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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rio Gracie (ranked 1897 p4p, 2393 weight class) and Denis Burlaka (ranked 230 p4p, 279 weight class). Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Denis Burlaka enters the cage!
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| 175 cm
22
170
8 - 2 - 0 |
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178 cm
23
169
4 - 3 - 0 |
BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Cardio machine |
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BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank |
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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 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Rio Gracie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Denis Burlaka!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Gregory Folan and Steve Smith.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gracie on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Burlaka throws a right and a left that Gracie avoids nicely.
Burlaka misses with a series of wild punches.
Gracie seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Burlaka misses with a double jab.
Burlaka has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Gracie avoids a punch combination nicely.
It looked like Gracie was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Gracie fails to land the takedown.
Burlaka throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Gracie.
Gracie uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Burlaka.
Gracie is looking to counter punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown but Burlaka shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Burlaka connects with a nice looking jab.
Burlaka looks to land a combination. Gracie sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The fighters circling - Burlaka throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A counter left hand to the body from Gracie misses its target.
Burlaka misses with a hook. Gracie ducked under it nicely.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Burlaka misses with a series of wild punches.
Denis Burlaka is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Burlaka paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Burlaka looks to land a combination but Gracie avoids it well.
Denis Burlaka seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Burlaka throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Gracie.
Burlaka scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Burlaka connects with the punch.
Burlaka lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Gracie circles away quickly and effectively.
Gracie appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Burlaka throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Gracie thinks about countering with a head kick.
We've been hearing reports that Gracie has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
A jab from Burlaka does it's job there.
Burlaka will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Burlaka wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Burlaka slaps away a takedown attempt from Gracie, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rio Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Burlaka throws a nice looking combination but Gracie bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Gracie is looking to counter punch.
Burlaka misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Gracie.
Gracie slips a jab and a cross from Burlaka.
Gracie seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Burlaka misses with a double jab.
Burlaka throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Burlaka lands a lovely overhand right.
Burlaka thuds a left hand into Gracie's body.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Burlaka, as that shot connected.
Burlaka connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Gracie's hands.
Burlaka swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Gracie changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Burlaka tries to avoid it but Gracie manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Burlaka to the ground. Burlaka escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burlaka misses with a two punch combination.
Gracie is looking for a counter combo.
Gracie dodges the punch combination from Burlaka.
Gracie went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Burlaka throws a right hand that Gracie ducks under and follows up with a left that Gracie also avoids with ease.
Gracie doesn't manage to clinch there - Burlaka circles away.
Gracie dodges the punch combination from Burlaka.
It looked like Gracie was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Burlaka.
Burlaka lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Gracie circles away quickly and effectively.
A little feinted left hand from Gracie on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Gracie takes one to the side of the head.
Some wild striking there from Burlaka.
Burlaka misses with an uppercut.
Burlaka scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Burlaka looks to land a combination. Gracie sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gracie tries to clinch but Burlaka is having none of it.
Burlaka gets caught flat footed, as Gracie shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Burlaka manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Burlaka fails to land with a series of punches.
As Burlaka looks to move away, Gracie throws a big counter combo but Burlaka just gets out of the way.
Burlaka cracks Gracie with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Burlaka swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Burlaka is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Gracie had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into mush.
Gracie slips under a jab.
Burlaka digs a good body shot into Gracie's ribs.
Gracie takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Burlaka pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Gracie back to the cage. Burlaka follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
A telegraphed right hand from Burlaka misses the target.
A quick step to the side and Gracie tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Burlaka connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Burlaka scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Burlaka throws a series of punches but Gracie avoids them all with ease.
Gracie appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Burlaka misses with a jab, cross combination.
Gracie appears to be looking for a big counter.
Burlaka lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Gracie fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Burlaka cracks Gracie with a good jab.
A big left from Gracie misses.
Gracie drops his hands momentarily and Burlaka takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Burlaka fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Gracie appears to be looking for a big counter.
