PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Archie Burks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jermain Moore (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Burks
vs
Moore

176 cm
19
177 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

200 cm
21
180 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

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 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Archie Burks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Jermain Moore!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Anni Minnemäki and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Burks displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Moore.
Moore lands a leg kick that knocks Burks off balance momentarily.

Moore rushes Burks and presses him up against the cage.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

Moore pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Burks throws a leg kick that is checked
and Burks takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Moore gets a clinch.
Moore stalling in the clinch.

Burks manages to pull guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Moore stands and steps away. Burks gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burks stuffs the takedown attempt from Moore. Moore gets slowly back to his feet.
Moore is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Burks tries a head kick but it misses.
Moore misses with the combination.
A cross from Moore lands.
Moore closes this distance looking for a takedown but Burks circles away.
Archie Burks has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jermain Moore.
Moore checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Burks displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Moore.

Burks feints and as Moore raises his hands in defense, Burks changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Burks with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Moore keeping moving, preventing Burks from controlling successfully.
Moore looking for a sweep. Not yet Moore, not yet.

Moore manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Moore's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Moore avoids the head kick by Burks.
Burks stuffs the takedown attempt from Moore. Moore gets slowly back to his feet.
Burks throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Burks's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Moore shoots in but Burks avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Moore fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Moore enables Burks to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Moore manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Moore has his hands on Burks's head, controlling the position.

Moore has an active guard here but Burks has managed to pass into half guard.
Moore looks winded!

Burks is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Moore is just riding it out for now. Burks eventually gives up the hold.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burks wants to take a breather but Moore is having none of it.
Burks prevents Moore from improving his position.
Moore is trying to stand up here but Burks is controlling him well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Moore gets back to full guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Moore holds on and takes a little breather.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jermain Moore dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Burks gets a double leg takedown into Moore's guard.

Moore has his foot on Burks's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Burks works his way back into a safe position though.
Burks might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Moore is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Burks has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Burks looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Moore trying to control the position here.

Moore has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Burks has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burks gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Moore.

Moore pulls guard successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Moore is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Moore escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Burks gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Burks avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Moore looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Moore trying to control the position.
Burks throws a strike but Moore rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Burks keeping moving, preventing Moore from controlling successfully.
Burks wants to stand but Moore is controlling the position.

Burks is working an open guard so Moore takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Moore looking for submissions off his back.
Burks prevents Moore from standing back up.
Moore is breathing heavily.
Nice strikes from Burks there.
Moore makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Moore.
Burks's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Burks works over Moore with some ground and pound from guard.
Moore looking to hit a scissor sweep but Burks is one step ahead there.
Jermain Moore has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Moore keeping moving, preventing Burks from controlling successfully.
Moore trying to control the position.

Moore is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Burks is aware though and is defending well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Burks working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Moore lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Moore trying to control the position from guard on top but Burks is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Burks is looking to stand up but Moore isn't so interested in that idea.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jermain Moore will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Moore lands with a kick to the ribs.

Moore has managed to clinch.

Moore pulls guard successfully.
Moore looking to hit a scissor sweep but Burks is one step ahead there.
Moore is still trying to improve position.
Burks trying to control but Moore is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Moore looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Moore preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Burks stands up and waves to Moore to follow him.
Burks pivots, looking for a leg kick but Moore is out of range and Burks settles back down.
Moore fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Moore clinches.
Moore is working for takedown but Burks is calmly controlling the position for now.
Moore takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Burks's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burks tries to land a leg kick but Moore saw it coming and moves away.
A punch combination from Moore misses.
Moore tries to score a power double leg takedown but Burks sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Moore somewhat.
Archie Burks has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jermain Moore.

Moore clinches up against the cage.

Burks breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Burks closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Moore quickly recovers to half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Moore is trying to get back to full guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Burks lands a nice short elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Burks seems to be looking for submissions.
Moore has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Burks is working away from the top position though.
Burks lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Burks seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Burks not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Burks looking for a submission but Moore manages to get full guard, putting an end to that submission attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Moore throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Burks thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Moore has Burks pulled in close to control his posture.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Moore throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Archie Burks has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jermain Moore is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Burks working some strikes from top position.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Archie Burks.
I think Moore 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 28:29
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jermain Moore!