PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Banana Fly (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nigel Burkshire (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Burkshire is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by It's a Fight - Three 6 Mafia. Banana Fly had a look across the ring there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Fly
vs
Burkshire

195 cm
21
204 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

198 cm
21
220 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Banana Fly!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Nigel Burkshire!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fly moves out of range of the strikes.
Fly misses with a few strikes there.
Fly slips under a jab from Burkshire.
A combination from Fly does no damage.
Fly is looking to clinch but Burkshire is avoiding it.
Fly throws a series of punches but Burkshire avoids them all with ease.
Burkshire shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Fly as he avoids it easily.
Fly looks to score with a jab to the body but Burkshire is just out of range.
Fly ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Burkshire takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fly tries to bum rush Burkshire with a series of wild strikes but Burkshire uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Fly moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
The crowd cheers as Burkshire lands an impressive looking overhand right. Fly doesn't seem phased though.
Fly takes a shot to the body in his stride.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burkshire misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Burkshire tries to close the distance and clinch up but Fly swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Fly fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Burkshire looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Burkshire uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Fly.
Fly throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Burkshire counters with a right hand to the body.
Fly takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Burkshire tries to close the distance and clinch but Fly swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Burkshire lands with a nice combination. Fly backs away looking to recover.
Burkshire moves in looking to clinch but Fly pushes him off.
Fly connects with a good right hand that stumbles Burkshire. Burkshire circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Fly throws a body punch but Burkshire moves out of range.
Burkshire misses with the combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fly lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Fly falls off balance throwing a combination

and Burkshire counters with a nice double leg into side control. Fly won't be happy with that.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Burkshire working the head and body with strikes.
Burkshire wants to lay and pray for a moment but Fly keeps working.
Fly defending against the ground and pound.
Burkshire in side control, throwing shots but Fly defends.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Burkshire goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Fly has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Burkshire but great work by Fly.
Burkshire struggling a bit here.
Fly controlling from side mount.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Fly wants to lay and pray for a moment but Burkshire keeps working.

That's four 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.
Burkshire is looking for a sweep.
Fly knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Burkshire on the ground.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fly tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Burkshire tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Fly wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Nigel Burkshire will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Burkshire takes a jab right on the kisser.
Fly misses with a double jab.
Fly circles away from the clinch attempt.
Burkshire jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Burkshire swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Fly counters with a stiff right hand.
Fly stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Fly throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Burkshire counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Burkshire wants to clinch but Fly slips to the side
and Fly counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Fly lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Burkshire tries to clinch there but Fly circles away.
Banana Fly is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A jab from Fly misses.
Fly scores with a one two! Burkshire had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Fly misses with a double jab
and Burkshire counters with a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fly looks to land a combination but Burkshire avoids it well.
Fly throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Banana Fly is winning the standup battle so far.
Fly misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Burkshire is looking to clinch.
Fly misses with a two punch combination.
Burkshire throws a predictable looking body shot
and Fly counters with a left and a right that stings Burkshire.
Burkshire clinches but Fly breaks the clinch
and Fly counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Fly misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Fly throws a combination that misses

and Burkshire counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Burkshire.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burkshire wants to control from the top but Fly keeps moving.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Burkshire postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Fly utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Burkshire throws a big right hand that misses.
Burkshire in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Burkshire trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fly utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Burkshire trying to control the position from guard on top but Fly is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Fly misses with a double jab
and Burkshire counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Fly slips a jab and a cross from Burkshire.
Fly scores with a hook.
Fly looks to land a right hand but Burkshire moved out of range.
Fly misses with a combination

and Burkshire counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burkshire on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Fly is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Burkshire is defending well for now.
Burkshire on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Burkshire has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Burkshire effectively controlling the action here.
Burkshire dodges an elbow strike from Fly.

