PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Lorenz Blackwater (ranked 2114 p4p, 3574 weight class) and Martin Burns (ranked 248 p4p, 388 weight class). Blackwater comes to the cage accompanied by A$AP Rocky - Everyday. Burns has chosen will ospreay theme as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Martin Burns told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Blackwater
vs
Burns

185 cm
25
180
14 - 8 - 0

175 cm
23
170
7 - 9 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Fast

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 14 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Lorenz Blackwater!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Martin Burns!
The judges for this bout are David Schapiro, Franklyn Lucas and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Blackwater scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Blackwater connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Burns's hands.
Blackwater fails to land with a series of punches.
Blackwater scores with a push kick.
Blackwater thows a left - swing and a miss!
Blackwater misses with a two punch combination.
Blackwater throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Blackwater misses with a jab, cross combination.
Blackwater misses with a few strikes there.
Blackwater connects with a jab.
Blackwater scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A looping hook to the body misses from Blackwater. Burns does a little dance to reset his feet.
Blackwater throws an off balance right hand

and Burns counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Blackwater!
Burns tries to advance to mount but can't.
Blackwater is looking to reverse the position.
Burns working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blackwater is looking for a sweep.
Blackwater is trying to control Burns's posture but Burns avoids it.
Blackwater stops Burns from passing to mount.
Burns working away.

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.
Blackwater tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Burns wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Burns wants to lay and pray for a moment but Blackwater keeps working.
Blackwater is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Burns asserts his dominance and retains side control.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Burns drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Burns wants to control from the top but Blackwater keeps moving.

Blackwater has his foot on Burns's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Burns works his way back into a safe position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blackwater wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Blackwater working a defensive guard here.

Blackwater is looking for a triangle but Burns pushes his legs off easily.
Burns trying to control but Blackwater is working from the bottom.

Burns got a little sloppy there for a moment and Blackwater has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Burns has managed to get both his arms back between Blackwater's legs - danger averted.
Blackwater is adopting a defensive guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

That's four 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.
Blackwater is trying to control the position but Burns postures up.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
We've been told by Blackwater's head coaches at California Top Team that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Blackwater is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Blackwater ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Burns moves away.
Burns throws a body shot but no joy.
Lorenz Blackwater is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Blackwater jabs Burns to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Burns shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Blackwater as he jumps to the side.
Burns sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Blackwater digs a good body shot into Burns's ribs.
Blackwater misses with a wild combination.
Blackwater walks into a jab.
Blackwater throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Lorenz Blackwater dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Blackwater lands a slapping body shot.
Blackwater lands with a cross.
Blackwater is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Burns can do to turn this around?
Blackwater misses with a body shot.
Blackwater swinging wildly here.
Burns tries to clinch there but Blackwater circles away.
Burns closes this distance looking for a takedown but Blackwater circles away.
Lorenz Blackwater is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Blackwater lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Blackwater throws a front kick that sends Burns stumbling back into the cage.
Lorenz Blackwater is winning the standup battle so far.
Blackwater misses with a few strikes there.
Burns shoots and misses
and Blackwater counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Burns needs to keep his hands up - Blackwater had a free shot at his head there.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Burns.
Lorenz Blackwater has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Martin Burns.
Burns is breathing heavily.
Burns on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Blackwater digs a good body shot into Burns's ribs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blackwater stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Blackwater connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Burns momentarily.

Burns is rocked!
Blackwater lands a nice shot that snaps Burns's head back.
Burns is still on wobbly legs! Can Blackwater finish him?
Blackwater shakes his hands by his side, trying to relax. Burns takes his eyes off the ball for a moment - Blackwater sees the opportunity and cracks him with a massive hook! Burns bends double and collapses on top of himself - he's out! The crowd are going absolutely nuts! Wow, what a knockout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:17 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Lorenz Blackwater!
In his post fight interview, Lorenz Blackwater started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.