PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Connor Mac Burns (ranked 1480 p4p, 229 weight class) and Alex Asztalos (ranked 1687 p4p, 258 weight class). Burns kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is . Asztalos has chosen Dethroned Emperor by Celtic Frost as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Mac Burns
vs
Asztalos

189 cm
37
215 lbs
28 - 18 - 0

188 cm
37
213 lbs
30 - 19 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

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 28 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Connor Mac Burns!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 30 - 19 - 0, fighting out of London, Alex Asztalos!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Burns moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
A big right from Asztalos misses.
Asztalos throws a body punch but Burns moves out of range.
Burns fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Asztalos manages to avoid it.
Asztalos slips under a jab.

Burns clinches.
Asztalos misses with a hook from the clinch.
Burns misses with some punches.
Asztalos lands a hook that snaps the head of Burns backwards.
Burns swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Asztalos tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Burns's elbow.
Burns misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Asztalos struggles to land a body shot inside as Burns controls his hands.
Burns tries a body shot but Asztalos blocks it.
Asztalos misses with a hook to the ribs.
Asztalos misses with a body punch.
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.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A short right from Burns on the inside.
A left hand lands to the body for Asztalos.

Burns has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Asztalos is trying to keep an underhook but Burns manages to get the takedown into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Asztalos is trying to stand up here but Burns is controlling him well.
Burns wants to take a breather but Asztalos is having none of it.
Asztalos is trying to stand up here but Burns is controlling him well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Burns is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Burns is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Burns controlling the action here.
Asztalos is trying to stand.
Burns is pressing down on Asztalos's thigh, looking to free his foot. Asztalos is holding on for now.
Burns stops Asztalos from getting back to his feet.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Asztalos avoids the body shot from Burns.
Burns tries to clinch up.
Burns throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.

