PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Stuart Burrows (ranked 660 p4p, 732 weight class) and Ispa Mfer (ranked 41 p4p, 46 weight class). Burrows's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Baba O'Riley. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Burrows
vs
Mfer

162 cm
23
135
9 - 2 - 1

169 cm
23
148
10 - 1 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

HELLBENT
Brooklyn Apothecary

UnderGround Supplements

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Stuart Burrows!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 1 - 1, fighting out of London, Ispa Mfer!
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, Franklyn Lucas and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A slapping leg kick lands for Mfer.
Ispa Mfer seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Burrows on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Mfer. Mfer obviously looking to wear him down.
Mfer throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Burrows fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Mfer manages to avoid it.
Burrows blocks a head kick by Mfer.
Burrows moves into range and connects with a jab.
Burrows swings for the body but Mfer moves out of range.
Mfer throws a lazy head kick

so Burrows counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Mfer holds on and takes a little breather.
Burrows is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mfer tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Burrows throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Mfer wants to stand and escape but Burrows is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mfer wants to sweep but no luck.
Burrows is standing up over Mfer. Mfer looks to escape but Burrows dives into side control.
Mfer tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Mfer wants to control but Burrows postures up.
Mfer wants to get back to his feet but Burrows drags him back down.
Burrows is looking to take a break and control but Mfer is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Burrows advances to full mount.
Mfer is squirming around, avoiding Burrows's attempts to control the action.
Mfer really wants to buck Burrows off and get back to his feet.
Mfer blocking the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burrows controlling the position easily from mount.
Mfer is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Burrows avoids the attempt from Mfer to control.
Burrows tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Burrows misses with a head shot.
Mfer tries to hold on but Burrows postures up.
Burrows controlling the position easily from mount.
Mfer wants to hold on but Burrows pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burrows throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Mfer is trying to stand up.
Mfer is looking to get to half guard.
Mfer is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Mfer is in all sorts of trouble here.
Mfer keeps trying to improve his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mfer trying desperately to get to his feet.
Mfer tries to hold on but Burrows postures up.
Burrows can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Mfer is looking to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mfer wants to get back to his feet.
Mfer tries to hold on but Burrows postures up.
Mfer is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Mfer tries to lock up and control but Burrows gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Mfer wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Burrows.
Burrows takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Burrows trying to control but Mfer is having none of it.
Mfer is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Stuart Burrows dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Mfer moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Burrows throws a predictable looking body shot
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Mfer throws a sloppy body shot
and Burrows counters with a stiff right hand.
Mfer tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Burrows lands a jab to the head.
Burrows moves out of range of the leg kick from Mfer.
Burrows wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Mfer ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Burrows avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Burrows throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Mfer scores with a kick to the midsection.
Burrows stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Mfer.
A head kick misses from Mfer.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mfer looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Mfer fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Burrows.
Ispa Mfer seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Burrows connects with a body shot that sends Mfer's belly button to the back.
Burrows connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Mfer connects with a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burrows stuns Mfer with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Burrows tries to score a power double leg takedown but Mfer sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Burrows somewhat.
A left lands for Burrows.
Burrows throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Mfer's waist but Mfer gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Burrows off to one side.
A punch combination from Burrows misses.
Burrows blocks the body kick.
A low kick from Mfer is predictable there

and Burrows counters with a nice double leg into side control. Mfer won't be happy with that.
Mfer is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
You can see the frustration on Mfer's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Mfer wants to get back to his feet but Burrows drags him back down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burrows working away.
Mfer is trying to improve his position.
Burrows working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Burrows in side control, just content to control the action for now.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mfer is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Burrows works to advance to full mount. Mfer defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burrows throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Mfer wants to try and get back to his feet.
Burrows looking to finish with strikes here!
Mfer wants to hold on but Burrows pushes him away.
Burrows throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Mfer because Burrows loaded up on that one.
Burrows wants to control the pace but Mfer is squirming around nicely.
Mfer tries to hold on but Burrows postures up.
Burrows throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Mfer because Burrows loaded up on that one.
Mfer is trying to stand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burrows misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Mfer wants to try and get back to his feet.
Mfer controls the position.
Burrows looking to finish with strikes here!
Burrows looking to ground and pound but Mfer is blocking nicely.
Mfer is trying desperately to improve position.
Burrows unloads with some shots from mount but Mfer bucks and avoids them well.
Mfer is looking to improve his position but Burrows isn't that keen on the idea.
Mfer doing his best to control the position. Can he escape?
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Stuart Burrows dominated that second round.
That's time! Burrows's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Mfer throws a leg kick but Burrows checks it.
Burrows lands with a good body shot.
Mfer lets loose with a powerful body kick. Burrows will feel that in the morning.
A looping hook to the body misses from Mfer. Burrows does a little dance to reset his feet.
Burrows shoots in for a takedown but Mfer shows good takedown defense.
Mfer moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Burrows misses with a hook.
Burrows lands an overhand right.
Mfer scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Burrows jabs Mfer to the body, keeping him at a distance.
It looks like Burrows has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
Burrows throws a hook but Mfer blocks it.
Mfer scores with a punch to the head.

