PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Oleg Ljashko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Peter Burg (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Ljashko
vs
Burg

185 cm
20
265 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

225 cm
19
265 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Bad Man Clothing (Nothing Over $40)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Oleg Ljashko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Peter Burg!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ljashko closes the distance and pushes Burg back into the ropes.
Ljashko tries for a takedown but Burg manages to get underhooks.
Burg working aggressively here.
Ljashko is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Burg looks winded!

Ljashko pulls guard.
Burg wanted to stand there but Ljashko had control of the position.
Ljashko trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Ljashko tries to strike from the bottom.
Ljashko tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Ljashko has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Burg is looking to stand up but Ljashko won't let him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ljashko is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Ljashko has a closed guard, preventing Burg from standing up.
Burg must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Burg wants to stand and escape but instead Ljashko has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ljashko gets to his feet. Burg looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Peter Burg is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Burg lands a two punch combo.
Ljashko shoots in for a takedown but Burg shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Burg cracks Ljashko with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Burg fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ljashko changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Burg has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Ljashko is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Ljashko keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Burg.

Ljashko closes the distance and clinches.
Burg misses with some punches.
Ljashko has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Burg after a bit of a struggle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Oleg Ljashko. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Ljashko pulls guard successfully.

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

The fighters are working up against the ropes. Ljashko manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the ropes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A short left from Burg.
Burg is trying to push Ljashko away but Ljashko has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.
Ljashko jumps guard but Burg turns him against the ropes and keeps the fight standing.

Ljashko decides to pull guard.
Ljashko looking to hit a scissor sweep but Burg is one step ahead there.
Burg is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Ljashko is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Burg defends well.
Ljashko might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Burg is looking to stand up but Ljashko won't let him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ljashko working a defensive guard here.
Ljashko has his hands on Burg's head, controlling the position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Burg loads up on a big right hand but Ljashko slips the punch.
Ljashko avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Burg stuffs the takedown.
Ljashko lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Ljashko shoots in for a takedown but Burg shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Ljashko slips under a jab from Burg.
Burg lands the left hand.
Ljashko moves out of range of the strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burg swats away the attempt to clinch by Ljashko.
Burg misses with a hook. Ljashko ducked under it nicely.
Ljashko takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Ljashko shoots in for a takedown but Burg shows good takedown defense.
A head kick from Ljashko lands but Burg takes it in his stride.
Ljashko has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Ljashko there as he acknowledges the shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Burg looks to land a left hand but Ljashko moved out of range nicely.
Burg loads up on a big right hand but Ljashko slips the punch.
Burg misses with a jab, cross combination.

Ljashko shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Burg tries to kick Ljashko off but Ljashko keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Oleg Ljashko will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Burg connects with a jab.
Burg lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
No luck for Ljashko with that takedown attempt.
Ljashko throws a series of punches but Burg avoids them all with ease.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Burg, as that shot connected.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Ljashko.
Ljashko shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Burg defends it nicely.
A little jabbing left from Burg on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Oleg Ljashko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Burg misses with a body shot
and Ljashko counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Ljashko slips under a jab.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Burg misses with a double jab.
Ljashko takes a jab right on the kisser.
Burg might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Ljashko tries to move into range but Burg moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Burg lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ljashko circles away quickly and effectively.

Ljashko closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Burg is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Ljashko pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Burg waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ljashko.
Burg is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Burg thows a left - swing and a miss!
Ljashko moves out of range as Burg strikes.
Ljashko throws a big counter combination but Burg scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.

Ljashko gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Burg prevents a takedown attempt there.
Ljashko stalling the fight.

Ljashko pulls guard successfully.
Ljashko controlling the position.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Burg would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ljashko escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Burg gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Burg really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Ljashko. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Burg tries to stand but Ljashko is controlling from the bottom.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

Ljashko wriggles free and stands up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burg looks to land a left hand but Ljashko moved out of range nicely.
Burg throws an overhand right that lands on Ljashko's shoulder, as Ljashko tries to avoid the shot.
Burg lands a nice looking body shot.
Burg tries to clinch but Ljashko moves out of range.
Burg jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Ljashko misses the jab.
Burg is looking to clinch.
Peter Burg seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Burg swinging wildly here.
Ljashko moves out of range of the strikes.
Burg looks to score with a jab to the body but Ljashko is just out of range.
Horrible takedown attempt by Ljashko or perhaps it was just good defense by Burg, which made it look bad.
Ljashko ducks right into an uppercut from Burg.
Ljashko fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Burg avoids it really well and circles away.
Oleg Ljashko is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Burg throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Ljashko feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Burg lands with a hook. Ljashko tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Burg throws a sloppy body shot
and Ljashko counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Burg is breathing heavily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Burg throws a hook but Ljashko avoids it easily.
Burg throws a shot from downtown. Ljashko moves away and avoids it.

Ljashko pushes Burg up against the ropes in a clinch.
Burg letting Ljashko take a breather here.

Ljashko drags the fight down to the ground.
Burg tries to stand but Ljashko is controlling from the bottom.

Ljashko has his foot on Burg's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Burg works his way back into a safe position though.
Burg wants to stand and escape but instead Ljashko has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Ljashko is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Peter Burg showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Burg looks to land a combination but Ljashko avoids it well.
Burg digs a good hook to Ljashko's body.
Ljashko ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

Ljashko closes the distance and clinches.

Ljashko escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A big left from Burg misses.
Ljashko avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Ljashko closes the distance and pushes Burg back into the ropes.
Burg misses with a punch to the body.
Ljashko lands a nice knee to the body.

Ljashko escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Burg misses with a looping left.
Ljashko half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Burg misses the shot to the body.
A swing and a miss from Burg.
Ljashko misses with the combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ljashko shoots in for a takedown but Burg shows good takedown defense.

