PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between PO Burn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Maximilien De Robespierre (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Burn's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Animal i have become. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Burn
vs
De Robespierre

164 cm
19
143 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

168 cm
26
135 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, PO Burn!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Maximilien De Robespierre!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Anni Minnemäki and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Burn shoots in for a takedown but De Robespierre shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
De Robespierre looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Burn.
Burn tries to clinch but De Robespierre moves out of range.
De Robespierre shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Burn defends it nicely.
De Robespierre throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Burn bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

Burn clinches up against the cage.
De Robespierre pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
De Robespierre is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Burn is keeping busy.
De Robespierre jumps guard but Burn stands there with De Robespierre around his waist. De Robespierre gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Burn creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

Burn breaks from the clinch.
Burn lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
De Robespierre misses with a low kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - De Robespierre looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
PO Burn seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Burn cracks De Robespierre with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Burn tries to close the distance and clinch but De Robespierre swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
De Robespierre avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
De Robespierre swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Burn misses with a wild combination.
Burn shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has De Robespierre pinned against the cage. De Robespierre gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for PO Burn. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Burn moves out of range of the leg kick from De Robespierre.
Burn tries to clinch up.
De Robespierre swats away the attempt to clinch by Burn.
Burn lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
De Robespierre is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
De Robespierre throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

De Robespierre shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Burn is trying to defend but De Robespierre finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

De Robespierre stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
This has been an exciting period of action!
De Robespierre swats away the attempt to clinch by Burn.
No luck with that takedown attempt from De Robespierre.
Burn fails to land the takedown.
Burn fails with the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burn is looking to clinch.
De Robespierre with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Burn to score with a decent uppercut.
De Robespierre shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
De Robespierre shoots in but Burn avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Burn has closed the distance and engaged De Robespierre in a clinch.
De Robespierre tries to pull guard but Burn holds him up against the cage and eventually De Robespierre drops back down to his feet.
Burn throws a blind hook that connects with the side of De Robespierres head.
De Robespierre can't find room to land a body shot as Burn controls the action.
De Robespierre is trying to push Burn away but Burn has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
De Robespierre jumps guard but Burn stands there with De Robespierre around his waist. De Robespierre gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
De Robespierre can't break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Burn breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
De Robespierre tries a head kick but it misses.
De Robespierre throws a sloppy head kick and Burn moves out of range easily.
Nice sprawl there from De Robespierre as Burn shoots in.
De Robespierre drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Nice shot lands for Burn.
Burn wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
De Robespierre misses the shot to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Burn tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. De Robespierre manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Burn tries to clinch up.
De Robespierre circles away from the clinch attempt.
Good shot there by Burn.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Burn fails in his attempt to clinch.

De Robespierre closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Burn's guard.
De Robespierre trying to control the position from guard on top but Burn is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
De Robespierre stays in close to Burn's body and controls the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that PO Burn will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

De Robespierre looks to throw the jab but Burn is out of range.
De Robespierre tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Burn paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Burn is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
De Robespierre fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Burn works over De Robespierre's head and body with a nice combination.
De Robespierre wants to clinch up but Burn keeps it at a distance.

Burn drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Burn in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
De Robespierre is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Burn off and has taken his back!

De Robespierre working for a choke but Burn is defending well.
Burn controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

De Robespierre is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Burn defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of De Robespierre's arms.
Burn looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
De Robespierre is working the ground and pound. Can Burn escape?

Burn defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of De Robespierre's arms.
Burn wants to get back to his feet.

Burn preventing the rear naked choke attempt from De Robespierre.
Burn covering up well under a series of strikes from De Robespierre.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
De Robespierre lands with a nice looking elbow that stuns Burn.
Burn holding both De Robespierre 's hands and preventing any damage.
De Robespierre slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Let's hope that De Robespierre has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
De Robespierre tries to keep control of the position but Burn is staying busy.
Burn controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Burn has his hands over his head blocking the strikes from De Robespierre.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
De Robespierre gets his hooks in and is throwing strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maximilien De Robespierre showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Burn tries to close the distance and clinch but De Robespierre swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Burn shoots and misses

and De Robespierre counters with a nice double leg into side control. Burn won't be happy with that.

De Robespierre is trying to get an arm triangle but Burn is defending well.
De Robespierre misses with the ground and pound.
Burn trying to remain calm as De Robespierre controls from the top position.

