PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Stuart Burrows (ranked 229 p4p, 656 weight class) and Yakubu Okoroji (ranked 15 p4p, 37 weight class). Burrows comes to the cage accompanied by Baba O'Riley. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Burrows
vs
Okoroji

162 cm
25
135
14 - 2 - 1

165 cm
23
140
7 - 4 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Fast

Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q)
Brooklyn Apothecary

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Stuart Burrows!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Yakubu Okoroji!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Jorge Garcia and Alyssa Summers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Okoroji swings for the body but Burrows moves out of range.
Burrows takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Burrows misses with a straight right.
Okoroji with a lazy takedown attempt

and Burrows counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Burrows.
Okoroji wants to sweep but no luck.

Okoroji has his foot on Burrows's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Burrows works his way back into a safe position though.
Okoroji being controlled here, momentarily.

Okoroji isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Burrows stacks Okoroji on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Burrows!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Burrows controls the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Okoroji is trying to control Burrows's posture but Burrows avoids it.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Burrows has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Burrows trying to control the position but Okoroji is working away.
A control attempt from Okoroji but he's now mounted!
Burrows avoids the attempt from Okoroji to control.

Burrows has control of Okoroji's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Okoroji regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Burrows sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Okoroji wants to hold on but Burrows pushes him away.
Burrows tries to control but Okoroji wriggling away.
Burrows fails to move to back control.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Okoroji tries to hold on but Burrows postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Burrows manages to capitalize on a mistake by Okoroji to take his back!
Burrows keeps control of the position easily here as Okoroji tries to buck him off.
Okoroji tries to escape but Burrows has the hooks in and won't let him break free.

Burrows is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Okoroji has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Will Burrows go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Stuart Burrows dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Okoroji lands a nice hook to Burrows's body. Burrows takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Burrows throws a right and a left that Okoroji avoids nicely.
Okoroji throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Burrows shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Okoroji as he jumps to the side.
Burrows takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Burrows uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Okoroji.
Burrows swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Burrows misses with a wild body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Okoroji throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Burrows lands a jab to the head.
Okoroji throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Burrows was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Okoroji misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Burrows stuns Okoroji with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Okoroji looks to throw the jab but Burrows is out of range.
Okoroji's coach down at Kalashnikov ELITE MMA Gym was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Okoroji's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Yakubu Okoroji seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Okoroji with a hook.
Okoroji is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Burrows rather than just go for the knockout.
Okoroji is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Burrows 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.

Okoroji 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.
Okoroji forces his way into half guard.
Okoroji working Burrows over with strikes.
Burrows is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Okoroji's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Okoroji's back!
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 has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Okoroji's body.
Okoroji is really stuck here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
What can Okoroji do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!
Okoroji tries to escape the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Burrows just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.
Burrows trying to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Okoroji can't escape the position.
Burrows just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.

Okoroji showing good submission defense here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Burrows keeps control of the position as Okoroji tries to break free.
Stuart Burrows overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Burrows tightening his grip on Okoroji, looking for the choke.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Burrows's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Yakubu Okoroji will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Okoroji shoots in for a double leg but Burrows sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Burrows thuds a left hand into Okoroji's body.
Okoroji throws a right hand that misses

and Burrows counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Okoroji!
Burrows tries to move to full mount but Okoroji actually manages to regain half guard.
Okoroji is looking for a sweep. Burrows is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Burrows prevents Okoroji from improving his position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Burrows performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

Okoroji is defending against the submission attempts here by Burrows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Okoroji trying to get back to full guard but Burrows takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Okoroji can't escape the position.
Burrows looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Burrows can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Okoroji is looking to escape.
Okoroji is looking to get to half guard.
Burrows wants to control the pace but Okoroji is squirming around nicely.
Okoroji slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burrows trying to advance position but Okoroji counters by regaining guard.
Burrows showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Burrows sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Okoroji's guard.
Burrows is thwarting Okoroji's attempts to control the position.

Burrows is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Okoroji defends it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Burrows wants to pass to mount but Okoroji is defending the position.
Okoroji is looking to improve his position.

Burrows is trying to work for a kimura but Okoroji is defending well.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Okoroji swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Burrows fails with the takedown.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Stuart Burrows clearly takes that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Okoroji connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Burrows fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Okoroji manages to avoid it.
Okoroji throws a body shot but no joy.
Okoroji throws a body shot but no joy.
Burrows throwing a counter right hand but Okoroji manages to avoid it.
Okoroji stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Okoroji wants it to stay on the feet.
Burrows is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Okoroji can do to turn this around?
Burrows fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Okoroji manages to avoid it.
Okoroji connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
A left and a right from Okoroji both land. Nice combination.
Okoroji throws a head kick that Burrows semi-blocks.
Burrows fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Burrows staying out of range there.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Burrows.
Burrows looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Okoroji throws a body shot but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Okoroji digs a good body shot into Burrows's ribs.
Burrows scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Yakubu Okoroji seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Okoroji misses with a jab to the body
letting Burrows counter with a right hand.
Okoroji throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nice shot lands for Burrows.
Okoroji throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Burrows appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Burrows misses the target.
Okoroji changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Burrows doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

Burrows shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Okoroji manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Burrows slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Burrows's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burrows trying to control the position from guard on top but Okoroji is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Okoroji looking for a sweep. Not yet Okoroji, not yet.
Burrows trying to control but Okoroji is working from the bottom.
Burrows looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Okoroji keeping moving, preventing Burrows from controlling successfully.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Okoroji looks to score with a jab to the body but Burrows is just out of range.
Burrows avoids the head kick by Okoroji.
Okoroji looks to land a combination. Burrows sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Okoroji walks into a left hand.
Burrows closes this distance looking for a takedown but Okoroji circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Stuart Burrows. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Okoroji works Burrows's body with a nice hook.
Okoroji avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Okoroji.
Okoroji throws a sloppy body shot

so Burrows counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Okoroji being controlled here, momentarily.
This is a sustained period of stalling by Burrows.
Burrows preventing the sweep.
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 trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Yakubu Okoroji will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

A looping hook to the body misses from Okoroji. Burrows does a little dance to reset his feet.
Burrows paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

Burrows closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Okoroji to the mat! Okoroji manages to get full guard.
Burrows trying to control but Okoroji is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Okoroji keeping full guard, as Burrows tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burrows wants to control from the top but Okoroji keeps moving.
Burrows wants to pass the guard but Okoroji is keeping the position.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.

Okoroji working for submissions but it's allowed Burrows to get to half guard.
Burrows is taking a breather. Okoroji says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Okoroji is doing well to control the position and prevent Burrows from advancing to side control.
Burrows prevents Okoroji from improving his position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Okoroji misses with a wild body shot.
Burrows throws out a powerful jab.
Burrows jabs at Okoroji's body.
Okoroji throws a body shot but no joy.
Nice defenses there by Okoroji.
Okoroji misses with a wild body shot.

Burrows shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Burrows showed some decent athleticism there.
Burrows wants to free his trapped foot but Okoroji is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burrows is figuring out what he wants to do next.

Burrows is looking for a kimura here.
Burrows is looking to take a break and control but Okoroji is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's four 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.
Okoroji is trying to maintain the position but Burrows is very close to passing his half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Burrows in particular looking to stall.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Burrows prevents Okoroji from improving his position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Burrows shoots for a takedown but Okoroji saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Stuart Burrows showed his dominance in that final round.
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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 49:47
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 48:47
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Stuart Burrows!
Stuart Burrows is the new bantamweight champion!
During a confident post fight interview, Stuart Burrows thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.