PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Nicky Burks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Manny Zelaya (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nicky Burks has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Burks
vs
Zelaya

208 cm
18
193 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

188 cm
25
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Likes musicals

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nicky Burks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Manny Zelaya!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Ivan Kurochkin and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Zelaya clinches up against the cage.
Burks dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Burks misses with a punch to the body.
Zelaya looking for a takedown.
Burks tries for a takedown but Zelaya manages to get underhooks.
Zelaya drops down looking for an ankle pick but Burks pulls his leg out and moves away.
Zelaya misses with a takedown attempt - Burks sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Burks is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Zelaya.
Nicky Burks has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Manny Zelaya.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Zelaya is defended easily by Burks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zelaya throws a head kick that misses.
Burks avoids the head kick by Zelaya.
Burks really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Zelaya clinches up with Burks and pushes him back against the cage.

Zelaya manages to break the clinch.
Zelaya lands a nice hook to Burks's body. Burks takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

Zelaya clinches with his opponent.

Zelaya breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Zelaya avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Burks takes a head kick and keeps coming.

It looks like Nicky Burks has been cut.

Zelaya rushes Burks and presses him up against the cage.
Burks tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Burks goes for a takedown in the clinch but Zelaya prevents it.
Zelaya tries to pull guard but Burks won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burks can't get the takedown.
Burks has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Zelaya after a bit of a struggle.
Burks is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Zelaya pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Zelaya managing to block the knees to the body from Burks.
Zelaya is looking for a takedown.
Zelaya lands a body shot in the clinch.

Zelaya jumps into guard, dragging Burks to the mat.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Burks slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Zelaya wants to get back to his feet but Burks is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zelaya looking to hit a scissor sweep but Burks is one step ahead there.
Zelaya looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

Zelaya is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Burks won't allow Zelaya to sweep him here.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Zelaya gets a clinch.

Zelaya has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Burks uses from the top position.
Zelaya pulls Burks in close to his closed guard and prevents Burks from doing any damage or advancing position.
Burks wants to control from the top but Zelaya keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Zelaya has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Manny Zelaya dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Nicky Burks's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Zelaya tries for a takedown but Burks sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Zelaya has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Zelaya rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Burks moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Zelaya moves into the clinch.
Zelaya is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Zelaya can't get the takedown.
Burks throws a head punch that misses.
Zelaya gets underhooks to prevent Burks's takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zelaya lands a good knee to the midsection. Burks won't want to take too many of those.
A short body shot lands from Zelaya as the two fighters clinch.

Zelaya pulls guard.
Burks is stalling in the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Zelaya kicks Burks off and gets to his feet.
Zelaya jabs at Burks's body.
Burks stuffs the takedown attempt from Zelaya. Zelaya gets slowly back to his feet.
Nicky Burks has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Manny Zelaya.
Zelaya dives in and grabs Burks's left leg, looking for a takedown. Burks pushes down on Zelaya's head and hops out.
Burks seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Zelaya tries to score a power double leg takedown but Burks sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Zelaya somewhat.
Zelaya is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burks keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Zelaya doesn't manage to clinch there - Burks circles away.
Burks throws a big counter combination but Zelaya scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.

Zelaya closes the distance and clinches.
Burks is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Zelaya is defending well for now.
Zelaya tries to pull guard but Burks forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Burks is trying to drag Zelaya to the mat but Zelaya just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Burks is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Zelaya pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Manny Zelaya seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Zelaya will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Burks up against the cage.

Zelaya breaks the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burks stuffs the takedown attempt from Zelaya. Zelaya gets slowly back to his feet.
Burks swats away the attempt to clinch by Zelaya.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Zelaya.
As Zelaya looks to move away, Burks throws a big counter combo but Zelaya just gets out of the way.
Zelaya missing with a left hand there. Burks was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Zelaya looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Burks is fending him off so far but Zelaya persists. Nope, Burks circles away and we're back to standing.
As Zelaya looks to move away, Burks throws a big counter combo but Zelaya just gets out of the way.

Zelaya gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Zelaya pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Zelaya wants to clinch but Burks slips to the side

and Burks counters with a nice double leg into side control. Zelaya won't be happy with that.
Zelaya tries to get back to half guard but can't.
A lull in the action here as Burks stalls from top position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
What's Zelaya going to do here then? He's in a bit of a pickle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Manny Zelaya showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Nicky Burks's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Burks tries to close the distance and clinch but Zelaya swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Burks stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Burks wants it to stay on the feet.
Nice sprawl there from Burks as Zelaya shoots in.

Zelaya moves into the clinch.

Zelaya breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Zelaya gets tackled into the cage by Burks. Burks maintains the clinch.
Zelaya is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Burks gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Nicky Burks has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Manny Zelaya.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zelaya tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Zelaya takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Burks throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Burks prevents the takedown attempt.
A short right from Burks.
Burks drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burks changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Zelaya fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Zelaya tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Burks paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Zelaya shoots in looking for a takedown but Burks manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Zelaya's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Burks is looking to counter punch.
Zelaya tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Burks swivels and escapes.
Zelaya with a lazy takedown attempt
and Burks counters with a two punch combo.
Zelaya throws a head kick that misses.
Burks appears to be looking for a big counter.
Burks throws a head kick but Zelaya moves out of range.
Zelaya shoots in for a takedown but Burks shows good takedown defense.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Burks takes the fight into the clinch.

Burks has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Zelaya regains guard immediately.
Zelaya is wriggling around but Burks manages to pass to half guard.

The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Burks is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Zelaya is trying is best to control the position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zelaya is trying to maintain the position but Burks is very close to passing his half guard.
Burks is taking a breather. Zelaya 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.
Zelaya trying to control but Burks postures up.
Burks trying to control from half guard but Zelaya is working away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Zelaya gets back to full guard.

Zelaya isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Burks stacks Zelaya on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Burks!
Zelaya tries to bench press Burks off him but Burks keeps the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zelaya is still trying to improve position.
Nicky Burks has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Manny Zelaya is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Zelaya struggling a bit here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nicky Burks showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Zelaya 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 Valeri Chadov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Manny Zelaya!