PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Stuart Burrows (ranked 392 p4p, 1248 weight class) and Laertes Royster (ranked 21 p4p, 71 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Burrows might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Baba O'Riley. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Burrows
vs
Royster

162 cm
22
135
7 - 1 - 0

173 cm
22
136
4 - 1 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q)
Brooklyn Apothecary

Conquer

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Stuart Burrows!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Laertes Royster!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Steve Montenegro and Eddie Farnsworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Royster lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Burrows misses with a wild body shot.
Royster throws out a leg kick but Burrows moves out of range and Royster only half commits.
Burrows displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Royster throws out the jab.
Royster throws a wild body kick that Burrows sees coming a mile off.
Royster paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Royster has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Royster throws a hook but Burrows avoids it easily.
A low kick from Royster is predictable there

and Burrows decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Royster's guard.
Burrows looking to pass the guard.
Royster is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Royster is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Burrows trying to control the position from guard on top but Royster is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burrows advances to half guard.
Royster is trying is best to control the position here.

Burrows wants to work for an arm triangle but Royster is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Royster wants to control but Burrows is keeping busy.

Burrows seems to be looking for submissions.

Burrows seems to be working for a kimura but Royster defends the submission attempt.
Royster manages to get to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Royster not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Burrows wants to control from the top but Royster keeps moving.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Burrows works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Royster is positioning himself well to prevent Burrows advancing to mount.
Royster is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Royster attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Royster throws a jab when Burrows was well out of range.
Royster is looking to score with low kicks.
The crowd cheers as Burrows lands an impressive looking overhand right. Royster doesn't seem phased though.
Royster misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Burrows.
Royster connects with a solid leg kick.
A jab from Burrows misses.
Royster swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
An inside leg kick from Royster misses.

Burrows closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Royster preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Burrows is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Royster working a defensive guard here.
Burrows pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Royster is keeping the position for now.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Burrows trying to control the position from guard on top but Royster is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Stuart Burrows will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Burrows misses with an uppercut. Royster saw that one coming.
An inside leg kick lands from Royster.
A cross from Royster lands.
Burrows tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Burrows ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Royster moves away.
Burrows throws a shot from downtown. Royster moves away and avoids it.
Royster looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Royster connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Royster missing with a left hand there. Burrows was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A nice inside leg kick there by Royster. That's going to slow Burrows down.
Royster pivots, looking for a leg kick but Burrows is out of range and Royster settles back down.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A nice inside leg kick there by Royster. That's going to slow Burrows down.
Royster moves away from the strike by Burrows.
Royster gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Burrows.
Laertes Royster seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Burrows 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.
Burrows is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Burrows missing with a left hand there. Royster was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Royster tries to score with a low kick but Burrows moves his leg out of the way.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Royster throws a big shot that misses.
Royster 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.
Royster gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Burrows.
Royster lands a glancing blow to the side of Burrows's head.

Burrows gets the takedown into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Burrows wants to control but Royster is keeping him busy.
Burrows has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Royster looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!

Burrows working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Stuart Burrows overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Royster trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.

Burrows tightening his grip on Royster, looking for the choke.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Burrows is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Royster knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Royster for a finish.
Royster breaks Burrows's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Burrows tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Royster controls from within his opponent's guard.
Burrows bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Royster's guard.

Burrows is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Royster pulls Burrows in close to his closed guard and prevents Burrows from doing any damage or advancing position.
Royster wants to stand and escape but Burrows is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Burrows looking to pass the guard.
Burrows is pushing down on Royster's leg trying to pass to half guard. Royster is fighting to maintain full guard but Burrows has managed to sneak the leg through.

Burrows is working for a submission of some sort.
Burrows wants to free his trapped foot but Royster is holding on for dear life with his legs.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Stuart Burrows will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Burrows shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Burrows is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Royster doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Burrows.
Burrows works his way into side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Burrows thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burrows trying to control the action but Royster is working from the bottom.

