PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Redd Murphy (ranked 7677 p4p, 469 weight class) and Bebob Rocksteady (ranked 23033 p4p, 511 weight class). Redd Murphy has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Murphy
vs
Rocksteady

178 cm
21
265 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

200 cm
21
270 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Redd Murphy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Bebob Rocksteady!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, Hugh Johnson and Summer Carpenter.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rocksteady tries to keep at a distance but Murphy has taken the fight into the clinch.
Murphy fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Murphy throws a punch but it's blocked by Rocksteady.
Murphy lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rocksteady.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rocksteady.
Murphy throws a head punch that misses.
Rocksteady has had enough of the clinch but Murphy keeps him there for the moment.
Murphy misses with the head strike.
Rocksteady blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Murphy tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Murphy is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Rocksteady is defending well for now.
Murphy scores with a nice hook to the head.
Murphy misses with a punch on the inside.
Murphy throws a head punch that misses.
Murphy throws a head punch that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Murphy.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rocksteady.
Rocksteady is trying to break the clinch but Murphy is controlling him.
Murphy missing with knees to the body.
A nice right hand lands inside from Murphy.
Murphy misses with a short punch on the inside.
Murphy pushes Rocksteady back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Murphy misses with a hook from the clinch.
Murphy keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Rocksteady's efforts to push away.
Murphy misses with the head strike.
Murphy trying to land knees to the body.
Murphy misses with a punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Murphy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murphy misses with a hook from the clinch.
Murphy throws a head punch that misses.
Rocksteady blocking some punches.
Murphy misses with some punches.
Rocksteady blocking some punches.
Rocksteady wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Murphy misses with a short punch on the inside.
Murphy misses with a punch to the body.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Murphy creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Rocksteady avoiding damage as Murphy throws knees to the body.
Rocksteady is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Rocksteady blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Rocksteady pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Murphy tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Rocksteady manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Rocksteady lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Murphy circles away quickly and effectively.
Murphy throwing a counter right hand but Rocksteady manages to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Murphy closes the distance and clinches.
Murphy working aggressively here.
Murphy fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Murphy misses with the head strike.
Murphy working aggressively here.
A head punch on the inside from Murphy fails to land.
Murphy digs a right hand into Rocksteady's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Rocksteady's gas tank.
Rocksteady is trying to push Murphy away but Murphy has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Murphy tries a body shot but Rocksteady blocks it.
Murphy tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Rocksteady avoids it.
Rocksteady has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Murphy seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Rocksteady can turn it around.
Murphy has a couple of punches blocked by Rocksteady.
Murphy throws a head punch that misses.
Murphy lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Rocksteady.
Murphy tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
I was talking to Murphy's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Rocksteady blocks an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murphy throws a punch but it's blocked by Rocksteady.
Murphy misses with a short punch on the inside.
A bit of stalling here from Rocksteady.
Murphy misses with the head strike.
Murphy lands an uppercut.
Murphy is working Rocksteady over against the cage.

Rocksteady's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Murphy tries to clinch
and Rocksteady counters with a lovely straight right hand!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Rocksteady tries to keep at a distance but Murphy has taken the fight into the clinch.
Murphy has a couple of punches blocked by Rocksteady.
Murphy throws a head punch that misses.
Murphy throws a head punch that misses.
Murphy working aggressively here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Redd Murphy dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Murphy tries to clinch up

and Rocksteady counters with a single leg into guard. Murphy didn't expect that.

Murphy pushes Rocksteady off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

Murphy moves into the clinch.
Murphy fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Murphy misses with a punch to the body.
Murphy misses with the head strike.
Rocksteady blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Murphy fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Murphy throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Rocksteadys head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Murphy misses with some punches.
Murphy swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Murphy fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rocksteady blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Rocksteady breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Murphy tries to clinch up.

Murphy clinches.
Murphy throws a head punch that misses.

Rocksteady escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Murphy clinches up with Rocksteady and pushes him back against the cage.
Rocksteady is trying to break the clinch but Murphy has him pressed against the cage.
Murphy misses with some punches.
Murphy prevents Rocksteady from breaking the clinch.
Murphy has a couple of punches blocked by Rocksteady.
Rocksteady blocks an uppercut.
Murphy tries to throw a body punch but Rocksteady avoids it by throwing Murphy back against the cage.
Murphy swings wildly with an uppercut but Rocksteady uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murphy throws a head punch that misses.

