PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Zdzislaw Konopka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Solomon Burke (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Burke has chosen Highway Star-Deep Purple as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Konopka
vs
Burke

225 cm
25
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

188 cm
29
192 lbs
23 - 6 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Zdzislaw Konopka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Solomon Burke!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Marco Blurström and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Burke moves away from the strike by Konopka.
Konopka throws a left and a right that both miss
and Burke counters with an inside leg kick.
Konopka misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Konopka on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Burke. Burke obviously looking to wear him down.
Konopka throws a series of punches but Burke moves out of range.
Konopka fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Konopka throws a series of punches but Burke avoids them all with ease.
Konopka thows a left - swing and a miss!
Konopka throws a series of punches but Burke avoids them all with ease.
Nice defenses there by Burke.
Konopka lands a nice shot that snaps Burke's head back.
Burke scores with a crisp jab that stopped Konopka in his tracks.
Burke takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Konopka throws a body punch but Burke moves out of range.
Burke keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Burke avoids a punch combination nicely.
Konopka has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Burke.
Burke misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burke walks into a stiff left hand from Konopka.
Konopka throws a body punch but Burke moves out of range.
Konopka throws a combination that misses

and Burke counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Burke.
Burke scores a nice knee to the body.
Konopka is breathing heavily.
Burke putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Konopka in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Burke with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Burke breaks from the clinch.
Sloppy strikes from Konopka. Those never looked like landing.

Burke rushes Konopka and presses him up against the cage.

Burke pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Konopka chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Burke can pounce on him.

Burke closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Konopka really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Konopka wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Burke.
Burke is leaning against Konopka and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Konopka wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Burke lands a knee to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burke connects with a nasty looking knee right to Konopka's face.

It looks like Zdzislaw Konopka has been cut.
Konopka tries to circle away but Burke has him pinned against the cage.
Burke scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Burke lands a left hand.

Burke breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Burke lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Burke lands a head kick. Konopka smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

Konopka tries to keep at a distance but Burke has taken the fight into the clinch.
Burke lands a hook to the side of the head.
Good body shot from Burke.
Burke lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Konopka backwards.
Konopka wants to break the clinch but can't.

Burke's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A slapping body kick lands there for Burke.
Burke connects with a body shot.
Burke lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Burke clinches.
Burke scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A right handed body shot lands from Burke.
A left hand lands to the body for Burke.

Burke breaks the clinch.
Burke lands a nice leg kick that just misses Konopka's sensitive parts.
Burke explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
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!
Burke scores with a head kick.
Burke with a body punch. A glancing blow.

Burke takes the fight into the clinch.
Konopka wants to get back to striking at distance but Burke won't allow it.
Burke working some nice short punches in the clinch.

Burke escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Burke clinches up against the cage.
A right hook to the body lands for Burke.

Burke escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burke showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Konopka.
Konopka thows a body shot but no joy.
Zdzislaw Konopka seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Konopka on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Burke swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Konopka.
Burke scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Burke bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Konopka's head.
Burke scoring well with a low kick there.

Burke clinches with his opponent.
Konopka is trying to break free.
Konopka is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Konopka wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Konopka looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Burke lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
A right hand to the body from Burke.

Burke manages to break the clinch.
A nice leg kick lands there from Burke.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Solomon Burke dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Zdzislaw Konopka's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Konopka stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Burke.
Konopka takes a swing at Burke's ribcage but misses.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Burke.
Konopka throws a poor cross that misses
and Burke counters with an outside leg kick.
Burke uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Konopka has time to react.
Konopka misses with a series of wild punches.
Konopka looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Burke lands a slapping body shot.
Burke lands a nice hook to Konopka's body. Konopka takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
An inside leg kick lands from Burke.
Burke has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Burke scores with a kick to the midsection.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Konopka throws a right and a left that both miss.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Konopka on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Konopka takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

Burke moves into range and clinches up with Konopka.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Burke's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Burke uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Konopka.
Konopka takes a jab right on the kisser.
Burke scores with a leg kick.
Burke throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Konopka takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Burke throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Konopka.

Burke clinches with his opponent.
Nice body punch from Burke.

Burke pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Burke moves into the clinch.
Konopka takes a shot to the head.
Konopka wants to get back to striking at distance but Burke won't allow it.
A nice right hand lands inside from Burke.
Konopka wants to get back to striking at distance but Burke won't allow it.

Burke breaks the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burke buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Burke scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Burke throws a head kick that Konopka semi-blocks.
Konopka throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Konopka misses with an uppercut. Burke saw that one coming.
Konopka throws a right hand that Burke ducks under and follows up with a left that Burke also avoids with ease.
A nice leg kick lands there from Burke.

