PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mike Black (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Simba Burns (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Burns is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Shook Ones Pt 1. Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Black
vs
Burns

185 cm
22
215 lbs
12 - 4 - 0

187 cm
26
215 lbs
11 - 6 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Experienced

Good takedowns
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mike Black!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Simba Burns!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Ivan Kurochkin and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Burns catches Black napping and connects with a big right hand that sends Black to the canvas!

It looks like Mike Black has been cut.
Black bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Burns's guard.

Burns has his foot on Black's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Black works his way back into a safe position though.
Burns looking to hit a scissor sweep but Black is one step ahead there.

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

Burns is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Black's corner is telling him to maintain position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Burns working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Black doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Black manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Black has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

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

Black got a little sloppy there for a moment and Burns has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Black has managed to get both his arms back between Burns's legs - danger averted.
Black trying to control the position from guard on top but Burns is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Burns has his foot on Black's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Black works his way back into a safe position though.
Burns being controlled here, momentarily.

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.
Black tries to free his leg and advance position but Burns is retaining full guard.

Burns is looking for a triangle here but Black uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Burns tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Black wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Burns stops Black from passing to mount.

Black has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Burns misses with a looping right.
Mike Black seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Black scores with a leg kick.

Burns closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Black did well to prevent Burns getting side control.

Burns is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Black sees it coming and defends easily.
Burns looks gassed!
Black keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Burns has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Black is working to get back to half guard.
Black tries to hold on but Burns pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Black is wriggling around trying to escape.
Burns looking to control and managing it successfully.
Black is looking to get to half guard.
Burns trying to control but Black is having none of it.
Black bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Black trying to control the position from guard on top but Burns is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Simba Burns dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mike Black's cut.
That's time! Black's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Burns gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Burns chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Black can pounce on him.
Black moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Black misses with a wild body shot.
Black lands a nice shot that snaps Burns's head back.
Burns throws the left hand but Black avoids the punch easily.
Burns avoids the body shot from Black.
Black motions for Burns to come forward. Black throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
An inside leg kick lands from Black.
Black misses with a wild body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Black dodges the punch combination from Burns.
Mike Black is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Black with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Burns tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Black swivels and escapes.
Burns dives in and grabs Black's left leg, looking for a takedown. Black pushes down on Burns's head and hops out.
Burns is breathing heavily.
Burns fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Mike Black has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Simba Burns.
Black ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Burns moves away.
Black blocks a jab.
Mike Black is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Burns steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Black.
A nice inside leg kick there by Black. That's going to slow Burns down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Black does it's job there.
Burns thows a leg kick but Black checks it
and Black counters with a left to the body.
Burns stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Black.
Black swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Burns counters with a straight right hand.
Black tries to bum rush Burns with a series of wild strikes but Burns uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Black throws a nice outside leg kick.
Black is looking to wear down Burns with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Black jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Burns avoids the body shot from Black.
A solid leg kick lands there for Black.
Burns's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Black lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Black throws a head kick that Burns semi-blocks.
Black tries to clinch up.
Black fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Burns.
Black throws a leg kick which misses Burns's front leg but catches the back leg as Burns tries to avoid it.
Black dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Black fails with an attempt to clinch.
Black throws a nice head kick!
A nice inside leg kick there by Black. That's going to slow Burns down.
Burns drops his hands momentarily and Black takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Black moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Black dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Burns. That did some damage!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Black clobbers Burns with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Black tries a head kick but it misses.
The crowd cheers as Black lands an impressive looking overhand right. Burns doesn't seem phased though.
Burns throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Black counters with a three punch combo that has Burns backing up. Burns nods at Black to acknowledge the strikes.
Black is looking to slow Burns down with leg kicks.
Burns walks forward, straight into a front kick from Black.
Black is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Black keeps Burns at a distance using the push kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Black dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Mike Black's cut.
That's time! Black's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. And we move into the final round!

A slapping leg kick lands for Black.
Burns takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Black throws a quick inside leg kick.

Black pushes Burns up against the cage in a clinch.
Black pushes Burns back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Black lands a body punch.
Black lands a left hand.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Black.
Good body shot from Black.
Black scores with a nice hook to the head.
Black lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Burns backwards.
Burns takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Black lands a hook to the side of the head.

Black manages to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Black looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Burns looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Black moves in looking to clinch but Burns pushes him off.
Burns throws a lazy right hand but Black sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Black throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Burns.
Burns throws out a loose jab but Black uses good head movement to avoid it.
Burns takes a kick to the side of the head.
Black keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Burns stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Black.
Burns takes a head kick and keeps coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burns blocks a jab.
Black dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Burns. That did some damage!
Burns on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Black. Black obviously looking to wear him down.
Black ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A solid leg kick lands there for Black.
Black takes a swing at Burns's ribcage but misses.
Black misses with a low kick as Burns jumps back.
Black lands a body shot.
Black scores with a leg kick.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Burns takes a kick to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burns tries for a takedown but Black circles away easily
and Black counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Black scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Mike Black is winning the standup battle so far.
Black lands a head kick. Burns smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Black connects with a solid leg kick.
Black moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Black is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Burns can do to turn this around?
Burns blocks a head kick by Black.

Black pushes Burns up against the cage in a clinch.
A shot in the inside from Black.
Black lands a right hand that snaps the head of Burns backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Black breaks from the clinch.
Black dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Burns. That did some damage!
Black looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Black moves out of range as Burns strikes.
Black lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Burns at a distance.
Black misses with a double jab.
Black falls off balance throwing a combination
letting Burns counter with a right hand.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Black lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Burns backs up against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Black clinches up with Burns and pushes him back against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Black showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Black 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 29:26
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 29:26
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 29:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Black!