PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Shepherd Bushiri (ranked 241 p4p, 28 weight class) and Predator Burns (ranked 752 p4p, 83 weight class). Burns has chosen Jiu-Jitsu as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Bushiri
vs
Burns

172 cm
29
135 lbs
12 - 3 - 1

170 cm
38
145 lbs
23 - 13 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Aspire Clothing
Bullet Proof System

Aspire Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 3 - 1, fighting out of London, Shepherd Bushiri!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Predator Burns!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, Alyssa Summers and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bushiri keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Burns closes the distance and clinches up with Bushiri, looking for a takedown. Burns pushes Bushiri against the cage but Bushiri circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Bushiri chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Bushiri throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Burns tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Bushiri moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Bushiri scoring well with a low kick there.
Bushiri looks to score with a jab to the body but Burns is just out of range.
Bushiri definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Burns misses with a hook.
Bushiri swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Bushiri throws out a leg kick but Burns moves out of range and Bushiri only half commits.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bushiri is looking to chop away at Burns's legs.
Bushiri throws a body punch but Burns moves out of range.
Bushiri throws a sloppy head kick and Burns moves out of range easily.
Bushiri misses the shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bushiri throws a quick inside leg kick.
Bushiri connects with a looping right hand.
A shot to the liver by Bushiri. Beautiful body shot.
Bushiri ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Burns moves away.
And Burns tries to counter it with a takedown but Bushiri pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Bushiri throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Burns stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Bushiri loads up on a big right hand but Burns slips the punch.
Bushiri throws a right and a left that both miss.
Burns is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Burns misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Bushiri gets caught flat footed, as Burns shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Bushiri wants to stand and escape but Burns is having none of it.
Burns trying to control but Bushiri is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burns might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Bushiri haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Bushiri wants to stand up but Burns is controlling him.
Burns in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Burns not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Bushiri pushes Burns off and gets back to his feet.
Bushiri will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Bushiri.
Burns blocks the body kick.
And Burns tries to counter it with a takedown but Bushiri pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Burns misses with a right hand

and Bushiri holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Bushiri scores with a nice hook to the head.
Bushiri misses with a short punch on the inside.
Burns tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Bushiri's elbow.
Burns lands with a left to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bushiri lands a hook that snaps the head of Burns backwards.
Bushiri tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Burns's elbow.
Burns is trying to break the clinch but Bushiri is controlling him.
Stalling in the clinch from Burns.
A right hand to the body from Burns.
A right handed body shot lands from Bushiri.
Burns lands a shot to the body.
A right hook to the body lands for Bushiri.
Burns is trying to break the clinch but Bushiri is controlling him.
Bushiri makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A right hook to the body lands for Burns.

Burns's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Bushiri lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Burns uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bushiri.
Burns changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Bushiri listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Burns lands a slapping body shot.
Bushiri shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bushiri throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Shepherd Bushiri seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Burns fails with the takedown.
Shepherd Bushiri has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Predator Burns.
Bushiri 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.
Bushiri misses with a jab, cross combination.

Bushiri moves into range and clinches up with Burns.
Bushiri fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Bushiri working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Burns tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Bushiri's elbow.
A short right from Bushiri on the inside.
Burns prevents a body shot from Bushiri.
Bushiri scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Bushiri tries to work over Burns's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Bushiri misses with a body punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shepherd Bushiri dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

A looping hook to the body misses from Bushiri. Burns does a little dance to reset his feet.
Bushiri swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bushiri stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Bushiri is looking to wear down Burns with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.

Burns drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Burns has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Canadian Elite Bruins Gym. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Bushiri wants to stand but Burns is controlling the position.
Burns trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Burns prevents Bushiri from getting back to his feet.
Burns connects with a couple of short punches.
Bushiri keeping full guard, as Burns tries to pass.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bushiri has control of Burns's left arm, preventing Burns from doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bushiri keeping full guard, as Burns tries to pass.
Burns stops Bushiri from standing up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Burns postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Bushiri is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Bushiri trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

Bushiri has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Burns has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Bushiri doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Burns jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Bushiri walks away with a smile on his face. Burns gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Burns staying out of range there.
Bushiri is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Burns can do to turn this around?
No luck for Burns with that takedown attempt.
Bushiri getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Bushiri throws a low kick, looking for Burns's leg but Burns calmly moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burns checks the leg kick.
Burns drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Bushiri defends it well.
Burns shoots in looking for a takedown but Bushiri manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Burns's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Shepherd Bushiri has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Predator Burns.
Burns will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Bushiri throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

