PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Cathal Murphy (ranked 3929 p4p, 437 weight class) and Blue Karaage (ranked 4321 p4p, 467 weight class). Cathal Murphy could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Blue Karaage's chin.

Murphy
vs
Karaage

180 cm
23
180 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

180 cm
26
170 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Big heart

Good takedowns
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Cathal Murphy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Blue Karaage!
The judges for this bout are Dillan Fox, Robert Douchet and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Karaage has closed the distance and engaged Murphy in a clinch.

Murphy ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Murphy no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Murphy trying to strike off his back.
Murphy wants to sweep but no luck.
Karaage passes Murphy's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Murphy trying to control here.
Karaage is pressing down on Murphy's thigh, looking to free his foot. Murphy is holding on for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Murphy trying to control but Karaage postures up.
Murphy is trying is best to control the position here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Karaage is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Murphy defends it well.
Murphy is in trouble now - Karaage has advanced to mount!
Murphy knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Karaage on the ground.
Murphy tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Karaage has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Murphy's face.
Murphy tries to lock up and control but Karaage gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Murphy is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Karaage lands a nice shot to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karaage wants to take his opponent's back but Murphy doesn't allow it.
Karaage thowing shots but they're missing.
Karaage has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Karaage lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Karaage throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Murphy tries to lock up and control but Karaage gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Karaage prevents Murphy from getting the reversal.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Karaage thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Murphy sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murphy gets back to full guard.
Karaage pushing down on Murphy's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Karaage looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Karaage is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Murphy!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Karaage is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Murphy defends well.
Karaage keeping moving, preventing Murphy from controlling successfully.
Murphy is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Murphy tries to free his leg and advance position but Karaage is retaining full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Murphy works over Karaage with some ground and pound from guard.
Murphy is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Karaage working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Murphy doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Murphy manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Murphy working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Karaage's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Blue Karaage dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Murphy pushes Karaage up against the cage in a clinch.

Karaage works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Karaage wants to pass the guard but Murphy is keeping the position.
Murphy throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Murphy trying to control the position.
Murphy is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Karaage is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Murphy seems keen to control Karaage's posture.
Karaage slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karaage in the domination position with Murphy hanging on.
Murphy is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Murphy is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Karaage is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Murphy has escaped the position, nice work there.
Karaage fails to land a wild elbow strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Murphy is trying to control Karaage's posture but Karaage avoids it.
Murphy is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Karaage's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Murphy tries to get to full guard but Karaage has control of the leg.
Karaage passes the guard and advances to mount!
Murphy looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karaage is trying to stick to Murphy's back but Murphy is turning into Karaage. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Karaage's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Murphy.
Karaage being controlled here, momentarily.
Murphy wants to pass the guard but Karaage is keeping the position.
Murphy trying to control the position from guard on top but Karaage is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Murphy is really struggling to control Karaage but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Murphy throws a big elbow that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murphy would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Murphy pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Karaage is keeping the position for now.

Murphy wants to stand up, so he's looking to wriggle free of Karaage's closed guard. He's half up but Karaage has locked on to an arm! Uh oh! Karaage pivots and extends the arm, Murphy falls face first to the mat and taps??... does he?? YES! He's tapping! Excellent counter grappling there by Karaage! Well done that man!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:41 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Blue Karaage!