A combination from Burlaka does no damage.
Burlaka's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Burlaka duly obliges.
Some wild striking there from Burlaka.
Gracie is looking to counter punch.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Burlaka works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Burlaka darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Gracie walks into a left hand.
Gracie misses with a takedown attempt
and Burlaka connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Burlaka is working the combinations to good effect here.
Burlaka swings for the body but Gracie moves out of range.
Burlaka missing with a left hand there. Gracie was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Gracie shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Burlaka throws a series of punches but Gracie moves out of range.
Gracie is looking for a counter combo.
Burlaka thows a left - swing and a miss!
It looked like Gracie was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Burlaka.
Burlaka misses with a hook.
Gracie appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Burlaka cracks Gracie with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Burlaka misses with a double jab.
Gracie appears to be looking for a big counter.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Burlaka as he avoids it easily.
Burlaka misses with a series of wild punches.
A little feinted left hand from Gracie on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Gracie slips under a jab from Burlaka.
Jab from Burlaka.
No joy there for Burlaka, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Gracie throws a big counter combination but Burlaka scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Burlaka misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Burlaka moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Burlaka connects with a single shot there.
Burlaka looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Burlaka misses with a hook.
Burlaka swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Burlaka lands a jab.
Gracie looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Burlaka throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Burlaka stalks Gracie and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Gracie's face. Gracie staggers backwards, shaken.
A punch lands to the side of Gracie 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Burlaka scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Gracie walks into a straight right hand from Burlaka.
Burlaka looks to land a left hand but Gracie moved out of range nicely.
Burlaka throws a hook but Gracie blocks it.
It looked like Gracie wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Burlaka cracks Gracie with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Burlaka fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Burlaka swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Burlaka slaps away a takedown attempt from Gracie, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Burlaka misses with a double jab.
Gracie swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Burlaka lands with a hook. Gracie tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Burlaka lands a jab-cross combination.
Gracie has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Burlaka finds it's way round the side to connect with Gracie's head.
Burlaka throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Gracie.
Burlaka looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A little feinted left hand from Gracie on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Burlaka's corner calls for a 1-2. Burlaka obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Gracie showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Burlaka.
A jab lands there for Burlaka.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Burlaka moves into range and connects with a jab.
Burlaka lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Burlaka misses with a hook. Gracie ducked under it nicely.
Gracie was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Denis Burlaka dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!
Burlaka lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Gracie circles away quickly and effectively.
Some wild striking there from Burlaka.
Burlaka scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Gracie shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Nice defenses there by Gracie.
Gracie is looking for a counter combo.
Burlaka pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Gracie back to the cage. Burlaka follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Burlaka throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Gracie was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Gracie shoots in looking for a takedown. Burlaka tries to sprawl out of it but Gracie keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Burlaka manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Burlaka throws a right and a left that Gracie avoids nicely.
Gracie fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Burlaka avoids it really well and circles away.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Burlaka misses with a straight left.
Nice uppercut lands for Burlaka. That snapped Gracie's head back.
Gracie closes the distance and clinches up with Burlaka, looking for a takedown. Gracie pushes Burlaka against the cage but Burlaka circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rio Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gracie walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Burlaka works Gracie's body with a nice hook.
Burlaka throws a series of punches but Gracie moves out of range.
Gracie swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Burlaka looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A little feinted left hand from Gracie on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Burlaka throws a series of punches but Gracie avoids them all with ease.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burlaka pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Burlaka misses with a jab, cross combination.
Burlaka misses with a double jab.
It appears Gracie was looking to counter with a kick there.
Burlaka is breathing heavily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gracie avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Gracie throwing a counter right hand but Burlaka manages to avoid it.
Burlaka lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Burlaka fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Gracie manages to avoid it.
Gracie dodges the punch combination from Burlaka.
Burlaka pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Burlaka looks to land a combination but Gracie avoids it well.
It looked like Gracie was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Burlaka swinging wildly here.