Burns decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Bushiri kicks Burns off and gets back to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bushiri motions for Burns to come forward. Bushiri throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Bushiri lands a jab to Burns's midsection.
Burns slips under a jab from Bushiri.
Bushiri lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Burns jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burns throws a leg kick which misses Bushiri's front leg but catches the back leg as Bushiri tries to avoid it.
Burns shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Bushiri as he jumps to the side.
Burns shoots for a takedown but Bushiri saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Bushiri throws a solid leg kick but Burns takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Bushiri.
Bushiri scores with a leg kick.
Burns fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Bushiri avoids it really well and circles away.
Bushiri throws a sloppy head kick and Burns moves out of range easily.
Nice takedown defense from Bushiri. No joy for Burns on that attempt.
Bushiri wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Burns shoots in but Bushiri avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burns chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Bushiri can pounce on him.
Bushiri finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Burns throws a nice outside leg kick.
A lazy left from Bushiri finds it's target.
Burns looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Bushiri is fending him off so far but Burns persists. Nope, Bushiri circles away and we're back to standing.
It appears Bushiri was looking to counter with a kick there.
Bushiri pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Bushiri tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Burns is able to avoid easily.
Bushiri is looking to slow Burns down with leg kicks.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Bushiri closes the distance and clinches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shepherd Bushiri dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Bushiri throws a big shot that misses.
Bushiri connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

Burns fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Bushiri to the ground. Burns is now in Bushiri's guard.
Burns landing some decent shots from guard.
Bushiri wants to stand but Burns is controlling the position.
Burns trying to control but Bushiri is working from the bottom.

Bushiri has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Burns off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Burns.
Bushiri buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Bushiri slips a straight right by Burns.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bushiri slips a jab from Burns.
Burns walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Bushiri motions for Burns to come forward. Bushiri throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Burns uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Bushiri.
Burns looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Bushiri is fending him off so far but Burns persists. Nope, Bushiri circles away and we're back to standing.
Bushiri throws a body punch but Burns moves out of range.
Burns checks the leg kick nicely there.
Burns is trying hard to land a takedown here. Bushiri sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Shepherd Bushiri has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Predator Burns.
A jab from Bushiri misses.
Bushiri throws a nice outside leg kick.
Bushiri throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bushiri pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
And Burns tries to counter it with a takedown but Bushiri pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Donk. Bushiri catches Burns right on the button with a cross.
Bushiri slips under a jab from Burns.
Bushiri half committed to a counter leg kick.

Bushiri tries to sprawl but Burns drives through with a takedown into half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Bushiri kicks Burns off and gets back to his feet.
A shot to the liver by Bushiri. Beautiful body shot.
Bushiri goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Bushiri misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Burns.
Bushiri will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
And Burns tries to counter it with a takedown but Bushiri pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Burns uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bushiri.
Bushiri is looking to land body kicks.
Bushiri fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Burns manages to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jab by Burns.
Burns swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Bushiri.
Shepherd Bushiri is winning the standup battle so far.
Bushiri scores with a head kick.
Bushiri scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Burns swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Bushiri throws a half hearted mid kick.
Burns on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Bushiri. Bushiri obviously looking to wear him down.
A combination from Bushiri does no damage.
And Burns tries to counter it with a takedown but Bushiri pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Bushiri throws a low kick but Burns moves out of range easily.
Bushiri uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Burns.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Burns crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Bushiri - the referee stops the clock and Burns gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Bushiri. Burns manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Burns drives through with a takedown into Bushiri's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bushiri is looking to stand up but Burns isn't so interested in that idea.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Burns in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Burns won't allow Bushiri to get back to his feet.
Burns wants to control from the top but Bushiri keeps moving.
Burns with a flurry of punches that miss.
Bushiri is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Burns is controlling him.
Bushiri keeping moving, preventing Burns from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shepherd Bushiri clearly takes that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

A slapping leg kick lands for Bushiri.
Bushiri lands a nice leg kick that just misses Burns's sensitive parts.
The fighters circling - Bushiri throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Burns with the counter takedown but Bushiri avoids it easily.
Burns's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Burns scores with the left hand. Bushiri knows he should have avoided that one.
Bushiri misses with a low 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.
Burns steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Bushiri.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bushiri will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Bushiri takes a swing at Burns's ribcage but misses.
Bushiri tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Bushiri scores with a hook to the body. Burns takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Shepherd Bushiri is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bushiri is looking to clinch.
Burns drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Bushiri defends it well.
Bushiri misses with the combination.
And Burns tries to counter it with a takedown but Bushiri pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Burns shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Bushiri sprawls well. Bushiri wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Burns gets slowly back to his feet.
Bushiri wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Bushiri has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Burns.
Bushiri misses with a low kick.
Burns feints the counter takedown.
Bushiri digs a good body shot into Burns's ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burns takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Bushiri misses with a looping left.
Bushiri tried to score with a low kick but Burns checks it.
A big left from Burns misses.
Bushiri swings for the body but Burns moves out of range.
Burns throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A low kick from Bushiri is predictable there

and Burns counters with a shoot takedown. Bushiri fights it but they end up in guard.

