PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Masa Sanada (ranked 86 p4p, 11 weight class) and Mick Murphy (ranked 124 p4p, 19 weight class). Mick Murphy has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Masa Sanada's chin.

Sanada
vs
Murphy

180 cm
33
174 lbs
28 - 9 - 3

193 cm
33
173 lbs
30 - 10 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Conviction
Urban Fighter

Groove Gear
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

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 28 - 9 - 3, fighting out of St Petersburg, Masa Sanada!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 30 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mick Murphy!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Murphy fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Sanada has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Murphy steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Sanada.
Murphy throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Sanada uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Murphy.
Sanada misses with a straight left.
A little jabbing left from Murphy on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Murphy misses the jab.
An attempted straight right counter from Sanada misses the target.
Sanada swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Murphy misses with a looping left.
Sanada was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Sanada ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Murphy moves away.
Murphy looks to land a left hand but Sanada moved out of range nicely.
Murphy throws a hook but Sanada avoids it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sanada misses with a right hand
and Murphy connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Murphy misses with a left hand
enabling Sanada to counter with a crisp jab.
Sanada swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Murphy now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Sanada clobbers Murphy with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanada takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Murphy dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Murphy tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Sanada is able to avoid easily.
Murphy is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Murphy catches Sanada with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Sanada takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Sanada has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Murphy finds it's way round the side to connect with Sanada's head.
Murphy uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Sanada.
It seemed like Murphy was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Murphy ducks under a wild hook from Sanada.
Good shot there by Murphy.
Murphy throws a jab when Sanada was well out of range.
Sanada throws a right and a left that both miss.
Murphy looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Sanada moves away from the strike by Murphy.
Murphy throws a nice outside leg kick.
Murphy is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Murphy connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Sanada momentarily.
Murphy avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Sanada pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
We've been told by Sanada's head coaches at Rings Russia that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Sanada uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Murphy.
Murphy lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Sanada on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Sanada is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Murphy's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Murphy uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sanada.
Murphy avoids a punch combination nicely.
Murphy throws out a powerful jab.
Murphy uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Sanada has time to react.
A big left from Sanada misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanada dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Sanada is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Murphy misses with a hook. Sanada ducked under it nicely.
Murphy keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sanada bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Murphy misses the shot to the body.
Sanada ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Murphy throws a hook but Sanada blocks it.
Sanada loads up on a big right hand but Murphy slips the punch.
A little jabbing left from Murphy on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Sanada throws the left hand but Murphy avoids the punch easily.
Murphy falls off balance throwing a combination
and Sanada counters with a nice uppercut.
Sanada misses with the combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murphy staying out of range there.
A swing and a miss from Murphy.
Sanada misses with a lunging right hand
and Murphy makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Murphy connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Murphy uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sanada.
Sanada wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Murphy lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Murphy.
Sanada misses with the combination.
It seemed like Murphy was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Murphy is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Sanada had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Murphy swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Sanada on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Murphy jabbing away but nothing is landing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Sanada throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Murphy sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Murphy misses with a straight right.
Murphy throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Murphy throws a leg kick but Sanada sees it coming and moves out of range.
Sanada swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Sanada jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A jab lands there for Sanada.
Sanada is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
A swing and a miss from Murphy.
Murphy misses with a hook
and Sanada counters with a straight right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sanada loads up on a big right hand but Murphy slips the punch.
A lazy left from Sanada finds it's target.
Murphy lands with a hook. Sanada tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Murphy looks to land a right hand but Sanada moved out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanada defending well as Murphy loads up on a big left hand.
A cross from Murphy lands.
Murphy attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Sanada swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
A big right from Murphy misses.
Sanada throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Murphy sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Sanada looks to land a left hand but Murphy moved out of range nicely.
Sanada changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Sanada stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Murphy.
Sanada throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Murphy scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Sanada doesn't seem bothered though.
Murphy swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Murphy looks to throw the jab but Sanada is out of range.
Sanada ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murphy slips under a jab.
Sanada bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Murphy lands a body shot.
Murphy scores with a punch to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A telegraphed right hand from Sanada misses the target.
Sanada defending well as Murphy loads up on a big left hand.
Murphy ducks under a wild hook from Sanada.
Sanada throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Murphy sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Mick Murphy seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jab by Murphy.
Sanada throws a predictable looking body shot
and Murphy counters with a nice uppercut.
A telegraphed right hand from Murphy misses the target.
Murphy moves out of range of the strikes.
Murphy doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murphy throws a right hand that misses
and Sanada counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Murphy thinking.
A punch lands to the side of Sanada 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Mick Murphy seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sanada misses with a looping left.
Murphy bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Sanada's head.
Sanada throws a right hand that misses
letting Murphy counter with a right hand.
Sanada throws a shot from downtown. Murphy moves away and avoids it.
Sanada moves out of range of the strikes.
Sanada looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Murphy throws a shot to the body.
Sanada throws a lazy uppercut
and Murphy counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
A swing and a miss from Sanada.
Murphy connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Sanada's hands.
Sanada has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Murphy lands a slapping body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sanada swings for the body but Murphy moves out of range.
Murphy has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Sanada throws a jab but it's blocked by Murphy.
Sanada misses with a hook. Murphy ducked under it nicely.
Sanada connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Murphy needs to keep his hands up - Sanada had a free shot at his head there.
Sanada walks into a left hand.
Sanada throws a lazy uppercut
and Murphy counters with a left to the body.
Sanada misses with an uppercut. Murphy saw that one coming.
Murphy scores with a punch to the head.
Sanada needs to keep his hands up - Murphy had a free shot at his head there.
Good standup being displayed there by Murphy as he connects with a hook.
Sanada displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Murphy throws out the jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mick Murphy showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! 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.

