PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between RP McMurphy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Connor Mac Burns (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McMurphy comes to the cage accompanied by I'm a Solider - Tupac. Burns has chosen as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

McMurphy
vs
Mac Burns

196 cm
30
257 lbs
12 - 4 - 0

189 cm
25
265 lbs
10 - 6 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Spartan Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, RP McMurphy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Connor Mac Burns!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Chris Downing and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McMurphy keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Burns.
McMurphy attempts a counter takedown but Burns avoids it well and moves away.
McMurphy avoids a punch combination nicely.
McMurphy waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Burns.
McMurphy has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Canadian Elite Bruins Gym in the buildup to the fight.
McMurphy comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from McMurphy. Burns does a little dance to reset his feet.
McMurphy uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Burns.
McMurphy cracks Burns with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Burns is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by McMurphy.
McMurphy half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
A big left from Burns misses.
McMurphy half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
McMurphy misses with a hook.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Burns walks into a jab.
McMurphy slips under a jab from Burns.
McMurphy feinted with a counter takedown.
Burns scores with a jab to the body.
McMurphy misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Burns.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Burns.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McMurphy on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Nice jab there from Burns.
Burns misses the shot to the body.
McMurphy feinted with a counter takedown.
The fighters circling - Burns throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Burns just misses with a punch to the body.
McMurphy moves out of range as Burns strikes.
McMurphy throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Burns counters with a nice uppercut.
McMurphy staying out of range there.
Good exchange - Burns coming out on top.
McMurphy shoots in but no luck this time.
McMurphy uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Burns.
McMurphy drops down looking for a counter takedown but Burns sprawls and moves away.
Burns throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
McMurphy slips under a jab from Burns.
McMurphy drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McMurphy moves out of range as Burns strikes.
McMurphy feinted with a counter takedown.
McMurphy bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Burns throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
McMurphy smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
McMurphy swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Burns.
Burns pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Burns.
McMurphy is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Burns scores with a hook to the body. McMurphy takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
McMurphy gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Burns.
McMurphy slips a jab from Burns.
Burns's jab looks to have found its range, popping McMurphy under the eye.
McMurphy throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Burns throws a nice outside leg kick.
Burns misses with an uppercut

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burns wants to control but McMurphy postures up.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Burns tries to improve position but can't.
Burns dodges the ground and pound from McMurphy.
McMurphy is looking to take a break and control but Burns is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Burns can't do much from the bottom here.
McMurphy controlling the position.
McMurphy tries to move into full mount but can't pass Burns's legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Burns taking a bit of punishment here - McMurphy scoring with strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Burns struggling a bit here.
Burns defending against the ground and pound.
Burns sneaks back into half guard.
Burns tries to roll over but McMurphy keeps him under control.
McMurphy working the head and body with strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Connor Mac Burns dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Nice defenses there by McMurphy.
McMurphy attempts a counter takedown but Burns avoids it well and moves away.
Burns scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Burns wants to land a leg kick but McMurphy is out of range.
McMurphy feinted with a counter takedown.
McMurphy is trying hard to land a takedown here. Burns sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Burns connects with the punch.
Connor Mac Burns seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McMurphy takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Burns swings widly with a right hand

and McMurphy counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Burns is concentrating on defense, preventing McMurphy from advancing position.
McMurphy is pressing down on Burns's thigh, looking to free his foot. Burns is holding on for now.
RP McMurphy overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Burns is looking to escape.
McMurphy throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
McMurphy wants to control but Burns is keeping him busy.
Burns felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Burns avoiding damage under a succession of punches from McMurphy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McMurphy working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Burns's thigh. Burns counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Burns looking to control.
McMurphy is pushing down on Burns's leg trying to pass to half guard. Burns is fighting to maintain full guard but McMurphy has managed to sneak the leg through.
Burns regains full guard. Nicely done.
Burns is trying to keep McMurphy in close.
McMurphy lands a couple of elbows.
Burns keeping moving, preventing McMurphy from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as McMurphy accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Burns has McMurphy pulled in close to control his posture.
McMurphy throws a big right hand that misses.
Burns working a defensive guard here.
McMurphy stands up over Burns, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
McMurphy looking to pass the guard.
Burns pulls McMurphy in close to prevent any damage.
McMurphy won't allow Burns to get back to his feet.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McMurphy misses with a right hand
and Burns counters with a left to the body.
McMurphy just misses with a punch to the body.
A swing and a miss from Burns.
McMurphy avoids a punch combination nicely.
McMurphy on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
McMurphy goes for a double leg but Burns avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Burns continues to drive forward.
Burns throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
McMurphy swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Burns throws a hook to the side of McMurphy's head but McMurphy sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Burns throws a combination but it was largely blocked by McMurphy.
Burns throws the left hand but McMurphy avoids the punch easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McMurphy scores with a jab to the head.
McMurphy ducks under a wild hook from Burns.
McMurphy displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Burns throws out the jab.
Burns has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Burns connects with a single shot there.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Burns.
Burns throws a big shot that misses.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Burns misses with a telegraphed body shot
and McMurphy cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Burns dodges the punch combination from McMurphy.
Burns keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for RP McMurphy. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Burns misses with a looping left.
Burns throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Connor Mac Burns showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Burns throws a hook but McMurphy avoids it easily.

McMurphy shoots in and gets a takedown into Burns's guard.
Burns has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
McMurphy loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Burns looking to control.
Burns keeping full guard, as McMurphy tries to pass.
McMurphy trying to control but Burns is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McMurphy passes into half guard.

Burns actively working from the bottom here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burns trying to hold on to McMurphy's head to control him but McMurphy postures up.
McMurphy throwing shots but Burns is blocking nicely.
McMurphy trying to control from half guard but Burns is working away.
McMurphy is pressing down on Burns's thigh, looking to free his foot. Burns is holding on for now.

Burns kicks off McMurphy and gets to his feet.
Connor Mac Burns is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burns's jab looks to have found its range, popping McMurphy under the eye.
McMurphy displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Burns throws out the jab.
McMurphy jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Burns misses with an uppercut.
Burns throws a body shot but no joy.
McMurphy slips under a jab.
McMurphy was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Burns throws a jab when McMurphy was well out of range.
McMurphy scores with a hook.
Burns misses with an uppercut. McMurphy saw that one coming.
Burns misses with an uppercut.
McMurphy half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
McMurphy ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Burns cracks McMurphy with a good jab.
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!
No luck for McMurphy with that takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Decent striking displayed by Burns there.
McMurphy jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A big left from McMurphy misses.
Connor Mac Burns is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Burns misses with a straight left.
RP McMurphy has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Burns jabs McMurphy to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Burns uses good head movement to avoid the hook from McMurphy.
Burns throws out a counter right but McMurphy avoids it with no problem.
Burns throws the kick towards the body but McMurphy avoids it.
McMurphy avoids a kick to the body.
McMurphy half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
McMurphy avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
McMurphy keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Burns.
McMurphy slips under a jab from Burns.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McMurphy takes a jab right on the kisser.
McMurphy tests Burns's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A swing and a miss from McMurphy.
Burns steps to the side to avoid the strikes from McMurphy.
A big left from Burns misses.
McMurphy fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Burns scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McMurphy moves out of range of the body kick.
Burns lands a really nice looking cross but McMurphy seems unphased.
Burns lands the left hand.
Burns rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Burns takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Burns misses with a hook.
Burns misses with an uppercut. McMurphy saw that one coming.

And that's the end of the fight!
Connor Mac Burns comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Burns winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 George Francis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Connor Mac Burns!
Our winner, Connor Mac Burns, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.