PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Opie River (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Derek Burns (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). River kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Skillet - Monster . Burns has chosen Wanted Dead or Alive as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

River
vs
Burns

188 cm
22
210 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

189 cm
23
216 lbs
8 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Fury Nutrition Inc.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Opie River!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Derek Burns!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Yves DeLean and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

River shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. River showed some decent athleticism there.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Burns keeps control of the position for the meantime.
River throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

River seems to be looking for submissions.

River is looking for submissions but instead, Burns has regained full guard.
Burns keeping full guard, as River tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
River throwing strikes from guard but Burns blocks nicely.
River wants to control from the top but Burns keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Burns is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst River is controlling him.
River definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burns keeping full guard, as River tries to pass.
River trying to control but Burns is working from the bottom.

River is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
River wants to pass the guard but Burns is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burns bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in River's guard.

River throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Burns told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
River is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Burns stopping the sweep attempt from River.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

River looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Burns has picked River up and slammed him! River can't keep hold of the triangle and Burns manages to pass to side control!
River manages to work his way to half guard, despite Burns's best efforts.

River looking for submissions off his back.

River actively working from the bottom here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
River is looking to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Opie River dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

A combination from Burns does no damage.
River takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Burns fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. River looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
A looping hook to the body misses from Burns. River does a little dance to reset his feet.
Derek Burns seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Burns moves forwards but River connects with a nice, crisp jab.
A nice inside leg kick there by Burns. That's going to slow River down.
Burns swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
River displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Burns throws out the jab.
River throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Burns throws a right hand that misses
and River counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A bone on bone clash there as River blocks the leg kick.
Burns on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Burns's corner calls for a 1-2. Burns obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burns tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but River was well out of range. Poor timing from Burns.
Burns lands a jab to the head.
River punishes Burns's body with a nice straight punch.
Burns scores with a sloppy right hand. River should have avoided that one.
River lands a body shot.
River swings and misses with a hook to the body.
River throws a shot to the body.
Burns gets cracked there but stands up to it.
River shoots in and drives through. Burns sprawls well.
River keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Burns.
River ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Burns moves away.
Burns shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A jab lands there for Burns.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
River jabs Burns to the body, keeping him at a distance.
River misses with a body kick.
Burns swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
The fighters circling - Burns throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Burns circles away from the clinch attempt.
Burns ducks under a wild hook from River.
River staying out of range there.
Burns tries to score with a low kick but River moves his leg out of the way.
Burns lunges at River with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by River's hand.
A telegraphed right hand from River misses the target.
River cracks Burns with a right hand to the side of the head.
Burns lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Burns throws a series of punches but River moves out of range.
River is looking to wear down Burns with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice combination there by Burns.
Burns swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Burns throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
River slips under a jab from Burns.
Burns throws a shot from downtown. River moves away and avoids it.
River is looking to land body kicks.
The fighters circling - Burns throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Burns misses with a body shot.
Burns throws a jab but it's blocked by River.
River slips a jab from Burns.
River slips a straight right by Burns.
River is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
River bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burns fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Nice body punch from River.
A leg kick checked by River.
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!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from River is defended easily by Burns.
River lands a jab to Burns's midsection.
Burns lands a right hook to the body.
Derek Burns seems to be getting the better of the standup.

River looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
River looking to sit in guard and control but Burns gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Derek Burns will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action!

Burns fakes a jab and throws a low kick but River checks it well.
Burns connects with a jab.
Burns swinging wildly here.
Burns misses with an uppercut.
River misses with a kick to the body.
Burns misses with a jab, cross combination.
Burns lands with a straight right. River didn't see that one coming.
River on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Burns throws a right hand that River ducks under and follows up with a left that River also avoids with ease.
Burns jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
River thuds his right hand into Burns's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Burns thows a left - swing and a miss!
Burns connects with a crisp jab.
Burns misses with an uppercut. River saw that one coming.
Burns moves out of range as River strikes.
Burns throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Burns works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Burns falls off balance throwing a combination
and River counters with a nice leg kick.
Burns connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
A big right from Burns misses.
River bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
River fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
River scores with a shot to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
River misses with a hook. Burns ducked under it nicely.
River moves away from the strike by Burns.
Burns takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Burns slips under a jab from River.
Burns misses with a leg kick
and River counters with a stiff right hand.
River takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Burns connects with a leg kick. River looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
River showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Burns.
Burns rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and River counters with a nice double leg into side control. Burns won't be happy with that.

River thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
River throwing strikes but Burns manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
River is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Burns prevents River from improving his position.
River is looking to control Burns's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can River avoid being mounted?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
River is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Burns's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Burns's back!
River wants to control the position but Burns frees himself and scrambles - River manages to regain control in side control.
River trying to control the position but Burns is working away.
The strikes coming from River are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

River is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Burns has escaped the position, nice work there.
Opie River overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
River trying to control the position but Burns is working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Opie River did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Burns cracks a nice hook into River's ribs.
River scores with a nice strike.
River slips under a jab from Burns.
Burns lands a right hook to the body.
Good work by River as he checks the leg kick.
River walks into a jab.
River wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Burns dodges the punch combination from River.
Burns throws a right and a left that both miss.
Derek Burns is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
River connects with a body shot that sends Burns's belly button to the back.
Burns stuns River with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
River walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
A swing and a miss from River.
River fails with the takedown.
River uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Burns.
River throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Danga de danga de dang - Burns scores with a four punch combination!
Burns throws a hook but River avoids it easily.
Burns will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
River fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Burns manages to avoid it.
Burns throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
River doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Burns scores with a jab to the head.
Derek Burns is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
River slips under a jab.
A telegraphed right hand from Burns misses the target.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
River checks a leg kick nicely.
Burns swings widly with a right hand

and River counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Burns keeping full guard, as River tries to pass.
River trying to control but Burns is working from the bottom.
River passes into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
River tries to pass the half guard into mount. Burns knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

River is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Burns is just riding it out for now. River eventually gives up the hold.
River moves nicely into side control.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Burns can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burns tries to bench press River off him but River keeps the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
River wants to control but Burns is keeping him busy.
Burns is trying to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Derek Burns will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! River's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Burns lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but River circles away quickly and effectively.
River lands a slapping body shot.
A jab from River misses.
River takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
A big right from Burns misses.
Burns throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Burns takes a body punch but keeps moving.
River jabbing away but nothing is landing.
River swings widly with a right hand
and Burns counters with a lovely straight right hand!
River showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Burns.
River throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Burns scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burns throws a hook to the side of River's head but River sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

Burns tries to keep at a distance but River has taken the fight into the clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Burns as River tries to tie him up.
River prevents Burns from breaking the clinch.
Burns tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Burns struggles to land a body shot inside as River controls his hands.
River looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Burns scores with a shot to the side of River's head.
Burns can't break the clinch.
River misses with a shot to the kidneys.
River lands a body shot in the clinch.
River has Burns pressed against the cage, preventing Burns from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Burns.
River lands a left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burns swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Burns wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but River has him pressed against the cage.
Burns tries to break free but River pushes him back against the cage.
Burns misses with some punches.
River lands on the inside with an uppercut.

Burns breaks from the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Burns lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but River circles away quickly and effectively.
The fighters circle momentarily. River darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Burns loads up on a big right hand but River slips the punch.
River is looking to slow Burns down with leg kicks.
A clash of legs there as Burns blocks the low kick.
Burns swats away the attempt to clinch by River.
Burns misses with a low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burns works the jab nicely.
Burns fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches River on the side of the head.
Burns jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Burns misses with a telegraphed body shot
and River counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
River misses with a takedown attempt - Burns sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
River scores with a one two! Burns had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
River dodges the punch combination from Burns.
Burns connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Burns defending well as River loads up on a big left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
River misses with a wild body shot.
Burns misses with a two punch combination.
Nice shot by Burns.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Burns fails to land with a series of punches.
River cracks the inside of Burns's front leg.
River throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Burns's waist but Burns gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing River off to one side.
Burns lands a head shot.
Burns throws a right and a left that both miss.
River drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
River swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Burns looks to throw the jab but River is out of range.
River walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

And that's the end of the fight!
Derek Burns comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Burns has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Alec Ball scores the fight 48:48
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 48:48
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 47:48

The fight is ruled a majority draw!