PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between John Burroughs (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lester Wagstaff (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Burroughs's entrance music is Simple Man By Shinedown. A fine choice. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Burroughs
vs
Wagstaff

188 cm
27
218 lbs
9 - 7 - 0

193 cm
28
216 lbs
13 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
Powerful

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 9 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, John Burroughs!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Lester Wagstaff!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Robert Douchet and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Wagstaff moves into the clinch successfully.
Wagstaff lands an elbow just above Burroughs 's eye.

It looks like John Burroughs has been cut.
Burroughs misses with some punches.
Knees in the clinch landing for Wagstaff.
Wagstaff looking to throw knees to the head but Burroughs is blocking nicely.
Wagstaff with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Wagstaff leaning his opponent against the cage.
A left hand lands to the body for Burroughs.
Wagstaff scores with a knee to the head.
Wagstaff trying to land knees to the body.
Wagstaff missing with knees to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Burroughs breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Burroughs misses with a wild combination.
Wagstaff tries a head kick but it misses.

Wagstaff rushes Burroughs and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wagstaff keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Burroughs's efforts to push away.
Burroughs looking to slow down the pace here.
Wagstaff is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Wagstaff tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Burroughs avoids it.
Burroughs lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Wagstaff with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Wagstaff trying to land knees to the body.
Burroughs misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Wagstaff.
Wagstaff fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Wagstaff misses with a body punch.
Wagstaff with a knee to the head.
Wagstaff connects with a knee to the head.

Burroughs pulls guard effortlessly.
Wagstaff must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Burroughs holds on and takes a little breather.
Burroughs wants to get back to his feet but Wagstaff is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wagstaff wants to get up but he can't break Burroughs's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Wagstaff is fighting to break Burroughs's control of his arms but Burroughs is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Wagstaff wants to stand but Burroughs has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

The ref stands the fighters back up. John Burroughs wasn't doing enough on the ground.
A low kick from Burroughs is predictable there
and Wagstaff counters with a three punch combo that has Burroughs backing up. Burroughs nods at Wagstaff to acknowledge the strikes.
Lester Wagstaff seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Wagstaff chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Burroughs scores with a one two! Wagstaff had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wagstaff throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Wagstaff blocks a jab.
Wagstaff attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Wagstaff throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Wagstaff connects with an inside leg kick.
Wagstaff throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A jab from Wagstaff misses.
The fighters circling - Burroughs throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Wagstaff takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Wagstaff fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Wagstaff fails with an attempt to clinch.
Burroughs checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wagstaff scores with a nice body kick.
Wagstaff tried to score with a low kick but Burroughs checks it.
Burroughs bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Wagstaff's head backwards.
Burroughs listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Burroughs clinches up with Wagstaff and pushes him back against the cage.

