PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight kickboxing rules bout between Titan Xavier Burns (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dai Evans (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Burns comes to the ring accompanied by Conor McGregor UFC Entrance Music - Foggy Dew / Hypnotize Remix. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Xavier Burns
vs
Evans

177 cm
29
150 lbs
5 - 1 - 1

181 cm
31
158 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

World class MT
Insanely flexible

World class boxer
Granite chin

Alpha-Male Nutritional Supplements Q160/$185

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Titan Xavier Burns!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Dai Evans!
The judges for this bout are Roger Salmon, Micheangelo Fripello and Colin Fray.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Burns blocks a head kick by Evans.
Evans throws a right and a left that Burns avoids nicely.
That kick from Evans tenderised Burns's leg. Burns is trying to keep his angry face on.
Evans ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Burns moves away.
Burns uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Evans.
Burns looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Evans stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Burns.
Burns chopping away at his opponent's legs.
That kick from Burns tenderised Evans's leg. Evans is trying to keep his angry face on.
Burns lands a leg kick that knocks Evans off balance momentarily.
Evans fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Burns is out of range.
Evans throws a combination. Burns tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Burns paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Burns throws a nice inside leg kick.
Burns does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Evans ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Burns connects with a solid leg kick.
Burns avoids the head kick by Evans.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice inside leg kick there by Burns. That's going to slow Evans down.
Evans checks a leg kick nicely.
Titan Xavier Burns seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Evans looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Burns showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Evans.
That kick from Burns tenderised Evans's leg. Evans is trying to keep his angry face on.
Evans throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Evans takes one to the chin there.
Evans swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Evans throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Evans throws a head kick but Burns moves out of range.
Burns takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Evans steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Burns. That one must have hurt.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Burns is looking to clinch but Evans is avoiding it.
Burns does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Evans looks for the body kick but Burns saw that one coming.
As Evans backs away, Burns returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Evans misses with a body kick.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Burns, right into the meat.
A telegraphed right hand from Evans misses the target.
Evans throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Evans lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Burns circles away quickly and effectively.

Burns has taken the fight to the clinch.
Evans is trying to break the clinch but Burns has him pressed against the ropes.
Burns tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Evans avoids it.
Knees in the clinch landing for Burns.
I was talking to Burns's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Burns throws an elbow but it misses.
Burns tries to land knees in the clinch but Evans avoids the damage to the body.
Burns misses with an elbow strike.
Evans tries to circle away but Burns has him pinned against the ropes.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Evans dodges an elbow strike from Burns.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Evans.
Burns missing with knees to the body.
Burns trying to land knees to the body.
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 Titan Xavier Burns will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Burns checks a low kick from Evans.
Evans walks into a stiff left hand from Burns.
Evans throws a big shot that misses.
Burns connects with a nice looking jab.
Burns checks a low kick from Evans.
As Evans tries to get set, Burns tries to push him back and clinch up but Evans manages to avoid the attempt.
Burns wants to clinch up but Evans keeps it at a distance.
Evans misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Burns has closed the distance and engaged Evans in a clinch.
Evans avoids a wild elbow strike from Burns.
Burns tries a knee to the head but Evans blocks it.
Burns keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Evans's efforts to push away.
Burns putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Evans in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.

Evans breaks the clinch.
Good leg kick by Burns there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Evans looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Burns throws a leg kick
and Evans counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

Burns pushes Evans up against the ropes in a clinch.
Burns misses with an elbow over the top.
Burns crunches a lovely knee into Evans's ribcage.
Evans's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Burns lands a damaging elbow.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Burns just misses with a elbow thrown towards Evans's brow.
Burns tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Evans tries to break free but Burns pushes him back against the ropes.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Burns throws an elbow but misses.
Titan Xavier Burns has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Evans blocks an elbow strike from Burns.
Evans is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
A short left from Burns.
Evans is trying to break the clinch but Burns has him pressed against the ropes.
Burns is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Evans can do to turn this around?
Burns keeps control of Evans as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Evans avoids a wild elbow strike from Burns.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burns's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Burns leaning his opponent against the ropes.
Burns working aggressively here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Evans managing to block the knees to the body from Burns.
Burns throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Burns.

It looks like Dai Evans has been cut.
Evans is trying to push Burns away but Burns has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.

Evans pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Evans tries to bum rush Burns with a series of wild strikes but Burns uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Evans throws a sloppy head kick and Burns moves out of range easily.
Some wild striking there from Evans.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Titan Xavier Burns dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Dai Evans's cut.
That's time! Burns's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

A good leg kick by Burns.
Burns is looking to slow Evans down with leg kicks.
Evans swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Burns feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Evans's calf.
Dai Evans seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Burns throws a leg kick but Evans sees it coming and moves out of range.
Burns connects with an inside leg kick.
Evans chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Burns can pounce on him.
A combination from Evans does no damage.
Burns takes a shot to the body in his stride.

