PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Moai Burns (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lukasz Szymanski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Burns
vs
Szymanski

180 cm
25
180 lbs
10 - 2 - 0

179 cm
21
182 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent elbows
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Zentrope Fighting Universe
Zentrope Fighting Universe

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 10 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Moai Burns!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Lukasz Szymanski!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Vladimir Khabensky and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Szymanski tries to close the distance and clinch up but Burns swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Szymanski tries to close the distance and clinch but Burns swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Szymanski gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Szymanski using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Burns has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
With the fighters up against the cage, Szymanski throws an elbow but misses.
Nice elbow from Burns.
Szymanski makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Szymanski working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Burns blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A head punch on the inside from Burns fails to land.
Nice elbow from Burns.
The referee is keeping an eye on Szymanski - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Szymanski looking to throw knees to the head but Burns is blocking nicely.
Burns blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Szymanski dodges an elbow strike from Burns.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Szymanski blocks an elbow strike.
Szymanski works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Szymanski blocks the elbow strike.
Szymanski lands with a left to the head.
Szymanski throws a punch but it's blocked by Burns.
Nice elbow from Burns.
Szymanski tries to land knees in the clinch but Burns avoids the damage to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burns lands a nice elbow.
Szymanski scores with a hook to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Burns.
Szymanski takes an elbow to the forehead.
Burns on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Szymanski wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Burns has him pressed against the cage.
Burns tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Szymanski tries to circle away but Burns has him pinned against the cage.
Szymanski misses with some punches.
Szymanski misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Burns.
Szymanski lands an elbow inside.
Szymanski throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Szymanski throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Szymanski blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Szymanski creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Burns just misses with a elbow thrown towards Szymanski's brow.
A head punch on the inside from Burns fails to land.
Burns throws an elbow but it misses.
Szymanski pushes off an throws an elbow but Burns leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Szymanski.
Szymanski has had enough of the clinch but Burns keeps him there for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Szymanski managing to block the knees to the body from Burns.
Szymanski wants to stall.
Szymanski avoids the elbow strike from Burns, against the cage.
Szymanski tries to break the clinch but Burns is controlling the position.
Szymanski lands with a short shot to the head.
Szymanski tries a knee to the head but Burns blocks it.
Szymanski lands a right hand.
Szymanski is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Burns is defending well for now.
Burns throws a knee to the head but misses.
Szymanski working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Szymanski is trying to break free.
Burns scores with a nice hook to the head.
Burns swings wildly with an uppercut but Szymanski uses good head movement to avoid it.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Szymanski just misses with a elbow thrown towards Burns's brow.
Burns tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Szymanski avoids it.

Szymanski pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Burns looks to clinch

and Szymanski counters by clinching up.
Burns misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Szymanski.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Burns just misses with a elbow thrown towards Szymanski's brow.
Szymanski lands a hook to the side of the head.
Szymanski is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Burns is defending well for now.
A short right from Szymanski.
Burns blocks an elbow strike from Szymanski.
Burns scores with a nice hook to the head.
Burns creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Szymanski's defenses.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Szymanski taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Szymanski blocks an elbow strike.
Szymanski lands a shot to the body.
Szymanski is working Burns over against the cage.
Szymanski stalling the fight.
Burns throws a punch but it's blocked by Szymanski.
Szymanski avoiding damage.
Szymanski works on Burns's body with a couple of short punches.
Szymanski slows down the pace here.
Szymanski continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Lukasz Szymanski.
Szymanski throws a lazy right hand but Burns sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Szymanski looks to throw the jab but Burns is out of range.
Burns tries to clinch up.
Szymanski checks the leg kick nicely there.
The fight stays on the outside here - Burns looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Szymanski scores with a nice strike.
Szymanski misses with a wild body shot.
Szymanski punishes Burns's body with a nice straight punch.
Burns feints and then cracks Szymanski's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Szymanski down.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Szymanski throws out a powerful jab.
Szymanski looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Szymanski takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

Szymanski gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Burns misses with an elbow strike.
Szymanski lands an uppercut.
Szymanski wants to break free but Burns has control.
Burns misses with a short punch on the inside.
Burns has a couple of punches blocked by Szymanski.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Burns.
Szymanski has a couple of punches blocked by Burns.
Burns blocks an uppercut.
Szymanski pushes Burns back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Burns misses with a hook to the ribs.
Burns misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Szymanski.
Szymanski content to slow the pace in the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Burns.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Burns just misses with a elbow thrown towards Szymanski's brow.

Szymanski pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burns has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Burns there as he acknowledges the shot.

Szymanski has managed to clinch.
Szymanski avoids the elbow strike from Burns, against the cage.
Burns pushes off an throws an elbow but Szymanski leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Come on Szymanski - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Szymanski lands an elbow inside.
Burns lands an elbow inside.
Burns throws an elbow that misses.
Burns creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
A shot in the inside from Szymanski.
Burns tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Szymanski avoids it.
Szymanski stalling in the clinch.
Szymanski blocks an elbow strike.
Szymanski lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Szymanski lands with a light punch inside.

