PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Gio Naza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nathan Burns (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Naza
vs
Burns

185 cm
22
176 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

175 cm
22
170 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

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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 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Gio Naza!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Nathan Burns!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Naza fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Burns avoids it really well and circles away.
Naza shoots for a double leg takedown but Burns sprawls well. He's pushed Naza's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Naza.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gio Naza. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Burns swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Burns will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Burns scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
A punch lands to the side of Naza 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Naza moves away from the strike by Burns.
No joy there for Burns, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Naza shoots in and drives through. Burns sprawls well.
Burns misses with a wild combination.
A left and a right from Burns both land. Nice combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Naza fails with a takedown attempt.
Naza is trying hard to land a takedown here. Burns sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Naza.
Burns misses with a body shot.
Burns throws a push kick but Naza slaps the foot to one side.
Burns scores with a shot to the body.
Naza changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Burns tries to avoid it but Naza manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Burns to the ground. Burns escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Burns throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Naza.
Burns throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Naza shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Burns is trying to escape the mount.
Naza with the ground and pound from mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Naza scoring with strikes but Burns is staying in there.
Naza controlling from mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Burns regains half guard.
Naza lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Naza throwing shots but Burns is blocking nicely.
Naza looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Naza is trying to control. Burns wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burns has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Naza is working away from the top position though.
Nice strikes from Naza there.
Burns trying to control from the bottom.
Naza trying to mount his opponent but Burns defends it.
Burns is trying to get back to full guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Naza shoots for a takedown but Burns saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Naza shoots in looking for a takedown. Burns tries to sprawl out of it but Naza keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Burns manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Gio Naza seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Naza shoots in and drives through. Burns sprawls well.

That's four 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.
Good exchange - Burns coming out on top.
Nice sprawl there from Burns as Naza shoots in.
Burns throws a body punch but Naza moves out of range.
Naza throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Burns's waist but Burns gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Naza off to one side.
A left and a right from Burns both land. Nice combination.
Burns fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Naza moves away from the strike by Burns.

Naza closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Naza is trying to control the action in half guard but Burns is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Burns works his way to full guard. Good work.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Burns controls Naza momentarily but Naza frees himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nathan Burns dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Naza swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A punch combination from Burns misses.
Nathan Burns is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Burns throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Naza sees it coming and avoids it easily.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Burns displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Naza throws out the jab.
Burns lunges at Naza with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Naza's hand.
Naza avoids the head kick by Burns.
Naza fails to land the takedown.
Naza fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Burns avoids it really well and circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Burns swinging wilding here.
Naza has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gio Naza. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Naza showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Burns.
Naza dives in and grabs Burns's left leg, looking for a takedown. Burns pushes down on Naza's head and hops out.
Burns defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Naza.
Burns throws a hook but Naza avoids it easily.
Burns ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Naza moves away.
Burns is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
A punch combination from Burns misses.
Nice takedown defense from Burns. No joy for Naza on that attempt.
Naza takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

Naza shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Burns napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Naza wants to lay and pray for a moment but Burns keeps working.
Burns regains half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Naza prevents Burns from improving his position.
Naza is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Burns is looking for a sweep. Naza is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Burns is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Naza's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Naza's back!
Naza is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Burns.
Burns lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Burns tries to keep control of the position but Naza is staying busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Naza breaks Burns's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Burns wants to sweep here but Naza controlling him for the moment.
Naza working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Burns's head.
Burns utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Burns controls Naza momentarily but Naza frees himself.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Naza shoots in for a takedown but Burns shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Burns leaves Naza with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's four 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.
Nice takedown defense from Burns. No joy for Naza on that attempt.
Burns throws an overhand right that lands on Naza's shoulder, as Naza tries to avoid the shot.
Naza looks for a takedown but Burns sprawls well.

