PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Brian Burns (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Oscar Dos Santos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Burns comes to the cage accompanied by Rock Master Scott & The Dynamic Three - The Roof Is On Fire. The crowd seem to be enjoying Dos Santos's choice of entrance music: No Church In The Wind. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Burns
vs
Dos Santos

193 cm
27
215 lbs
11 - 8 - 0

196 cm
27
210 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

BJJ Red Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

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 11 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Brian Burns!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Oscar Dos Santos!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Robert Twigg and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dos Santos misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Dos Santos scores with a push kick.
A shot to the liver by Burns. Beautiful body shot.
A nice leg kick lands there from Dos Santos.
Burns takes a swing at Dos Santos's ribcage but misses.
Burns takes a kick to the side of the head.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Burns crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Dos Santos - the referee stops the clock and Burns gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Dos Santos. Burns manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Dos Santos stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Dos Santos wants it to stay on the feet.
Burns swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Dos Santos.
Dos Santos's coach down at Team Finland was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Dos Santos's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Burns misses the jab.
Burns misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Burns slips under a jab from Dos Santos.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Dos Santos drops his hands momentarily and Burns takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Burns takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Burns shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Dos Santos as he avoids it easily.
Burns shoots in but Dos Santos avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Brian Burns. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dos Santos throws a front kick that sends Burns stumbling back into the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burns changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Dos Santos throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Burns ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Dos Santos moves away.
Dos Santos throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Burns takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Dos Santos ducks under a wild hook from Burns.
A big left from Dos Santos misses.
Burns takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Burns scores with a body shot.
Burns thows a left - swing and a miss!
Dos Santos is trying to counter with his kicks.
Dos Santos chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Dos Santos tries to work over Burns's front leg with a kick but Burns checks it.
Burns lands a nice hook to Dos Santos's body. Dos Santos takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Burns lands with a hook. Dos Santos tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
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 misses with an uppercut.
Dos Santos appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Burns lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Dos Santos circles away quickly and effectively.
Burns doesn't manage to clinch there - Dos Santos circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burns misses with a takedown attempt - Dos Santos sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Dos Santos takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Burns lands a nice looking body shot.
Burns fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Dos Santos manages to avoid it.
Burns connects with the punch.
Dos Santos avoids a punch combination nicely.
Dos Santos tries a quick counter leg kick but Burns is wise to it.
Burns throws a big shot that misses.
Burns throws a body shot but no joy.
Burns connects with a nice looking jab.
Burns gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Burns misses with a double jab.
Oscar Dos Santos seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Dos Santos dips to his left and cracks Burns with an uppercut!

Burns gets a double leg takedown into Dos Santos's guard.

Dos Santos has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Burns can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Dos Santos is looking to stand up but Burns isn't so interested in that idea.
We've been hearing that Burns has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Burns got a little sloppy there for a moment and Dos Santos has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Burns has managed to get both his arms back between Dos Santos's legs - danger averted.
Burns content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Burns landing with the ground and pound.
Burns works over Dos Santos with some ground and pound from guard.
Burns in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Burns accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Burns trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Burns postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Dos Santos is trying to control the position but Burns postures up.
Burns has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Burns passes into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Burns lands a nice short elbow.
Burns is keen to just control but Dos Santos is a slippery customer.

Dos Santos is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Burns pulls his head out easily.
Nice strikes from Burns there.
Dos Santos is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Dos Santos manages to get to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Burns working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Burns wants to pass the guard but Dos Santos is keeping the position.

Dos Santos looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Burns chips away with some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Brian Burns will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Burns gets a double leg takedown into Dos Santos's guard.

Dos Santos looking for a guillotine here but Burns defends easily.
Burns is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Burns landing some decent shots from guard.
Brian Burns overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Burns avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Burns chips away with some ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Burns controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dos Santos keeping moving, preventing Burns from controlling successfully.

Dos Santos throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Burns trying to control but Dos Santos is working from the bottom.
Burns with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Dos Santos keeping moving, preventing Burns from controlling successfully.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Dos Santos ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Burns moves away.
Burns dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Dos Santos scores with a head kick. Burns tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Dos Santos looks to land a right hand but Burns moved out of range.
Dos Santos misses with a low kick.
Burns lands the left hand.
Dos Santos throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Burns lands a jab to the nose.
Burns lands a slapping body shot.
Dos Santos ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Burns moves away.
Burns takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Burns bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Burns wants to control but Dos Santos is keeping him busy.
Burns working the body and head with strikes.

Burns tries for a kimura but Dos Santos is defending well.
Dos Santos tries to improve position but can't.
Burns works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Burns landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.

Dos Santos is rocked!
Burns trying to control the action but Dos Santos is working from the bottom.
Dos Santos is still in real trouble! Can Burns finish him?
Burns lands a decent elbow from side control.
Dos Santos is not content to let Burns control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dos Santos wants to get back to his feet.

Burns thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Dos Santos is trying to work for a sweep but Burns has mounted him!
Dos Santos seems to have recovered his senses.
Burns landing punches.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Dos Santos tries to lock up and control but Burns gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Burns can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Dos Santos is looking to escape.
Burns pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Dos Santos is working to get back to half guard.
Burns wants to control the pace but Dos Santos is squirming around nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brian Burns dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

A head kick misses from Dos Santos.
A leg kick checked by Burns.
Burns is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Dos Santos can do to turn this around?

Dos Santos gets caught flat footed, as Burns shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Dos Santos working for submissions but it's allowed Burns to get to half guard.
Burns is keen to just control but Dos Santos is a slippery customer.
Burns working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

Dos Santos looking for submissions off his back.
Burns seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Dos Santos does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Burns controlling the action here.

Dos Santos is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Burns pulls his head out easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Burns is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Burns working over Dos Santos with some ground and pound. Dos Santos looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Burns content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

Burns is looking for a kimura here.
Dos Santos is looking for a sweep. Burns is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Dos Santos looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Burns seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Dos Santos does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Brian Burns is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Burns prevents Dos Santos from improving his position.
Burns seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Dos Santos does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Burns is figuring out what he wants to do next.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Burns looks to score with a jab to the body but Dos Santos is just out of range.
Burns misses the jab.
A countering left hand to the body from Dos Santos misses.
Burns stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Dos Santos lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Burns takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Burns looks to score with a jab to the body but Dos Santos is just out of range.
Dos Santos appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Dos Santos rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Burns counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Dos Santos bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burns swinging wildly here.

Burns bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
A lull in the action here.
Burns wants to control but Dos Santos is keeping him busy.
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 wants to control but Dos Santos is keeping him busy.
Dos Santos tries to bench press Burns off him but Burns keeps the position.
Burns is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Dos Santos will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Dos Santos is looking to regain half guard here but Burns keeps moving and retains side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dos Santos gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Burns is pressing down on Dos Santos's thigh, looking to free his foot. Dos Santos is holding on for now.
Burns trying to control from half guard but Dos Santos is working away.
Burns performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Dos Santos is looking to improve his position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Burns controlling the pace.
Oscar Dos Santos has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Burns's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

And that's the end of the fight!
Brian Burns showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Burns 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Brian Burns!
In his post fight interview, Brian Burns started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.