Szymanski breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Szymanski throws an overhand right that lands on Burns's shoulder, as Burns tries to avoid the shot.
Burns finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burns uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Szymanski.
Szymanski 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.

Szymanski gets a clinch.
The referee calls for Szymanski to work.
Burns keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Szymanski's efforts to push away.
Burns pushes off an throws an elbow but Szymanski leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Burns creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Szymanski's defenses.
Szymanski throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

Szymanski breaks from the clinch.
Szymanski tries to clinch there but Burns circles away.
Burns throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Burns is looking to clinch.
A combination from Szymanski does no damage.
Burns swats away the attempt to clinch by Szymanski.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burns wants to clinch up but Szymanski keeps it at a distance.
Szymanski circles away from the clinch attempt

and Szymanski counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Szymanski.
Szymanski lands a left hand that snaps the head of Burns backwards.
Szymanski lands with a light punch inside.
Lukasz Szymanski seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Szymanski dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Burns creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Szymanski's defenses.
Burns misses with an elbow over the top.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Szymanski blocks an elbow strike from Burns.
With the fighters up against the cage, Burns throws an elbow but misses.
With the fighters up against the cage, Burns throws an elbow but misses.
Burns misses with an elbow strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burns looking to throw knees to the head but Szymanski is blocking nicely.
Szymanski blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Burns is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Szymanski is defending well for now.
Burns working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A hook to the body from Szymanski.
Burns throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Burns avoiding damage as Szymanski throws knees to the body.
Szymanski lands a body shot.
Szymanski lands an elbow inside.
Szymanski lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Burns misses with a body punch.
A short uppercut from Szymanski.

Szymanski breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Burns fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Szymanski checks it well.
Szymanski scores with a hook to the body. Burns takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
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!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Szymanski moves into range and connects with a jab.
Szymanski lands a nice shot to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Burns throws a hook but Szymanski avoids it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lukasz Szymanski showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

A looping hook to the body misses from Szymanski. Burns does a little dance to reset his feet.
Szymanski fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Burns shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Szymanski tries to clinch but Burns is having none of it.
Szymanski lands a nice shot that snaps Burns's head back.
Burns throws a half hearted mid kick.

Burns drives through and clinches with Szymanski against the cage.
Burns can't find room to land a body shot as Szymanski controls the action.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

Szymanski breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Burns throws a series of punches but Szymanski avoids them all with ease.
Szymanski keeps the fight on the outside.
Burns throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Szymanski.
Szymanski wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Burns drops his hands momentarily and Szymanski takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burns defending well as Szymanski loads up on a big left hand.
Szymanski is looking to clinch but Burns is avoiding it.
Burns keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Burns tries to clinch but Szymanski moves away
letting Szymanski counter with a right hand.
Szymanski tries to clinch but Burns moves out of range.
Burns scores with a jab to the jaw.
Szymanski fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Burns looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
The fighters circling - Szymanski throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Szymanski bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Burns's head.
Moai Burns is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Szymanski misses with a two punch combination.
Szymanski looks to land a right hand but Burns moved out of range.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Szymanski.
Burns throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Szymanski throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Szymanski cracks Burns with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Szymanski misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Burns closes the distance but Szymanski moves to the side
and Szymanski cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Szymanski looks to score with a jab to the body but Burns is just out of range.
Szymanski scores with a nice strike.
Nice cross by Szymanski.
Szymanski bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Burns's head.
A nice leg kick lands there from Burns.
Nice body kick there by Burns.
Szymanski fails in his attempt to clinch.
Burns uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Szymanski.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Szymanski keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Burns looks to score with a jab to the body but Szymanski is just out of range.
Burns displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Szymanski throws out the jab.
Szymanski misses with a hook. Burns ducked under it nicely.
Szymanski misses the body punch
and Burns counters with a good low kick that Szymanski was not able to check.

Burns forces Szymanski back against the cage and clinches.
Burns throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
A right handed body shot lands from Szymanski.
Burns misses with a body punch.
Szymanski blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Szymanski lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Burns backwards.
Burns takes an elbow to the forehead.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Szymanski breaks from the clinch.
Burns misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Burns moves out of range as Szymanski strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Szymanski scores with a jab. Burns acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Szymanski waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Burns.
Szymanski digs a good hook to Burns's body.
Szymanski tries to clinch
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Jab, jab by Szymanski - just one landing.
Burns uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Szymanski.
A head kick misses from Burns.
Szymanski tries to clinch up but Burns circles away and keeps his distance.
Burns drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Lukasz Szymanski seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Szymanski lands a jab to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Burns wants to clinch
and Szymanski counters with a stiff right hand.
Szymanski lands a glancing blow to the side of Burns's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lukasz Szymanski really 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.

