PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Travis Burns (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sam Kildahl (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kildahl has chosen Sound of Madness as his entrance music. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Burns
vs
Kildahl

181 cm
19
190 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

184 cm
20
194 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Very confident

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Travis Burns!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Sam Kildahl!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, Columbo Gatti and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A punch combination from Kildahl misses.
Horrible takedown by Kildahl or perhaps it was just good defense by Burns which made him look bad.
Kildahl throws a jab when Burns was well out of range.

Kildahl closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Burns manages to get back to half guard.
Kildahl is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

Burns is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Kildahl pulls his head out easily.

Kildahl is trying to work for a kimura but Burns is defending well.

Burns looking for subs from the bottom but Kildahl mounts him!
Kildahl lands a big shot there that rocks Burns but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burns is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Burns bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Kildahl will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.

Burns thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kildahl is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Kildahl working a defensive guard here.

Kildahl is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Kildahl looks gassed!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Burns drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Burns jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Kildahl utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kildahl is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Burns shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Kildahl counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Burns looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kildahl is one step ahead there.
Kildahl wants to pass the guard but Burns is keeping the position.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kildahl scoring with some ground and pound.

Kildahl got a little sloppy there for a moment and Burns has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kildahl has managed to get both his arms back between Burns's legs - danger averted.
Kildahl postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Burns is on top in guard.
Kildahl scores with a couple of body punches from the bottom.
Kildahl not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Burns passes into half guard.

Burns is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kildahl is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Burns's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Burns's back!
Burns breaks Kildahl's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Kildahl looking to hit a scissor sweep but Burns is one step ahead there.
Kildahl is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Kildahl has momentary wrist control but Burns slips an elbow through the middle.
Burns thows a big elbow that misses.

Burns drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Burns jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Burns pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kildahl is keeping the position for now.
Burns is working hard here to advance position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kildahl throws a jab when Burns was well out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sam Kildahl dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Kildahl looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Kildahl bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Burns tries to buck Kildahl off but Kildahl is having none of it.

Kildahl swings around for an armbar but Burns sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Kildahl's guard.

Kildahl is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Kildahl has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Burns.
Kildahl is breathing heavily.
Burns working aggressively here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kildahl tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Burns smiles and moves away.
Kildahl misses with a body kick.
Kildahl will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Sam Kildahl seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Burns changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Kildahl looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

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

Burns working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Burns tries for a kimura but Kildahl is defending well.
Kildahl gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Kildahl is looking for a sweep. Burns is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Burns is working for a submission of some sort.

Burns 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.
Travis Burns overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Burns is working for a submission of some sort.
Kildahl throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Burns is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Kildahl works his way to full guard. Good work.
Burns passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Kildahl regains half guard.

Burns is working for a kimura but Kildahl is defending it quite comfortably.
Kildahl moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Travis Burns dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Burns shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Kildahl counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Kildahl.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kildahl.
Kildahl tries to break free but Burns pushes him back against the cage.
A short right from Burns on the inside.
Kildahl takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kildahl is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
The referee calls for Burns to work.
Kildahl is trying to force a seperation but Burns has the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kildahl changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Burns fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Burns shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Burns trying to pass the guard but Kildahl defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kildahl is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Burns scores with a couple of nice shots.
Burns frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Kildahl keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Burns swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Kildahl is now in Burns's guard. A big mistake from Burns there, giving up the dominant position!
Burns wants to sweep here but Kildahl controlling him for the moment.

Burns looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Kildahl passes into half guard.
Burns works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kildahl throwing strikes from guard but Burns blocks nicely.

Kildahl avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Kildahl thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Burns working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kildahl.

Kildahl got a little sloppy there for a moment and Burns has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kildahl has managed to get both his arms back between Burns's legs - danger averted.
Kildahl scoring with some ground and pound.
Kildahl with a flurry of punches that miss.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Burns is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kildahl trying to control but Burns is working from the bottom.

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

Burns is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Kildahl is aware though and is defending well.

Burns is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Burns has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kildahl can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Kildahl working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Kildahl sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Burns's guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Travis Burns showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Burns has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Steve Montenegro scores the fight 29:28
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 29:28
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Travis Burns!