Burrows looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Mfer!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mfer is looking for a sweep.
Mfer is pushing Burrows's head away, looking to escape. Burrows manages to hold on to the position though.
Mfer tries to buck Burrows off but Burrows is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burrows tries to move to mount but Mfer blocks the move with his legs.
Mfer tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Burrows throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Mfer is not content to let Burrows control the position.
Burrows working away.
Mfer is trying to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Burrows wants to control but Mfer is keeping him busy.
Mfer is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Burrows asserts his dominance and retains side control.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Mfer throws a chopping leg kick but Burrows manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Burrows tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Mfer swivels and escapes.
Mfer tries a quick counter leg kick but Burrows is wise to it.
Burrows is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Mfer can do to turn this around?
Mfer ducks under a wild hook from Burrows.
Nice uppercut lands for Burrows. That snapped Mfer's head back.
Burrows looks to land a right hand but Mfer moved out of range.
Burrows tries to score a power double leg takedown but Mfer sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Burrows somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Stuart Burrows. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Burrows throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A little jabbing left from Mfer on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Burrows misses the target.
Burrows slips under a jab from Mfer.
Burrows has a takedown stuffed.
Burrows shoots in and drives through. Mfer sprawls well.
Burrows throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Mfer chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Mfer throws a jab but it's blocked by Burrows.
Burrows throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Mfer sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A head kick by Mfer misses

and Burrows counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Burrows has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Mfer wriggles free and stands up.
Crunch! Mfer slams his shin into Burrows's torso.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mfer takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Burrows ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mfer moves away.
Mfer flicks out a counter leg kick but Burrows steps away.
Burrows punishes Mfer's body with a nice straight punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burrows throws a right and a left that both miss.
Mfer lands a nice looking kick to the body. Burrows takes a step back to recover.
Good exchange - Burrows coming out on top.
Burrows fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Mfer scores with a leg kick.
Burrows checks the leg kick nicely there.
The fighters circling - Burrows throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Mfer feints a counter leg kick.
Mfer catches Burrows with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Burrows staying out of range there.
Burrows works the jab nicely.
Nice defenses there by Mfer.
Mfer thumps Burrows with a low kick.
Burrows with a nice cross.
Burrows stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Mfer.

Burrows shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Stuart Burrows did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
That's time! Back to the action!

Mfer throws a hook but Burrows blocks it.
Burrows scores with a nice right hand.
Burrows throws a right hand that Mfer ducks under and follows up with a left that Mfer also avoids with ease.
Mfer feints a counter leg kick.
Burrows keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Burrows is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Burrows connects with a body shot.
Burrows uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Mfer.
A big right from Burrows misses.
Mfer was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Burrows connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Mfer's hands.
Mfer misses with a hook
and Burrows counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Mfer lands a nice leg kick that just misses Burrows's sensitive parts.
Mfer throws a leg kick which misses Burrows's front leg but catches the back leg as Burrows tries to avoid it.
Burrows just misses with a punch to the body.
Mfer tries a quick counter leg kick but Burrows is wise to it.
Burrows misses with a hook. Mfer ducked under it nicely.
Mfer throws a shot from downtown. Burrows moves away and avoids it.
Mfer scores with a kick to the midsection.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Burrows throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Burrows dives in and grabs Mfer's left leg, looking for a takedown. Mfer pushes down on Burrows's head and hops out.
Ispa Mfer is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burrows ducks under a wild hook from Mfer.
Burrows stuns Mfer with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Burrows misses with a hook. Mfer ducked under it nicely.
Mfer throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Burrows stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Burrows scores with a jab to the body.
Burrows stuns Mfer with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Burrows tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Mfer defends well and Burrows ends up having to push Mfer into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Mfer fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Burrows breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Burrows drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Stuart Burrows overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Mfer seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Burrows sitting in guard here, content to control.
Mfer wants to get back to his feet but Burrows is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mfer is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Burrows is looking to work some ground and pound but Mfer has wrist control.
Mfer wants to get back to his feet but Burrows is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Burrows pushing down on Mfer's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
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!
Burrows missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Burrows is looking to take a break and control but Mfer is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Mfer tries to kick Burrows off but Burrows keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Mfer has one foot on Burrows's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good leg kick by Mfer.
Mfer misses with a lunging right hand
and Burrows makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Burrows throws a body shot but no joy.
Mfer takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Mfer throws a sloppy head kick and Burrows moves out of range easily.
Burrows moves out of range as Mfer strikes.