Burns avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Szymanski just misses with a punch to the body.
Szymanski takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
A looping hook to the body misses from Szymanski. Burns does a little dance to reset his feet.
Burns tries to clinch up
and Szymanski counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Szymanski tries to close the distance and clinch up but Burns swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Burns takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Szymanski scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Burns walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Szymanski checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Burns attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Szymanski getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Szymanski throws a lazy right hand but Burns sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Burns is looking to clinch.
Szymanski misses with a straight left.

Szymanski moves into the clinch.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Burns just misses with a elbow thrown towards Szymanski's brow.
Burns misses with an elbow strike.
Szymanski pressing his opponent against the cage.
Burns scores with a shoulder strike.
With the fighters up against the cage, Szymanski throws an elbow but misses.
Burns tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Szymanski avoids it.
Nice elbow from Szymanski.
Burns managing to block the knees to the body from Szymanski.

Szymanski breaks from the clinch.
Some wild striking there from Szymanski.
Burns doesn't manage to clinch there - Szymanski circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Szymanski uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Burns.
Burns takes one on the button.
Burns wants to clinch.
Burns looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Szymanski looks to score with a jab to the body but Burns is just out of range.
Szymanski throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Szymanski lands with a nice body punch.
Burns takes one on the button.
Szymanski misses the body punch
and Burns counters with a head kick. That will keep Szymanski thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Burns connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Szymanski momentarily.
Burns looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burns tries to close the distance and clinch up but Szymanski swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Burns tries to clinch
and Szymanski counters with a nice uppercut.
Burns looks to clinch
and Burns takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Szymanski fails to land with a series of punches.
Burns looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Burns on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Szymanski checks a low kick from Burns.
Burns dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Szymanski. That did some damage!
Jab by Szymanski.
Szymanski is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Szymanski throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Lukasz Szymanski seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Szymanski chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Burns can pounce on him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burns wants to clinch.
Szymanski avoids a kick to the body.
Szymanski throws a hook but Burns blocks it.
Szymanski misses with a body punch

and Burns counters by moving into the clinch.
Szymanski lands a left hand.
Szymanski gets through Burns's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Szymanski misses with a hook from the clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Szymanski creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Szymanski lands a right hand.
Burns swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Burns swings wildly with an uppercut but Szymanski uses good head movement to avoid it.
Burns throws an elbow that misses.
Szymanski lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lukasz Szymanski dominated that fourth round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Szymanski doesn't manage to clinch there - Burns circles away.
Szymanski swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Burns.
Szymanski lands a glancing blow to the side of Burns's head.
Szymanski misses with an uppercut.
Burns tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Szymanski counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Burns throws a chopping leg kick but Szymanski manages to avoid taking any serious damage.

Szymanski gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Burns misses with a punch to the body.
Burns lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Szymanski backwards.
Nice body punch from Szymanski.
Burns avoids a wild elbow strike from Szymanski.
Szymanski dodges an elbow strike from Burns.
Szymanski is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burns misses with a punch on the inside.
A nice left hand lands by Szymanski.
Szymanski avoids the elbow strike from Burns, against the cage.
Burns takes an elbow to the forehead.
Szymanski lands an elbow inside.
Burns blocks an elbow strike.
Szymanski looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Burns being controlled against the cage.
Burns looks to throw an elbow but misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Szymanski.

Szymanski breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Szymanski circles away from the clinch attempt.
Burns throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Szymanski tries to clinch but Burns moves out of range.
Burns throws a combination that misses
and Szymanski counters with a nice uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Szymanski checks the leg kick.
Szymanski scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Burns doesn't manage to clinch there - Szymanski circles away.
Szymanski connects with a good right hand that stumbles Burns. Burns circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Szymanski avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Szymanski misses with the combination.
Burns is looking to clinch but Szymanski is avoiding it.
Burns looks to clinch
and Szymanski counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Burns throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Szymanski closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Szymanski has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Szymanski breaks from the clinch.
Burns avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Szymanski. Burns does a little dance to reset his feet.
Burns tries to clinch but Szymanski moves away
and Szymanski counters with a one-two to the body.
Szymanski swats away the attempt to clinch by Burns.
Szymanski stalks Burns and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Burns's face. Burns staggers backwards, shaken.
Burns throws a head kick that misses.
Lukasz Szymanski is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Szymanski wants to clinch.
A leg kick checked by Szymanski.
Szymanski throws a jab but it's blocked by Burns.
Szymanski misses with a double jab
and Burns counters with a low kick, right behind Szymanski 's knee.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Szymanski misses with an uppercut. Burns saw that one coming.
Burns is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Szymanski lands with an uppercut that bounces Burns off the cage and back into rage.
Burns slips a jab from Szymanski.
Szymanski cracks Burns with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Moai Burns has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Szymanski throws a body punch but Burns moves out of range.
Szymanski throws a jab when Burns was well out of range.
Burns keeps the fight on the outside.
Szymanski throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Burns stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Szymanski scores with a jab to the jaw.
Burns is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Szymanski.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lukasz Szymanski comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Szymanski has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 45:50
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 45:50
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lukasz Szymanski! Lukasz Szymanski retains his welterweight title!