PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vaimaa Fatu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Burke (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fatu comes to the cage accompanied by So Close Now. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Fatu
vs
Burke

193 cm
23
239 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

178 cm
23
183 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Cardio machine

TWGC Champion
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ironclad Fightwear

Alpha-Male Nutritional Supplements (q160)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Vaimaa Fatu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, James Burke!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Donald Grub and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fatu tries to land a front kick but Burke steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Fatu throws a solid leg kick but Burke takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Fatu.
Fatu checks a leg kick.
Fatu with a nice cross.

It looks like James Burke has been cut.
Fatu thows a left - swing and a miss!
Burke moves out of range of the strikes.
Fatu takes a shot to the body in his stride.
A nice leg kick lands there from Fatu.
A jab from Fatu finds it's way through Burke's defenses.
Nice uppercut lands for Burke. That snapped Fatu's head back.

It looks like Vaimaa Fatu has been cut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Burke lands a nice leg kick that just misses Fatu's sensitive parts.
Burke throws a leg kick that is checked
and Fatu counters with a nice leg kick.
Fatu walks into a stiff left hand from Burke.
Fatu moves out of range as Burke strikes.
Fatu blocks the body kick.
Burke misses with a looping right.
Vaimaa Fatu seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Burke misses with a looping right.
A leg kick checked by Burke.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burke looks to throw the jab but Fatu is out of range.
Burke takes a swing at Fatu's ribcage but misses.
Vaimaa Fatu is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Fatu throws a low kick but it's checked well by Burke.
Burke is looking to slow Fatu down with leg kicks.
Burke throws an off balance right hand
and Fatu counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Fatu rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Burke moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Fatu takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Burke with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Fatu ducks under a wild hook from Burke.
Fatu defending well as Burke loads up on a big left hand.
Burke blocks the body kick.
Burke tries to move into range but Fatu moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Fatu lands a body shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Fatu throws a body kick that misses.
Fatu scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
An inside leg kick from Fatu misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fatu throws a quick inside leg kick.
Burke misses with a body kick.
Fatu throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Fatu moves out of range of the strikes.
Fatu connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Good leg kick by Fatu there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Burke showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Fatu.
Fatu keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Fatu misses with a hook.
Burke moves forwards but Fatu connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Fatu throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Burke.
Burke swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Burke slips a straight right by Fatu.
Fatu with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fatu dips to his left and cracks Burke with an uppercut!
Fatu throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Burke sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A slapping body kick lands there for Fatu.
Burke is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Fatu throws a chopping leg kick but Burke manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Burke throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Fatu sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Burke walks into a left hand.
Fatu uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Burke.
Burke scores with a nice strike.
Burke checks a leg kick.
Fatu bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Burke checks a leg kick nicely.
Fatu pulls out of a head kick attempt.
An inside leg kick lands from Burke.
Burke swings for the body but Fatu moves out of range.
Fatu rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Burke counters with a single leg into guard. Fatu didn't expect that.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Fatu looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Burke trying to control but Fatu is working from the bottom.
Burke postures up.

Burke postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Fatu is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Burke, into his guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fatu lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vaimaa Fatu dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Fatu staying out of range there.
Burke throws a leg kick that misses.
An inside leg kick lands from Burke.
Fatu lands with a slapping head kick.
Burke connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Fatu throws a head kick but Burke moves out of range.
Burke lands a nice hook to Fatu's body. Fatu takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Burke misses with a lunging right hand
and Fatu counters with a head kick. That will keep Burke thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Fatu is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A low kick from Fatu misses

and Burke counters with a single leg into guard. Fatu didn't expect that.
Burke passes into half guard.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Burke seems to be looking for submissions.
Burke is trying to control. Fatu wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burke works his way into full mount!
Fatu tries to hold on but Burke pushes him away.
Burke looking to land elbow strikes but Fatu uses the position to regain half guard.
Fatu avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Burke.
Fatu is staying active underneath Burke, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Burke prevents Fatu from improving his position.
Fatu is in trouble now - Burke has advanced to mount!
James Burke has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burke thowing shots but they're missing.
Fatu tries to hold on but Burke postures up.
Burke throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.

Burke goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Fatu is on top in guard.
Fatu slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Fatu has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Burke has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Fatu can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Burke has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Fatu can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Burke is trying to keep Fatu in close.
Fatu postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burke keeping moving, preventing Fatu from controlling successfully.
Fatu stopping the sweep attempt from Burke.
Burke working a defensive guard here.

Burke has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Fatu can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Fatu chips away with some ground and pound.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fatu won't allow Burke to sweep him here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Burke showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Burke's jab looks to have found its range, popping Fatu under the eye.
Some bone on bone action there as Burke checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Fatu throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Burke lands a nice hook to Fatu's body. Fatu takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Burke misses with a low kick.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Fatu, as that shot connected.
Nice cross by Fatu.
Burke throws a low kick but Fatu avoids it.
Fatu misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Fatu uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Burke.
Vaimaa Fatu is winning the standup battle so far.
Burke slips a jab and a cross from Fatu.
Fatu is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Burke shoots in for a double leg but Fatu sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Burke fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Fatu misses with a leg kick

and Burke counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Fatu is defending against the submission attempts here by Burke.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fatu tries to roll over but Burke keeps him under control.

Burke is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Fatu wants to improve his position but Burke is controlling well.
Burke throwing shots but Fatu is blocking nicely.
Fatu keeping control of the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burke looks to land a strike but Fatu avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Fatu working a defensive guard here.
Burke throws an elbow that misses. Fatu uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Burke's guard. Nice move by Fatu!
Burke looking to hit a scissor sweep but Fatu is one step ahead there.

Burke throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burke wants to improve his position but instead Fatu has moved into half guard.
Burke is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Fatu scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Burke wants to get back to full guard.
Burke is still trying to improve position.
Fatu with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Fatu wants to control but Burke is keeping him busy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burke tries to get to full guard but Fatu has control of the leg.
Fatu working over Burke with some ground and pound. Burke looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Fatu lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Burke looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Burke is not content to let Fatu control the position.
Fatu tries to stand but can't do so whilst Burke controls his leg.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fatu scoring with strikes to the body and head.

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 Vaimaa Fatu.
I think Fatu 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 Chris Edwards scores the fight 28:29
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... James Burke!
An out of breath James Burke thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.