That's two 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.
Asztalos connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Burns blocks a jab.
Asztalos slaps away a takedown attempt from Burns, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Asztalos wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
We've been informed that Asztalos has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Asztalos fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Asztalos is looking to score with low kicks.
Asztalos misses with a looping right.
Asztalos defending well as Burns loads up on a big left hand.
Asztalos fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Burns scoring well with a low kick there.
Asztalos lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Asztalos throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Asztalos shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Asztalos catches Burns with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Asztalos throws a jab but it's blocked by Burns.
It looked like Burns was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Asztalos.
Asztalos smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Asztalos scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Asztalos takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Asztalos throws a nice outside leg kick.
Asztalos blocks a jab.
Asztalos fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Asztalos misses with a straight left.
Burns throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Asztalos looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Nice straight punches there by Asztalos. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Asztalos.
Asztalos dips to his left and cracks Burns with an uppercut!
A leg kick checked by Asztalos.
Asztalos throws a hook but Burns blocks it.
Nice defenses there by Asztalos.
Burns fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Asztalos is out of range.
Burns throws a low kick, looking for Asztalos's leg but Asztalos calmly moves out of range.
Burns's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Asztalos connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Burns scrambles back to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Burns chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Asztalos can pounce on him.
Burns fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Asztalos manages to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burns connects with a single shot there.
Asztalos scores with a nice strike.
Burns bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Asztalos throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Asztalos connects with a single shot there.
Asztalos cracks Burns with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Burns slips a straight right by Asztalos.
Burns cracks Asztalos with a good jab.
Burns tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Asztalos swivels and escapes.
Burns with a lazy takedown attempt
and Asztalos counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Connor Mac Burns. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Asztalos finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Asztalos is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Burns had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Burns uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Asztalos.
Burns throwing a counter right hand but Asztalos manages to avoid it.
Burns has a takedown stuffed.
A chopping leg kick lands by Asztalos.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Burns loads up on a big right hand but Asztalos slips the punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Asztalos dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Asztalos looks to land a body kick but Burns moved away.
Asztalos lands a right hook to the body.
Asztalos listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
A slapping body kick lands there for Asztalos.
A swing and a miss from Asztalos.
Asztalos tries to work over Burns's front leg with a kick but Burns checks it.
Burns was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Burns moves out of range of the body kick.
Alex Asztalos seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Asztalos scores with a leg kick.
Asztalos fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Burns looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Burns throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Asztalos stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Alex Asztalos seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Asztalos, right into the meat.
Asztalos misses with a body shot.
Burns misses with an uppercut
letting Asztalos counter with a right hand.
Asztalos thuds his right hand into Burns's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Burns 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.
Burns throws a jab but it's blocked by Asztalos.
A telegraphed right hand from Asztalos misses the target.
Burns tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Burns. Asztalos does a little dance to reset his feet.
A telegraphed right hand from Asztalos misses the target.
Burns dives in for a single leg takedown but Asztalos sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Burns looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Asztalos lands with a hook. Burns tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
A telegraphed right hand from Asztalos misses the target.
Asztalos tries to land a leg kick but Burns saw it coming and moves away.
Nice cross by Asztalos.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Burns, right into the meat.
Burns scores with a decent looking hook.
Burns checks a low kick from Asztalos.
Burns closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Burns swings widly with a right hand
and Asztalos counters with a right hand to the body.
Asztalos fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Burns looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Burns throws a lazy right hand but Asztalos sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Asztalos scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Asztalos thuds a left hand into Burns's body.
A nice leg kick lands there from Asztalos.
Asztalos misses with a low kick.
Asztalos lands with a thumping leg kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Burns. Asztalos does a little dance to reset his feet.
Asztalos misses with a straight right.
Burns misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Asztalos.
Asztalos throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Burns throws a shot from downtown. Asztalos moves away and avoids it.
Asztalos clobbers Burns with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Burns lands a nice shot to the body.
The fighters circling - Burns throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Asztalos fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Burns looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Asztalos misses with a low kick.
Alex Asztalos is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Burns bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Asztalos has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Asztalos fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Burns checks it well.
Burns lands with a shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burns rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
letting Asztalos counter with a right hand.
Burns slips under a jab.
Asztalos throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Burns sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Burns blocks the body kick.
Burns just misses with a punch to the body.
Asztalos looks to land a left hand but Burns moved out of range nicely.
Burns lands with a right hand.
Burns moves out of range as Asztalos strikes.
Asztalos just misses with a punch to the body.
Asztalos throws a leg kick
and Burns counters with a good low kick that Asztalos was not able to check.
Asztalos throws a jab when Burns was well out of range.
Asztalos misses the shot to the body.
Burns takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Burns lands a right hook to the body.
Burns shoots in looking for a takedown. Asztalos tries to sprawl out of it but Burns keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Asztalos manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Connor Mac Burns. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burns avoids the body shot from Asztalos.
Burns takes one to the side of the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Burns connects with a looping right hand.
Burns stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Asztalos.
Burns is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Asztalos uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Burns.
Burns connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Burns takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Asztalos dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Asztalos looks to throw the jab but Burns is out of range.
An attempted straight right counter from Burns misses the target.
Asztalos paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Burns throws out a leg kick but Asztalos moves out of range and Burns only half commits.
Asztalos throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Asztalos feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Burns's calf.
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 keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Asztalos.
Burns uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Asztalos.
An attempted straight right counter from Burns misses the target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Asztalos showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Asztalos lands a nice hook to Burns's body. Burns takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Asztalos throws a low kick, looking for Burns's leg but Burns calmly moves out of range.
Burns was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Burns just misses with a punch to the body.
Burns throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Asztalos tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Burns was well out of range. Poor timing from Asztalos.
Burns is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Asztalos.
Asztalos avoids the body shot from Burns.
Asztalos moves out of range of the strikes.
Burns gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Asztalos.
Asztalos throws a hook but Burns blocks it.
Asztalos is looking to chop away at Burns's legs.
Burns connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Asztalos's hands.
Burns tries to clinch but Asztalos is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Burns misses with a hook to the body
and Asztalos makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Asztalos ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Burns throws a nice inside leg kick.
Asztalos moves out of range as Burns strikes.
A solid leg kick lands there for Asztalos.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Asztalos chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Burns swings widly with a right hand
and Asztalos counters with a thumping low kick.
Burns throws a body shot but no joy.
Asztalos throws a looping overhand right but Burns ducks down to avoid it.
Asztalos cracks Burns with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Asztalos lands a nice leg kick that just misses Burns's sensitive parts.
Burns misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Asztalos.
Burns jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Asztalos ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
A solid body kick from Asztalos.
Burns moves away from the strike by Asztalos.
Asztalos is looking to score with low kicks.
Asztalos scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Burns takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Asztalos looks to land a right hand but Burns moved out of range.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Asztalos throws an overhand right that lands on Burns's shoulder, as Burns tries to avoid the shot.
Asztalos scores with a hook to the body. Burns takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Connor Mac Burns has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Burns looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A decent looking cross lands there for Asztalos.
Asztalos scores with the left hand. Burns knows he should have avoided that one.
Burns takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Burns scores with a body shot.
Asztalos fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Burns looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
A good leg kick by Asztalos.
Burns moves out of range as Asztalos strikes.
Burns misses with a low kick as Asztalos jumps back.
Burns throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
A swing and a miss from Asztalos.
Asztalos punishes Burns's body with a nice straight punch.
Asztalos throws a wild body kick that Burns sees coming a mile off.
Burns throws a body punch but Asztalos moves out of range.
Asztalos lands with a thumping leg kick.
The fighters circle momentarily. Asztalos darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Asztalos moves out of range of the leg kick from Burns.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice shot lands for Asztalos.
Asztalos tried to score with a low kick but Burns checks it.
Burns lands a jab to the nose.
Asztalos throws a body kick that misses.
Asztalos lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Burns ducks under a wild hook from Asztalos.
Asztalos misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Burns.
Asztalos throws a leg kick but Burns checks it.
Burns waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Asztalos.
Burns comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Asztalos swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Asztalos throws a big shot that misses.
Burns throwing a counter right hand but Asztalos manages to avoid it.
Asztalos fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Asztalos pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Asztalos throws out a powerful jab.
Burns tried to score with a low kick but Asztalos checks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burns bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Asztalos's head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Asztalos attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Burns throws an off balance right hand
and Asztalos counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Burns misses with a hook.
Burns on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Asztalos throws a body punch but Burns moves out of range.
Burns doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Asztalos scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Burns misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Asztalos counters with a nice body kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Burns wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Asztalos lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
A big right from Asztalos misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Asztalos lands a body shot.
Asztalos stuns Burns with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Asztalos lunges at Burns with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Burns's hand.
Asztalos listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alex Asztalos comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Asztalos winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alex Asztalos!
During a confident post fight interview, Alex Asztalos thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.