Sanada with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Sanada takes a swing at Murphy's ribcage but misses.
Murphy lands a nice hook to Sanada's body. Sanada takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Murphy fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Sanada checks it well.
Murphy takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Murphy misses the shot to the body.
Murphy buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Murphy just misses with a punch to the body.
Murphy lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Murphy looks to score with a jab to the body but Sanada is just out of range.
Murphy shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Sanada eats them both and turns towards Murphy to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Murphy lands the left hand.
Murphy ducks under a wild hook from Sanada.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murphy misses with a body shot.
A counter left hand to the body from Sanada misses its target.
Murphy throws a nice outside leg kick.
Sanada tries to move into range but Murphy moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Sanada misses with a body punch
and Murphy counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Sanada thinking.
Sanada ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Murphy moves away.
Sanada throws a body punch but Murphy moves out of range.
A swing and a miss from Sanada.
Murphy slips under a jab from Sanada.
Murphy looks to land a right hand but Sanada moved out of range.
It looked like Sanada wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Sanada throws a series of punches but Murphy moves out of range.
Murphy displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sanada throws out the jab.
Murphy lands a jab to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murphy fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Murphy ducks under a wild hook from Sanada.
Sanada throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Murphy dodges the punch combination from Sanada.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Murphy scores with a hook to the body. Sanada takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Mick Murphy is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Murphy chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Murphy waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Sanada.
Murphy pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Sanada rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Murphy counters with a nice uppercut.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Murphy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murphy misses with an uppercut.
Sanada walks into a stiff left hand from Murphy.
Murphy looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Sanada throws a lazy uppercut
and Murphy counters with a nice uppercut.
Sanada keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Murphy.
Sanada misses with a body shot.
Sanada throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Masa Sanada has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sanada misses with a wild body shot.
Murphy tries a quick counter leg kick but Sanada is wise to it.
Sanada misses with a lunging right hand
and Murphy counters with a nice body shot.
Sanada looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
It seemed like Murphy was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Sanada just misses with a punch to the body.
Murphy flicks out a counter leg kick but Sanada steps away.
Sanada misses with an uppercut. Murphy saw that one coming.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Murphy! But no joy.
Sanada throws a lazy uppercut
and Murphy counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murphy lands with a good body shot.
Murphy ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Sanada misses with a jab, cross combination.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Murphy thows a left - swing and a miss!
A punch lands to the side of Sanada 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Murphy moves out of range as Sanada strikes.
Sanada misses with an uppercut
and Murphy counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Sanada misses with a body punch
and Murphy counters with a straight right hand.
Murphy lands a nice leg kick that just misses Sanada's sensitive parts.
Murphy feints and then cracks Sanada's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Sanada down.
Murphy takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Murphy connects with a body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mick Murphy comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Murphy 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30

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