Burrows swings around for an armbar but Royster sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Burrows's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burrows tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Royster pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Burrows is keeping the position for now.
Royster won't allow Burrows to sweep him here.
Royster controls from within his opponent's guard.
Royster looking to pass the guard.
Burrows working a defensive guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Royster won't allow Burrows to sweep him here.
Royster passes Burrows's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Burrows wants to improve his position but Royster is controlling well.
Burrows moves into full guard.
Burrows manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Royster manages to get himself to full guard.

Burrows not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Burrows stands and throws Royster's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burrows has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Royster!
Royster wants to hold on but Burrows pushes him away.
Burrows wants to control the pace but Royster is squirming around nicely.
Royster is controlling an arm, preventing Burrows from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Royster gets back to half guard.
Burrows wants to lay and pray for a moment but Royster keeps working.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Stuart Burrows clearly takes that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Royster connects with a body shot.
Royster lands with a kick to the temple. Burrows shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Burrows misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Royster.
Royster takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Royster throws a jab when Burrows was well out of range.
A slow jab from Burrows misses its intended target.

Burrows throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Royster tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Burrows is in Royster's guard.
Burrows forces his way into half guard.
Royster wants to get back to full guard.

Royster is defending against the submission attempts here by Burrows.
Burrows wants to take a breather but Royster is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burrows uses his free foot to push down on Royster's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Royster.
Burrows trying to control but he's not successful this time.

Burrows swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Royster is now in Burrows's guard. A big mistake from Burrows there, giving up the dominant position!
Burrows wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burrows looking for a sweep. Not yet Burrows, not yet.
Royster controls from within his opponent's guard.

Royster got a little sloppy there for a moment and Burrows has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Royster has managed to get both his arms back between Burrows's legs - danger averted.
Royster trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Burrows is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Burrows is looking for a triangle but Royster pushes his legs off easily.

Burrows working for a triangle but Royster defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Royster looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Burrows working a defensive guard here.
Royster 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.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Royster slips nicely into half guard.

That's four 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.
Royster is figuring out what he wants to do next.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Royster scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Royster tries to work over Burrows's front leg with a kick but Burrows checks it.
Royster scores with a nice strike.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Laertes Royster will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Royster slips under a jab from Burrows.
Royster misses with a hook to the body
and Burrows counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Royster looks to land a right hand but Burrows moved out of range.
A big right from Royster misses.
Royster fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Royster pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Royster throws a poor cross that misses
and Burrows counters with a straight right hand.
Burrows uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Royster has time to react.
Burrows checks a low kick from Royster.
Burrows attempts a counter takedown but Royster avoids it well and moves away.
Burrows shoots in but Royster avoids the takedown attempt easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Royster works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Royster blocks a jab.
Royster takes a swing at Burrows's ribcage but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Royster throws out a powerful jab.
Royster connects with a jab.
Burrows ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Burrows misses with a hook. Royster ducked under it nicely.
Royster doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Burrows uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Royster.
Burrows was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Nice uppercut there from Royster.
Burrows slips a straight right by Royster.
Burrows was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Royster throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Burrows sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Burrows 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.
Burrows throws a hook to the side of Royster's head but Royster sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Royster throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Burrows moves out of range of the strikes.
Royster throws the left hand but Burrows avoids the punch easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burrows paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Royster throws a body punch but Burrows moves out of range.
Burrows throws a body shot but no joy.
Royster fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Burrows looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Burrows checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
A head kick misses from Royster.
Royster lands a glancing blow to the side of Burrows's head.
A low kick from Royster is predictable there

and Burrows counters with a shoot takedown. Royster fights it but they end up in guard.
Burrows trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Burrows might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Burrows is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burrows advances position into side control!
Royster is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Burrows is looking to take a break and control but Royster is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's four 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.

Burrows goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Royster rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Burrows's guard! Nice work there by Royster!
Laertes Royster has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Burrows had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Royster defends it easily.
Stuart Burrows is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Royster pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Burrows is keeping the position for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
Laertes Royster comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Burrows has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Jonathan Paton scores the fight 48:47
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 48:47
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Stuart Burrows!
Stuart Burrows retains his bantamweight title!
A relieved looking Stuart Burrows thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.