PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Victor Burns (ranked 1992 p4p, 55 weight class) and Xander Machado (ranked 1675 p4p, 42 weight class). Burns comes to the cage accompanied by Look at me. Machado has chosen Latin Thugs as his entrance music. Victor Burns has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Burns
vs
Machado

180 cm
40
198 lbs
34 - 16 - 1

196 cm
36
208 lbs
15 - 14 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Fenrir Fightgear - Anno 2013

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 34 - 16 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Victor Burns!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Xander Machado!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Chris Downing and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Burns connects with a good right hand that stumbles Machado. Machado circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Victor Burns seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Burns throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Machado counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

Burns clinches up with Machado and pushes him back against the cage.
Machado has Burns pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Burns manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Machado goes for a takedown attempt but Burns pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Burns throws a front kick aimed at Machado's knee but Machado avoids it well.
Burns shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Machado uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Burns.
Burns tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Machado unleashes a big counter combination but Burns bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Burns misses with a body punch

and Machado counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Machado trying to control the position from guard on top but Burns is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Burns has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Burns trying to keep a closed guard but Machado is proving a slippery customer.
Burns is adopting a defensive guard.
Machado stopping the sweep attempt from Burns.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burns is trying to control the position but Machado postures up.
Machado tries to free his leg and advance position but Burns is retaining full guard.
Machado stopping the sweep attempt from Burns.
Machado postures up.
Machado wants to control from the top but Burns keeps moving.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Burns, right into the meat.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Machado has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Machado shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Burns as he avoids it easily.
Victor Burns has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Xander Machado.
A punch lands to the side of Machado 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Burns misses with an attempted mid kick.

Burns pushes Machado up against the cage in a clinch.

Machado has clasped his hands together around Burns's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
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.

Machado working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Burns manages to get back to half guard.
Burns tries to roll over but Machado keeps him under control.

Machado is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Machado passes the guard and advances to mount!
Burns might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Burns is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Burns keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Burns manages to regain half guard. Good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Machado is looking for a kimura but Burns is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Machado to get the leverage.
Burns regains full guard. Nicely done.
Burns wants to sweep here but Machado controlling him for the moment.
Machado 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.
Burns looking to hit a scissor sweep but Machado is one step ahead there.
Machado passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Machado wants to control but Burns is keeping him busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burns is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Machado goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Burns rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Machado's guard! Nice work there by Burns!
Machado preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Burns with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Machado pulls Burns in to control the position.
Machado keeping moving, preventing Burns from controlling successfully.
Machado has Burns pulled in close to control his posture.
Burns with a flurry of punches that miss.
Burns has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Burns lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Burns is fighting to break Machado's control of his arms but Machado is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
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 Victor Burns will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Burns tries to clinch but Machado is having none of it.
Burns throws a head kick but Machado moves out of range.
Machado is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Burns punishes Machado's body with a nice straight punch.
Burns pushes Machado away with a front kick.
Burns cracks Machado with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Burns stalks Machado and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Machado's face. Machado staggers backwards, shaken.
Burns tries to clinch but Machado moves out of range.
Sloppy strikes from Machado. Those never looked like landing.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Machado checks a leg kick.
Burns wants to clinch up but Machado keeps it at a distance.
Machado tries to counter by closing the distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Burns misses with a straight left.
Burns feints and then cracks Machado's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Machado down.
Burns is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Machado can do to turn this around?
Burns is looking to clinch but Machado is avoiding it.
Burns fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Burns looks to land a right hand but Machado moved out of range.
Despite the aggression on Machado's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machado on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Burns misses with a body kick.
Despite the aggression on Machado's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Burns throws a body punch but Machado moves out of range.
Machado feints the counter takedown.
Victor Burns is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A jab from Burns misses.
Machado walks into a straight right hand from Burns.
Burns leaves Machado with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Machado takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
A good leg kick by Burns.
A head kick by Burns misses
and Machado counters with a two punch combo.
Burns throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

Machado feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Machado wants to control from the top but Burns keeps moving.
Burns wants to sweep here but Machado controlling him for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burns is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Machado moves into full guard.
Machado tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Machado is controlling Burns's posture.
Burns throws a big right hand that misses.
Machado looking to hit a scissor sweep but Burns is one step ahead there.
Machado is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Burns looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burns has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Machado is working away from the top position though.
Machado prevents Burns from improving his position.
Machado stops Burns from getting back to his feet.
Burns gets full guard.
Machado not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Burns is trying to control the position but Machado postures up.
Machado trying to control but Burns is working from the bottom.
Burns is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Burns not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burns thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Machado is looking for a sweep. Burns is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Burns wants to control but Machado is keeping him busy.
Machado is pressing down on Burns's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Machado is pulling down on Burns's head to control his posture.
Burns in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Burns wants to control from the top but Machado keeps moving.
Burns looking to pass the guard.
Burns is fighting to break Machado's control of his arms but Machado is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Burns throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Machado works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Victor Burns dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Burns looks to throw the jab but Machado is out of range.
Burns throws a low kick but Machado avoids it.
Machado throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Burns throws the kick towards the body but Machado avoids it.
Burns pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Burns tries to clinch up but Machado circles away and keeps his distance.
Burns tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Machado paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Xander Machado is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Machado staying out of range there.
Machado throws a big counter head kick but Burns avoids it with no problem.
Machado punishes Burns's body with a nice straight punch.
Burns throws a poor cross that misses
and Machado counters with a nice uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Burns misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Burns scores with a jab to the head.
Machado checks the leg kick.
Burns tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Burns throws a leg kick which misses Machado's front leg but catches the back leg as Machado tries to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machado moves out of range of the body kick from Burns.
Burns looks to land a left hand but Machado moved out of range nicely.
Burns looks to land a right hand but Machado moved out of range.
Machado shoots in looking for a takedown but Burns manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Machado's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Burns misses the shot to the body.
Burns throws a front kick aimed at Machado's knee but Machado avoids it well.
Burns throws a leg kick

and Machado counters by clinching up.
Machado is leaning against Burns and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Burns taking a breather.
Burns misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Machado.
Machado avoiding damage as Burns throws knees to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Burns fails to land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burns misses with some punches.
Burns tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Machado's elbow.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

Burns's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Machado ducks under a wild hook from Burns.
Machado tries to counter by closing the distance.
Burns connects with an inside leg kick.
Burns throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Burns throws the kick towards the body but Machado avoids it.

Machado dives in and scores a takedown into Burns's guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Machado pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Burns is keeping the position for now.
Burns lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Machado holds on and takes a little breather.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machado wants to sweep but no luck.
Burns controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Machado holds on and takes a little breather.
Victor Burns is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Burns gets to his feet. Machado looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Burns dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Machado defending well as Burns loads up on a big left hand.
Burns feints and then cracks Machado's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Machado down.
Burns tries to clinch there but Machado circles away.
Burns throws a body punch but Machado moves out of range.
Machado throws a fast counter high kick but Burns manages to duck under it in time.
Burns thows a leg kick but Machado checks it

and Machado counters with a takedown into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burns is trying to get back to half guard.

Machado working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Machado wants to control but Burns is keeping him busy.
Xander Machado has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Machado is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Burns is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Machado wants to control for a moment but Burns uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Burns tries to kick Machado off but Machado keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Victor 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Victor Burns!
Victor Burns spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.
In defeat, Xander Machado stepped up to the mic, saying 'No Worries Homies, Gonna Train Hard And Win Next Fight'.