PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dan Burnbuckle (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rocco Fugazza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Burnbuckle comes to the cage accompanied by Highway To Hell. Fugazza has chosen Murder Incorporated as his entrance music. Dan Burnbuckle has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Burnbuckle
vs
Fugazza

185 cm
23
200 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

185 cm
19
200 lbs
4 - 0 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Final Strike Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dan Burnbuckle!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 1, fighting out of London, Rocco Fugazza!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Steven Brown and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice sprawl there from Burnbuckle as Fugazza shoots in.
Burnbuckle connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

It looks like Rocco Fugazza has been cut.

Fugazza shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Fugazza tries to free his leg and advance position but Burnbuckle is retaining full guard.
Burnbuckle looking to hit a scissor sweep but Fugazza is one step ahead there.
Burnbuckle manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Fugazza manages to get himself to full guard.
Burnbuckle with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Burnbuckle is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Burnbuckle missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Fugazza working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Burnbuckle.
Fugazza tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Burnbuckle is fighting to break Fugazza's control of his arms but Fugazza is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Fugazza looking for a guillotine here but Burnbuckle defends easily.
Burnbuckle stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Fugazza swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Fugazza 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.
Fugazza keeping full guard, as Burnbuckle tries to pass.
Burnbuckle advances to half guard.

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.
Burnbuckle not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Fugazza is looking to escape.
Fugazza is trying to control but can't.
Burnbuckle working Fugazza over with strikes.
Burnbuckle landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Burnbuckle trying to mount his opponent but Fugazza defends it.
Fugazza wants to get back to his feet.
Fugazza on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Burnbuckle stands up out of the half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Burnbuckle pushes Fugazza up against the cage in a clinch.
Burnbuckle can't break the clinch.
Fugazza misses with a knee strike.
Fugazza tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Fugazza looks gassed!
Burnbuckle is trying to break free.

Burnbuckle's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Fugazza wants to clinch but Burnbuckle slips to the side

and Burnbuckle counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Burnbuckle.
Burnbuckle is trying to break the clinch but Fugazza has him pressed against the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Fugazza just misses with a elbow thrown towards Burnbuckle's brow.
Fugazza tries to land a knee to the head but Burnbuckle blocks with his arms.

Burnbuckle's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Fugazza throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Burnbuckle's waist but Burnbuckle gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Fugazza off to one side.

Fugazza feints and as Burnbuckle raises his hands in defense, Fugazza changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Burnbuckle scores with a short punch from the bottom.
Fugazza pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Burnbuckle is keeping the position for now.

Burnbuckle had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Fugazza is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Burnbuckle Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Fugazza's back instead.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fugazza tries to escape but Burnbuckle has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Burnbuckle throwing damaging strikes from the back! Fugazza could be in trouble here!
Burnbuckle gets his hooks in and is throwing strikes.
Burnbuckle throwing damaging strikes from the back! Fugazza could be in trouble here!
Fugazza tries to break free.
Fugazza takes a big shot to the side of the head.
Fugazza is covering up but some of the strikes from Burnbuckle are getting through and doing damage.
Burnbuckle looking to soften up his opponent with punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dan Burnbuckle dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Rocco Fugazza's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Fugazza tries for a takedown but Burnbuckle circles away easily
and Burnbuckle counters with a one-two to the body.

Burnbuckle gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Burnbuckle pushes Fugazza back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Burnbuckle is trying to break the clinch but Fugazza is controlling him.
Fugazza is working for takedown but Burnbuckle is calmly controlling the position for now.
Burnbuckle wants to break the clinch but can't.
Burnbuckle goes for a takedown attempt but Fugazza pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Burnbuckle rushes Fugazza and presses him up against the cage.
Burnbuckle gets underhooks to prevent Fugazza's takedown attempt.
Dan Burnbuckle has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rocco Fugazza.