Bushiri has his feet on Burns's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bushiri just misses with a punch to the body.
Burns feints the counter takedown.

Bushiri has taken the fight to the clinch.
Bushiri tries to throw a body punch but Burns avoids it by throwing Bushiri back against the cage.
Burns misses with a punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burns blocks an uppercut.
Burns jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Bushiri walks away with a smile on his face. Burns gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Burns misses with a straight right.
Bushiri slips a jab from Burns.
Bushiri tried to counter with a leg kick but Burns avoided it.
Bushiri takes a swing at Burns's ribcage but misses.
Bushiri tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Bushiri scores with a leg kick.
Bushiri throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bushiri lunges at Burns with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Burns's hand.

Burns shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Bushiri pushes Burns off looking to stand but Burns dives back in and keeps control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bushiri kicks off Burns and gets to his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bushiri throws the left hand but Burns avoids the punch easily.
Burns avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Burns changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Bushiri fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Burns manages to avoid it.
Burns loads up on a big right hand but Bushiri slips the punch.
Burns ducks under a wild hook from Bushiri.
Bushiri misses the jab.

Burns fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Bushiri to the ground. Burns is now in Bushiri's guard.

Bushiri has his feet on Burns's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Burns throws a jab but it's blocked by Bushiri.

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

Bushiri has his feet on Burns's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shepherd Bushiri had his way with Predator Burns in that round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Bushiri throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Burns sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Bushiri looks to land a body kick but Burns moved away.
Burns scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Burns throws a jab but it's blocked by Bushiri.
Bushiri throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bushiri throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Bushiri throws a push kick but Burns slaps the foot to one side.
And Burns tries to counter it with a takedown but Bushiri pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Burns misses with a kick to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Burns takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

Burns drives through with a takedown into Bushiri's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Bushiri not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Bushiri has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bushiri wants to get back to his feet but Burns passes into half guard.
Burns stops Bushiri from getting back to his feet.
Bushiri blocking the ground and pound attempt from Burns.

Bushiri makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Burns tries for a takedown but Bushiri sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
A slapping leg kick lands for Bushiri.
Nice uppercut there from Burns.
Bushiri looks for the body kick but Burns saw that one coming.
Bushiri blocks a low kick nicely.
Burns checks a leg kick nicely.
Shepherd Bushiri is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bushiri lands a nice hook to Burns's body. Burns takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Bushiri 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.
Burns with the counter takedown but Bushiri avoids it easily.
Bushiri throws a lazy right hand but Burns sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Bushiri misses with a looping right.
Burns shoots in for a double leg but Bushiri sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Burns looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Burns missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Bushiri desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Burns has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Bushiri on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Bushiri tries to kick Burns off but Burns keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burns thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Bushiri's head.
Burns is pressing down on Bushiri's thigh, looking to free his foot. Bushiri is holding on for now.
Predator Burns has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bushiri wants to get back to his feet.
Burns trying to control from half guard but Bushiri is working away.
Burns seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Bushiri moves into full guard.
Burns prevents Bushiri from getting back to his feet.
Burns is stalling in the full guard.
Bushiri wants to stand and escape but Burns is having none of it.
Burns trying to control the position from guard on top but Bushiri is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bushiri wants to get back to his feet but Burns is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Bushiri has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Burns has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Bushiri struggles to land a body shot inside as Burns controls his hands.
Shepherd Bushiri has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Bushiri can't find room to land a body shot as Burns controls the action.
Bushiri misses with some punches.

Burns decides to pull guard.

Burns looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Bushiri trying to stand up but can't free himself from Burns's guard.

Bushiri gets to his feet. Burns looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Bushiri thumps Burns with a low kick.
Bushiri lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Burns with a lazy takedown attempt
and Bushiri counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shepherd Bushiri showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Bushiri 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 50:45
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 50:45
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shepherd Bushiri!
Shepherd Bushiri retains his featherweight title!
During a confident post fight interview, Shepherd Bushiri thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
The defeated Predator Burns had this to say: 'It's ok, i'm home.'.