PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mica Makaaja (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nigel Burkshire (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Makaaja comes to the cage accompanied by BassLovers United - I Can't Dance. The crowd seem to be enjoying Burkshire's choice of entrance music: It's a Fight - Three 6 Mafia. Nigel Burkshire will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Makaaja
vs
Burkshire

180 cm
27
215 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

198 cm
31
220 lbs
15 - 12 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mica Makaaja!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Nigel Burkshire!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Yves DeLean and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Burkshire fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Makaaja manages to avoid it.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Makaaja is defended easily by Burkshire.
Makaaja slaps away a takedown attempt from Burkshire, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Makaaja tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Burkshire swivels and escapes.

Makaaja fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Burkshire sprawls well initially but Makaaja persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Burkshire is not content to let Makaaja control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Burkshire wants to get back to his feet.
Burkshire is trying to maintain the position but Makaaja is very close to passing his half guard.
Burkshire is pressing down on Makaaja's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Makaaja trying to control but Burkshire is working from the bottom.
Makaaja is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Burkshire is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Makaaja slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Burkshire swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Makaaja dives in and grabs Burkshire's left leg, looking for a takedown. Burkshire pushes down on Makaaja's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mica Makaaja. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Burkshire thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Makaaja shoots in for a double leg but Burkshire sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Burkshire doesn't manage to clinch there - Makaaja circles away.
Burkshire is looking to chop away at Makaaja's legs.
A punch combination from Burkshire misses.
Nice takedown defense from Burkshire. No joy for Makaaja on that attempt.
Burkshire scores with a shot to the body.
Burkshire will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Burkshire misses with a left hand

and Makaaja counters by clinching up.
Burkshire struggles to land a body shot inside as Makaaja controls his hands.
Makaaja fails to pull the fight into his guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for Burkshire to work.
Makaaja stops a takedown attempt from Burkshire.
Burkshire has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Makaaja after a bit of a struggle.

Makaaja ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Makaaja no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Makaaja has his foot on Burkshire's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Burkshire works his way back into a safe position though.

Burkshire avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Burkshire is posturing up here but Makaaja has hold of an arm and he's gone for an armbar! Burkshire tries to roll out but it's too tight and Burkshire has to tap! Slick submission there by Makaaja!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:54 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Mica Makaaja!