Burnbuckle breaks the clinch.
Fugazza tries to clinch up

and Burnbuckle moves into the clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Burnbuckle's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Fugazza tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Burnbuckle moves into the clinch.
Burnbuckle is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Burnbuckle wants a takedown.
Fugazza tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Fugazza goes for a takedown in the clinch but Burnbuckle prevents it.
Fugazza tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Burnbuckle has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Fugazza is trying to keep an underhook but Burnbuckle manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Fugazza gets back to full guard.
Burnbuckle trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Burnbuckle has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Fugazza lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Burnbuckle!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Fugazza goes for an armbar but Burnbuckle turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Burnbuckle.
Burnbuckle won't allow Fugazza to get back to his feet.
Burnbuckle distracts Fugazza with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Burnbuckle postures up and lands a big shot to Fugazza's brow.
Fugazza has momentary wrist control but Burnbuckle slips an elbow through the middle.
Fugazza wants to hit a switch here but Burnbuckle passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Fugazza there!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fugazza is trying to escape the mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Burnbuckle landing shots from mount.
Fugazza is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
A nice elbow there by Burnbuckle.
Burnbuckle pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Fugazza is in a horrible position here. Burnbuckle smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Fugazza can't escape the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fugazza takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.

Burnbuckle has hold of Fugazza's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Fugazza manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Burnbuckle throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Burnbuckle unloads with some shots from mount but Fugazza bucks and avoids them well.
Burnbuckle prevents Fugazza from getting the reversal.
Fugazza regains half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dan Burnbuckle dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Rocco Fugazza's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Burnbuckle lands a jab to the nose.
Fugazza closes the distance looking to clinch

and Burnbuckle counters with a takedown into side control.
Dan Burnbuckle overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Fugazza manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Burnbuckle is defending against the submission attempts here by Fugazza.

Fugazza seems to be looking for submissions.

Burnbuckle is defending against the submission attempts here by Fugazza.
Burnbuckle landing a few short strikes.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burnbuckle slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Burnbuckle keeping full guard, as Fugazza tries to pass.

Fugazza drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Burnbuckle manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Fugazza has Burnbuckle in his guard.
Fugazza looking to hit a scissor sweep but Burnbuckle is one step ahead there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Burnbuckle stands up from Fugazza's guard - Burnbuckle perhaps looking for a knockout.
Fugazza misses with a takedown attempt

so Burnbuckle counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Burnbuckle working some strikes from top position.
Burnbuckle content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Fugazza looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Burnbuckle prevents Fugazza from getting back to his feet.
Fugazza is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Burnbuckle's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burnbuckle lands a couple of digs.
Fugazza looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Fugazza wants to stand up but Burnbuckle is controlling him.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
A shot to de liver by Burnbuckle. Beautiful body shot.
Burnbuckle throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Fugazza shoots and misses

and Burnbuckle counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Burnbuckle.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

Burnbuckle manages to break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Burnbuckle lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Fugazza circles away quickly and effectively.
Fugazza doesn't manage to clinch there - Burnbuckle circles away.
Fugazza tries to clinch but Burnbuckle is having none of it.
Fugazza shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Dan Burnbuckle has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rocco Fugazza.
Fugazza is looking to clinch but Burnbuckle is avoiding it.
Burnbuckle lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Fugazza circles away quickly and effectively.
Burnbuckle throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Fugazza shoots in for a takedown but Burnbuckle shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Burnbuckle gets the takedown into side control.
Burnbuckle is putting a hurting on Fugazza here, landing some big shots from side control.
Fugazza manages to get back to half guard.
Ground and pound from Burnbuckle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dan Burnbuckle clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Rocco Fugazza's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Fugazza fails with the takedown
and Burnbuckle counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Fugazza is looking to clinch but Burnbuckle is avoiding it.

