PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Yevgeni Raduchenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Burza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Burza has chosen Metallica - Enter Sandman as his entrance music. Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Raduchenko
vs
Burza

178 cm
28
187 lbs
16 - 10 - 0

185 cm
35
195 lbs
17 - 9 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Fast

Ultra Fight Gear
Cavalheiro Luta Vestuario

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 16 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Yevgeni Raduchenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, John Burza!
The judges for this bout are Saam Ante, Radbod Blank and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Burza throws a nice looking combination but Raduchenko bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Burza bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Raduchenko's head.
Burza throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Nice sprawl there from Burza as Raduchenko shoots in.
Burza avoids a punch combination nicely.
Raduchenko fails with the takedown.
Raduchenko shoots in for a takedown but Burza shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yevgeni Raduchenko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Raduchenko closes this distance looking for a takedown but Burza circles away.
Raduchenko shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Burza as he jumps to the side.
Raduchenko shoots in but no luck this time.
Burza misses with a looping left.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Raduchenko drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Raduchenko won't allow Burza to sweep him here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Raduchenko throwing strikes but missing.
Raduchenko wants to control from the top but Burza keeps moving.
Burza looking for a sweep. Not yet Burza, not yet.
Burza keeping moving, preventing Raduchenko from controlling successfully.
Raduchenko missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Raduchenko's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Yevgeni Raduchenko just wasn't active enough.
Raduchenko fails to land the takedown.
Burza displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Raduchenko.
Raduchenko rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Burza counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Raduchenko fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Burza to the ground. Raduchenko is now in Burza's guard.
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!
Burza is looking to stand up but Raduchenko isn't so interested in that idea.
Burza working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Raduchenko.
Raduchenko throws a big elbow that misses.
Raduchenko trying to control but Burza is working from the bottom.

Burza working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Raduchenko doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Raduchenko manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Raduchenko postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raduchenko trying to control but Burza is working from the bottom.
Raduchenko is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Raduchenko postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Burza working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Raduchenko.
Raduchenko has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Raduchenko trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Raduchenko won't allow Burza to get back to his feet.
Burza avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Raduchenko is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burza keeping moving, preventing Raduchenko from controlling successfully.
Burza wants to stand and escape but Raduchenko is having none of it.
Raduchenko throwing strikes but missing.
Raduchenko engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Burza swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
John Burza is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Burza throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Raduchenko.
Raduchenko scores with a decent looking hook.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yevgeni Raduchenko dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Raduchenko closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Burza quickly recovers to half guard.
Raduchenko is looking to take a break and control but Burza is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Burza has hold of Raduchenko's hands but Raduchenko slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Raduchenko wants to take a breather but Burza is having none of it.
Burza wants to get back to his feet.
Raduchenko trying to control the action but Burza is working from the bottom.
Raduchenko works his way into side control.
Raduchenko in side control, throwing shots but Burza defends.
Raduchenko is putting a hurting on Burza here, landing some big shots from side control.
Raduchenko connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Burza some visible discomfort.
Raduchenko tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Raduchenko tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Raduchenko is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Burza knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Raduchenko looks up at the clock and then as Burza takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Raduchenko smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Burza is not content to let Raduchenko control the position.
Raduchenko with the ground and pound but Burza regains half guard under the barage of strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raduchenko not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Burza makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Raduchenko shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Burza pinned against the cage. Burza gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Raduchenko avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Raduchenko gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Burza cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Burza lands a right hook to the body.

Raduchenko shoots in and gets a takedown into Burza's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burza utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Raduchenko drops back looking for a leg! Burza is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Burza manages to kick Raduchenko off! Raduchenko jumps back into Burza's guard.
Burza keeping moving, preventing Raduchenko from controlling successfully.
Burza has control of Raduchenko's left arm, preventing Raduchenko from doing any damage.
Raduchenko is looking to work some ground and pound but Burza has wrist control.
Burza working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Raduchenko.
Burza is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Raduchenko trying to control but Burza is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Burza swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Burza leaves Raduchenko with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yevgeni Raduchenko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Raduchenko is trying hard to land a takedown here. Burza sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Burza misses with an uppercut

and Raduchenko counters with a nice double leg into side control. Burza won't be happy with that.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The referee asks Raduchenko politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Raduchenko prefers to stall for the moment though.
Burza tries to improve position but can't.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Raduchenko is working Burza over with some ground and pound from side control.
Raduchenko tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.

Raduchenko thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yevgeni Raduchenko dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Raduchenko ducks right into an uppercut from Burza.
Burza throws a combination that misses
letting Raduchenko counter with a right hand.
Burza misses with a two punch combination.
Raduchenko shoots for a double leg takedown but Burza sprawls well. He's pushed Raduchenko's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Raduchenko shoots and misses
and Burza counters with a nice uppercut.
Burza pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Raduchenko shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yevgeni Raduchenko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Raduchenko shoots for a double leg takedown but Burza sprawls well. He's pushed Raduchenko's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Raduchenko staying out of range there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raduchenko scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Raduchenko fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Burza defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Raduchenko.
Raduchenko fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Burza avoids it really well and circles away.
Raduchenko fails with a takedown attempt.

Burza tries to sprawl but Raduchenko drives through with a takedown into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raduchenko is pressing down on Burza's thigh, looking to free his foot. Burza is holding on for now.
Burza is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Raduchenko scores with a couple of nice shots.

Raduchenko is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Burza is looking to improve his position.
Raduchenko misses with a head shot. Burza uses the momentum to regain guard.
Raduchenko pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Burza is keeping the position for now.
John Burza has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burza working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Raduchenko.
Raduchenko looking to sit in guard and control but Burza gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Burza avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Raduchenko controls Burza momentarily but Burza frees himself.

Raduchenko looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Raduchenko has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Burza can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Raduchenko avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Raduchenko escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Burza gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Raduchenko wants to hit a switch here but Burza passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Raduchenko there!
Burza wants to get back to his feet but Raduchenko is holding on tight.

Burza looking for a guillotine from mount but Raduchenko is having none of it.
Burza is looking to work his way around to Raduchenko's back. He needs to be careful though, as he's in danger of losing this dominant position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Raduchenko is trying to escape the mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yevgeni Raduchenko showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Raduchenko, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Saam Ante scores the fight 30:27
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 30:27

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