Burroughs has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Wagstaff regains guard immediately.
Wagstaff keeping moving, preventing Burroughs from controlling successfully.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Wagstaff can do anything to dispel that myth.
Burroughs thows a big elbow that misses.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Burroughs postures up and lands a big shot to Wagstaff's brow.
Burroughs lands a couple of elbows.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that John Burroughs will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on John Burroughs's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Burroughs keeps the fight on the outside.
Wagstaff lands with a kick to the temple. Burroughs shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Burroughs goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Some wild striking there from Burroughs.
Wagstaff clobbers Burroughs with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Wagstaff fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Burroughs manages to avoid it.
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!
Wagstaff looks to land a body kick but Burroughs moved away.
A combination from Wagstaff does no damage.
Burroughs throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Wagstaff gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Burroughs.
Burroughs shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Wagstaff throws a combination. Burroughs tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burroughs misses with the combination.
Wagstaff scores with a nice right hand.
Wagstaff tries to clinch up but Burroughs circles away and keeps his distance.
A shot to the liver by Burroughs. Beautiful body shot.
Wagstaff throws a right and a left that Burroughs avoids nicely.
Burroughs throws a shot from downtown. Wagstaff moves away and avoids it.
John Burroughs is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A lazy left from Burroughs finds it's target.
A slapping leg kick lands for Wagstaff.
Wagstaff throws out a loose jab but Burroughs uses good head movement to avoid it.
Wagstaff tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Burroughs paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Burroughs fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burroughs is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Wagstaff.
Burroughs tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Wagstaff is looking to slow Burroughs down with leg kicks.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A jab lands there for Wagstaff.
Wagstaff tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Burroughs paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Burroughs missing with a left hand there. Wagstaff was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Wagstaff scores with a jab. Burroughs acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Wagstaff.
Wagstaff is looking to score with low kicks.
Burroughs keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Wagstaff tries to clinch there but Burroughs circles away.
Wagstaff closes the distance but Burroughs moves to the side
and Wagstaff takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burroughs tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Burroughs circles away from the clinch attempt.
Burroughs looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Burroughs throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Wagstaff.
Burroughs avoids a kick to the body.
Wagstaff misses with a looping right.
Wagstaff fails with an attempt to clinch.
Burroughs misses with a jab to the body
enabling Wagstaff to counter with a crisp jab.
Wagstaff lands a glancing blow to the side of Burroughs's head.
Wagstaff looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

Wagstaff clinches up with Burroughs and pushes him back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wagstaff with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Burroughs on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Burroughs is looking to control Wagstaff's arms but Wagstaff gets an underhook and turns him. Now Burroughs has his back to the cage.
Burroughs tries to throw a body punch but Wagstaff avoids it by throwing Burroughs back against the cage.
Burroughs lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Burroughs is trying to force a seperation but Wagstaff has the dominant position.
A bit of stalling here from Wagstaff.
Wagstaff landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Burroughs jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Wagstaff walks away with a smile on his face. Burroughs gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Lester Wagstaff seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Wagstaff with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Wagstaff throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Wagstaff pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Wagstaff is breathing heavily.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Wagstaff walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Burroughs checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Wagstaff throws a nice looking combination but Burroughs bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Burroughs lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Wagstaff backs up against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lester Wagstaff showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on John Burroughs's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

A telegraphed right hand from Burroughs misses the target.
Burroughs ducks under a wild hook from Wagstaff.
Wagstaff scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Burroughs misses with a two punch combination.
A chopping leg kick lands by Wagstaff.
A combination from Wagstaff does no damage.
Burroughs lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

Burroughs looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Burroughs throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Wagstaff is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Burroughs scores with a couple of nice shots.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Burroughs trying to control the action but Wagstaff is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burroughs not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Burroughs controlling the action here.
Wagstaff is pressing down on Burroughs's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Wagstaff takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Burroughs trying to control the position from guard on top but Wagstaff is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Burroughs with a flurry of punches that miss.
Wagstaff has Burroughs pulled in close to control his posture.
Burroughs wants to control from the top but Wagstaff keeps moving.
Burroughs 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wagstaff working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Burroughs.
Wagstaff utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Burroughs makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Burroughs accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Burroughs postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
John Burroughs overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Wagstaff looking for a sweep. Not yet Wagstaff, not yet.
Burroughs stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Wagstaff swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Wagstaff keeping moving, preventing Burroughs from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burroughs looking to pass the guard.
Burroughs scoring with punches to the head and body.
Wagstaff working a defensive guard here.
Burroughs passes Wagstaff's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Burroughs seems to be looking for submissions.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Burroughs in particular looking to stall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wagstaff on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Burroughs lands a nice short elbow.
Burroughs is nestled in close to Wagstaff, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Burroughs wants to pass the guard but Wagstaff is defending well.
Burroughs looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Wagstaff with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Burroughs seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Wagstaff does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Burroughs is looking for a kimura but Wagstaff is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Burroughs to get the leverage.
Wagstaff tries to get to full guard but Burroughs has control of the leg.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Burroughs showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Burroughs has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Steve Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... John Burroughs!