PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Simon Stickler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dick Burns (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Burns has chosen The Power as his entrance music. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the fighters buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Stickler
vs
Burns

178 cm
21
157 lbs
6 - 1 - 1

170 cm
20
152 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Simon Stickler !
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Dick Burns!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, Chad Campbell and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stickler thows a body shot but no joy.
Dick Burns seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Burns tries for a takedown but Stickler circles away easily
and Stickler connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Burns doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Stickler counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Burns thinking.
Stickler misses with a wild body shot.
Stickler thows a body shot but no joy.
Burns tries for a takedown but Stickler circles away easily
and Stickler counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Simon Stickler has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dick Burns.
Burns gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
enabling Stickler to counter with a crisp jab.
Burns has his takedown stuffed
and Stickler counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Burns doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Stickler counters with a right hand to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burns has his takedown stuffed
and Stickler counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Stickler ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Burns moves away.
Burns gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Stickler counters with a stiff right hand.
Burns gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Stickler counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Burns looks winded!
Stickler with a hook.
Burns shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
letting Stickler counter with a right hand.
Burns shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Stickler counters with a left to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burns misses with a takedown
letting Stickler counter with a right hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Stickler closes the distance and clinches.
Stickler misses with a punch to the body.

Stickler jumps guard and drags Burns to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Burns postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Stickler has his foot on Burns's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Burns works his way back into a safe position though.
Stickler not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Burns with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burns working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Burns landing with the ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Burns accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Stickler tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Stickler working a defensive guard here.
Burns with a flurry of punches that miss.
Burns postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Stickler looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Burns wants to control from the top but Stickler keeps moving.
Stickler utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burns postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Stickler is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Stickler is looking to sweep but instead, Burns has passed into half guard.
Stickler is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Burns landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Burns throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stickler trying to control but Burns postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Simon Stickler dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Burns doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Stickler counters with a nice body shot.
Burns shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Stickler counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Burns gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Stickler counters with a nice body shot.
Simon Stickler has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dick Burns.
Stickler swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Burns gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Stickler counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Burns fails with the takedown
and Stickler counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Burns is breathing heavily.

Stickler closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Burns to the mat! Burns manages to get full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stickler avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Stickler looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Stickler trying to control the position from guard on top but Burns is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Burns is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stickler is trying to get back to full guard.
Burns has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Burns not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Stickler is trying is best to control the position here.
Burns tries to pass the half guard into mount. Stickler knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Burns prevents Stickler from improving his position.
Burns thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Stickler 's head.
Burns sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Stickler defending well though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burns scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Stickler tries to roll over but Burns keeps him under control.
Stickler wants to control but Burns is keeping busy.
Burns thows a huge punch but Stickler dodges it nicely.
Stickler wants to get back to full guard.
Burns landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Stickler keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Burns working Stickler over with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burns slips a nice elbow through Stickler 's hands, connecting with Stickler 's forehead.
Burns sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Stickler defending well though.
Burns sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Stickler defending well though.
Stickler tries to roll over but Burns keeps him under control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stickler on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Burns working over Stickler with some ground and pound. Stickler looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stickler trying to control but Burns postures up.
Burns is looking to take a break and control but Stickler is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dick Burns showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Burns tries for a takedown but Stickler circles away easily
and Stickler counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Burns thinking.
Burns with a lazy takedown attempt
and Stickler counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Burns doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Stickler counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Simon Stickler has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dick Burns.
Burns takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Burns misses with a takedown attempt
and Stickler counters with a left to the body.
Simon Stickler is winning the standup battle so far.
The fighters circle momentarily. Stickler darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Stickler misses the shot to the body.
A punch lands to the side of Burns 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Stickler swings for the body but Burns moves out of range.
Burns takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stickler thuds a left hand into Burns's body.
Burns uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Stickler .
Stickler with a hook.
Stickler is looking to wear down Burns with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Burns with a lazy takedown attempt
and Stickler counters with a left to the body.
Stickler is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Burns fails with the takedown
and Stickler counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Burns avoids the body shot from Stickler .
Burns misses with a takedown attempt
and Burns takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Stickler is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Burns takes one on the button.
Burns has his takedown stuffed
and Stickler cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burns gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Stickler counters with a left to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stickler tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Burns was well out of range. Poor timing from Stickler .
Burns doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Stickler counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Stickler connects with a good right hand that stumbles Burns. Burns circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Burns tries for a takedown but Stickler circles away easily
and Stickler counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Stickler tries to close the distance and clinch but Burns swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Burns tries for a takedown but Stickler circles away easily
letting Stickler counter with a right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burns on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Burns doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Stickler counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Burns misses with a takedown
and Stickler counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Burns on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Stickler ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Burns moves away.
Burns takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Burns shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Stickler counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burns avoids the body shot from Stickler .
Burns doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Stickler makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Stickler swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Stickler shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Burns is trying to defend but Stickler finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stickler seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Simon Stickler clearly takes that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Burns shoots and misses
and Burns takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Burns shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Stickler counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Burns fails with the takedown
and Stickler counters with a straight right hand.
Simon Stickler has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dick Burns.
Stickler swings for the body but Burns moves out of range.