Burnbuckle moves into the clinch successfully.
Burnbuckle tries to circle away but Fugazza has him pinned against the cage.
Fugazza has Burnbuckle pressed against the cage, preventing Burnbuckle from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Fugazza wants a takedown.
Burnbuckle gets underhooks to prevent Fugazza's takedown attempt.
Dan Burnbuckle has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rocco Fugazza.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

Burnbuckle is trying to trip Fugazza. He has hold of a leg but Fugazza is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Burnbuckle persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Fugazza controls Burnbuckle momentarily but Burnbuckle frees himself.
Burnbuckle lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Burnbuckle stopping the sweep attempt from Fugazza.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Burnbuckle stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Fugazza has closed the distance and engaged Burnbuckle in a clinch.
Fugazza prevents the takedown attempt.
Burnbuckle fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Burnbuckle is pressed up against the cage. Fugazza has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Burnbuckle down to the mat. Burnbuckle avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Burnbuckle.
Fugazza closes the distance but Burnbuckle moves to the side

and Burnbuckle counters with a nice double leg into side control. Fugazza won't be happy with that.

Fugazza sneaks out the side door and pushes Burnbuckle away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.

Burnbuckle shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Fugazza napping and manages to drive through into side control!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fugazza wants to get back to his feet but Burnbuckle drags him back down.
Burnbuckle scores with punches from side control.
Fugazza manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Burnbuckle sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Fugazza defending well though.
Fugazza looks like he's trying to stand up.
Burnbuckle seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Burnbuckle throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Fugazza moves into full guard.
Fugazza wants to get back to his feet but Burnbuckle is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Fugazza gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Burnbuckle counters with a single leg into guard. Fugazza didn't expect that.
Burnbuckle prevents Fugazza from getting back to his feet.
Burnbuckle looking to pass the guard.
Fugazza trying to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burnbuckle keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Fugazza's head.
Burnbuckle thows a big elbow that misses.
Burnbuckle is looking to work some ground and pound but Fugazza has wrist control.
Burnbuckle stopping the sweep attempt from Fugazza.
Burnbuckle throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dan Burnbuckle had his way with Rocco Fugazza in that round.
The cut man is working on Rocco Fugazza's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Burnbuckle will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Fugazza tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Burnbuckle counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Burnbuckle is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Fugazza can do to turn this around?
Fugazza tries to clinch there but Burnbuckle circles away.
Fugazza tries to clinch
and Burnbuckle counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Fugazza shoots in for a takedown but Burnbuckle shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Burnbuckle tries to clinch but Fugazza moves out of range.
Burnbuckle looks to land a combination but Fugazza avoids it well.

Burnbuckle moves into the clinch.
Fugazza goes for a takedown attempt but Burnbuckle pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Fugazza blocks a head kick by Burnbuckle.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fugazza closes the distance but Burnbuckle moves to the side

and Burnbuckle counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Burnbuckle.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Fugazza is on top in guard.
Burnbuckle avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Fugazza drops back, looking for a kneebar! Burnbuckle looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Burnbuckle looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Burnbuckle!
Fugazza is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Burnbuckle is pressing down on Fugazza's thigh, looking to free his foot. Fugazza is holding on for now.
The fighters are battling for position here. Fugazza manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Fugazza throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Burnbuckle drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Burnbuckle jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Fugazza bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Burnbuckle's guard.

Fugazza has gone for a leg lock! Burnbuckle slips out almost immediately though and dives into Fugazza's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Burnbuckle chips away with some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fugazza wants to sweep but no luck.
Fugazza is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Burnbuckle is controlling him.
Burnbuckle lands a couple of elbows.
Fugazza is looking to stand up but Burnbuckle isn't so interested in that idea.
Burnbuckle sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Fugazza's guard.

Burnbuckle decides to return to a standing position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Fugazza shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Burnbuckle sprawls well. Burnbuckle wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Fugazza gets slowly back to his feet.
Dan Burnbuckle has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rocco Fugazza.
Fugazza tries to clinch but Burnbuckle moves out of range.
Rocco Fugazza has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Burnbuckle moves into the clinch.
Fugazza misses with a knee to the head.

Burnbuckle pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Burnbuckle scores a takedown into full mount!
Fugazza working to try and regain half guard.
Burnbuckle putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!

And that's the end of the fight!
Dan Burnbuckle showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Burnbuckle has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 50:45
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 50:45
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dan Burnbuckle!
Dan Burnbuckle is the new light heavyweight champion!