PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mike Burns (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cadoc Calzaghe (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.

Burns
vs
Calzaghe

182 cm
18
177 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

182 cm
22
178 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Hell's Balls Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Mike Burns!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Cadoc Calzaghe!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, James Glass and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice takedown defense from Calzaghe. No joy for Burns on that attempt.
Burns shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Calzaghe as he avoids it easily.
Burns is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Calzaghe.

It looks like Mike Burns has been cut.
Burns shoots in and drives through. Calzaghe sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mike Burns. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The fight stays on the outside here - Burns looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Burns avoids the body shot from Calzaghe.
Burns shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Calzaghe pinned against the cage. Calzaghe gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Burns pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Calzaghe steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Burns.
Good exchange - Calzaghe coming out on top.

Burns looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Calzaghe is trying to stand back up but Burns is controlling him
Burns trying to mount his opponent but Calzaghe defends it.
Calzaghe is looking to escape.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Burns is trying to control the action in half guard but Calzaghe is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Burns wants to pass the guard but Calzaghe is defending well.

Burns decides to return to a standing position.
Burns shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Calzaghe but Calzaghe pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Calzaghe lands a with a good body shot.
Burns is breathing heavily.
Calzaghe misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A jab from Calzaghe finds it's way through Burns's defenses.
Burns shoots in for a takedown but Calzaghe shows good takedown defense.
Calzaghe changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheers as Calzaghe lands an impressive looking overhand right. Burns doesn't seem phased though.
Nice sprawl there from Calzaghe as Burns shoots in.
Calzaghe scores with a nice strike.
Burns throws a head kick but Calzaghe moves out of range.
Mike Burns seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Calzaghe throws a nice looking combination but Burns bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Burns shoots in and drives through. Calzaghe sprawls well.
Burns closes the distance and clinches up with Calzaghe, looking for a takedown. Burns pushes Calzaghe against the cage but Calzaghe circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Burns shoots in but no luck this time.
Burns shoots in and drives through. Calzaghe sprawls well.
Burns closes the distance and clinches up with Calzaghe, looking for a takedown. Burns pushes Calzaghe against the cage but Calzaghe circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Calzaghe tries to bum rush Burns with a series of wild strikes but Burns uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Burns tries to close the distance and clinch up but Calzaghe swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Calzaghe.
Burns dodges the punch combination from Calzaghe.
Burns fails with a takedown attempt.
Burns swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Burns looks for a takedown but Calzaghe sprawls well.
Calzaghe misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Calzaghe digs a good hook to Burns's body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cadoc Calzaghe dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mike Burns's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Calzaghe stuffs the takedown attempt from Burns. Burns gets slowly back to his feet.
Burns moves forwards but Calzaghe connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Calzaghe connects with a nice looking jab.
Burns slips a jab and a cross from Calzaghe.
Burns shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Calzaghe pinned against the cage. Calzaghe gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Calzaghe looks to land a combination but Burns avoids it well.
Burns shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Calzaghe as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mike Burns. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Burns is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Calzaghe.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Burns slips a jab and a cross from Calzaghe.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A punch combination from Calzaghe misses.
Mike Burns is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Burns misses with a combination
and Calzaghe counters with a three punch combo that has Burns backing up. Burns nods at Calzaghe to acknowledge the strikes.
Calzaghe circles away from the clinch attempt
and Calzaghe counters with a nice uppercut.
Burns takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
A jab from Calzaghe finds it's way through Burns's defenses.

Burns 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.
Burns wants to control from the top but Calzaghe keeps moving.
Burns wants to pass the guard but Calzaghe is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Calzaghe keeping moving, preventing Burns from controlling successfully.
Calzaghe wants to stand up but Burns is controlling him.
Burns trying to control but Calzaghe is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burns trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Calzaghe is looking to stand up but Burns isn't so interested in that idea.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Calzaghe throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Calzaghe throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Burns doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Calzaghe counters with a nice body shot.

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.
Burns throws a head kick that misses
and Calzaghe counters with a three punch combo that has Burns backing up. Burns nods at Calzaghe to acknowledge the strikes.
Burns takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Calzaghe throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Burns.
Burns has his takedown stuffed
and Calzaghe counters with a nice uppercut.
Cadoc Calzaghe seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Calzaghe looks to land a combination but Burns avoids it well.
Burns tries to clinch but Calzaghe moves away
and Calzaghe counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Burns tries to clinch up but Calzaghe circles away and keeps his distance.

Burns shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Burns trying to control but he's not successful this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cadoc Calzaghe showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Mike Burns's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Burns fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Burns throws a sloppy head kick
and Calzaghe counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Burns looks to score with a jab to the body but Calzaghe is just out of range.
Burns has his takedown stuffed
and Calzaghe counters with a one-two to the body.
Burns fails with the takedown
and Calzaghe counters with a nice body shot.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mike Burns. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Burns closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Burns lands in his opponent's guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Calzaghe can do anything to dispel that myth.
Burns looking to sit in guard and control but Calzaghe gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Calzaghe trying to stand up but can't free himself from Burns's guard.
Calzaghe preventing the sweep.
Calzaghe tries to stand but Burns is controlling from the bottom.
Burns looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Calzaghe wants to stand but Burns has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Burns closes the distance and clinches up with Calzaghe, looking for a takedown. Burns pushes Calzaghe against the cage but Calzaghe circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Burns tries for a takedown but Calzaghe sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Left hook, right uppercut from Calzaghe.
Burns avoids a punch combination nicely.
Burns shoots in for a double leg but Calzaghe sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Burns as Calzaghe shoots in.
Burns clinches but Calzaghe breaks the clinch
and Calzaghe counters with a series of strikes. Burns will be more careful next time no doubt.
Burns shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Calzaghe but Calzaghe pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Calzaghe scores with a body shot.
Calzaghe throws a combination. Burns tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Calzaghe drops Burns with a straight right hand, right on the button! Calzaghe follows him down to the mat and pounds him out with hammerfists until the referee jumps in to end the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:50 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Cadoc Calzaghe!