PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Frank Murder (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matt Hushing (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Hushing's choice of entrance music: PAUL VAN DYK "For An Angel" . Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Murder
vs
Hushing

182 cm
18
180 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

176 cm
21
184 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Powerful

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Frank Murder!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Matt Hushing!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Joseph Jones and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hushing tries to clinch but Murder is having none of it.
Murder takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.

Hushing closes the distance and clinches.
Murder tries to break the clinch but Hushing is controlling the position.
Murder gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Hushing.
Hushing stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Hushing keeps control of Murder as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Murder manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Hushing stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Murder swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hushing trying to control but Murder is working from the bottom.
Murder is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Murder looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Hushing trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murder can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Hushing controls the pace.
Hushing works a leg free and moves into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Murder wants to improve his position but Hushing is controlling well.

Hushing seems to be looking for submissions.
Murder controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Murder is looking to control Hushing's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Murder avoid being mounted?
Hushing trying to control the action but Murder is working from the bottom.
Hushing frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

Hushing with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murder regains half guard.
Murder trying to control here.
Hushing trying to mount his opponent but Murder defends it.
Murder wants to get back to full guard.
Murder trying to hold on to Hushing's head to control him but Hushing postures up.

Hushing seems to be looking for submissions.
Murder wants to get back to full guard.
Hushing is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Murder!
Murder prevents Hushing from taking his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hushing is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Murder wants to control but Hushing is having none of it.
Hushing prevents Murder from getting the reversal.
Murder is breathing heavily.
Hushing is dominating on the ground here - he's now on his opponent's back, looking to sink in the hooks. Murder is in real trouble.

Hushing is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Murder has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hushing not allowing Murder to control his hands.

Hushing has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Murder rolls, trying to escape but Hushing keeps control of the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Murder fending off the submission attempt from Hushing.
Murder tries to escape but Hushing has the hooks in and won't let him break free.

Hushing patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Hushing biding his time, controlling Murder.

Hushing is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Murder is defending well though. Hushing let's go of the attempt for now.
Murder looking very determined here, making life difficult for Hushing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Hushing dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Murder fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Murder moves out of range as Hushing throws a body kick.

Hushing shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Hushing is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Hushing uses his free foot to push down on Murder's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Murder.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hushing mounts Murder! Really nice guard pass there!
Murder tries to reverse the position but Hushing maintains control.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hushing fails to take his opponent's back.
Hushing can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Murder is looking to escape.
Hushing is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

Hushing looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Murder tries to hold on but Hushing pushes him away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Hushing goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Murder turns into him and now he's in Hushing's guard.
Hushing is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Murder won't allow Hushing to pass to mount.
Hushing content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Murder tries to get to full guard but Hushing has control of the leg.
Murder is trying to maintain the position but Hushing is very close to passing his half guard.

Hushing is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hushing is trying to control the action in half guard but Murder is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Murder is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Hushing wants to take a breather but Murder is having none of it.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Murder tries for a takedown but Hushing circles away easily

and Hushing counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Hushing.
Hushing wants to pass the guard but Murder is keeping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murder can't keep his opponent in guard - Hushing advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Murder is not content to let Hushing control the position.
Hushing works his way into side control.

Hushing tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Hushing advances to mount.

Hushing has control of Murder's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Murder regains control of the situation pretty easily.

Hushing goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Murder is on top in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Hushing showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Murder has his takedown stuffed

and Hushing counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Murder!
Hushing wants to control the pace but Murder is squirming around nicely.
Hushing controlling the pace for now.

Hushing goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Murder is on top in guard.

Hushing escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Murder gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Hushing looking for a sweep. Not yet Hushing, not yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hushing is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Murder thows a big elbow that misses.
Murder looking to pass the guard.

Hushing is looking for a triangle but Murder pushes his legs off easily.

Hushing is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Hushing is trying to keep Murder in close.

Hushing is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Hushing bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Murder's guard.
Murder keeping full guard, as Hushing tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hushing drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Murder manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Hushing has Murder in his guard.

Murder is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Hushing manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Murder manages to get himself to full guard.
Hushing advances position into side control!
Murder tries to improve position but can't.
Hushing trying to control the position but Murder is working away.
Murder regains half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murder tries to get to full guard but Hushing has control of the leg.

Hushing wants to work for an arm triangle but Murder is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Hushing is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Murder doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Hushing.
Matt Hushing has got the better of the ground game so far.
Hushing passes to side control.

Hushing tries for a kimura but Murder is defending well.

Hushing swings around for an armbar but Murder sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Hushing's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Murder throwing strikes from guard but Hushing blocks nicely.
Hushing wants to sweep here but Murder controlling him for the moment.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Murder accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Hushing is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Hushing has control of Murder's left arm, preventing Murder from doing any damage.
Murder trying to stand up but can't free himself from Hushing's guard.
Murder postures up.
Murder trying to control but Hushing is working from the bottom.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Hushing misses with an attempted mid kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Hushing really dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Murder gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Hushing counters with a shoot takedown. Murder fights it but they end up in guard.
Hushing slips nicely into half guard.
Murder wants to control but Hushing is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Murder wants to improve his position but Hushing is controlling well.

Murder looking for submissions off his back.
Hushing wants to lay and pray for a moment but Murder keeps working.
Murder gets back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hushing preventing the sweep.
Murder throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
A head kick misses from Hushing.
Murder has his takedown stuffed

and Hushing counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Murder's guard now.
Murder being controlled here, momentarily.
Hushing tries to free his leg and advance position but Murder is retaining full guard.
Hushing looking to sit in guard and control but Murder gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Hushing is on top in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murder controls Hushing momentarily but Hushing frees himself.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Hushing wants to control from the top but Murder keeps moving.
Hushing won't allow Murder to sweep him here.
Murder striking off his back but it's not causing Hushing any problems.
Hushing looking to pass the guard.
Hushing slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Hushing trying to control but Murder is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.

Hushing drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Hushing tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Hushing has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Murder is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murder pushes Hushing away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Hushing gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Hushing tries to move to mount but Murder blocks the move with his legs.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.

Hushing is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Murder is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Murder gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!

Hushing is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Murder has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Murder tries to hold on but Hushing pushes him away.

Hushing throws some shoulder strikes here and then postures up. Oh, he's gone for an armbar! Murder has his hands clasped together but Hushing breaks the hold and Murder is forced to tap! This one is aaaaaaaaaaall over! That was lightning fast by Hushing!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 4, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Matt Hushing! Matt Hushing retains his middleweight title!