Stickler moves into range and clinches up with Burns.
Burns jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Stickler walks away with a smile on his face. Burns gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Stickler thows a left - swing and a miss!
Burns takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burns shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
The fighters circling - Stickler throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Burns with a lazy takedown attempt
and Stickler counters with a left to the body.
Burns is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
The fight stays on the outside here - Stickler looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Burns takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Burns with a lazy takedown attempt
and Stickler counters with a stiff right hand.
Stickler lands a body shot.
Burns has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Stickler lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Burns shoots and misses
and Stickler counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Stickler swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A punch lands to the side of Burns 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Burns with a lazy takedown attempt
and Stickler counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Stickler with a jab.

Stickler has closed the distance and engaged Burns in a clinch.
Stickler has Burns pushed against the cage.
A short uppercut from Stickler .

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A right hook to the body lands for Stickler .
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Stickler .
Burns tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Stickler smiles and moves away.
Burns shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Stickler counters with a right hand to the body.
Burns shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Burns has his takedown stuffed
enabling Stickler to counter with a crisp jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burns has his takedown stuffed
and Stickler counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Burns shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Stickler counters with a nice body shot.
Burns tries for a takedown but Stickler circles away easily
and Stickler connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Burns uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Stickler .
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stickler misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Burns.
Burns tries for a takedown but Stickler circles away easily
and Stickler counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Simon Stickler had his way with Dick Burns in that 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!

Burns fails with the takedown
enabling Stickler to counter with a crisp jab.
Stickler dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Burns misses with a takedown
and Stickler cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Stickler closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Burns quickly recovers to half guard.
Burns gets back to full guard.
Burns bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Stickler 's guard.
Stickler pulls Burns in close to his closed guard and prevents Burns from doing any damage or advancing position.
Burns throws an elbow that misses. Stickler uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Burns's guard. Nice move by Stickler !

That's one minute gone in the round.

Burns throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Stickler escapes and throws Burns's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Burns is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Stickler happy to just control the position for now.
Burns is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burns is not content to let Stickler control the position.
Burns tries to buck Stickler off but Stickler is having none of it.
Burns gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Burns is trying to stand back up but Stickler is controlling him
Burns is not content to let Stickler control the position.
Stickler prevents Burns from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Burns actively working from the bottom here.
Stickler prevents Burns from improving his position.
Stickler tries to pass the half guard into mount. Burns knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
The fighters are battling for position here. Burns manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Burns throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Burns has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Stickler is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Burns.
Burns is trying to improve his position.
Burns sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Dick Burns has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Burns trying to get back to full guard but Stickler takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Stickler can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Burns is looking to escape.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Dick Burns.
I think Stickler 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 48:47
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 48:47
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Simon Stickler !
Simon Stickler is the new featherweight champion!