PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Taisto Murkula (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Antoine Lacazette (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Murkula kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Forever Angel. Lacazette has chosen 2Pac – Scared Straight as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Murkula
vs
Lacazette

184 cm
36
188 lbs
36 - 12 - 2

185 cm
38
187 lbs
42 - 23 - 4

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Perkele!

Spartan Nutrition 160Q with Proof

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 36 - 12 - 2, fighting out of Amsterdam, Taisto Murkula!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 42 - 23 - 4, fighting out of Los Angeles, Antoine Lacazette!
The judges for this bout are , Jack Bonds and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Both fighters circling a little - Lacazette finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Nice body kick from Murkula.
Murkula fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Murkula dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Murkula. Lacazette does a little dance to reset his feet.
Murkula seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Lacazette throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
A slow jab from Murkula misses its intended target.
Lacazette was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Murkula tries to land a leg kick but Lacazette saw it coming and moves away.
Lacazette scoring well with a low kick there.
The fighters circle momentarily. Murkula darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Lacazette checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Murkula takes one to the side of the head.
Murkula ducks under a wild hook from Lacazette.
Lacazette throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Lacazette throws a leg kick that misses.
Murkula dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Murkula misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Lacazette.
Lacazette takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Murkula gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Lacazette.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murkula bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Lacazette's head backwards.
Murkula loads up on a big right hand but Lacazette slips the punch.
Murkula walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Lacazette checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Murkula lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Lacazette throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Lacazette looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
No joy there for Murkula, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Murkula walks forward, straight into a front kick from Lacazette.
Lacazette is looking to slow Murkula down with leg kicks.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Lacazette.
Murkula avoids the body shot from Lacazette.
Murkula feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Antoine Lacazette is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Murkula keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Murkula connects with the punch.
A nice inside leg kick there by Lacazette. That's going to slow Murkula down.
Murkula throws a front kick aimed at Lacazette's knee but Lacazette avoids it well.
Murkula clobbers Lacazette with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
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!
Lacazette on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Murkula on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Taisto Murkula seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murkula throws a body punch but Lacazette moves out of range.
Lacazette moves away from the strike by Murkula.
Lacazette feints a counter leg kick.
Lacazette fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Murkula manages to avoid it.
Lacazette misses with a wild body shot.
Lacazette smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Lacazette throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Murkula loads up on a big right hand but Lacazette slips the punch.
Lacazette misses with a low kick.
Murkula jabs Lacazette right on the nose. Lacazette blinks but takes it well.
Murkula swings for the body but Lacazette moves out of range.
Lacazette moves away from the strike by Murkula.
Murkula swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Murkula tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Lacazette was well out of range. Poor timing from Murkula.
Murkula changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
A solid leg kick lands there for Lacazette.
Murkula waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Lacazette.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lacazette displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Murkula throws out the jab.
Lacazette misses with a body shot.
Murkula lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Lacazette at a distance.
Murkula misses the shot to the body.
Lacazette throws a leg kick that is checked
and Murkula counters with a stiff right hand.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Murkula.
Lacazette swings widly with a right hand
and Murkula cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Lacazette checks a leg kick.
Murkula checks a leg kick.
Lacazette keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Lacazette checks a leg kick.
Murkula jabs Lacazette to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Murkula keeps Lacazette at a distance using the push kick.
Murkula moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Murkula throws out a leg kick but Lacazette moves out of range and Murkula only half commits.
Murkula takes a swing at Lacazette's ribcage but misses.
Murkula goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Lacazette only half commits to the counter leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murkula looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Lacazette has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Murkula finds it's way round the side to connect with Lacazette's head.
Lacazette buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Lacazette chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Murkula can pounce on him.
Lacazette misses with a wild body shot.
Murkula has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Murkula feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Lacazette's calf.
Lacazette looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Murkula throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Lacazette throws out a counter right but Murkula avoids it with no problem.
Lacazette ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Lacazette looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Murkula chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Lacazette can pounce on him.
Murkula lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lacazette fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Murkula manages to avoid it.
Murkula throws a right and a left that both miss.
Murkula checks the leg kick.
Murkula connects with a right hand. Lacazette shakes it off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Taisto Murkula 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.

