PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Eugene Carl Alexander Burns (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tamao Serizawa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Carl Alexander Burns
vs
Serizawa

170 cm
28
197 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

184 cm
28
200 lbs
11 - 14 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Experienced

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Knockout power

Firebird Designs - 10% Laundry commission

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Eugene Carl Alexander Burns!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Tamao Serizawa!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Colin Fotheringham and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
We've got one fighter who appears to only be looking to counter and the other not looking particularly aggressive either, so we could be in for a dull fight.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Burns.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Serizawa is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Burns has just dragged him back down to the mat.

Burns tries for a kimura but Serizawa is defending well.

Burns is trying to get an arm triangle but Serizawa is defending well.
Burns trying to control the position but Serizawa is working away.
Serizawa is pushing Burns's head away, looking to escape. Burns manages to hold on to the position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Serizawa regains half guard, as Burns was trying to land strikes.
Well, if Burns is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Burns tries to pass the half guard into mount. Serizawa knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Serizawa is refusing to be controlled, as Burns sits in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Serizawa wants to get back to his feet.
Burns not doing much here.

Burns is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Burns content to control rather than advance.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Burns is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Serizawa doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Burns.
Burns wants to advance to full mount but Serizawa doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.

That's four 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.
Burns's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Burns has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Burns wants to control from the top but Serizawa keeps moving.
Burns wants to pass the guard but Serizawa is keeping the position.
Burns might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Burns is looking to pass into half guard but Serizawa pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Serizawa is in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eugene Carl Alexander Burns dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Burns avoids the body shot from Serizawa.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Serizawa tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Serizawa wants to clinch.

Burns throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Serizawa tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Burns is in Serizawa's guard.
Burns throwing strikes from guard but Serizawa blocks nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burns pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Serizawa is keeping the position for now.
Serizawa can't keep his opponent in guard - Burns advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Burns is looking for a kimura but Serizawa is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Burns to get the leverage.
Burns content to control rather than advance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burns trying to control from half guard but Serizawa is working away.
Serizawa is trying to stand.
Serizawa is not content to let Burns control the position.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Eugene Carl Alexander Burns just wasn't active enough.
Serizawa throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Burns sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Burns bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Burns is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Serizawa is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Burns goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Serizawa rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Burns's guard! Nice work there by Serizawa!
Burns is trying to control the position but Serizawa postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Serizawa wants to stand but Burns is controlling his posture from full guard.

Burns looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Serizawa would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Serizawa stopping the sweep attempt from Burns.
Serizawa is looking to stand up but Burns won't let him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eugene Carl Alexander Burns dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Serizawa is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Burns ducks under a wild hook from Serizawa.
Serizawa misses the shot to the body.

Serizawa clinches with his opponent.

Burns breaks from the clinch.

Serizawa gets caught napping as Burns dives in and scores a takedown. Serizawa manages to retain guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burns trying to control but Serizawa is working from the bottom.
Burns sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Serizawa's guard.

Burns is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Serizawa is just riding it out for now. Burns eventually gives up the hold.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Burns performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Burns is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Serizawa defends it well.

Burns is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Burns not doing much here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Burns is trying to work for a kimura but Serizawa is defending well.
Burns missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Serizawa is not content to let Burns control the position.

Burns looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Serizawa tries to kick Burns off but Burns keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Burns looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eugene Carl Alexander Burns clearly takes that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Burns shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burns is trying to control the action in half guard but Serizawa is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Burns is looking for a kimura here.
Burns controlling the action here.

Burns is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burns is trying to control the action in half guard but Serizawa is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Burns is working for a kimura from half guard. He's really concentrating on the hold and it's allowed Serizawa to slip a leg under and get back to full guard.
Burns trying to control the position from guard on top but Serizawa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burns prevents Serizawa from getting back to his feet.
Serizawa is looking to stand back up but Burns counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Serizawa.
Burns is looking to pass Serizawa's guard but actually Serizawa recovers to full guard.
Burns not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burns wants to control from the top but Serizawa keeps moving.
Burns is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Serizawa is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

We're going to have a standup here because Eugene Carl Alexander Burns wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

Burns looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Serizawa is trying to stand back up but Burns is controlling him
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eugene Carl Alexander Burns had his way with Tamao Serizawa in that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Serizawa is looking to clinch.

Burns drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Burns looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Burns looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Burns taking a breather here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Burns goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Serizawa rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Burns's guard! Nice work there by Serizawa!
Burns looking to hit a scissor sweep but Serizawa is one step ahead there.

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.

Burns uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Serizawa tries to score with a low kick but Burns moves his leg out of the way.
Serizawa swings for the body but Burns moves out of range.
Burns lands with an uppercut that bounces Serizawa off the cage and back into range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Burns drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Serizawa pushes Burns away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Burns gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Burns trying to control the action but Serizawa is working from the bottom.

Burns goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Serizawa rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Burns's guard! Nice work there by Serizawa!
Burns trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burns is wriggling around but Serizawa manages to pass to half guard.
Burns is trying to stand up here but Serizawa is controlling him well.
Burns trying to hold on to Serizawa's head to control him but Serizawa postures up.
Tamao Serizawa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Serizawa is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

And that's the end of the fight!
Eugene Carl Alexander Burns showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Burns, 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 50:45
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 50:45
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eugene Carl Alexander Burns!
Eugene Carl Alexander Burns is the new middleweight champion!
Eugene Carl Alexander Burns decided to call for a title shot in his post fight interview, which was very strange given the fact this fight was for a title and he's already the champion. I guess that's what getting punched in the head does for you.