Burkshire breaks the clinch.
Fly throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Burkshire.
Fly connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Fly throws a right and a left that Burkshire avoids nicely.
Fly misses the shot to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Burkshire shoots in but Fly avoids the takedown attempt easily.
The fighters circling - Fly throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Banana Fly dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Burkshire darts in trying to clinch
and Fly counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Fly leaves Burkshire with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Fly throws a hook but Burkshire avoids it easily.
Fly swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Burkshire counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Fly!
Fly is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Burkshire throws some wild stikes that Fly manages to avoid easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fly tries to hold on but Burkshire postures up.
Burkshire throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Fly because Burkshire loaded up on that one.
Burkshire has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Burkshire throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Burkshire throwing strikes here but Fly is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Fly is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's two 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.
Fly avoids a series of strikes thrown by Burkshire.
Burkshire trying to control but Fly is having none of it.
Burkshire 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.
Burkshire looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fly is trying desperately to improve position.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Burkshire cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Burkshire controlling the position easily from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fly tries to hold on but Burkshire postures up.
Burkshire raining down shots from the mount!

Burkshire looking to secure an arm triangle but Fly defends it well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nigel Burkshire really dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Burkshire swinging wilding here.
Fly uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Burkshire.
Burkshire closes the distance but Fly moves to the side
and Fly counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Fly lands with a straight right. Burkshire didn't see that one coming.
Burkshire misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Burkshire shoots for a takedown but Fly saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Burkshire showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Fly.
Fly misses with a double jab

and Burkshire counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fly tries to get to full guard but Burkshire has control of the leg.
Fly is trying to stand.

Burkshire is working for a submission of some sort.
Burkshire wants to control but Fly is keeping him busy.

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.
Burkshire looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Fly trying to get back to full guard but Burkshire takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Fly is working to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burkshire misses with a head shot.
Fly on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Fly tries to get out of the position.
Burkshire with a couple of short strikes.
Burkshire tries to control but Fly wriggling away.
Burkshire is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Fly can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Burkshire connects with a couple of good shots from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fly can't escape the position.
Fly is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Nigel Burkshire has got the better of the ground game so far.
Burkshire working Fly over with strikes here.
Burkshire pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Fly tries to hold on but Burkshire postures up.
Fly is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nigel Burkshire dominated that fourth round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Fly takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Fly throws a combination that misses
and Burkshire cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Fly misses with a double jab

and Burkshire counters with a takedown into side control.
Fly parries the strikes from Burkshire easily there. Burkshire is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Fly to escape.
Burkshire tries to score with some ground and pound. Fly controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Fly parries the strikes from Burkshire easily there. Burkshire is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Fly to escape.

Burkshire is trying to get an arm triangle but Fly is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fly parries the strikes from Burkshire easily there. Burkshire is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Fly to escape.
Burkshire throws an elbow but Fly slips to the side and avoids it well.

Burkshire working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Burkshire is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Fly avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Burkshire.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Fly misses with a double jab
and Burkshire counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Fly lands a jab-cross combination.
Burkshire misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Fly throws a lazy right hand but Burkshire sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burkshire wants to clinch
and Fly counters with a two punch combo.
Burkshire tries to close the distance and clinch up but Fly swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Fly throws a left and a right that both miss
and Burkshire counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
A left lands for Fly.
Burkshire will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Fly staying out of range there.
Fly throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Burkshire on the side of the head.
Fly lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Burkshire backs up against the ropes.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Fly throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Burkshire.
Fly throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
enabling Burkshire to counter with a crisp jab.
Banana Fly is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fly misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Fly throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Burkshire.
Banana Fly has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Fly scores with a hook to the body. Burkshire takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Nigel Burkshire is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Fly ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Burkshire takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Fly throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Burkshire.
Fly misses with a few strikes there.
Left hook, right uppercut from Fly.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Burkshire gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Fly.
Burkshire has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Fly finds it's way round the side to connect with Burkshire's head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Banana Fly showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Burkshire has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 47:48
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 48:47
Judge Suge Night scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Banana Fly!
Banana Fly is the new light heavyweight champion!