PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Caleb Emmanuel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Predator Burns (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Burns has chosen Savage Harpsichord as his entrance music. Caleb Emmanuel has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Emmanuel
vs
Burns

181 cm
20
168 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

176 cm
19
163 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Tends to cut

Grappling Pro Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Caleb Emmanuel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Predator Burns!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Steven Brown and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Emmanuel slips a straight right by Burns.

Emmanuel shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Burns's guard.
Emmanuel wants to control from the top but Burns keeps moving.
Emmanuel stays in close to Burns's body and controls the position.

Emmanuel drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Emmanuel jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Emmanuel stopping the sweep attempt from Burns.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Burns trying to control the position.
Burns wants to sweep but no luck.
Burns is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Burns looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Burns looks to score with a jab to the body but Emmanuel is just out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Emmanuel throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Burns was covering up waiting for the punch and Emmanuel finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Emmanuel is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Emmanuel slips nicely into half guard.
Burns is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Burns makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Burns.
Burns avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Burns throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Burns 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.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Emmanuel stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Burns swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Emmanuel postures up.

Burns working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Emmanuel doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Emmanuel manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Burns looks gassed!
Emmanuel preventing the sweep.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Emmanuel.
Predator Burns is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Emmanuel fails to land the takedown.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Emmanuel.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Caleb Emmanuel. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burns misses with a two punch combination.
Emmanuel shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Burns as he jumps to the side.

Emmanuel gets the takedown into side control.
Burns tries to bench press Emmanuel off him but Emmanuel keeps the position.
Burns sneaks back into half guard.

Emmanuel is trying to work for a kimura but Burns is defending well.
Emmanuel wants to control but Burns is keeping him busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burns is trying to get back to full guard.
Emmanuel thows a huge punch but Burns dodges it nicely.
Burns is looking for a sweep. Emmanuel is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Emmanuel trying to control the pace.
Burns is not content to let Emmanuel control the position.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Emmanuel avoids the head kick by Burns.
Burns swinging wilding here.
Burns walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Emmanuel looks for a takedown but Burns sprawls well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Caleb Emmanuel dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Burns throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Emmanuel misses with a hook.
Emmanuel shoots in for a takedown but Burns shows good takedown defense.
Emmanuel fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Emmanuel tries to score a power double leg takedown but Burns sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Emmanuel somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Caleb Emmanuel. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Emmanuel shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Burns's guard.
Burns tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Emmanuel looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Emmanuel trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burns utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Emmanuel wants to control from the top but Burns keeps moving.
Burns looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Burns keeping moving, preventing Emmanuel from controlling successfully.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Emmanuel will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Emmanuel drives through with a takedown into guard.
Burns 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.
Emmanuel tries to free his leg and advance position but Burns is retaining full guard.
Emmanuel preventing the sweep.
Emmanuel trying to control but Burns is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Burns looking for a guillotine here but Emmanuel defends easily.
Burns manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Emmanuel tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Emmanuel defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Burns.
Emmanuel tries to hold on but Burns pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Burns with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Emmanuel wants to control but Burns is having none of it.
Emmanuel can't escape the position.
Emmanuel wants to control but Burns is having none of it.

Burns has hold of Emmanuel's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Emmanuel manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.

Burns is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!

Emmanuel scores with a takedown into Burns's guard.
Emmanuel landing with the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Burns looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Emmanuel drops back looking for a leg! Burns is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Burns manages to kick Emmanuel off! Emmanuel jumps back into Burns's guard.
Burns can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Emmanuel controls the pace.
Emmanuel trying to control the position from guard on top but Burns is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Burns manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Emmanuel manages to get himself to full guard.

Emmanuel looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Burns pushes down on Emmanuel's leg and manages to get into half guard.
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 Caleb Emmanuel will probably get the nod.
That's time! Emmanuel's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Nice takedown defense from Burns. No joy for Emmanuel on that attempt.
Emmanuel shoots in for a takedown but Burns shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Burns stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Burns wants it to stay on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Caleb Emmanuel. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Burns tries to clinch up but Emmanuel circles away and keeps his distance.
Burns defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Emmanuel.
Caleb Emmanuel seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Burns throws a hook but Emmanuel blocks it.
Burns misses with a looping right.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A big right from Burns misses.
Emmanuel shoots in but no luck this time.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Emmanuel is defended easily by Burns.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Burns moves in looking to clinch but Emmanuel pushes him off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burns fails to land with a series of punches.
Emmanuel closes this distance looking for a takedown but Burns circles away.
Emmanuel dives in and grabs Burns's left leg, looking for a takedown. Burns pushes down on Emmanuel's head and hops out.
Emmanuel looks for a takedown but Burns sprawls well.
Burns smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Burns throws a head kick that misses.
Emmanuel displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Burns throws out the jab.
Burns misses with an uppercut.

Emmanuel scores with a takedown into Burns's guard.
Predator Burns has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Emmanuel preventing the sweep.
Emmanuel stops Burns from standing up.
Burns wants to sweep here but Emmanuel controlling him for the moment.
Emmanuel trying to control the position from guard on top but Burns is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Emmanuel won't allow Burns to get back to his feet.
Burns tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Emmanuel thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Burns throws out a loose jab but Emmanuel uses good head movement to avoid it.
Emmanuel shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Burns defends it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burns misses with an uppercut. Emmanuel saw that one coming.
Burns looks to throw the jab but Emmanuel is out of range.
Emmanuel looks for a takedown but Burns sprawls well.
Burns tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Emmanuel is able to avoid easily.
A telegraphed right hand from Burns misses the target.
Nice sprawl there from Burns as Emmanuel shoots in.
Emmanuel slips under a jab from Burns.
Horrible takedown by Emmanuel or perhaps it was just good defense by Burns which made him look bad.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Burns finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Burns pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

Emmanuel closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Burns to the mat! Burns manages to get full guard.
Burns can't keep his opponent in guard - Emmanuel advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Burns is trying to stand.
Burns wants to improve his position but Emmanuel is controlling well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Emmanuel is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Burns keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

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 Caleb Emmanuel.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Emmanuel, 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 Daniel Bishop scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Caleb Emmanuel!