy throwing strikes from guard but Ward blocks nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ward looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Murphy has picked Ward up and slammed him! Ward can't keep hold of the triangle and Murphy manages to pass to side control!
Ward gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Murphy trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Murphy controlling from mount.

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.
Murphy lands a heavy elbow.
Murphy looking to control and managing it successfully.

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

Murphy goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Ward rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Murphy's guard! Nice work there by Ward!
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 Jayson Ward will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Ward avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Murphy with a lazy takedown attempt
and Ward makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Murphy really felt that one!
Murphy jabs at Ward's body.
Murphy throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Ward makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Murphy really felt that one!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ward keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Jayson Ward is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Murphy looks for a takedown but Ward sprawls well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Danga de danga de dang - Murphy scores with a four punch combination!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murphy tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Murphy throws a body punch but Ward moves out of range.
Murphy misses with a body punch

and Ward counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Murphy gets full guard.
Ward has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Murphy wants to sweep but no luck.
Ward is looking to stand up but Murphy won't let him.
Murphy wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ward wants to get up but he can't break Murphy's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Murphy manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Ward manages to get himself to full guard.
Murphy passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Murphy goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Ward rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Murphy's guard! Nice work there by Ward!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ward content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Murphy has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Ward has passed into side control.
Murphy looking for a sweep but Ward has passed into full mount! Oh no!

Ward get's back to his feet.

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.

Murphy feints and as Ward raises his hands in defense, Murphy changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Murphy tries to free his leg and advance position but Ward is retaining full guard.
Ward wants to stand and escape but Murphy is having none of it.
Murphy trying to control but Ward is working from the bottom.
Murphy passes Ward's left leg - he's now in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Arjay Murphy will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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. This is the final round!

Murphy misses with a combination
and Ward counters with a one-two to the body.
Murphy swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Ward counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Murphy is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Ward's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Ward's back!
Ward tries to escape the position.
Ward is trapped and Murphy is scoring with shots to the head and body.

Ward fending off the submission attempt from Murphy.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ward is covering up but some of the strikes from Murphy are getting through and doing damage.
Murphy doesn't have the hooks in and Ward manages to turn into his guard.
Murphy looking to control.

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.
Ward would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Murphy trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Ward won't allow Murphy to sweep him here.

Murphy looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Ward has picked Murphy up and slammed him! Murphy can't keep hold of the triangle and Ward manages to pass to side control!
Murphy avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Ward.

Ward decides to stand back up. Ward steps back and let's Murphy get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murphy throws a left and a right that both miss

and Ward counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Ward.
Murphy tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Ward just stands there and leans against the cage.
Murphy wants a takedown but no success here.
Murphy changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Ward fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Jayson Ward has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Arjay Murphy.
Ward ducks under a wild hook from Murphy.
Murphy misses with a double jab
and Ward counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Murphy misses with a two punch combination.
No joy there for Murphy, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Murphy misses the shot to the body.
Murphy moves in looking to clinch but Ward pushes him off.
Ward fails with the takedown.
Murphy misses with a low kick as Ward jumps back.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Murphy fails in his attempt to clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jayson Ward showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Ward has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jayson Ward!