PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kristof Midoux (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nathan Burke (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Midoux
vs
Burke

185 cm
25
220 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

187 cm
23
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Good knees
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Kristof Midoux!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Nathan Burke!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Alec Ball and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Midoux tries to bum rush Burke with a series of wild strikes but Burke uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Midoux doesn't manage to clinch there - Burke circles away.
Midoux tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Burke paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kristof Midoux seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Burke scoring well with a low kick there.

Burke closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Burke connects with a nice short shot to Midoux's temple.
Midoux wants to get back to his feet.
Burke seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

Burke decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Midoux doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Midoux tries to close the distance and clinch up but Burke swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Midoux lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Burke circles away quickly and effectively.
Midoux tries to clinch but Burke is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burke throws a nice head kick!

It looks like Kristof Midoux has been cut.

Burke changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Midoux looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Burke cracks Midoux with a big right hand but Midoux just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Burke has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Midoux is looking to clinch.
Midoux throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Burke.
Burke avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Horrible takedown by Burke or perhaps it was just good defense by Midoux which made him look bad.
Burke looks gassed!
Midoux fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Midoux misses with the combination.
Midoux throws a series of punches but Burke avoids them all with ease.
Midoux tries to clinch but Burke is having none of it.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Burke is defended easily by Midoux.

Burke has managed to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burke tries to pull guard but Midoux holds him up against the cage and eventually Burke drops back down to his feet.
Kristof Midoux has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nathan Burke.
Midoux is leaning against Burke and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Midoux lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

It looks like Nathan Burke has been cut.
Midoux tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
A right hand to the body from Midoux.
Midoux crunches a lovely knee into Burke's ribcage.

Midoux manages to break the clinch.
Midoux throws a series of punches but Burke avoids them all with ease.
Burke circles away from the clinch attempt

and Burke decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Midoux's guard.
Burke not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Midoux wants to stand up but Burke is controlling him.
Midoux keeping full guard, as Burke tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Midoux is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Burke is controlling him.
Burke trying to control but Midoux is working from the bottom.
Midoux wants to stand and escape but Burke is having none of it.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Midoux tries to clinch but Burke moves away
and Burke counters with a nice body kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - Midoux looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Midoux throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Burke.

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.

Burke drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Midoux is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Midoux wants to get back to his feet but Burke passes into half guard.
Midoux on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Burke has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Midoux is refusing to be controlled, as Burke sits in half guard.
Burke prevents Midoux from standing back up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Burke is working for a submission of some sort.
Midoux is looking to escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nathan Burke dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Midoux tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Burke gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Burke is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Burke is trying to drag Midoux to the mat but Midoux just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Burke taking a breather.
Midoux pushes Burke back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Midoux lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Burke takes a knee right on the jaw!
Midoux slowing the pace effectively.
Knees in the clinch landing for Midoux.
A short body shot lands from Midoux as the two fighters clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Knees to the body from Midoux.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Midoux.
Midoux looking to throw knees to the head but Burke is blocking nicely.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Midoux.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Midoux lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Midoux stalling in the clinch but Burke improves position.
Midoux lands a good knee to the midsection. Burke won't want to take too many of those.
A left hand lands to the body for Midoux.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burke tries for a takedown but Midoux manages to get underhooks.
Burke drops down looking for an ankle pick but Midoux pulls his leg out and moves away.
Kristof Midoux has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nathan Burke.
Midoux throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Midoux looks to clinch

and Burke counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Burke stands up from Midoux's guard - Burke perhaps looking for a knockout.

Burke closes the distance and pushes Midoux back into the cage.
Midoux misses with a knee strike.
Burke has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Midoux is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Midoux.
Midoux landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

Burke's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Midoux misses the shot to the body.
Midoux rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Burke moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
The fight stays on the outside here - Midoux looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Midoux swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Burke counters with a big head kick but Midoux shrugs it off.
Nice sprawl there from Midoux as Burke shoots in.
Jab by Midoux.
Kristof Midoux is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Midoux tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Burke paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Midoux throws a right hand that Burke ducks under and follows up with a left that Burke also avoids with ease.
Midoux throws a right and a left that both miss.
Burke keeps the fight on the outside.
No joy there for Midoux, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Midoux tries to clinch

and Burke holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Midoux presses Burke against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Burke takes a shot to the head.
Midoux throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Burke blocks it with crossed arms.
Midoux lands a hook that snaps the head of Burke backwards.
A nice right hand lands inside from Midoux.
Midoux is looking to break free of the clinch but Burke has double underhooks.
Midoux doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Burke letting Midoux take a breather here.
Burke has Midoux pressed against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Midoux throws a knee to the head but misses.
Burke is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Midoux is keeping busy.
Midoux crunches a lovely knee into Burke's ribcage.
Midoux lands a damaging elbow.

Burke pulls guard effortlessly.
Burke is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Burke looking to hit a scissor sweep but Midoux is one step ahead there.
Burke is trying to keep Midoux in close.

That's four 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.
Midoux trying to stand up but can't free himself from Burke's guard.
Burke wants to stand up but Midoux is controlling him.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Midoux tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Burke avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
No joy there for Midoux, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Midoux fails to land with a series of punches.
Burke slips a jab and a cross from Midoux.
Midoux tries to clinch

and Burke counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Midoux!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Midoux is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nathan Burke showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Burke avoids a punch combination nicely.

Burke moves into the clinch successfully.
Midoux lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Burke.
Midoux tries to land knees in the clinch but Burke avoids the damage to the body.
Midoux digs a right hand underneath Burke's ribcage. Burke let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Midoux throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Burke blocks it with crossed arms.
A body shot lands from Midoux.

Burke breaks the clinch.

Burke clinches up with Midoux and pushes him back against the cage.
Midoux has Burke pressed against the cage, preventing Burke from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Midoux presses Burke against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
A short right from Midoux on the inside.
Midoux throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Burke blocks it with crossed arms.
Midoux presses Burke against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Knees to the body from Midoux.
Burke jumps guard but Midoux stands there with Burke around his waist. Burke gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Midoux looking to stall.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Midoux stalls.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Midoux works on Burke's body with a couple of short punches.
Midoux tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Burke avoids it.

Burke ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Burke no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Midoux is looking to stand up but Burke won't let him.

Burke escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Midoux gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Burke has a closed guard, preventing Midoux from standing up.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Burke holds on and takes a little breather.
Midoux wants to get up but he can't break Burke's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Midoux has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Midoux trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Midoux tries a head kick but it misses.
Midoux tries to clinch but Burke is having none of it.
Midoux closes the distance looking to clinch

and Burke counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Midoux lands a shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Midoux lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

Midoux escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Midoux misses with the combination.

Burke fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Midoux sprawls well initially but Burke persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Burke is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Midoux wants to get back to his feet.
Still in half guard, Burke seems content to control.
Midoux is trying to stand.
Burke wants to control but Midoux is keeping him busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burke is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Midoux looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Midoux fails in his attempt to clinch.
Midoux wants to clinch up but Burke keeps it at a distance.
Midoux displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Burke.
Midoux looks to clinch

and Burke counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Midoux pushes Burke off looking to stand but Burke dives back in and keeps control.
Burke is nestled in close to Midoux, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Burke prevents Midoux from standing back up.
Midoux pushes Burke off but Burke dives into side control.
Midoux is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Kristof Midoux has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nathan Burke is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nathan Burke comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Burke winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 27:30
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nathan Burke!