Rocksteady's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Rocksteady swats away the attempt to clinch by Murphy.
Redd Murphy seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Murphy tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Rocksteady counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Murphy closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Murphy lands a body punch.
Murphy misses with some punches.
Murphy is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rocksteady can do to turn this around?
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Murphy misses with a hook to the ribs.
Murphy missing with knees to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rocksteady.
Redd Murphy has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Murphy throws a punch but it's blocked by Rocksteady.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murphy misses with the head strike.
Murphy has Rocksteady pressed against the cage, preventing Rocksteady from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Murphy trying to land knees to the body.
Murphy tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Rocksteady wants to get back to striking at distance but Murphy won't allow it.
Murphy throws a punch but it's blocked by Rocksteady.
Murphy tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Murphy misses with the head strike.
Murphy throws a head punch that misses.
A head punch on the inside from Murphy fails to land.
Murphy throws a punch but it's blocked by Rocksteady.
Murphy misses with a punch on the inside.
Murphy misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rocksteady.
Murphy misses with some punches.
Murphy has a couple of punches blocked by Rocksteady.
Murphy has a couple of punches blocked by Rocksteady.
Rocksteady blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Murphy throws a punch but it's blocked by Rocksteady.
Murphy lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Rocksteady tries to break the clinch but Murphy is controlling the position.
Murphy swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Murphy swings away with an uppercut that misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Murphy.

Rocksteady breaks the clinch.
Murphy is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Rocksteady! But no joy.
Murphy wants to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Redd Murphy dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Murphy tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Rocksteady manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Murphy is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A little jabbing left from Rocksteady on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Murphy fails with an attempt to clinch.
Murphy is looking to clinch but Rocksteady is avoiding it.
Rocksteady with the counter takedown but Murphy avoids it easily.
Rocksteady circles away from the clinch attempt.
Rocksteady throws out a counter right but Murphy avoids it with no problem.
Murphy tries to clinch up but Rocksteady circles away and keeps his distance.

Murphy closes the distance and clinches.
Murphy throws a head punch that misses.
Murphy throws a punch but it's blocked by Rocksteady.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Murphy working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Murphy keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Rocksteady's efforts to push away.
Rocksteady on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Murphy creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murphy trying to land knees to the body.
Rocksteady blocks an uppercut.
Rocksteady is trying to force a seperation but Murphy has the dominant position.
A head punch on the inside from Murphy fails to land.
Rocksteady lands a right hand that snaps the head of Murphy backwards.
Murphy misses with a hook from the clinch.
A short body shot lands from Murphy as the two fighters clinch.
Rocksteady tries to circle away but Murphy has him pinned against the cage.
Murphy throws a punch but it's blocked by Rocksteady.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rocksteady.

Rocksteady breaks from the clinch.
Rocksteady misses with a series of wild punches.
A little feinted left hand from Murphy on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Murphy tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Rocksteady counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murphy tries to clinch up but Rocksteady circles away and keeps his distance.
Murphy tries to close the distance and clinch but Rocksteady swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Rocksteady steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Murphy.
Murphy defending well as Rocksteady loads up on a big left hand.
Murphy fails in his attempt to clinch.
Murphy is looking to clinch but Rocksteady is avoiding it.
Murphy wants to clinch
and Rocksteady counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Murphy closes the distance looking to clinch
enabling Rocksteady to counter with a crisp jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Murphy is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Rocksteady changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Murphy tries to clinch up but Rocksteady circles away and keeps his distance.
Murphy dodges the punch combination from Rocksteady.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Murphy looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Rocksteady scores with a nice strike.
Murphy tries to close the distance and clinch but Rocksteady swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Murphy is looking to clinch but Rocksteady is avoiding it.
Murphy wants to clinch.
Murphy moves out of range of the strikes.
Murphy tries to clinch up.

Murphy gets a clinch.
Murphy misses with a hook from the clinch.
A short body shot lands from Murphy as the two fighters clinch.
Rocksteady takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murphy works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Murphy has a couple of punches blocked by Rocksteady.
Rocksteady has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Murphy working aggressively here.
Rocksteady blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Rocksteady wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Murphy lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Murphy lands a shoulder strike.
Bebob Rocksteady has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Murphy softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Murphy tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Murphy goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Murphy working aggressively here.
A head punch on the inside from Murphy fails to land.
Murphy working aggressively here.
Rocksteady scores with a shot to the side of Murphy's head.

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 Redd Murphy.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Murphy, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Eliza Hachem scores the fight 30:27
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Redd Murphy!
Redd Murphy decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.