PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Axton Burgess (ranked 1586 p4p, 1159 weight class) and Danila Bagrov (ranked 210 p4p, 163 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Burgess
vs
Bagrov

188 cm
22
190
4 - 1 - 0

186 cm
21
199
2 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Silverguard Outfitters ðŸ›¡

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Axton Burgess!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Danila Bagrov!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Steve Smith and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Bagrov throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Burgess was covering up waiting for the punch and Bagrov finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Burgess keeping moving, preventing Bagrov from controlling successfully.
Burgess utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Bagrov is looking to work some ground and pound but Burgess has wrist control.
Burgess is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Bagrov throws a big elbow that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bagrov postures up in Burgess's guard and throws a big left but Burgess blocks it.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Bagrov working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Bagrov controls from within his opponent's guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bagrov moves away from the strike by Burgess.
Bagrov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Burgess.
We've been told by Burgess's head coaches at FIGHT FOUNDERS (CA) that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Jab from Bagrov.

It looks like Axton Burgess has been cut.

Bagrov changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Burgess looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Burgess can't do much from the bottom here.
Bagrov trying to control the position but Burgess is working away.
Burgess is working to avoid the ground and pound but Bagrov connects with a decent elbow.
Bagrov in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Burgess is looking to regain half guard here but Bagrov keeps moving and retains side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burgess is not content to let Bagrov control the position.
Bagrov fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Bagrov throws a strike aimed at the side of Burgess's head but Burgess avoids it well.
Bagrov looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Burgess is avoiding damage well.
Bagrov throws a strike aimed at the side of Burgess's head but Burgess avoids it well.
Bagrov tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Burgess is not content to let Bagrov control the position.
Burgess struggling a bit here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burgess takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Bagrov working away.
Burgess is not content to let Bagrov control the position.
Burgess can't do much from the bottom here.
The ground and pound from Bagrov seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Burgess gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Well, if Bagrov is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Bagrov drops an elbow to the side of Burgess's head.
Bagrov seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Bagrov trying to control from Burgess's half guard. Burgess has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Bagrov trying to control the position from guard on top but Burgess is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bagrov looking to sit in guard and control but Burgess gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Burgess trying to control the position from guard on top but Bagrov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Danila Bagrov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Axton Burgess's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Burgess rushes Bagrov and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Burgess blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Bagrov tries to circle away but Burgess has him pinned against the cage.
Bagrov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Burgess's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Burgess prevents Bagrov from breaking the clinch.
Stalling in the clinch from Bagrov.
Burgess working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Burgess misses with the head strike.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Bagrov takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
A shot in the inside from Burgess.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bagrov can't find room to land a body shot as Burgess controls the action.
Burgess lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Burgess misses with some punches.
Burgess blocking some punches.
A nice left hand lands by Burgess.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Burgess.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bagrov wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Burgess lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Burgess swings wildly with an uppercut but Bagrov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Bagrov struggles to land a body shot inside as Burgess controls his hands.
Bagrov lands a right hand that snaps the head of Burgess backwards.
Burgess misses with a punch to the body.
Burgess misses with the head strike.
Bagrov prevents a body shot from Burgess.
Burgess scores with a shoulder strike.
Burgess throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Burgess blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Bagrov misses with a punch to the body.
Burgess misses with a short punch on the inside.
Burgess fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Bagrov takes a shot to the head.
Bagrov blocks an uppercut.
Axton Burgess has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Burgess lands a body shot in the clinch.
Burgess swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burgess lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Burgess misses with some punches.
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!
A right handed body shot lands from Burgess.
Bagrov is looking to take this one to the mat.
Bagrov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Burgess fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Bagrov takes a shot to the head.
Bagrov is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Bagrov can't find room to land a body shot as Burgess controls the action.
Burgess blocks an uppercut.
Bagrov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A short body shot lands from Burgess as the two fighters clinch.
Bagrov can't break the clinch.
Burgess misses with a hook from the clinch.
Bagrov stalling in the clinch but Burgess improves position.
A head punch on the inside from Bagrov fails to land.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Bagrov.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Burgess creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burgess misses with a hook from the clinch.

