PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vincent Burns (ranked 24925 p4p, 0 weight class) and Josh Ricahrdson (ranked 5253 p4p, 0 weight class). Josh Ricahrdson has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Vincent Burns's chin.

Burns
vs
Ricahrdson

154 cm
21
278 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

180 cm
19
250 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Vincent Burns!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Josh Ricahrdson!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Alan Glass and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ricahrdson moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Jab from Ricahrdson.

It looks like Vincent Burns has been cut.
A combination from Burns does no damage.

Burns closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Ricahrdson's guard.

Ricahrdson has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Burns off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

Burns closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Ricahrdson quickly recovers to half guard.

Ricahrdson has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Burns is on him like a limpet, forcing Ricahrdson back against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ricahrdson tries to pull guard but Burns holds him up against the cage and eventually Ricahrdson drops back down to his feet.
Burns really is a fat lump.
Ricahrdson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Burns.
Ricahrdson tries for a takedown but Burns manages to get underhooks.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Ricahrdson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ricahrdson is trying to pull guard but Burns turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Vincent Burns has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Josh Ricahrdson.
Ricahrdson misses with some punches.

Ricahrdson manages to break the clinch.
Burns is trying hard to land a takedown here. Ricahrdson sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Ricahrdson gets a clinch.
Ricahrdson lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Burns or not.
Ricahrdson misses with a punch to the body.
Burns prevents a takedown attempt there.
Ricahrdson wants to get back to striking at distance but Burns won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burns avoids the elbow strike from Ricahrdson, against the cage.
Burns stops a takedown attempt from Ricahrdson.
Ricahrdson jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Burns walks away with a smile on his face. Ricahrdson gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Nice sprawl there from Burns as Ricahrdson shoots in.
Burns throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Ricahrdson makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

Burns closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Burns lands in his opponent's guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Burns scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Burns trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burns lands a couple of elbows.

Ricahrdson has his foot on Burns's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Burns works his way back into a safe position though.
Ricahrdson looks winded!
Burns postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Burns working some strikes from top position.
Ricahrdson seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Burns postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Burns with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Burns working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Burns is in close to Ricahrdson's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Ricahrdson has momentary wrist control but Burns slips an elbow through the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burns lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Burns postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Burns accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Burns might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Burns is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Burns postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Burns lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Burns keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Ricahrdson's head.
Burns lands a couple of digs.
Ricahrdson wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Burns is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Ricahrdson had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Burns defends it easily.
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 Vincent Burns will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Vincent Burns's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Burns clinches up with Ricahrdson and pushes him back against the cage.
Ricahrdson will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Burns up against the cage.
Burns is trying to break free.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Burns prevents a body shot from Ricahrdson.
Ricahrdson is trying to maintain a safe position but Burns gets an underhook and turns Ricahrdson into the cage.
Burns leaning his opponent against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Burns escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ricahrdson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Burns shoots in looking for a takedown but Ricahrdson manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Burns's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Burns shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Ricahrdson counters with a low kick, right behind Burns 's knee.
Burns takes one to the side of the head.
Ricahrdson misses with a combination

so Burns counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Burns got a little sloppy there for a moment and Ricahrdson has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Burns has managed to get both his arms back between Ricahrdson's legs - danger averted.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ricahrdson wants to control the position but Burns says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Ground and pound from Burns.
Ricahrdson is trying to control but can't.

Burns is looking for a kimura here.
Burns drops an elbow to the side of Ricahrdson's head.
Burns seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Ricahrdson looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Burns connects with a nice short shot to Ricahrdson's temple.
Ricahrdson is trying to control but can't.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Burns lands a nice short elbow.
Burns landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Ricahrdson looks like he's trying to stand up.
Burns lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Burns working Ricahrdson over with strikes.
Ricahrdson scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Burns manages to mount him!
Ricahrdson wants to control but Burns is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burns punishing his opponent with strikes.
Burns unloading with bombs!
Burns unloading with bombs!
Ricahrdson is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Burns putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Burns with good strikes from the mount here!
Burns dominating with strikes here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Burns jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Ricahrdson manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Burns working the head and body with strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vincent Burns dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Vincent Burns's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Burns moves into the clinch.
Burns misses with an elbow strike.
Burns wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Ricahrdson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Burns just misses with a punch to the body.
Ricahrdson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Ricahrdson has closed the distance and engaged Burns in a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ricahrdson wants a takedown but no success here.
Burns controlling the action here for a moment.
Ricahrdson tries to pull guard but Burns forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ricahrdson is trying to drag Burns to the mat but Burns just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Vincent Burns has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Josh Ricahrdson.
Ricahrdson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Burns is stalling here.

Burns breaks from the clinch.

Burns feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burns lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Burns distracts Ricahrdson with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Burns's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Burns scoring with punches to the head and body.
Burns connects with a couple of short punches.
Burns content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Burns with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Burns stands up over Ricahrdson, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Burns working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Ricahrdson's head.
Burns scoring with some ground and pound.
Burns working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Burns is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ricahrdson can do to turn this around?
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Burns working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burns makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Burns scoring with punches to the head and body.
Burns postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Burns lands a couple of elbows.
Burns lands a couple of digs.
Burns scoring with punches to the head and body.
Ricahrdson has momentary wrist control but Burns slips an elbow through the middle.
Burns stands up over Ricahrdson, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Ricahrdson has momentary wrist control but Burns slips an elbow through the middle.
Burns working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Burns lands a couple of digs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burns working some strikes from top position.
Burns scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

Ricahrdson is rocked!
Burns cracks Ricahrdson with a solid left hand.
Vincent Burns overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Burns working some strikes from top position.
Ricahrdson is still in real trouble! Can Burns finish him?
Burns keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Ricahrdson's head.
Ricahrdson seems to have recovered his senses.

Ricahrdson has an active guard here but Burns has managed to pass into half guard.
Burns takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ground and pound from Burns.
Josh Ricahrdson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Vincent Burns is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Burns working Ricahrdson over with strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vincent Burns showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Burns, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 29:28
Judge George Francis scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vincent Burns!