PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Adrian Shota (ranked 626 p4p, 93 weight class) and Connor Mac Burns (ranked 1005 p4p, 143 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Shota might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Black Panther Theme by Stephen James Taylor . The crowd seem to be enjoying Burns's choice of entrance music: . Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Shota
vs
Mac Burns

185 cm
40
202 lbs
32 - 16 - 1

189 cm
34
215 lbs
25 - 15 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

XFighter Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 32 - 16 - 1, fighting out of London, Adrian Shota!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 15 - 0, fighting out of London, Connor Mac Burns!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Timothy Bukovac and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shota throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Burns sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Shota is looking to clinch.
Burns thumps Shota with a low kick.
Burns takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Shota takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Shota looks to land a left hand but Burns moved out of range nicely.
Burns bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Some bone on bone action there as Burns checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Shota fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Burns looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Shota moves out of range of the strikes.
Nice defenses there by Shota.
Burns checks a leg kick nicely.
Shota keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Nice body punch from Shota.
Burns ducks right into an uppercut from Shota.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Shota misses with an uppercut
and Burns counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Burns slips under a jab.
Shota ducks under a wild hook from Burns.
Shota throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Burns misses with a hook. Shota ducked under it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burns on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Shota. Shota obviously looking to wear him down.
Burns swings away with a body shot that misses
and Shota counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Burns thinking.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Shota, right into the meat.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Shota.
Shota catches Burns with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Shota throws the left hand but Burns avoids the punch easily.
Shota is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Burns.
A jab lands there for Shota.
Shota lands a right hook to the body.
Shota scores with a hook.
Burns checks a leg kick.
Burns swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Shota has closed the distance and engaged Burns in a clinch.
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!
Burns prevents a body shot from Shota.
Burns misses with a hook to the ribs.
A shot in the inside from Burns.
Burns tries to work over Shota's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Burns can't find room to land a body shot as Shota controls the action.
Shota can't find room to land a body shot as Burns controls the action.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burns softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Burns lands a shot to the body.
Burns swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A short right from Shota on the inside.
Shota misses with a short punch on the inside.
I was talking to Shota's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
A shot in the inside from Shota.
A short right from Burns on the inside.
Shota can't find room to land a body shot as Burns controls the action.
Shota misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Burns working aggressively here.
Shota misses with a hook to the ribs.
Shota lands a shoulder strike.
Burns throws a punch but it's blocked by Shota.
Shota misses with a hook from the clinch.
Burns tries a body shot but Shota blocks it.
Burns struggles to land a body shot inside as Shota controls his hands.
Burns scores with a nice hook to the head.
Shota misses with a punch on the inside.
Shota has a couple of punches blocked by Burns.
Shota scores with a nice hook to the head.
Burns working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Shota swings wildly with an uppercut but Burns uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burns working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Shota lands a hook to the side of the head.
Shota takes a shot to the head.
Shota blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Burns misses with a hook to the ribs.
Burns lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Shota misses with a hook from the clinch.
Burns scores with a shoulder strike.
Shota tries to work over Burns's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Shota misses with a punch to the body.
Shota can't find room to land a body shot as Burns controls the action.
Shota misses with the head strike.
Burns lands with a light punch inside.
A head punch on the inside from Burns fails to land.
Burns tries to work over Shota's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Burns tries to throw a body punch but Shota avoids it by throwing Burns back against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Burns fails to land.
Burns lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Shota presses Burns against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Shota misses with a hook to the ribs.
Shota lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Burns or not.
Shota misses with some punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burns misses with a short punch on the inside.
Still in the clinch, Shota scores with a nice short uppercut.
Burns works on Shota's body with a couple of short punches.
Shota tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Nice body punch from Shota - that landed with a thud.
Shota throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Burnss head.
Shota blocks a body shot from Burns.
Still in the clinch, Shota scores with a nice short uppercut.
A nice left hand lands by Burns.
Shota misses with a body punch.
Shota swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Shota lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Burns.
Shota lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Burns digs a right hand underneath Shota's ribcage. Shota let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Burns blocks an uppercut.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Burns throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Shota scores with a nice hook to the head.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Shota.
Burns prevents a body shot from Shota.
Shota swings away with an uppercut that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Adrian Shota dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Burns throws a body shot but no joy.
Good standup being displayed there by Shota as he connects with a hook.
Shota misses with a straight left.
Burns looks like he wants to counter punch here.
A jab from Shota misses.
Burns lands with a thumping leg kick.
Shota scores with the left hand. Burns knows he should have avoided that one.
Burns walks into a jab.
Shota throws a body punch but Burns moves out of range.
Shota connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Burns pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Adrian Shota is winning the standup battle so far.
Burns misses with a wild body shot.
Nice body punch from Burns.
Burns misses with an uppercut.
Shota looks to score with a jab to the body but Burns is just out of range.
Adrian Shota seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Shota takes a shot right to the bread basket.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Shota motions for Burns to come forward. Shota throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Shota fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Burns.
Shota tries to land a leg kick but Burns saw it coming and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burns needs to keep his hands up - Shota had a free shot at his head there.
Burns throws the left hand but Shota avoids the punch easily.
Burns misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Shota.
Nice body punch from Shota.
Shota avoids the body shot from Burns.
Shota takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Shota misses with a hook.
Burns darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
A looping hook to the body misses from Shota. Burns does a little dance to reset his feet.
Burns misses with a looping left.
