PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Pavel Burov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Viktor Herzog (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Burov comes to the cage accompanied by Russian Rocket. Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Burov
vs
Herzog

171 cm
30
143 lbs
24 - 10 - 0

177 cm
29
134 lbs
22 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
KO power

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 24 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Pavel Burov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Viktor Herzog!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fray, Jeff Smith and Paul Gruel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Burov changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
A big left from Herzog misses.
Herzog fails with an attempt to clinch.
Burov throws a hook but Herzog avoids it easily.
Herzog misses with a straight right.
Herzog takes a shot right to the bread basket.

Herzog feints and as Burov raises his hands in defense, Herzog changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Herzog stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Burov swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Burov working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Herzog doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Herzog manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Burov wants to stand and escape but Herzog is having none of it.
Burov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Burov is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Herzog trying to control but Burov is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Herzog trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Herzog throwing strikes from guard but Burov blocks nicely.
Herzog won't allow Burov to sweep him here.
Herzog trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Burov pushes Herzog off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Herzog has his takedown stuffed
and Burov counters with a stiff right hand.
Herzog shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Burov but Burov pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Herzog clinches up with Burov and pushes him back against the cage.
Herzog is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Burov is defending well.
Pavel Burov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Viktor Herzog.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burov displaying some good clinch control by pressing Herzog up against the cage.
Burov is trying to break the clinch but Herzog is controlling him.
Herzog has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Burov is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Burov content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Burov misses with a punch to the body.
Burov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Burov slows down the pace here.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice shot by Burov.

Herzog has taken the fight to the clinch.
Burov misses with some punches.
Burov misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Burov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Donk. Burov catches Herzog right on the button with a cross.
Herzog throws a right hand that misses
letting Burov counter with a right hand.
Burov stuffs the takedown attempt from Herzog. Herzog gets slowly back to his feet.
Herzog looks for a takedown but Burov sprawls well.
Burov misses with a wild body shot.
A punch lands to the side of Herzog 's head but he takes it in his stride.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Herzog doesn't manage to clinch there - Burov circles away.
Herzog with a poor takedown
and Burov counters with a stiff right hand.
Herzog shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Burov as he jumps to the side.
Burov throws a body punch but Herzog moves out of range.
Herzog gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Burov counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A jab from Burov misses.
Herzog shoots in and drives through. Burov sprawls well.
Burov takes a swing at Herzog's ribcage but misses.
Herzog throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Burov's waist but Burov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Herzog off to one side.
Herzog closes the distance and clinches up with Burov, looking for a takedown. Herzog pushes Burov against the cage but Burov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Herzog gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Burov counters with a nice uppercut.
Herzog looks winded!
Herzog doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Burov counters with a left to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pavel Burov dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Burov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Herzog shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Burov defends it nicely.

Herzog gets the takedown into side control.
Burov is trying to buck Herzog off.

Herzog thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Herzog landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Herzog throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Burov works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Burov tries to get to full guard but Herzog has control of the leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Herzog winds up and cracks Burov with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

Herzog is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Herzog sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Burov is looking to improve his position.
Burov is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Herzog's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Herzog's back!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Herzog preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Burov.
Herzog trying to control but not successfully.
Burov tries to get the hooks in deep but Herzog pushed the leg off.

Burov looking for the choke but no joy.
Herzog tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Herzog is working to get back to half guard.
Herzog manages to regain half guard. Good work.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Herzog moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Herzog being controlled here, momentarily.
Burov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Herzog swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Burov passes Herzog's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Burov tries to stand but his arm is trapped.

Burov is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Herzog defends it well.
Burov wants to take a breather but Herzog is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burov tries to pass to full mount but Herzog defends it.
Burov is working hard here to advance position.
Herzog gets full guard.
Burov stopping the sweep attempt from Herzog.
Herzog bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Burov's guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Herzog throwing strikes but missing.
Herzog postures up in Burov's guard and throws a big left but Burov blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Viktor Herzog will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Burov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Herzog.
Burov ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

Herzog shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Herzog trying to control the position from guard on top but Burov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Burov uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Herzog misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Herzog shoots for a double leg takedown but Burov sprawls well. He's pushed Herzog's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Pavel Burov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Viktor Herzog.
Jab from Burov.
Herzog takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Herzog is trying hard to land a takedown here. Burov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Burov misses with an uppercut.
Burov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Herzog.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Herzog has his takedown stuffed
and Burov counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Herzog takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Herzog shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Burov counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Herzog uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Burov.
Burov misses with a two punch combination.
Burov thows a body shot but no joy.
Burov lands a jab to the head.
Burov looks to land a right hand but Herzog moved out of range.
Burov misses with a wild combination.
Burov fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Herzog looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Herzog shoots for a takedown but Burov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Herzog closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Burov quickly recovers to half guard.

Herzog is trying to work for a kimura but Burov is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burov is holding on to half guard well.

Burov has one foot on Herzog's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Herzog fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Viktor Herzog seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Burov changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Burov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Burov is looking to wear down Herzog with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Herzog looks to land a right hand but Burov moved out of range.
Burov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Pavel Burov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Burov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Burov swings for the body but Herzog moves out of range.
Pavel Burov is winning the standup battle so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big left from Herzog misses.
Herzog ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Herzog avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Herzog showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Burov.
Herzog doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Burov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Burov just misses with a punch to the body.
Burov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Burov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Herzog is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Burov lands with an overhand left.
Herzog with a lazy takedown attempt
and Herzog takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Burov displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Herzog.
Herzog shoots in and drives through. Burov sprawls well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Herzog shoots in looking for a takedown but Burov manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Herzog's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Burov scores with a jab.
Herzog steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Burov.
Burov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Herzog has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Burov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Herzog.
Herzog is trying hard to land a takedown here. Burov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Herzog with a lazy takedown attempt
and Burov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Herzog will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Burov with a body punch. A glancing blow.
The crowd cheers as Burov lands an impressive looking overhand right. Herzog doesn't seem phased though.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Burov swinging wildly here.
Burov with a hook.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pavel Burov showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Burov 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 Colin Fray scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pavel Burov!
Pavel Burov decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.