PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Johannes Maanpohja (ranked 3417 p4p, 353 weight class) and Darren Burns (ranked 4190 p4p, 420 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Maanpohja
vs
Burns

171 cm
41
173 lbs
21 - 37 - 0

185 cm
26
180 lbs
11 - 14 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

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 21 - 37 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Johannes Maanpohja!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Darren Burns!
The judges for this bout are Dillan Fox, Gregory Folan and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Maanpohja closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Burns did well to prevent Maanpohja getting side control.

Burns has one foot on Maanpohja's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Burns bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Maanpohja's head backwards.
Maanpohja takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Burns throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Maanpohja sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Maanpohja shoots in for a double leg but Burns sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Maanpohja looks for a takedown but Burns sprawls well.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Burns misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Maanpohja.
Maanpohja moves forwards but Burns connects with a nice, crisp jab.

Maanpohja dives in and scores a takedown into Burns's guard.
Maanpohja throwing strikes from guard but Burns blocks nicely.
Maanpohja lands a couple of elbows.
Burns wants to stand but Maanpohja is controlling the position.
Burns utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Maanpohja pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Burns is keeping the position for now.
Burns is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Maanpohja is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Maanpohja won't allow Burns to get back to his feet.
Maanpohja throwing strikes but missing.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Maanpohja tries to free his leg and advance position but Burns is retaining full guard.
Maanpohja passes Burns's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Maanpohja is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Burns sees it coming and defends easily.

Burns is defending against the submission attempts here by Maanpohja.

Burns makes his way to full guard, as Maanpohja worked for a kimura.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maanpohja trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Maanpohja cracks Burns with a solid left hand.
Maanpohja looking to pass the guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Maanpohja is in close to Burns's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Maanpohja postures up in Burns's guard and throws a big left but Burns blocks it.
Maanpohja looking to pass the guard.
Maanpohja throws a big elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Burns scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Maanpohja looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Maanpohja takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Maanpohja shoots in looking for a takedown but Burns manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Maanpohja's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Johannes Maanpohja. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Maanpohja fails with the takedown
and Burns counters with a nice body shot.
Maanpohja is breathing heavily.
Burns scoring well with a low kick there.
Burns scores with a crisp jab that stopped Maanpohja in his tracks.
Burns moves into range and connects with a jab.
Burns feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Maanpohjas jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Maanpohja dives in for a single leg takedown but Burns sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Maanpohja throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Burns's waist but Burns gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Maanpohja off to one side.
A slow jab from Burns misses its intended target.
Maanpohja tries to score a power double leg takedown but Burns sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Maanpohja somewhat.
Burns connects with a looping right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Oooooh!!! Burns has knocked Maanpohja down with a huge combo! Burns steps away and waves a wobbly Maanpohja back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!

Maanpohja is rocked!
Maanpohja shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Burns pinned against the cage. Burns gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Burns sends Maanpohja crashing to the mat with a devastating uppercut! Burns is motioning to the referee to let Maanpohja up. He wants to try and finish this one on the feet!
Oh Maanpohja is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Nice takedown defense from Burns. No joy for Maanpohja on that attempt.
Maanpohja seems to have got his legs back now.
Maanpohja shoots in for a takedown but Burns shows good takedown defense.
Some wild striking there from Burns.
Maanpohja looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Burns connects with a superb combination that knocks Maanpohja out cold! The referee charges across the mat and tackles Burns before he can land any more shots to the unconscious Maanpohja!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:46 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Darren Burns!