Burns shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
A counter left hand to the body from Shota misses its target.
Burns throws a hook to the side of Shota's head but Shota sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Shota is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Shota moves out of range of the strikes.
A swing and a miss from Burns.
Burns ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Shota tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Burns manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Shota avoids the body shot from Burns.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shota throws a looping overhand right but Burns ducks down to avoid it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shota loads up on a big right hand but Burns slips the punch.
A little jabbing left from Burns on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Shota just misses with a punch to the body.
Shota throws a solid leg kick but Burns takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Shota.
Burns moves out of range as Shota strikes.
Burns connects with a nice looking jab.
Burns tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Shota was well out of range. Poor timing from Burns.
Burns swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Shota misses with a straight left.
Shota with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Shota ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Shota throws a shot from downtown. Burns moves away and avoids it.
A telegraphed right hand from Shota misses the target.
A swing and a miss from Shota.
A bone on bone clash there as Burns blocks the leg kick.
Shota looks to land a right hand but Burns moved out of range.
Burns throws a hook to the side of Shota's head but Shota sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burns looks to score with a jab to the body but Shota is just out of range.
A lazy left from Burns finds it's target.
Shota bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Burns bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Burns throws a body shot but no joy.
Shota slips a straight right by Burns.
Burns throws a body kick that misses.
Shota just misses with a punch to the body.
Shota lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Shota tries to clinch there but Burns circles away.
Shota tries to close the distance and clinch up but Burns swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Burns looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Burns checks a leg kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Shota. That's going to slow Burns down.
Burns misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Shota.
Shota misses with a hook.
Shota connects with a body shot that sends Burns's belly button to the back.
Shota connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shota lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Shota uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Shota misses the shot to the body.
A nice side step and Burns releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Burns lands a nice leg kick that just misses Shota's sensitive parts.
Burns throws a body kick that misses.
A big left from Shota misses.
A countering left hand to the body from Burns misses.
Shota takes a swing at Burns's ribcage but misses.
Burns slips a straight right by Shota.
Shota throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Shota wants to clinch.
Burns let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Shota connects with the punch.
Shota with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Burns looking to land some kicks to the body here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Adrian Shota will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Shota scores with a shot to the body.
Burns on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Shota tries to work over Burns's front leg with a kick but Burns checks it.
Shota lands a slapping body shot.
Shota is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Burns can do to turn this around?
That kick from Shota tenderised Burns's leg. Burns is trying to keep his angry face on.
Burns ducks under a wild hook from Shota.
Shota misses with a hook
and Burns counters with a nice body shot.
Burns misses with a looping left.
Shota swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Burns looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Shota uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Burns.
Burns moves out of range as Shota strikes.
Burns connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Shota momentarily.
Shota dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Burns. That did some damage!
Shota throws a looping overhand right but Burns ducks down to avoid it.
Shota missing with a left hand there. Burns was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Shota gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Burns.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Good work by Burns as he checks the leg kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Shota. Burns does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burns scores with a jab to the body.
A decent looking cross lands there for Burns.
Burns gets cracked there but stands up to it.
A shot to the liver by Shota. Beautiful body shot.
Burns's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Shota misses with an uppercut. Burns saw that one coming.
Shota jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Shota stuns Burns with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Burns throws a hook but Shota blocks it.
Shota loads up on a big right hand but Burns slips the punch.
Burns lands a jab to the nose.
Shota tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Burns was well out of range. Poor timing from Shota.
Burns lands a jab.
Shota throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Burns! But no joy.
Burns looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Burns waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Shota.
Shota connects with a nice looking jab.
Connor Mac Burns has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burns misses with a kick to the body.
Burns misses with a hook. Shota ducked under it nicely.
Burns lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Shota feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Burnss jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Shota lands a really nice looking cross but Burns seems unphased.
Nice uppercut lands for Burns. That snapped Shota's head back.
A jab from Shota misses.
Burns looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Shota misses with a left hand
and Burns connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Shota misses with a low kick.
Shota stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Burns drops his hands momentarily and Shota takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Shota listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Shota missing with a left hand there. Burns was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Shota cracks Burns with a good jab.
Shota scores with a crisp jab that stopped Burns in his tracks.
Shota throws a right hand that misses
and Burns counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Burns lands a big shot that drops Shota! Can he finish him?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burns slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Burns creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Shota sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Shota parries the strikes from Burns easily there. Burns is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Shota to escape.
Burns is putting a hurting on Shota here, landing some big shots from side control.
The strikes coming from Burns are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Shota takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Shota wants to get back to his feet.
Shota trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

Burns working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Burns throws an elbow but Shota slips to the side and avoids it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Burns is working for what looks like an arm triangle here. Shota is trying to escape and Burns transitions quickly into an armbar! He's slapped it on tight and Shota is forced to tap! Nice work there by Burns! Very nice indeed!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:25 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Connor Mac Burns!
Connor Mac Burns decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.
Adrian Shota was interviewed post fight and said 'Even the best of us have much to learn. My pain is well earned. May all my enemies be so skilled as you.'.