PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Alex Burrows (ranked 6110 p4p, 3205 weight class) and Yamapi Chan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Burrows
vs
Chan

178 cm
25
155
0 - 1 - 0

173 cm
18
165
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Alex Burrows!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Yamapi Chan!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Chan tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Burrows defends well and Chan ends up having to push Burrows into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Burrows defending well as Chan loads up on a big left hand.

Chan fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Burrows, pushing him back against the cage.
Chan changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Burrows fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Chan throws a big shot that misses.
Burrows misses with a head kick.
Chan moves in looking to clinch but Burrows pushes him off.
Chan is looking to clinch.
Chan swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Burrows counters by clinching up.
Chan drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Burrows gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Alex Burrows has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yamapi Chan.
Chan tries a body shot but Burrows blocks it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Burrows prevents a body shot from Chan.
Burrows stops a takedown attempt from Chan.
Chan tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Burrows's elbow.
Chan throws a head punch that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Burrows breaks from the clinch.
Chan fails in his attempt to clinch.
Chan cracks Burrows with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Burrows avoids a punch combination nicely.
Chan takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

It looks like Yamapi Chan has been cut.
Burrows just misses with a punch to the body.
Chan misses with a straight left.
Chan misses with a body shot

and Burrows counters by clinching up.
Chan tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Burrows keeps control of Chan as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Chan.
Chan working hard to break the clinch.
Chan has Burrows pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Burrows manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Burrows fails to pull guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A hook to the body from Chan.
Chan misses with a punch to the body.
Chan lands a left hand.
Chan wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Chan drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Burrows gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Burrows goes for a takedown attempt but Chan pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Burrows gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Chan struggles to land a body shot inside as Burrows controls his hands.
Chan misses with a short punch on the inside.
Chan avoiding damage.
Chan gets underhooks to prevent Burrows's takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Burrows pulls guard.
Chan trying to control but Burrows is working from the bottom.
Burrows is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Chan stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Burrows swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Chan stopping the sweep attempt from Burrows.
Chan wants to pass the guard but Burrows is keeping the position.
Burrows avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Chan must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Burrows had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Chan defends it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chan trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Chan trying to control the position from guard on top but Burrows is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Burrows fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Chan looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

Burrows clinches up with Chan and pushes him back against the cage.
Chan blocks an elbow strike from Burrows.
Burrows tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Chan smiles and moves away.
Chan misses with a body shot.

Chan closes the distance and pushes Burrows back into the cage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Chan escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Yamapi Chan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Burrows fails with the takedown.
Good exchange - Burrows coming out on top.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Alex Burrows will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Yamapi Chan's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Burrows takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Burrows swats away the attempt to clinch by Chan.
Chan is looking to clinch but Burrows is avoiding it.
Chan fails in his attempt to clinch.

Chan has managed to clinch.
Chan misses with a short punch on the inside.

Burrows drags the fight down to the ground.
Chan trying to control but Burrows is working from the bottom.

Burrows looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Burrows keeping moving, preventing Chan from controlling successfully.
Chan looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burrows tries to land a sweep but no joy.
My spies in Cozad MMA Tokyo inform me that Chan has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Burrows has a closed guard, preventing Chan from standing up.
Burrows working a defensive guard here.

Chan decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Burrows, up you get!
Alex Burrows is winning the standup battle so far.
Burrows throws a low kick, looking for Chan's leg but Chan calmly moves out of range.
Chan looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Burrows is fending him off so far but Chan persists. Nope, Burrows circles away and we're back to standing.
Burrows moves forwards but Chan connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Chan checks the leg kick.
Chan throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Chan has Burrows up against the cage in a clinch.
Burrows blocks an uppercut.
Chan tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Burrows's elbow.
Chan can't find room to land a body shot as Burrows controls the action.
Chan tries to throw a body punch but Burrows avoids it by throwing Chan back against the cage.
Chan tries to stall but Burrows uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Chan misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Burrows manages to break the clinch.
Chan fails with an attempt to clinch.
Sloppy strikes from Chan. Those never looked like landing.
Burrows swats away the attempt to clinch by Chan.
Burrows shoots in and drives through. Chan sprawls well.
Burrows takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Alex Burrows is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Chan connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Burrows's hands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Burrows. Those never looked like landing.
Chan shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Burrows as he jumps to the side.
Chan tries to clinch but Burrows is having none of it.
Chan misses with an uppercut. Burrows saw that one coming.
Chan looks to land a right hand but Burrows moved out of range.
Chan tries to clinch there but Burrows circles away.
Chan is looking to clinch but Burrows is avoiding it.

Burrows forces Chan back against the cage and clinches.
Chan throws a punch but it's blocked by Burrows.

Burrows gets control of Chan's arms and successfully pulls guard. Burrows will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Chan trying to control but Burrows is working from the bottom.
Burrows wants to sweep here but Chan controlling him for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chan passes Burrows's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Chan not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Burrows is controlling Chan's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Burrows is looking to escape.
Burrows is staying active underneath Chan, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Chan seems to be working for a kimura but Burrows defends the submission attempt.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Burrows is refusing to be controlled, as Chan sits in half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Yamapi Chan showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Yamapi Chan'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. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Chan tries to close the distance and clinch up but Burrows swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Chan looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Burrows tries to counter by clinching up but Chan breaks away and moves out of range.
Burrows showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Chan.
Chan tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Burrows manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Burrows dives in and grabs Chan's left leg, looking for a takedown. Chan pushes down on Burrows's head and hops out.
Burrows misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Chan throws a series of punches but Burrows moves out of range.
Chan moves in looking to clinch but Burrows pushes him off.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chan throws a right and a left that Burrows avoids nicely.
Chan swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Burrows counters with a series of strikes. Chan will be more careful next time no doubt.
Burrows circles away from the clinch attempt.

Chan closes the distance and pushes Burrows back into the cage.
Yamapi Chan seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Chan drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Burrows gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Chan takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chan working aggressively here.

Burrows jumps guard and drags Chan to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Burrows manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Chan manages to get himself to full guard.

Burrows wants to pass the guard but Chan is keeping the position.
Burrows's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Chan uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Chan will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chan tries to clinch but Burrows moves out of range.
Chan misses with a double jab.
The fight stays on the outside here - Chan looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Chan is looking to clinch but Burrows is avoiding it.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Chan is defended easily by Burrows.
Chan misses with a double jab
and Burrows counters with a three punch combo that has Chan backing up. Chan nods at Burrows to acknowledge the strikes.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Burrows scores with a one two! Chan had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Chan gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Burrows.
Chan tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Burrows manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Burrows displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Chan throws out the jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burrows dives in and grabs Chan's left leg, looking for a takedown. Chan pushes down on Burrows's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alex Burrows. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Chan lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Burrows listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Chan fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Burrows half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Chan will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Chan on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
The fight stays on the outside here - Chan looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Chan tries to clinch but Burrows is having none of it.
Burrows tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Chan lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chan goes for a takedown attempt but Burrows pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
A big right from Chan misses.
Chan shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Burrows eats them both and turns towards Chan to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Burrows tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Chan swivels and escapes.
Chan might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Burrows shoots in looking for a takedown. Chan tries to sprawl out of it but Burrows keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Chan manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Burrows fails to land the takedown.
Chan tries to close the distance and clinch but Burrows swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Chan closes the distance and pushes Burrows back into the cage.
Burrows taking a breather.
Chan misses with a hook to the ribs.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Alex Burrows.
I think Burrows has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 29:28
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Alex Burrows!