PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Eli Bathory (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brad Burke (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bathory comes to the cage accompanied by ERA : enae Volare Mezzo . Brad Burke told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Bathory
vs
Burke

190 cm
23
192 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

183 cm
21
192 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Cuts easily

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Granite chin

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Eli Bathory!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Brad Burke!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Konstantin Menshow and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Burke throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Bathory's waist but Bathory gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Burke off to one side.

Bathory gets caught flat footed, as Burke shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Bathory wants to sweep but no luck.
Bathory has Burke pulled in close to control his posture.

Burke drops back, looking for a kneebar! Bathory looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Bathory looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Bathory!
Burke sneaks back into half guard.
Bathory with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Burke regains full guard. Nicely done.
Bathory with a flurry of punches that miss.
Bathory sitting in guard here, content to control.

Burke throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Bathory lands a couple of elbows.
Bathory has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Burke has his foot on Bathory's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Bathory works his way back into a safe position though.
Bathory postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Burke wants to sweep but no luck.

Burke working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Bathory doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Bathory manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Burke looks gassed!
Bathory 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.
Bathory passes into half guard.
Bathory lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Bathory connects with a nice short shot to Burke's temple.
Bathory is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bathory unloading with bombs!
Burke is in a horrible position here. Bathory smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Bathory pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Bathory landing shots from mount.
Burke is bucking up trying to escape but Bathory cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
The referee warns Burke that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A nice elbow there by Bathory.
Bathory lands a big shot there that rocks Burke but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Bathory controlling from mount.
Burke can't escape the position.
The referee warns Burke that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Bathory connects with a couple of good shots from mount.

Burke is rocked!
Bathory drops a big elbow. That's hurt Burke! More shots from Bathory and the ref steps in! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:03 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Eli Bathory!