Murkula uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Lacazette has time to react.
Murkula lands the left hand.
Murkula fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Lacazette has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Murkula misses with a wild body shot.
Lacazette looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Murkula checks a low kick from Lacazette.
Murkula will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Lacazette looks to score with a jab to the body but Murkula is just out of range.
Lacazette avoids the body shot from Murkula.
Lacazette tries a low kick but Murkula avoids it.
Lacazette throws a looping overhand right but Murkula ducks down to avoid it.
Murkula lands with a nice body punch.
Lacazette thuds his right hand into Murkula's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Murkula misses with a leg kick.
Lacazette misses with a wild body shot.
Lacazette fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Murkula manages to avoid it.
Lacazette darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
A looping hook to the body misses from Murkula. Lacazette does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lacazette blocks a leg kick.
Lacazette wants to land a leg kick but Murkula is out of range.
Murkula uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Lacazette.
Murkula throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Murkula ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Lacazette moves away.
Murkula checks the leg kick.
Murkula swings for the body but Lacazette moves out of range.
Murkula connects with a crisp jab.
Murkula lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Lacazette tries to work over Murkula's front leg with a kick but Murkula checks it.
Lacazette takes a swing at Murkula's ribcage but misses.
Murkula misses with a lunging right hand
and Lacazette connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Murkula tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Lacazette was well out of range. Poor timing from Murkula.
Lacazette steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Lacazette misses with a body punch

and Murkula counters with a takedown into side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lacazette tries to improve position but can't.
Murkula scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Lacazette to see if he's OK.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lacazette dodges the ground and pound from Murkula.
Murkula in side control, throwing shots but Lacazette defends.
Murkula wants to lay and pray for a moment but Lacazette keeps working.

Murkula looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Murkula cracks Lacazette with a big elbow.
Murkula misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

Murkula goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Lacazette rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Murkula's guard! Nice work there by Lacazette!
Murkula is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Lacazette can do to turn this around?

Murkula is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Lacazette defends well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murkula looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Murkula has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Lacazette forces his way into half guard.
Lacazette is looking to stand up but he'll have to free his leg first. Instead, Murkula manages to get to full guard.

Murkula has an active guard here but Lacazette has managed to pass into half guard.
Lacazette passes the guard and advances to mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lacazette moves to back control.
Murkula can't escape the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Murkula breaks Lacazette's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Lacazette controlling Murkula's posture.
Murkula loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
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 Taisto Murkula will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Lacazette throws out a powerful jab.
Murkula looks to score with a jab to the body but Lacazette is just out of range.
Lacazette changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Taisto Murkula is winning the standup battle so far.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Murkula is defended easily by Lacazette.
Murkula fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Lacazette checks it well.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Lacazette! But no joy.
Murkula keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Lacazette checks the leg kick nicely there.
Murkula throws an ugly left hook that misses
enabling Lacazette to counter with a crisp jab.
A cross from Lacazette lands.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lacazette throws a body kick that misses.
Lacazette throws a right and a left that both miss.
Lacazette keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Murkula tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Lacazette was well out of range. Poor timing from Murkula.
Lacazette wants to slow Murkula down by chopping away at his legs.
Murkula misses with a hook to the body
and Lacazette counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lacazette chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Murkula tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Lacazette is able to avoid easily.
Murkula fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Lacazette takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Murkula is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Lacazette uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Murkula.
Murkula takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Lacazette throws a right and a left that Murkula avoids nicely.
Murkula takes a swing at Lacazette's ribcage but misses.
Lacazette takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Murkula throws a chopping leg kick but Lacazette manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Lacazette uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Murkula.
A slapping body kick lands there for Lacazette.
Lacazette throws a body shot but no joy.
Murkula on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
No luck for Murkula with that takedown attempt.
Antoine Lacazette has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lacazette throws a solid leg kick but Murkula takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Lacazette.
Murkula ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Murkula tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Lacazette is able to avoid easily.
Murkula scores with a leg kick.
Murkula jabs Lacazette right on the nose. Lacazette blinks but takes it well.
Murkula uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Lacazette.
Lacazette walks into a jab.
Murkula closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Murkula defending well as Lacazette loads up on a big left hand.
Nice shot lands for Murkula.
Murkula tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Lacazette was well out of range. Poor timing from Murkula.
Lacazette uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Murkula.
Lacazette on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Murkula. Murkula obviously looking to wear him down.
Murkula lands a jab to Lacazette's midsection.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murkula ducks under a wild hook from Lacazette.
Lacazette cracks the inside of Murkula's front leg.
Lacazette checks a leg kick.
Murkula looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Lacazette lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Murkula jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Lacazette tries to land a leg kick but Murkula saw it coming and moves away.
Murkula lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Murkula lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
A good leg kick by Lacazette.
Murkula bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Lacazette's head backwards.
Murkula lands a nice shot that snaps Lacazette's head back.
Murkula buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lacazette lands a nice leg kick that just misses Murkula's sensitive parts.
Murkula throws a series of punches but Lacazette avoids them all with ease.
Nice uppercut lands for Murkula. That snapped Lacazette's head back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murkula lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Murkula showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Lacazette.
Lacazette doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Murkula takes a swing at Lacazette's ribcage but misses.
Lacazette misses with a straight right.
Murkula lands a leg kick that knocks Lacazette off balance momentarily.
Murkula scores with a shot to the body.
Murkula feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Lacazette's calf.
Lacazette misses with a straight left.
Lacazette throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Murkula scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lacazette misses with an uppercut.
Murkula on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Taisto Murkula.
Well Murkula has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:28
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Taisto Murkula!
A very excited looking Taisto Murkula rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.