Burns gets caught flat footed, as Naza shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Burns manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Naza is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Burns tries to control but Naza wriggling away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nathan Burns showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Naza shoots for a takedown but Burns saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Naza fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Burns sprawls well initially but Naza persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Burns avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Naza.
Naza thows a huge punch but Burns dodges it nicely.
Naza is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Naza trying to mount his opponent but Burns defends it.
Naza lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Burns is looking to improve his position.
Naza working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Naza not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Burns blocking the ground and pound attempt from Naza.
Gio Naza overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Naza scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Naza throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Naza thows a huge punch but Burns dodges it nicely.
Naza trying to control the action but Burns is working from the bottom.
Burns wants to get back to full guard.
Burns blocking the ground and pound attempt from Naza.
Naza is looking to take a break and control but Burns is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Burns regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Burns keeping moving, preventing Naza from controlling successfully.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Naza 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.
Naza wants to control from the top but Burns keeps moving.
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.
Naza lands a couple of digs.
Naza sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Burns preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Naza wants to pass the guard but Burns is keeping the position.
Burns wants to control but Naza passes easily into half guard.
Naza is just content to waste time from the top position. Burns takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Naza won't allow Burns to sweep him here.
Naza working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Burns's head.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Naza's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Naza sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Burns has Naza pulled in close to control his posture.
Burns keeping moving, preventing Naza from controlling successfully.
Naza working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Burns's head.
Burns looking to control.
Naza passes Burns's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Burns has hold of Naza's hands but Naza slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gio Naza clearly takes that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Burns slaps away a takedown attempt from Naza, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Naza misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Burns displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Naza.
Burns looks to score with a jab to the body but Naza is just out of range.
Burns stuffs the takedown attempt from Naza. Naza gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gio Naza. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Burns connects with a good right hand that stumbles Naza. Naza circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Naza shoots for a double leg takedown but Burns sprawls well. He's pushed Naza's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Naza moves away from the strike by Burns.
Burns listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Burns stalks Naza and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Naza's face. Naza staggers backwards, shaken.
Burns fails with the takedown

so Naza counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Naza wants to control from the top but Burns keeps moving.
Burns working a defensive guard here.
Burns trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Naza tries to stand but Burns is controlling from the bottom.
Burns pulls Naza in to control the position.

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.
Naza is in close to Burns's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Burns wants to improve his position but instead Naza has moved into half guard.
Naza thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Burns to regain full guard.
Naza scoring with punches to the head and body.
Naza is looking to stand up but Burns won't let him.
Burns is trying to control the position but Naza postures up.
Naza has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Burns looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Naza landing with the ground and pound.
Naza working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Burns's head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burns keeping moving, preventing Naza from controlling successfully.
Naza trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Naza trying to control the position from guard on top but Burns is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Naza stands up from Burns's guard - Naza perhaps looking for a knockout.
Burns misses with an uppercut.
Naza shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Burns counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Burns defending well as Naza loads up on a big left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burns throws a right and a left that both miss.
A big right from Burns misses.
Naza uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Burns.

Naza is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Burns's half guard.
Burns is refusing to be controlled, as Naza sits in half guard.
Burns is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Naza scores with a couple of nice shots.
Naza wants to lay and pray for a moment but Burns keeps working.
Burns is looking to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gio Naza had his way with Nathan Burns in that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Naza misses with a takedown
and Burns counters with a stiff right hand.
Burns is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Naza.
Naza with a poor takedown
letting Burns counter with a right hand.
Nice jab there from Burns.
Burns misses with a few strikes there.
Naza doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Burns counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gio Naza. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Naza tries for a takedown but Burns circles away easily
and Burns connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Naza misses with a takedown attempt
enabling Burns to counter with a crisp jab.
Naza doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Burns counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Nathan Burns seems to be getting the better of the standup.
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 throws a series of punches but Naza avoids them all with ease.
Burns lands a jab to Naza's midsection.
Naza with a poor takedown
enabling Burns to counter with a crisp jab.
Good standup being displayed there by Burns as he connects with a hook.
Burns throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Burns throws a right and a left that Naza avoids nicely.
Burns misses with a wild body shot.
Burns misses with a looping right.

Naza scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Naza missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Burns looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Burns makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Burns.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Naza 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 sweep here. No luck so far.
Naza trying to control the position from guard on top but Burns is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Burns has momentary wrist control but Naza slips an elbow through the middle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Naza distracts Burns with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Naza preventing the sweep.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Naza accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Naza trying to control but Burns is working from the bottom.
Naza throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Naza wants to pass the guard but Burns is keeping the position.
Naza postures up.
Burns avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

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.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Naza fails with the takedown
and Naza takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Burns misses with a straight left.
Naza moves away from the strike by Burns.
Burns missing with a left hand there. Naza was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Naza has his takedown stuffed
and Burns counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Naza thinking.
Naza doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Burns counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Burns swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Burns misses with a looping right.
Burns throws the left hand but Naza avoids the punch easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nathan Burns comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Burns has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 47:48
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 47:48
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nathan Burns! Nathan Burns retains his welterweight title!