PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Zai Druggs Jr (ranked 4370 p4p, 4388 weight class) and Will Burley (ranked 483 p4p, 486 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Druggs Jr
vs
Burley

180 cm
25
185
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
25
190
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Zai Druggs Jr!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Will Burley!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, James Ackerman and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Druggs Jr throws a body punch but Burley moves out of range.
Druggs Jr just misses with a punch to the body.
The fight stays on the outside here - Burley looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Druggs Jr works Burley's body with a nice hook.
Druggs Jr works Burley's body with a nice hook.
A looping hook to the body misses from Druggs Jr. Burley does a little dance to reset his feet.
Burley wants to clinch up but Druggs Jr keeps it at a distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Druggs Jr clinches with his opponent.
A short uppercut from Druggs Jr.
Burley tries to pull guard but Druggs Jr holds him up against the cage and eventually Burley drops back down to his feet.
Druggs Jr lands a hook that snaps the head of Burley backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Druggs Jr.

Burley decides to pull guard.
Burley is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Burley is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Druggs Jr controls from within his opponent's guard.

Burley has his foot on Druggs Jr's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Druggs Jr works his way back into a safe position though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Druggs Jr pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Burley is keeping the position for now.
Druggs Jr seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

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

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Druggs Jr throws a right hand that Burley ducks under and follows up with a left that Burley also avoids with ease.
Nice body punch from Druggs Jr.
Druggs Jr throws a body shot but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burley takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Druggs Jr lands a body shot.
Druggs Jr throws a right and a left that Burley avoids nicely.
Burley feints the counter takedown.
Burley uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Druggs Jr.
Druggs Jr displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Druggs Jr misses with a body shot.
Burley is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Burley takes a shot right to the bread basket.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Burley.
Druggs Jr swings for the body but Burley moves out of range.
Burley feints the counter takedown.
Druggs Jr fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Burley manages to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burley shoots in for a takedown but Druggs Jr shows good takedown defense.
Zai Druggs Jr has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Will Burley.
Druggs Jr lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Burley circles away quickly and effectively.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Burley avoids the body shot from Druggs Jr.
Druggs Jr takes a swing at Burley's ribcage but misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Druggs Jr. Burley does a little dance to reset his feet.
Druggs Jr scores with a decent looking hook.
Zai Druggs Jr is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Burley closes the distance and clinches up with Druggs Jr, looking for a takedown. Burley pushes Druggs Jr against the cage but Druggs Jr circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Druggs Jr looks to score with a jab to the body but Burley is just out of range.
Burley tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Druggs Jr counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Druggs Jr takes a swing at Burley's ribcage but misses.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Zai Druggs Jr dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Druggs Jr takes a swing at Burley's ribcage but misses.
Druggs Jr misses with a body shot.
Burley tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Will Burley is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Burley defending well as Druggs Jr loads up on a big left hand.
Druggs Jr takes a swing at Burley's ribcage but misses.
Druggs Jr misses with a wild body shot.
Burley avoids the body shot from Druggs Jr.
Burley feints the counter takedown.
Druggs Jr is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Burley can do to turn this around?
Druggs Jr throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Burley stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Druggs Jr slaps away a takedown attempt from Burley, before circling back to the center of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Druggs Jr clinches.

Druggs Jr breaks the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Druggs Jr misses with a two punch combination.
Druggs Jr circles away from the clinch attempt.
Druggs Jr swings for the body but Burley moves out of range.
Burley is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Druggs Jr misses with a body shot.
Druggs Jr misses with a body shot.
Druggs Jr misses with a two punch combination.
Zai Druggs Jr seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Druggs Jr slaps away a takedown attempt from Burley, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Druggs Jr fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Burley manages to avoid it.
Druggs Jr throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Burley.
Burley uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Druggs Jr.
Burley changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burley moves to clinch but Druggs Jr breaks away
and Druggs Jr makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Druggs Jr throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Druggs Jr lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Burley at a distance.
Druggs Jr tries to bum rush Burley with a series of wild strikes but Burley uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Druggs Jr jabs at Burley's body.

Druggs Jr closes the distance and clinches.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Burley tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Zai Druggs Jr has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Will Burley.
Burley jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Druggs Jr walks away with a smile on his face. Burley gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Druggs Jr swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Burley counters with a takedown into side control.

Burley has hold of Druggs Jr's arm. He's looking for a kimura. Druggs Jr seems comfortable defending it but Burley has shifted his position slighty and is cranking on the arm! Druggs Jr is real pain and he's forced to tap out! Druggs Jr is disgusted with himself for not defending it better but Burley couldn't care less - he's delighted!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:59 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Will Burley!