PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Salif Karim (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Burton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Michael Burton is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Karim
vs
Burton

165 cm
25
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
25
180 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Very quick

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Salif Karim!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Michael Burton!
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, David Schapiro and Alyssa Summers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Karim scores with a jab.
Karim tries to close the distance and clinch but Burton swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Burton drives through with a takedown into Karim's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Karim striking off his back but it's not causing Burton any problems.

Karim working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Burton doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Burton manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Burton looking to pass the guard.

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

Karim escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Burton gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Burton throwing strikes but missing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Karim is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Burton throws a big elbow that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burton trying to control but Karim is working from the bottom.
Karim preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Burton pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Karim is keeping the position for now.
Karim keeping moving, preventing Burton from controlling successfully.

Karim throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Burton wants to control from the top but Karim keeps moving.

Karim working for submissions but it's allowed Burton to get to half guard.
Karim is breathing heavily.

Burton is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Karim looking for submissions off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burton is trying to control. Karim wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Burton throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Karim is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Burton pulls his head out easily.
Burton sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Karim defending well though.

Burton is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Burton thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Burton is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Burton trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karim is trying desperately to improve position.
Burton trying to control but he's not successful this time.

Burton is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Karim can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Burton wants to finish this one by submission but Karim is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Burton.
Burton scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Karim?
Burton controlling the position easily from mount.

Burton is giving the impression that he's looking to ground and pound but he switches suddenly into a beautiful far side armbar! Karim is forced to tap! Great finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Michael Burton!