De Robespierre stands up and we're back to a striking position.
PO Burn is winning the standup battle so far.
De Robespierre shoots in but Burn avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burn's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Burn duly obliges.
De Robespierre circles away from the clinch attempt.
De Robespierre tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Burn swivels and escapes.
Burn lands with a right hand.
Burn scores with a hook.
No luck with that takedown attempt from De Robespierre.
PO Burn has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Maximilien De Robespierre.
Some wild striking there from De Robespierre.
De Robespierre shoots in for a double leg but Burn sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
De Robespierre takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
De Robespierre misses with a body shot.
Burn tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Burn throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around De Robespierre's waist but De Robespierre gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Burn off to one side.
Maximilien De Robespierre is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A looping hook to the body misses from De Robespierre. Burn does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
De Robespierre looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Burn scores with a crisp jab that stopped De Robespierre in his tracks.
Burn displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from De Robespierre.

De Robespierre shoots in and gets a takedown into Burn's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
De Robespierre won't allow Burn to get back to his feet.
Burn utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
De Robespierre wants to control from the top but Burn keeps moving.

De Robespierre gets to his feet. Burn looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Burn doesn't manage to clinch there - De Robespierre circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burn shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as De Robespierre sprawls well. De Robespierre wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Burn gets slowly back to his feet.

De Robespierre shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than De Robespierre was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
De Robespierre is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Burn can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
De Robespierre trying to control but Burn is having none of it.
De Robespierre takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
De Robespierre thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Burn squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.

Burn somehow manages to escape the mount and get back to his feet!
Burn connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Burn leaves De Robespierre with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Burn closes the distance and pushes De Robespierre back into the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Burn lands a hook that snaps the head of De Robespierre backwards.
Burn scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Burn works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maximilien De Robespierre really dominated that round.
That's time! Burn's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Excellent takedown into side control there by De Robespierre.
De Robespierre misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Burn tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.
De Robespierre biding his time, controlling Burn.
Burn has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.

That's one minute gone in the round.

De Robespierre is persistently looking for the submission but Burn is defending it well.
De Robespierre is throwing shots to the body but Burn manages to wriggle free. De Robespierre pounces on him again and ends up in Burn's guard.
Burn being controlled here, momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
De Robespierre advances position into side control!
Burn is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, De Robespierre asserts his dominance and retains side control.
De Robespierre scoring with punches from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
De Robespierre lands a few punches from side control.
Burn on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Maximilien De Robespierre has got the better of the ground game so far.
De Robespierre controlling from side mount.
De Robespierre tries to advance to mount but can't.
De Robespierre remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Burn bucks up and tries to throw De Robespierre off but instead De Robespierre has got his back!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

De Robespierre tightening his grip on Burn, looking for the choke.
Burn looking very determined here, making life difficult for De Robespierre.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maximilien De Robespierre dominated that fourth round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

De Robespierre shoots in and bounces Burn off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
De Robespierre is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
De Robespierre tries to free his leg and advance position but Burn is retaining full guard.
De Robespierre throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Burn wants to stand and escape but De Robespierre is having none of it.
Burn keeping full guard, as De Robespierre tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burn being controlled here, momentarily.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Maximilien De Robespierre hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
De Robespierre closes this distance looking for a takedown but Burn circles away.

Burn pushes De Robespierre up against the cage in a clinch.
De Robespierre has had enough of the clinch but Burn keeps him there for the moment.
Burn stalling the fight.
Burn throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Burn lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
De Robespierre is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Burn gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Burn breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Burn is looking to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burn tries to clinch but De Robespierre is having none of it.

De Robespierre shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Burn is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst De Robespierre is controlling him.
De Robespierreis looking to pass into half guard but Burn pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Burn is in guard.
De Robespierre is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Burn wants to get up but he can't break De Robespierre's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
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!
De Robespierre controls Burn momentarily but Burn frees himself.
De Robespierre keeping moving, preventing Burn from controlling successfully.

Burn decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burn throws a combination. De Robespierre tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Burn tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Burn doesn't manage to clinch there - De Robespierre circles away.
De Robespierre is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Burn rather than just go for the knockout.
Burn stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Burn wants it to stay on the feet.
PO Burn has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Maximilien De Robespierre.

Burn closes the distance and clinches.
Burn wants to break free but De Robespierre has control.

Burn pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
PO Burn has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Burn defends well against a solid takedown attempt from De Robespierre.
De Robespierre doesn't manage to clinch there - Burn circles away.

Burn shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
De Robespierre is refusing to be controlled, as Burn sits in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burn is thwarting De Robespierre's attempts to control the position.
Burn drops an elbow to the side of De Robespierre's head.
De Robespierre is trying to control but can't.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
De Robespierre is pressing down on Burn's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
De Robespierre pulls Burn in close to his closed guard and prevents Burn from doing any damage or advancing position.
Maximilien De Robespierre is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
De Robespierre's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

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 PO Burn.
I think De Robespierre 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 47:49
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 47:49
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Maximilien De Robespierre!
An out of breath Maximilien De Robespierre thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.