Burke drives through and clinches with Konopka against the cage.
Burke working Konopka over with knees to the body.
Burke lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Konopka.
Burke lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Burke prevents Konopka from breaking the clinch.
A right hook to the body lands for Burke.

Burke breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Burke instigates a clinch.
Burke using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Burke's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Burke gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A left hand lands to the body for Burke.
Burke lands with a light punch inside.
Burke lands with a right to the head.
A right hand to the body from Burke.
Burke throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Solomon Burke seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Burke breaks the clinch.

Burke fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Konopka, pushing him back against the cage.
Konopka is trying to break free.
Burke lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

Burke breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Konopka takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
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!
Burke feints and then cracks Konopka's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Konopka down.
Konopka throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Burke scores with the left hand. Konopka knows he should have avoided that one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burke lands a nice leg kick that just misses Konopka's sensitive parts.
Konopka throws a nice looking combination but Burke bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Konopka chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Burke can pounce on him.
Zdzislaw Konopka is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Konopka misses with a combination
and Burke counters with a low kick, right behind Konopka 's knee.
Konopka blocks a head kick by Burke.
Burke scores with a push kick.

Burke instigates a clinch.
A short right from Burke.
Konopka wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Burke has him pressed against the cage.
Burke lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Konopka or not.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Burke breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Burke gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Burke keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Konopka's efforts to push away.
Konopka is trying to break free.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Solomon Burke showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Zdzislaw Konopka's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Burke clinches up with Konopka and pushes him back against the cage.
Konopka is trying to break the clinch but Burke has him pressed against the cage.
Konopka has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Konopka is trying to break the clinch but Burke has him pressed against the cage.

Burke breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Konopka throws a hook but Burke avoids it easily.
Konopka cracks Burke with a right hand to the side of the head.
Burke connects with a leg kick. Konopka looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Konopka misses with a wild combination.

Burke moves into range and clinches up with Konopka.
Konopka wants to break free but Burke has control.

Burke's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Konopka takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Konopka throws a right hand that Burke ducks under and follows up with a left that Burke also avoids with ease.
Burke lands with a thumping leg kick.
A slapping leg kick lands for Burke.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burke tries to close the distance and clinch up but Konopka swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Konopka looks to land a combination but Burke avoids it well.

Burke has Konopka up against the cage in a clinch.
A short body shot lands from Burke as the two fighters clinch.
Burke works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Burke.
Burke softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Nice body punch from Burke.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nice body punch from Burke.

Burke breaks the clinch.
Konopka throws a left and a right that both miss
and Burke counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
That kick from Burke tenderised Konopka's leg. Konopka is trying to keep his angry face on.
A solid leg kick lands there for Burke.

Burke has taken the fight to the clinch.
Burke lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Solomon Burke is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burke working some nice short punches in the clinch.

Burke breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Burke thuds his right hand into Konopka's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Burke lands a jab to Konopka's midsection.

Konopka gets tackled into the cage by Burke. Burke maintains the clinch.
Konopka working hard to break the clinch.
Konopka can't break the clinch.
Burke lands a nice shot to the body.
Burke unloads a knee to the mid-section. Konopka lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Konopka looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
A shot in the inside from Burke.
Good body shot from Burke.
Burke lands a body punch in the clinch.
Burke lands a left hand that snaps the head of Konopka backwards.
A right hook to the body lands for Burke.
Burke scores with an uppercut up the middle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burke with a knee to the head.
Burke creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Konopka's defenses.
Konopka wants to break free but Burke has control.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Burke.
Burke lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

Konopka is rocked!
Burke lands a right hand that snaps the head of Konopka backwards.
Oh Konopka is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Burke prevents Konopka from breaking the clinch.
Burke lands a body punch in the clinch.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Burke in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Knees to the body from Burke.
Konopka seems to have got his legs back now.

Burke breaks the clinch.
Burke uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Konopka.
Burke turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Burke misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Burke displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Konopka throws out the jab.

Burke gets a clinch.
Konopka tries to break the clinch but Burke is controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burke lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Konopka or not.
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!

Burke breaks the clinch.
Burke connects with a high kick.
Burke lands a right hook to the body.
Konopka takes a swing at Burke's ribcage but misses.
Konopka scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Burke doesn't seem bothered though.

Burke clinches up against the cage.
Burke utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Burke lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Konopka.

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

Burke instigates a clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Konopka is trying to break the clinch but Burke is controlling him.
Burke works on Konopka's body with a couple of short punches.
Zdzislaw Konopka has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Burke lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

And that's the end of the fight!
Solomon Burke comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Burke 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Solomon Burke!
After the fight, Solomon Burke was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.