PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tatku Azebuta (ranked 4303 p4p, 4286 weight class) and Benny Burns (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Azebuta
vs
Burns

190 cm
18
250
0 - 0 - 0

215 cm
25
275
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite 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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Tatku Azebuta!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Benny Burns!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Donald Grub and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Azebuta throws a left and a right that both miss

and Burns counters by clinching up.
Burns missing with knees to the body.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Burns.

It looks like Tatku Azebuta has been cut.
Burns missing with knees to the body.
Burns pressing his opponent against the cage.
Azebuta wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Burns has him pressed against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Burns lands a body shot in the clinch.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Burns with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burns lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Azebuta backwards.
A short left from Burns.
Azebuta wants to get back to striking at distance but Burns won't allow it.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Burns takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Burns landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Burns is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Burns tries to work over Azebuta's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Burns is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Burns takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Benny Burns.
Azebuta swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Burns counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Burns.
Burns missing with knees to the body.
Burns scores with a shoulder strike.
Burns tries to work over Azebuta's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burns slows down the pace here.
Burns lands a knee to the body.
Azebuta is breathing heavily.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Burns scores with a nice hook to the head.
A nice left hand lands by Burns.
Knees in the clinch landing for Burns.
Burns works on Azebuta's body with a couple of short punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Burns creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Burns lands a knee to the head.
Burns's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Burns avoiding damage.
Burns with a knee to the head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Burns manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Burns goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Benny Burns dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Tatku Azebuta's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Burns forces Azebuta back against the cage and clinches.
Burns leaning his opponent against the cage.
Burns lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Azebuta is trying to break free.
Burns leaning his opponent against the cage.
Burns lands an uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Burns avoiding damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burns slows down the pace here.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Burns in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Benny Burns.

Burns forces Azebuta back against the cage and clinches.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Burns.
Burns lands a nice knee to the body.
Burns is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Azebuta's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Burns lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Burns misses with a body punch.
Burns working Azebuta over with knees to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knees in the clinch landing for Burns.
Burns taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Burns is stalling here.
Burns receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
Burns landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Burns lands a good knee to the midsection. Azebuta won't want to take too many of those.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Burns is struggling to control the position.
Burns throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Burns taking a breather.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burns controlling the action here for a moment.
Burns makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Burns creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Azebuta's defenses.
Burns displaying some good clinch control by pressing Azebuta up against the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Benny Burns.

Burns has Azebuta up against the cage in a clinch.
Burns stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Azebuta is trying to break free.
Azebuta managing to block the knees to the body from Burns.
A frustrated look appears on Azebuta's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Burns tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Azebuta's elbow.
Burns is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Burns lands with a right to the head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Benny Burns showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Tatku Azebuta's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Azebuta swings for the body but Burns moves out of range.

Azebuta tries to keep at a distance but Burns has taken the fight into the clinch.
Azebuta wants to break free but Burns has control.
Azebuta takes an elbow to the temple.
Burns lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Burns gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Burns trying to land knees to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Burns misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Azebuta.
Burns dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Burns obliges.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burns landing knees to the body.
Burns manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Benny Burns seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Burns lands a good knee to the midsection. Azebuta won't want to take too many of those.
Burns with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
A right hook to the body lands for Burns.
Burns with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

Azebuta is rocked!
Burns lands a damaging elbow.
Oh Azebuta is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

Tatku Azebuta's cut is getting worse.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burns working Azebuta over with knees to the body.
Burns landing knees to the body.
Azebuta seems to have got his legs back now.
Burns's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Burns lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A short uppercut from Burns.
Burns working the clinch nicely. Azebuta is working for position but Burns cracks him with a big knee to the head! Azebuta crumples up against the cage and Burns lands two more shots before the ref can save Azebuta! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:54 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Knee & Punches). Benny Burns!