PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Oldemar Murtinho (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexander Puhovin (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.

Murtinho
vs
Puhovin

193 cm
27
203 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

180 cm
22
195 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Brawler
Knockout power

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 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Oldemar Murtinho!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexander Puhovin!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fray, Micheangelo Fripello and Jeff Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Puhovin feints and as Murtinho raises his hands in defense, Puhovin changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Puhovin wants to control from the top but Murtinho keeps moving.
Puhovin looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Murtinho escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Puhovin gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Puhovin not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Puhovin throws a big right hand that misses.
Puhovin's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Puhovin throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Murtinho is trying to control the position but Puhovin postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Puhovin trying to control but Murtinho is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Murtinho working a defensive guard here.

Murtinho looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Murtinho is trying to keep Puhovin in close.
Murtinho avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Puhovin slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Puhovin has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.

Puhovin clinches up against the cage.
Murtinho is struggling to control the position.
Murtinho has Puhovin pushed against the cage.
Murtinho seems to have come into the fight with the intention of avoiding any damage in the clinch, rather than actually showing any aggression.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murtinho taking a breather.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Murtinho.
Puhovin looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Murtinho is pushing Puhovin up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.

Murtinho breaks the clinch.

Puhovin pushes Murtinho up against the cage in a clinch.
Murtinho looking to stall.
Murtinho will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Puhovin up against the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Oldemar Murtinho.

Puhovin shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Murtinho's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murtinho not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Murtinho working for a triangle but Puhovin defends it easily.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Puhovin postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Puhovin got a little sloppy there for a moment and Murtinho has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Puhovin has managed to get both his arms back between Murtinho's legs - danger averted.
Puhovin content to stall in guard here.

Puhovin drops back looking for a leg! Murtinho is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Murtinho manages to kick Puhovin off! Puhovin jumps back into Murtinho's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Murtinho had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Puhovin defends it easily.
Murtinho looking to control.
Murtinho keeping moving, preventing Puhovin from controlling successfully.
Puhovin has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Puhovin working some strikes from top position.

Murtinho working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Puhovin doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Puhovin manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Murtinho is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Murtinho is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Puhovin drops back looking for a leg! Murtinho is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Murtinho manages to kick Puhovin off! Puhovin jumps back into Murtinho's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Puhovin dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Puhovin decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Murtinho trying to hold on to Puhovin's head to control him but Puhovin postures up.

Puhovin is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Murtinho is just riding it out for now. Puhovin eventually gives up the hold.
Murtinho connecting with a few gentle strikes.
Alexander Puhovin has got the better of the ground game so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Murtinho gets full guard.
Murtinho keeping moving, preventing Puhovin from controlling successfully.
Murtinho not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Puhovin trying to control but Murtinho is working from the bottom.

Murtinho working for a triangle but Puhovin defends it easily.
Murtinho avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Puhovin trying to control but Murtinho is working from the bottom.

Murtinho looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Puhovin's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Murtinho has a closed guard, preventing Puhovin from standing up.

Puhovin drops back looking for a leg! Murtinho is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Murtinho manages to kick Puhovin off! Puhovin jumps back into Murtinho's guard.

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.

Puhovin gets to his feet. Murtinho looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Puhovin has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Puhovin dives in and scores a takedown into Murtinho's guard.

Murtinho is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Puhovin throwing strikes from guard but Murtinho blocks nicely.
Puhovin postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Murtinho working for a triangle but Puhovin defends it easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murtinho trying to keep a closed guard but Puhovin is proving a slippery customer.
Puhovin trying to control but Murtinho is working from the bottom.
Murtinho can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Puhovin controls the pace.
Murtinho definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Murtinho controls Puhovin momentarily but Puhovin frees himself.

That's four 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.

Murtinho has his foot on Puhovin's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Puhovin works his way back into a safe position though.

Murtinho is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Puhovin trying to control but Murtinho is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Puhovin is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Murtinho's half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Puhovin trying to control from half guard but Murtinho is working away.
Puhovin controlling the action here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Puhovin showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Murtinho gets caught napping as Puhovin dives in and scores a takedown. Murtinho manages to retain guard.

Puhovin 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.
Murtinho will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Puhovin trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Murtinho has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Puhovin can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Murtinho keeping moving, preventing Puhovin from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Puhovin 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.

Puhovin 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Murtinho is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Puhovin defends well.
Puhovin stays in close to Murtinho's body and controls the position.

Murtinho is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Puhovin not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Puhovin trying to control but Murtinho is working from the bottom.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

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.
Puhovin is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Puhovin has managed to clinch.
Murtinho keeps control of Puhovin as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Murtinho breaks from the clinch.
Murtinho misses with a body shot.
Puhovin swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Murtinho attempts a counter takedown but Puhovin avoids it well and moves away.

Puhovin gets the takedown into side control.
Murtinho can't do much from the bottom here.
Puhovin trying to control the position but Murtinho is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Murtinho's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Puhovin tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Puhovin tries for a kimura but Murtinho is defending well.
Puhovin trying to control the action but Murtinho is working from the bottom.
Murtinho defending against the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Murtinho managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Puhovin.
You can see the frustration on Murtinho's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Puhovin is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Murtinho knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Puhovin decides to stand back up.
Murtinho keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Murtinho appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Murtinho moves out of range of the body kick from Puhovin.
Murtinho attempts a counter takedown but Puhovin avoids it well and moves away.
Puhovin pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Oldemar Murtinho has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Alexander Puhovin is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Puhovin shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Murtinho napping and manages to drive through into side control!

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexander Puhovin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Puhovin has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Colin Fray scores the fight 27:30
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexander Puhovin!
A relieved looking Alexander Puhovin thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.
In defeat, Oldemar Murtinho stepped up to the mic, saying 'That loss sucked. Nobody likes to lose, but my opponent deserved the win.'.