PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Roman Burza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Lineker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Burza's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Guns N' Roses - Welcome To The Jungle. This should be fireworks!

Burza
vs
Lineker

178 cm
37
170 lbs
22 - 15 - 0

177 cm
26
163 lbs
11 - 11 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Heisenberg

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 22 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Roman Burza!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, John Lineker!
The judges for this bout are Paulo Santos, Thiago Cunha and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Burza fails with a takedown attempt.

Burza dives in and scores a takedown into Lineker's guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Burza wants to control from the top but Lineker keeps moving.
Lineker pulls Burza in close to prevent any damage.
Burza trying to control the position from guard on top but Lineker is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lineker keeping full guard, as Burza tries to pass.
Lineker looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lineker is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

John Lineker has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Lineker throws a leg kick

and Burza decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Lineker's guard.
Burza won't allow Lineker to sweep him here.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Burza's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Lineker has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at RAM. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Lineker is adopting a defensive guard.
Burza trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Lineker wants to sweep but no luck.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Lineker holds on and takes a little breather.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Burza won't allow Lineker to sweep him here.

Burza thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lineker is controlling Burza's posture.
Burza trying to move into half guard but instead Lineker has managed to sweep!

Burza has his foot on Lineker's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Lineker works his way back into a safe position though.
Lineker controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Burza manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Burza avoids the attempt from Lineker to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burza trying to control but Lineker is having none of it.

Burza goes for an armbar but Lineker turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Lineker.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Burza is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Lineker tries to stand but Burza is controlling from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burza manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Lineker manages to get himself to full guard.
Burza stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Lineker swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Burza wants to control from the top but Lineker keeps moving.
Burza with a flurry of punches that miss.
Burza throwing strikes from guard but Lineker blocks nicely.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Burza wants to control from the top but Lineker keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roman Burza dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Lineker walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Burza checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Burza shoots in looking for a takedown. Lineker tries to sprawl out of it but Burza keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Lineker manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Burza misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Burza misses with a takedown attempt - Lineker sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Roman Burza is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Burza shoots in looking for a takedown but Lineker manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Burza's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roman Burza. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Burza shoots in looking for a takedown. Lineker tries to sprawl out of it but Burza keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Lineker manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Burza tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Lineker defends well and Burza ends up having to push Lineker into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lineker prevents a takedown attempt there.
Burza tries to score a body lock takedown but Lineker shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Lineker gets underhooks to prevent Burza's takedown attempt.
Burza wants a takedown but no success here.
Lineker gets underhooks to prevent Burza's takedown attempt.
Burza drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Lineker gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Burza has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Lineker avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Burza is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Lineker is defending well.

Lineker manages to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lineker checks the leg kick nicely there.
Burza shoots in and drives through. Lineker sprawls well.
Lineker misses with a low kick.
A good leg kick by Lineker.
Burza shoots in for a takedown but Lineker shows good takedown defense.
Burza pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Lineker keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Burza tries for a takedown but Lineker sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Lineker. Burza shrugs it off though.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nice sprawl there from Lineker as Burza shoots in.
Lineker defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Burza.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burza has a takedown stuffed.
Burza looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Burza shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Lineker pinned against the cage. Lineker gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Lineker throws a leg kick which misses Burza's front leg but catches the back leg as Burza tries to avoid it.
Lineker throws a nice outside leg kick.
Horrible takedown by Burza or perhaps it was just good defense by Lineker which made him look bad.
Burza misses with a takedown attempt - Lineker sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Lineker throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lineker keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Burza changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Lineker tries to avoid it but Burza manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Lineker to the ground. Lineker escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Lineker motions for Burza to come forward. Lineker throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Lineker leaves Burza with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Lineker throws a nice inside leg kick.
John Lineker is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
An inside leg kick lands from Lineker.
Burza tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Lineker defends well and Burza ends up having to push Lineker into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Burza drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Lineker breaks the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Lineker showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Lineker throws a low kick but Burza avoids it.
Burza throws a head kick that misses.
Lineker misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nice sprawl there from Lineker as Burza shoots in.
Burza closes the distance and clinches up with Lineker, looking for a takedown. Burza pushes Lineker against the cage but Lineker circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Lineker is looking to score with low kicks.
Burza changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Lineker tries to avoid it but Burza manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Lineker to the ground. Lineker escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roman Burza. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Burza throws a push kick but Lineker slaps the foot to one side.
Lineker keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Lineker leaves Burza with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Burza throws a nice looking combination but Lineker bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burza misses with a takedown attempt - Lineker sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Burza will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Lineker throws a leg kick which misses Burza's front leg but catches the back leg as Burza tries to avoid it.
Lineker cracks the inside of Burza's front leg.
Lineker wants to slow Burza down by chopping away at his legs.
Burza dives in and grabs Lineker's left leg, looking for a takedown. Lineker pushes down on Burza's head and hops out.
Burza with a poor takedown
and Lineker counters with a thumping low kick.
Lineker turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Burza checks a leg kick.
Lineker throws a low kick, looking for Burza's leg but Burza calmly moves out of range.
Lineker avoids a low kick by using good footwork.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lineker throws a leg kick which misses Burza's front leg but catches the back leg as Burza tries to avoid it.
Burza shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Burza shoots in looking for a takedown but Lineker manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Burza's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Burza checks a leg kick nicely.
Lineker tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Burza is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Burza shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Lineker pinned against the cage. Lineker gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lineker throws a head kick that misses.
Both fighters circling a little - Lineker finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Burza takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Lineker throws a leg kick which misses Burza's front leg but catches the back leg as Burza tries to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burza has a takedown stuffed.
Lineker throws a sloppy head kick and Burza moves out of range easily.
Lineker throws a leg kick but Burza sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Burza shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Lineker as he avoids it easily.
Burza shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Lineker sprawls well. Lineker wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Burza gets slowly back to his feet.
Lineker misses with a low kick.
Lineker stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Lineker wants it to stay on the feet.
Burza checks a low kick from Lineker.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lineker avoids a kick to the body.
Burza shoots in for a double leg but Lineker sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Lineker keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
John Lineker seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Lineker throws a leg kick but Burza sees it coming and checks it nicely.
A chopping leg kick lands by Lineker.
A chopping leg kick lands by Lineker.
Burza will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A head kick from Lineker lands but Burza takes it in his stride.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Burza throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Lineker's waist but Lineker gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Burza off to one side.
Lineker feints and then cracks Burza's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Burza down.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Lineker comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Lineker 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 28:29
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 28:29
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Lineker!
A relieved looking John Lineker thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.