Ljashko closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
Burg letting Ljashko take a breather here.

Ljashko pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Ljashko gets a clinch.
Ljashko drops down looking for an ankle pick but Burg pulls his leg out and moves away.
Burg misses with a looping left.
Burg throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Burg swinging wildly here.
Ljashko keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ljashko shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Burg but Burg pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Oleg Ljashko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ljashko closes the distance and clinches up with Burg, looking for a takedown. Ljashko pushes Burg against the ropes but Burg circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ljashko has managed to clinch.
Ljashko looking for a takedown.
Ljashko is looking for a takedown up against the ropes. Burg gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ljashko controlling the action here for a moment.
Ljashko tries for a takedown but Burg manages to get underhooks.
Ljashko misses with some punches.
Ljashko has Burg pressed against the ropes.
A frustrated look appears on Burg's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Ljashko jumps guard but Burg stands there with Ljashko around his waist. Ljashko gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burg misses with the head strike.

Ljashko manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

The fighters are working up against the ropes. Ljashko manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the ropes.

Ljashko pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Ljashko looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Burg!
Burg prevents Ljashko from improving position.
Burg is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the ropes but Ljashko has just dragged him back down to the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burg trying to remain calm as Ljashko controls from the top position.

Ljashko stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Ljashko dodges the punch combination from Burg.
Ljashko throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Burg.
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!
Burg dodges the punch combination from Ljashko.
Burg misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ljashko.
Ljashko misses with a straight left.
Ljashko displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Burg throws out the jab.
Ljashko walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Burg fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Burg missing with a left hand there. Ljashko was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Oleg Ljashko clearly takes that round.
That's time! Ljashko's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Ljashko throws a right and a left that both miss.
A swing and a miss from Burg.
A combination from Burg does no damage.
Nice sprawl there from Burg as Ljashko shoots in.
Ljashko fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Burg has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Ljashko showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Burg.
Burg misses the jab.

Ljashko closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.

Ljashko escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Burg throws a lazy right hand but Ljashko sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
No joy there for Burg, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ljashko scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Burg doesn't seem bothered though.
Ljashko bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Burg misses with a hook to the body

and Ljashko counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Burg is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Ljashko dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the ropes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burg fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Burg fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Burg looking to stall.
Burg has a couple of punches blocked by Ljashko.
Ljashko holding his opponent close, against the ropes.
Ljashko landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Ljashko wants a takedown.

Ljashko manages to break the clinch.
Ljashko dives in for a single leg takedown but Burg sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the ropes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Oleg Ljashko. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Burg misses.
Burg misses with a straight right.
Ljashko fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Ljashko looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Burg is fending him off so far but Ljashko persists. Nope, Burg circles away and we're back to standing.
Burg swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Burg takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Burg pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

Ljashko closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ljashko is taking a breather. Burg says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Ljashko thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Ljashko is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Burg doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Ljashko.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ljashko trying to pass the guard but Burg defending well.
Ljashko throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Ljashko stalling.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Burg misses with a lunging right hand
and Ljashko counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Burg throws the left hand but Ljashko avoids the punch easily.
Burg misses with the combination.
Ljashko is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Burg.
Burg tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ljashko swats him away and circles back towards the center.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Burg misses with a hook.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Ljashko.
Burg throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Oleg Ljashko will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Burg misses with a double jab.
Burg slaps away a takedown attempt from Ljashko, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Burg connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Burg throws a lazy uppercut

and Ljashko moves into the clinch.

Ljashko gets control of Burg's arms and successfully pulls guard. Ljashko will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Burg avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Ljashko pushes Burg off and scrambles back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Burg misses with a hook.
Peter Burg seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Burg looks to score with a jab to the body but Ljashko is just out of range.
Burg misses the jab.

Ljashko gets a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burg fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Oleg Ljashko has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Burg is trying to push Ljashko away but Ljashko has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.
Ljashko is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the ropes enables Burg to keep the fight standing.
Ljashko fails to pull the fight into his guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Oleg Ljashko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Burg misses with a short punch on the inside.
Burg is trying to break the clinch but Ljashko is controlling him.

Ljashko pulls guard successfully.
Ljashko pulls Burg in close to prevent any damage.

Ljashko manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Burg swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ljashko slips a straight right by Burg.
Ljashko tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Burg manages to circle out of the way.
Ljashko slips a straight right by Burg.
Ljashko changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Burg tries to avoid it but Ljashko manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Burg to the ground. Burg escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Ljashko will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Burg misses with a wild body shot.
Burg throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ljashko sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Burg throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Burg connects with a single shot there.
Burg's corner calls for a 1-2. Burg obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Burg swings for the body but Ljashko moves out of range.
Ljashko ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Ljashko fails with the takedown.
Burg scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burg looks to throw the jab but Ljashko is out of range.
Burg throws a left and a right that both miss

and Ljashko moves into the clinch.
Burg misses with a short punch on the inside.
Burg working aggressively here.
A right handed body shot lands from Burg.

Ljashko breaks the clinch.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Ljashko.
Burg swinging wildly here.
Ljashko shoots in but Burg avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Burg tries to clinch up.
Ljashko throws a quick counter head kick but Burg was just out of range.
Ljashko ducks under a wild hook from Burg.
Ljashko is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
The fight stays on the outside here - Burg looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burg is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
It looked like Ljashko was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.

Ljashko decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Ljashko seems to be working for a kimura but Burg defends the submission attempt.
Ljashko is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Burg!
Ljashko controlling from the full mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Peter Burg.
I think Ljashko 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 Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 48:47
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 46:49
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 48:49

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Peter Burg!
Peter Burg tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.