PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Brian Murphy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Montgomery Nagendra (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nagendra comes into a darkened arena with his song building. The Liberty Bell - John Philip Sousa kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! 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.

Murphy
vs
Nagendra

188 cm
22
221 lbs
10 - 4 - 0

193 cm
20
216 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Russian Top Team Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Brian Murphy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Montgomery Nagendra!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Anni Minnemäki and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nagendra rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Murphy counters with a slapping leg kick.
Nagendra throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Nagendra takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Nagendra feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Murphys jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Nagendra lands a lovely overhand right.
Nagendra pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nagendra walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Murphy slaps away a takedown attempt from Nagendra, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Murphy paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Murphy scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Nagendra avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Murphy throws a leg kick but Nagendra moved away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nagendra thows a left - swing and a miss!
Murphy tried to score with a low kick but Nagendra checks it.

Nagendra drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Nagendra cracks Murphy with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Nagendra grinds an elbow into Murphy's temple.
The ground and pound from Nagendra seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Murphy defending against the ground and pound.
Sloppy strikes there by Nagendra.
Nagendra creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Murphy sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nagendra with the ground and pound but Murphy regains half guard under the barage of strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nagendra is pressing down on Murphy's thigh, looking to free his foot. Murphy is holding on for now.
Nagendra is looking to pass Murphy's guard but actually Murphy recovers to full guard.
Nagendra makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Nagendra wants to control from the top but Murphy keeps moving.
Nagendra throws a big elbow that misses.
Nagendra lands a couple of digs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murphy working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Nagendra.
Nagendra throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Murphy knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Nagendra on the ground.
Nagendra won't allow Murphy to sweep him here.
Murphy preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Nagendra throws a big elbow that misses.
Murphy keeping moving, preventing Nagendra from controlling successfully.
Nagendra pushes down on Murphy's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nagendra throwing shots but Murphy is blocking nicely.
Nagendra throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Murphy blocking the ground and pound attempt from Nagendra.
Nagendra thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Murphy's head.
Murphy avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Nagendra.
Nagendra trying to control from half guard but Murphy is working away.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Nagendra not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nagendra not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Nagendra wants to take a breather but Murphy is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Montgomery Nagendra dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Nagendra shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Murphy as he jumps to the side.
Montgomery Nagendra seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Murphy defending well as Nagendra loads up on a big left hand.
Murphy uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Nagendra.
Nagendra connects with the punch.
Nagendra shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Murphy as he avoids it easily.
Nagendra works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Nagendra works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Nagendra lands a really nice looking cross but Murphy seems unphased.
Nagendra shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Murphy but Murphy pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Brian Murphy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Montgomery Nagendra.
Nagendra misses with an uppercut. Murphy saw that one coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A slow jab from Nagendra misses its intended target.
Nagendra throws a series of punches but Murphy avoids them all with ease.
Nagendra takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Nagendra takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Nagendra cracks Murphy with a good jab.
Nagendra checks a low kick from Murphy.
Nagendra closes this distance looking for a takedown but Murphy circles away.
Nagendra shoots in looking for a takedown but Murphy manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Nagendra's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Nagendra shoots in for a takedown but Murphy shows good takedown defense.
Murphy lands with a thumping leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nagendra scores with a decent looking hook.
Murphy takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Nagendra throws an off balance right hand
and Murphy counters with a nice low kick that buckles Nagendra's knee momentarily.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Nagendra shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Murphy pinned against the cage. Murphy gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
A jab from Murphy does it's job there.
Murphy connects with an inside leg kick.
Nagendra misses with a left hand
and Murphy counters with a good low kick that Nagendra was not able to check.
Nagendra swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Murphy counters with a solid body kick.
Murphy defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Nagendra.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murphy displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Nagendra throws out the jab.
Nagendra thows a left - swing and a miss!
Nagendra misses with a left hand
and Murphy counters with a low kick, right behind Nagendra 's knee.
Nagendra defending well as Murphy loads up on a big left hand.
Nagendra throws a sloppy body shot
letting Murphy counter with a right hand.
Nice defenses there by Murphy.
Murphy scores with a jab to the head.
Nagendra looks to land a right hand but Murphy moved out of range.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Nagendra.
Nagendra scores with a hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murphy walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Nagendra loads up on a big right hand but Murphy slips the punch.
Nagendra throws a series of punches but Murphy moves out of range.
Nagendra throws the left hand but Murphy avoids the punch easily.
Donk. Nagendra catches Murphy right on the button with a cross.
Murphy feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Nagendra's calf.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Nagendra closes this distance looking for a takedown but Murphy circles away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nagendra fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Murphy on the side of the head.
Murphy misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nagendra looks to land a left hand but Murphy moved out of range nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Brian Murphy will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Nagendra fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Murphy avoids it really well and circles away.
Murphy uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Nagendra.
Nagendra shoots in for a takedown but Murphy shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Murphy bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Nagendra swings for the body but Murphy moves out of range.
Murphy keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A slow jab from Nagendra misses its intended target.
Nagendra uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Murphy.
Murphy takes a jab right on the kisser.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nagendra throws a shot from downtown. Murphy moves away and avoids it.
Murphy delivers a nice body kick.
Brian Murphy is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The fighters circling - Nagendra throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A big right from Nagendra misses.
Nagendra throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Nagendra throws a series of punches but Murphy avoids them all with ease.
Nagendra misses with a left hand
and Murphy counters with a head kick.
Nagendra shoots in looking for a takedown but Murphy manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Nagendra's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Brian Murphy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Montgomery Nagendra.
Nagendra shoots for a takedown but Murphy saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Murphy dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Nagendra. That did some damage!
Brian Murphy is winning the standup battle so far.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Murphy throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Nagendra takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nagendra looks to score with a jab to the body but Murphy is just out of range.
Nagendra looks to throw the jab but Murphy is out of range.
Nagendra throws an off balance right hand
and Murphy counters with a nice kick to the body.
Nagendra misses with an uppercut
and Murphy counters with an outside leg kick.
Nagendra with a lazy takedown attempt
and Murphy counters with a low kick, right behind Nagendra 's knee.
Nagendra might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Murphy turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Murphy bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Nagendra's head backwards.

It looks like Montgomery Nagendra has been cut.
Murphy darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Murphy feints and then cracks Nagendra's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Nagendra down.
Murphy defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Nagendra.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murphy looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Nagendra rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Murphy counters with a low kick, right behind Nagendra 's knee.
Murphy moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Murphy works the jab nicely.
Murphy slips under a jab.
Murphy misses with a head kick.
Nice shot lands for Murphy.
Nagendra shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Murphy pinned against the cage. Murphy gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Nagendra throws a looping overhand right but Murphy ducks down to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nagendra tries for a takedown but Murphy circles away easily
and Murphy counters with a low kick, right behind Nagendra 's knee.
Nagendra jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nagendra's corner calls for a 1-2. Nagendra obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Nagendra shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Nagendra showed some decent athleticism there.
Nagendra seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Murphy does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Murphy tries to roll over but Nagendra keeps him under control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Brian Murphy showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Murphy 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 29:28
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Brian Murphy!