An attempted straight right counter from Gracie misses the target.
Gracie bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jab by Burlaka.
Denis Burlaka seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A big right from Burlaka misses.
Burlaka loads up on a big right hand but Gracie slips the punch.
Burlaka scores with a nice head shot.
Burlaka throws a series of punches but Gracie avoids them all with ease.
Gracie staying out of range there.
Burlaka tries to bum rush Gracie with a series of wild strikes but Gracie uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Burlaka connects with a right hand. Gracie shakes it off.
Gracie misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Gracie shoots in looking for a takedown. Burlaka tries to sprawl out of it but Gracie keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Burlaka manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Burlaka! But no joy.
Burlaka 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.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Burlaka!
Burlaka throws a series of punches but Gracie avoids them all with ease.
Burlaka displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Gracie.
Burlaka throws a big shot that misses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gracie tries to move into range but Burlaka moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Burlaka is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Burlaka has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Burlaka misses with a double jab.
Burlaka dips to his left and cracks Gracie with an uppercut!
Burlaka scores with a nice strike.
Burlaka stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Burlaka wants it to stay on the feet.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Gracie misses with a takedown attempt
and Burlaka counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Burlaka throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A little feinted left hand from Gracie on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
A telegraphed right hand from Burlaka misses the target.
Burlaka throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A punch lands to the side of Gracie 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Gracie is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Burlaka.
Burlaka misses with a jab, cross combination.
A quick step to the side and Gracie tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Danga de danga de dang - Burlaka scores with a four punch combination!
Burlaka looks to land a right hand but Gracie moved out of range.
Burlaka cracks Gracie with a right hand to the side of the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Burlaka connects with a looping right hand.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Left hook, right uppercut from Burlaka.
Burlaka bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Gracie's head backwards.
Burlaka looks to land a combination but Gracie avoids it well.
Burlaka throws a right hand that Gracie ducks under and follows up with a left that Gracie also avoids with ease.
Burlaka connects with a single shot there.
Burlaka misses with a double jab.
Burlaka misses with a few strikes there.
A punch lands to the side of Gracie 's head but he takes it in his stride.
The fighters circling - Burlaka throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Gracie fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Gracie showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Burlaka.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown but Burlaka shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Burlaka is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Burlaka moves into range and connects with a jab.
Burlaka throws a series of punches but Gracie moves out of range.
Burlaka lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Gracie backs up against the cage.
Gracie looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Burlaka looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Gracie tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Burlaka swivels and escapes.
Burlaka cracks Gracie with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Burlaka bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Burlaka throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Gracie slips under a jab.
Gracie seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Burlaka throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Gracie sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Burlaka throws a series of punches but Gracie moves out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Burlaka throws a shot from downtown. Gracie moves away and avoids it.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown but Burlaka shows good takedown defense.
Burlaka paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Gracie blocks a jab.
Gracie closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Burlaka's guard.
Gracie wants to pass the guard but Burlaka is keeping the position.
Burlaka pushes Gracie off and scrambles back to his feet.
Gracie takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Burlaka fails to land with a series of punches.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Burlaka throws a series of strikes that have Gracie backpedaling.
Gracie drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Burlaka misses with a wild combination.
A quick step to the side and Gracie tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Burlaka will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Gracie's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Burlaka connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Gracie scrambles back to his feet.
Sloppy strikes from Burlaka. Those never looked like landing.
Gracie is looking to counter punch.
Gracie walks into a left hand.
Burlaka bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Burlaka tries to bum rush Gracie with a series of wild strikes but Gracie uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Gracie is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Denis Burlaka showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!
Burlaka throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Burlaka with a nice cross.
Burlaka misses with a double jab.
Burlaka looks to land a right hand but Gracie moved out of range.
Gracie is looking to counter punch.
Burlaka fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A counter left hand to the body from Gracie misses its target.
Gracie avoids a punch combination nicely.
Burlaka throws a series of punches but Gracie avoids them all with ease.