Bagrov breaks from the clinch.
A slow jab from Burgess misses its intended target.
Bagrov misses the jab.
Burgess throws a big shot that misses.
Burgess digs a good body shot into Bagrov's ribs.
Bagrov swings for the body but Burgess moves out of range.
A swing and a miss from Burgess.
Bagrov throws a hook but Burgess blocks it.
Burgess drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Burgess defending well as Bagrov loads up on a big left hand.
Burgess tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bagrov was well out of range. Poor timing from Burgess.

Burgess drives through and clinches with Bagrov against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bagrov scores with a shoulder strike.
Bagrov wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Burgess has him pressed against the cage.
Burgess lands with a light punch inside.
Bagrov lands a nice uppercut.
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!
Bagrov swings wildly with an uppercut but Burgess uses good head movement to avoid it.
Bagrov lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Burgess scores with a shot to the side of Bagrov's head.
Bagrov slowing the pace effectively.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Bagrov is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Bagrov is persisting with his attempts to control the action in the clinch, rather than do any real damage.
A nice left hand lands by Burgess.
Burgess lands a left hand that snaps the head of Bagrov backwards.
Burgess tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Bagrov's elbow.
Burgess lands a nice uppercut.
Burgess lands with a short punch from the clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Axton Burgess dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Axton Burgess's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Bagrov 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.
Burgess throws out a loose jab but Bagrov uses good head movement to avoid it.
It seemed like Bagrov was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Nice defenses there by Bagrov.
Burgess takes one on the chin but seems OK.

Bagrov shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Burgess manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Bagrov stopping the sweep attempt from Burgess.
Bagrov trying to control the position from guard on top but Burgess is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bagrov slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burgess working a defensive guard here.
Bagrov trying to control but Burgess is working from the bottom.
Burgess is pulling down on Bagrov's head to control his posture.
Bagrov tries to free his leg and advance position but Burgess is retaining full guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Burgess throws a hook but Bagrov blocks it.
Burgess looks to land a left hand but Bagrov moved out of range nicely.
A big left from Bagrov misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Bagrov circles away from the clinch attempt.

Burgess moves into the clinch.
Bagrov blocks a body shot from Burgess.
A short body shot lands from Bagrov as the two fighters clinch.
Bagrov scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Bagrov.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Burgess tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Bagrov lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Bagrov goes for a takedown attempt but Burgess pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Burgess tries to clinch but Bagrov is having none of it.
Bagrov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Burgess is fending him off so far but Bagrov persists. Nope, Burgess circles away and we're back to standing.
A quick step to the side and Burgess tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Burgess's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Bagrov connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Burgess scrambles back to his feet.

Burgess drives through and clinches with Bagrov against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burgess swings wildly with an uppercut but Bagrov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Burgess working aggressively here.
Burgess fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Burgess lands a left hand that snaps the head of Bagrov backwards.
Bagrov throws a head punch that misses.
Burgess working aggressively here.
Burgess lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Burgess has Bagrov pressed against the cage, preventing Bagrov from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Burgess.
Burgess lands a left hand that snaps the head of Bagrov backwards.
Burgess misses with the head strike.
Bagrov scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Burgess lands a nice uppercut.
Bagrov stalling in the clinch.
Bagrov taking a breather.
Burgess prevents a body shot from Bagrov.
Bagrov lands a shoulder strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Burgess on the inside.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Still in the clinch, Bagrov scores with a nice short uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Burgess.
Burgess lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Burgess swings wildly with an uppercut but Bagrov uses good head movement to avoid it.
A nice right hand lands inside from Burgess.
Burgess tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Bagrov's elbow.
Burgess misses with a hook from the clinch.
Burgess throws a head punch that misses.
Bagrov is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Burgess gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Axton Burgess has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Danila Bagrov.
Bagrov working aggressively here.
Burgess lands with a light punch inside.
Burgess misses with some punches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Burgess.
Bagrov throws a punch but it's blocked by Burgess.
Burgess lands with a right to the head.
Bagrov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

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 Axton Burgess.
I think Burgess 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 William Peck scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Axton Burgess!
After winning the bout, Axton Burgess thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.