PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Nathan Burns (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and tiago richards (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Burns
vs
richards

175 cm
22
170 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

185 cm
21
165 lbs
2 - 1 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Red Light Clothing ► Amsterdam!
EFC Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Nathan Burns!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, tiago richards!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Good shot there by Burns.
richards is looking to clinch.
richards moves in looking to clinch but Burns pushes him off.

Burns closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Burns trying to mount his opponent but richards defends it.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Burns in particular looking to stall.
Burns seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but richards does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Burns is nestled in close to richards, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
richards really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Burns. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Burns passes to full mount!
Burns controlling his opponent.
richards bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
richards must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Burns looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Burns has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but richards can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
richards trying to control the position from guard on top but Burns is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Burns trying to keep a closed guard but richards is proving a slippery customer.

Burns looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Burns trying to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
richards has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Burns is proving hard to escape from.

Burns escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. richards gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
richards trying to control but Burns is working from the bottom.
richards postures up.
Burns 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.
Burns is working hard here to advance position.
Burns throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Burns has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

richards shoots in and bounces Burns off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Burns looking for a sweep. Not yet Burns, not yet.
Burns is breathing heavily.
Burns is striking but richards is not phased and passes to half guard.
Burns regains full guard. Nicely done.
Burns looking to control.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
richards cracks Burns with a solid left hand.
richards stopping the sweep attempt from Burns.
Burns manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
richards in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Burns lands a heavy elbow.
Burns controlling his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nathan Burns dominated that round.
That's time! Burns's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

richards gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Burns counters with a straight right hand.
richards tries to clinch up.
Some wild striking there from richards.

richards gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Burns to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Burns throwing strikes from guard but richards blocks nicely.
Burns throwing strikes but missing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burns scoring with punches to the head and body.
Burns throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Burns trying to control but richards is working from the bottom.
Burns stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. richards swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Burns is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Burns trying to control but richards is working from the bottom.
Burns lands a couple of digs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
richards looking for a sweep. Not yet richards, not yet.
richards looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Burns puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Burns wants to control but richards is keeping him busy.
Burns working the head and body with strikes.
Burns uses his free foot to push down on richards's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for richards.
richards is breathing heavily.
richards tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Nathan Burns overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
richards is bucking up trying to escape but Burns cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Burns trying to control but richards is having none of it.
Burns scores with a couple of good head shots there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burns breaks from richards's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Burns controlling from mount.
richards is desperately trying to improve his position but Burns has a good base and remains in mount.
Burns wants to control the pace but richards is squirming around nicely.
Burns lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burns looking to control and managing it successfully.
Burns trying to control but richards is having none of it.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Nathan Burns just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Burns scores with a one two! richards had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

It looks like tiago richards has been cut.
A punch combination from Burns misses.
richards throws an overhand right that lands on Burns's shoulder, as Burns tries to avoid the shot.
tiago richards seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
richards closes the distance but Burns moves to the side
and Burns counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nathan Burns dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on tiago richards's cut.
That's time! Burns's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Burns swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and richards counters by clinching up.
richards blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Burns prevents a takedown attempt there.
Burns keeps control of richards as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
richards is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Burns pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Burns works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Burns has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Burns sitting in guard here, content to control.
Burns pushes down on richards's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Burns is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
richards takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burns sitting and controlling from the half guard.
richards is not content to let Burns control the position.
Burns tries to pass the half guard into mount. richards knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Burns is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, richards has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Burns is keen to just control but richards is a slippery customer.
Burns is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for richards!
Burns cracks richards with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
richards takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Burns pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.

Burns looking for a guillotine from mount but richards is having none of it.
Burns pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burns is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. richards can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Burns looking to control and managing it successfully.

Burns wants to finish this one by submission but richards is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Burns.
richards is squirming around, avoiding Burns's attempts to control the action.
richards is desperately trying to improve his position but Burns has a good base and remains in mount.
Burns working the ground and pound effectively.
Burns wants to control the pace but richards is squirming around nicely.

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.
richards is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Burns with good strikes from the mount here!

Burns looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Burns cracks richards with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.

Burns has hold of richards's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and richards manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Burns avoids the attempt from richards to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nathan Burns clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on tiago richards's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

richards with a lazy takedown attempt

and Burns counters with a nice double leg into side control. richards won't be happy with that.
Burns trying to control the position but richards is working away.
Burns scores with punches from side control.
Burns trying to control the action but richards is working from the bottom.
richards tries to improve position but can't.
Burns wants to control but richards is keeping him busy.
richards is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Burns controls the position.
richards on the wrong end of some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burns working the ground and pound from side control.
richards is trying to control Burns's posture but Burns avoids it.
Burns lands a few punches from side control.
richards is not content to let Burns control the position.
Burns is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down richards's shoulder. That is not cool.
richards taking punishment in the form of punches.
Burns controlling from side mount.
richards 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burns is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Burns in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
richards takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.

Burns wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by richards, who protects the arm well.
Burns working the head and body with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burns is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down richards's shoulder. That is not cool.

Burns is trying to get an arm triangle but richards is defending well.
Burns wants to lay and pray for a moment but richards keeps working.
Burns controls the position.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Nathan Burns just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
richards tries for a takedown but Burns circles away easily

and Burns counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Burns.
Burns is in close to richards's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
richards is trying to control the position but Burns postures up.
Burns wants to control from the top but richards keeps moving.
Burns with a nice head shot there.
Burns's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Burns passes richards's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
richards is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Burns jumps into side control!
Burns creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Burns has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for richards!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Burns working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Burns trying to control but richards is having none of it.
Burns content just to control the position here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nathan Burns had his way with tiago richards in that round.
The cut man is working on tiago richards's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Burns fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Burns fails with a takedown attempt.
Burns fails to land the takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Burns moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

Burns drives through with a takedown into guard.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burns looking to pass the guard.
Burns throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Burns trying to control the position from guard on top but richards is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Burns sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed richards's guard.

richards looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Burns is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Burns trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Burns in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Burns with shots to the head and body - richards looks very uncomfortable down there.

Burns looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Burns punching from mount but richards doing a good job of avoiding damage.
richards working to try and regain half guard.
Burns controlling the position easily from mount.
Burns lands a heavy elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burns tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
richards wants to hold on but Burns pushes him away.
Nathan Burns is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Burns controlling the pace for now.

Burns working from mount. He moves in close and looks like he might be going for an arm triangle... He's hopped off to the side and he's transitioned into an Anaconda choke. richards turning a nasty shade of purple. He's refusing to tap but he's gone! He's out! The ref rips Burns off and cradles richards's limp body as Burns celebrates with his corner.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:05 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Anaconda Choke). Nathan Burns!
Nathan Burns retains his welterweight title!