Burrows shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Mfer pushes Burrows off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Burrows swings and misses with a hook to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Horrible takedown attempt by Burrows or perhaps it was just good defense by Mfer, which made it look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Stuart Burrows. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Burrows on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Mfer. Mfer obviously looking to wear him down.
Mfer throws a body punch but Burrows moves out of range.
Mfer connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Burrows fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mfer takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Mfer swings away with a leg kick that misses.
A big left from Burrows misses.
Burrows fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Mfer swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Nice jab there from Burrows.
Mfer chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Mfer scores with a kick to the body.
Burrows slips a jab from Mfer.
Burrows avoids the body shot from Mfer.
Mfer wants to slow Burrows down by chopping away at his legs.
Burrows misses the shot to the body.
Burrows slips a jab from Mfer.
Mfer misses with a head kick.
Burrows tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Mfer was well out of range. Poor timing from Burrows.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Stuart Burrows will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Mfer lands a leg kick that knocks Burrows off balance momentarily.
Burrows lands with a hook. Mfer tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Burrows throws a big shot that misses.
Burrows getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Burrows scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Mfer moves forwards but Burrows connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Mfer throws a leg kick which misses Burrows's front leg but catches the back leg as Burrows tries to avoid it.
A shot to the body from Burrows misses
and Mfer cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A big left from Mfer misses.
Mfer will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Mfer tries to land a front kick but Burrows steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Burrows throws a jab when Mfer was well out of range.
Mfer dips to his left and cracks Burrows with an uppercut!
Mfer fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Burrows is out of range.
Nice shot lands for Burrows.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Burrows misses the shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burrows cracks Mfer with a right hand to the side of the head.
A bone on bone clash there as Burrows blocks the leg kick.
A slow jab from Mfer misses its intended target.
Burrows throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Burrows shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Mfer manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Mfer wants to stand but Burrows is controlling the position.
Burrows preventing the sweep.
Mfer wants to stand up but Burrows is controlling him.
Mfer pulls Burrows in close to prevent any damage.

Mfer has his feet on Burrows's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Stuart Burrows is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burrows displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Mfer throws out the jab.
Burrows tries to score a power double leg takedown but Mfer sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Burrows somewhat.
Burrows connects with a body shot that sends Mfer's belly button to the back.
Burrows bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Mfer's head.
Mfer has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Burrows checks a leg kick.
Mfer defending well as Burrows loads up on a big left hand.
Mfer connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Mfer moves out of range as Burrows strikes.
Mfer thows a leg kick but Burrows checks it
enabling Burrows to counter with a crisp jab.
Burrows blocks a low kick nicely.
Burrows misses with a looping left.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mfer lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Burrows at a distance.
Burrows avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Mfer fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Burrows.
Mfer misses with a leg kick.
Burrows tries to counter with a takedown but Mfer is quick to defend against it.
Burrows slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Mfer throws a leg kick that is checked

and Burrows counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Burrows looking to pass the guard.
Burrows trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Mfer keeping moving, preventing Burrows from controlling successfully.
Mfer manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Burrows manages to get himself to full guard.

Mfer looking to sit in guard and control but Burrows gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mfer is trying to keep Burrows in close.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burrows trying to control but Mfer is working from the bottom.
Mfer wants to stand and escape but Burrows is having none of it.
Mfer keeping moving, preventing Burrows from controlling successfully.
Mfer wants to sweep here but Burrows controlling him for the moment.
Burrows seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Mfer wants to stand and escape but Burrows is having none of it.

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 Stuart Burrows.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Burrows, 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 47:48
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 50:45
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 50:46

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Stuart Burrows!
Stuart Burrows thanked the fans post fight for their support.