Burns darts in and clinches Evans up against the ropes.
Evans wants to break free but Burns has control.
Evans tries to break free but Burns pushes him back against the ropes.
Burns with a knee to the head.
Burns lands an elbow that stopped Evans in his tracks for a moment.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Evans has had enough of the clinch but Burns keeps him there for the moment.
Burns misses with a knee strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burns using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Evans has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Burns throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Evans blocks it with crossed arms.
Burns with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Evans avoids a wild elbow strike from Burns.
Burns lands an uppercut.
Burns is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Burns tries to land knees in the clinch but Evans avoids the damage to the body.
Burns landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Burns misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Evans.
Evans dodges an elbow strike from Burns.
Burns tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Burns prevents Evans from breaking the clinch.

Evans pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Burns tries a low kick but Evans avoids it.
Evans swinging wildly here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burns takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Burns throws a leg kick but Evans sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Evans plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Burns chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Burns misses with a low kick.
Burns showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Evans.
Sloppy strikes from Evans. Those never looked like landing.
Burns throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Evans lands a head kick. Burns smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Evans takes one to the side of the head.
Evans misses with a two punch combination.
As Evans tries to get set, Burns tries to push him back and clinch up but Evans manages to avoid the attempt.
Burns throws a leg kick but Evans checks it.
Burns loads up on a big right hand but Evans slips the punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Titan Xavier Burns clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Dai Evans's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Burns throws a low kick but Evans moves out of range easily.
Evans misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Evans wants to break the clinch but can't.
Evans wants to get back to striking at distance but Burns won't allow it.
Burns lands a nice knee to the body.
Evans tries to break the clinch but Burns is controlling the position.
Burns throws a head punch that misses.
Burns landing knees to the body.
Evans blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Evans tries to circle away but Burns has him pinned against the ropes.
Burns creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Burns lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Evans avoiding damage as Burns throws knees to the body.
Burns using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burns lands an elbow that stopped Evans in his tracks for a moment.
Evans blocks an elbow strike from Burns.
Evans is trying to force a seperation but Burns has the dominant position.
Evans blocks an elbow strike.
Burns gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Evans takes an elbow to the forehead.
Burns lands a nice uppercut.
Burns pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the ropes.
Burns looking to throw knees to the head but Evans is blocking nicely.
Burns gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Burns tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Burns creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Evans's defenses.
Burns misses with a knee strike.

Evans breaks from the clinch.
Dai Evans is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Evans tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Burns is able to avoid easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Evans swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Evans throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Burns chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Burns is looking to slow Evans down with leg kicks.
Burns throws a leg kick that misses.
Despite the aggression on Evans's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Evans waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Burns.
Evans misses with a double jab.
Burns ducks under a wild hook from Evans.
Burns 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.
Evans takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.

Burns gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Burns misses with an elbow over the top.
Burns misses with an elbow strike.
Evans on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Burns creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Titan Xavier Burns had his way with Dai Evans in that round.
The cut man is working on Dai Evans's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Burns scores with a leg kick.
Burns throws the left hand but Evans avoids the punch easily.
Some bone on bone action there as Evans checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Burns tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Evans throws out a counter right but Burns avoids it with no problem.
Evans lands a head kick. Burns smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Evans scores with a three punch combo!
Burns tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Evans is able to avoid easily.
Burns's corner calls for a 1-2. Burns obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
The fighters circling - Evans throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Evans swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Evans throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Evans misses with a few strikes there.
Evans takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Burns pivots, looking for a leg kick but Evans is out of range and Burns settles back down.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Burns lands with a thumping leg kick.
Burns goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Evans tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Burns was well out of range. Poor timing from Evans.
Evans rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Burns moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Burns seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Burns will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Evans swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Burns throws a jab when Evans was well out of range.
Evans throws a right hand that Burns ducks under and follows up with a left that Burns also avoids with ease.
A slapping leg kick lands for Burns.
Burns connects with a single shot there.
Evans closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Evans on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Burns. Burns obviously looking to wear him down.
Burns misses with a low kick.
Burns listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Burns throws out a leg kick but Evans moves out of range and Burns only half commits.
Burns scores with a sloppy right hand. Evans should have avoided that one.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Burns scores with a kick to the midsection.
Dai Evans has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Evans misses with a two punch combination.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Burns checks a leg kick.
Burns tries to land a front kick but Evans steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Good work by Evans as he checks the leg kick.
Burns doesn't manage to clinch there - Evans circles away.
Evans throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Burns fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Evans.

Burns closes the distance and clinches.
Burns putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Evans in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Evans is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Burns tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Burns throws an elbow but misses.
Burns missing with knees to the body.
Burns throws an elbow but it misses.
Burns is struggling to control the position.
Titan Xavier Burns is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Burns with a knee to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Titan Xavier Burns showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Burns, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 50:45
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 50:45
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Titan Xavier Burns!
Titan Xavier Burns took to the mic in his post fight interview and said 'I changed my whole life. Canada is awesome, thank you to my family..I didn't know I had family out here, but this is the best and I have my life together. Thank you everybody for helping my dream come true.'.