Gracie swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Burlaka lands a right hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Burlaka jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Burlaka takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Burlaka throws a left and a right that both miss
and Gracie counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Burlaka stuffs the takedown attempt from Gracie. Gracie gets slowly back to his feet.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie slips under a jab.
Gracie seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Burlaka connects with a crisp jab.
Gracie slips under a jab.
Burlaka scores with a jab to the body.
Gracie uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Burlaka.
Gracie drives through with a takedown into guard.
Burlaka utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Burlaka keeping moving, preventing Gracie from controlling successfully.
Gracie prevents Burlaka from getting back to his feet.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Gracie's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burlaka wants to stand up but Gracie is controlling him.
Gracie passes Burlaka's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Burlaka is trying to stand.
Burlaka is not content to let Gracie control the position.
Burlaka wants to get back to his feet.
Gracie trying to control the action but Burlaka is working from the bottom.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Burlaka has hold of Gracie's hands but Gracie slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Burlaka has one foot on Gracie's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gracie fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burlaka lands a head shot.
Gracie closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Gracie shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Burlaka pinned against the cage. Burlaka gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rio Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Gracie has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Burlaka connects with a crisp jab.
Burlaka dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Gracie takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burlaka swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Gracie throwing a counter right hand but Burlaka manages to avoid it.
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!
Burlaka cracks Gracie with an open hand slap.
Burlaka will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Burlaka throws a series of punches but Gracie moves out of range.
Gracie was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Burlaka lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Gracie avoids a punch combination nicely.
Gracie dives in for a single leg takedown but Burlaka sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Gracie drops down looking for an ankle pick but Burlaka pulls his leg out and moves away.
Nice cross by Burlaka.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Burlaka misses with a jab, cross combination.
Burlaka lands a head shot.
Gracie takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
A punch combination from Burlaka misses.
Gracie shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Burlaka pinned against the cage. Burlaka gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
A combination from Burlaka does no damage.
As Burlaka looks to move away, Gracie throws a big counter combo but Burlaka just gets out of the way.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Gracie.
A right-left combo lands from Burlaka.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Gracie tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Burlaka defends well and Gracie ends up having to push Burlaka into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Burlaka pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Gracie's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Burlaka connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Gracie scrambles back to his feet.
Burlaka scores with a hook.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Burlaka looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Burlaka swinging wildly here.
Gracie throws a big counter combination but Burlaka scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Burlaka connects with a crisp jab.
Burlaka misses the shot to the body.
Gracie seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Burlaka misses with a double jab.
Burlaka lands a jab to the head.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
No joy there for Burlaka, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Gracie dives in and grabs Burlaka's left leg, looking for a takedown. Burlaka pushes down on Gracie's head and hops out.
Gracie walks into a straight right hand from Burlaka.
A left and a right from Burlaka both land. Nice combination.
Burlaka connects with a right hand. Gracie shakes it off.
Burlaka misses with a few strikes there.
Burlaka throws a right hand that Gracie ducks under and follows up with a left that Gracie also avoids with ease.
Gracie throws a quick counter kick to the body but Burlaka avoids it.
Burlaka misses with a hook. Gracie ducked under it nicely.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Gracie was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Burlaka is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Gracie is controlling him well.
Rio Gracie has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gracie is chipping away with strikes.
Gracie is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Burlaka knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Gracie is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Burlaka is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Gracie is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Burlaka is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Burlaka is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Gracie moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Burlaka wants to get back to his feet but Gracie is dominant here and he's now got Burlaka's back!
Denis Burlaka is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Burlaka trying to get back to his feet but Gracie is in full control for now.
Gracie is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Burlaka defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Burlaka is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Gracie gets his way!
Burlaka defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Gracie is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Burlaka has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
And that's the end of the fight!
Denis Burlaka comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Burlaka winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Robert Douchet scores the fight 25:30
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 25:30
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 25:30
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Denis Burlaka!
Denis Burlaka was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
72% |
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