PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Harley Burlson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Koitsu Baraka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Harley Burlson has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Burlson
vs
Baraka

195 cm
25
255 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

225 cm
25
270 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Experienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Harley Burlson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Koitsu Baraka!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Baraka lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Baraka.
Burlson takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Baraka is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Baraka scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Burlson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Baraka tries to avoid it but Burlson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Baraka to the ground. Baraka escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Baraka scores with a shot to the body.
Burlson takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Baraka throws a body punch but Burlson moves out of range.
Burlson on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Burlson wants to clinch.
Baraka lands a lovely overhand right.
Baraka shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Burlson eats them both and turns towards Baraka to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Baraka misses with a series of wild punches.
No luck for Burlson with that takedown attempt.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Burlson looks to land a body kick but Baraka moved away.
Baraka lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baraka scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Burlson fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Harley Burlson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Baraka connects with a looping right hand.
Baraka blocks a low kick nicely.
Baraka lunges at Burlson with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Burlson's hand.
Baraka falls off balance throwing a combination
and Burlson counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Baraka fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Burlson looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
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!
Burlson walks into a stiff left hand from Baraka.
Baraka takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Burlson dives in for a single leg takedown but Baraka sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Baraka tries to circle away but Burlson has him pinned against the cage.

Burlson manages to break the clinch.
Baraka leaves Burlson with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Burlson fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Baraka avoids it really well and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burlson takes one on the button.
Baraka lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Burlson at a distance.
Burlson doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Baraka's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Baraka duly obliges.
Baraka jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Burlson's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Baraka connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Burlson scrambles back to his feet.
Baraka has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Baraka stuns Burlson with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Nice body punch from Baraka.
Burlson throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Baraka's waist but Baraka gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Burlson off to one side.
Baraka lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Baraka is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Nice jab there from Baraka.
Baraka lands a slapping body shot.

Burlson closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Burlson as Baraka tries to tie him up.

Burlson successfully pulls guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Burlson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Baraka can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Baraka wants to stand and escape but instead Burlson has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Burlson is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at Weed Nation that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.

Baraka is working an open guard so Burlson takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Baraka connects with the punch.
Baraka sizes up Burlson with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Baraka lands a glancing blow to the side of Burlson's head.
Baraka connects with a body shot that sends Burlson's belly button to the back.
A head kick misses from Burlson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burlson is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Baraka.
Baraka ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Baraka slaps away a takedown attempt from Burlson, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Baraka catches Burlson with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Burlson.
Burlson is breathing heavily.
Baraka swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Burlson.
Koitsu Baraka is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Burlson goes for a double leg but Baraka avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Baraka continues to drive forward.
Baraka misses with a hook from the clinch.
Burlson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Baraka has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Burlson misses with a punch to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Burlson manages to pull guard.
Baraka wants to stand but Burlson has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Baraka is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Koitsu Baraka dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Burlson shoots in but no luck this time.
Baraka displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Baraka connects with a jab.
Good standup being displayed there by Baraka as he connects with a hook.
Burlson tries to clinch but Baraka moves out of range.
Burlson shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Baraka pinned against the cage. Baraka gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Baraka scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
A shot to the liver by Baraka. Beautiful body shot.
A jab lands there for Baraka.
Baraka dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Baraka feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Burlsons jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Baraka has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Baraka cracks Burlson with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Burlson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Baraka fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Burlson on the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baraka lands a lovely overhand right.
Burlson looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Burlson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Baraka connects with a good right hand that stumbles Burlson. Burlson circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Baraka throws a series of punches but Burlson avoids them all with ease.
Baraka sizes up Burlson with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Baraka jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Jab, jab by Baraka - just one landing.
Baraka lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Burlson circles away quickly and effectively.
Baraka connects with a body shot that sends Burlson's belly button to the back.
Baraka lands with a straight right. Burlson didn't see that one coming.
Baraka with a hook.
Burlson takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Baraka fails to land with a series of punches.
Baraka jabs Burlson right on the nose. Burlson blinks but takes it well.
Baraka lands a two punch combo.
Nice cross by Baraka.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Burlson closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Baraka to the mat! Baraka manages to get full guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Baraka controlling the position.
Baraka is breathing heavily.
Baraka preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Baraka keeping moving, preventing Burlson from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Baraka trying to control the position.
Burlson is standing up over Baraka. Baraka looks to escape but Burlson dives into side control.
Baraka is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Burlson has just dragged him back down to the mat.

Burlson has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baraka misses with a jab, cross combination.
Burlson tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Baraka manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Burlson fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Harley Burlson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Burlson shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Baraka sprawls well. Baraka wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Burlson gets slowly back to his feet.
Baraka slaps away a takedown attempt from Burlson, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Baraka digs a good hook to Burlson's body.
Burlson moves forwards but Baraka connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Baraka connects with a crisp jab.
Burlson shoots for a takedown but Baraka saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Koitsu Baraka seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Baraka connects with a body shot that sends Burlson's belly button to the back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice cross by Baraka.
Baraka connects with a single shot there.
Burlson takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

Burlson moves into the clinch successfully.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
A body shot lands from Burlson.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Burlson looking to throw knees to the head but Baraka is blocking nicely.
Baraka is trying to stall.
Burlson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Baraka manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Baraka wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Burlson has him pressed against the cage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Baraka.
Baraka managing to block the knees to the body from Burlson.

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

Koitsu Baraka showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Burlson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. And we move into the final round!

Baraka throws a series of punches but Burlson avoids them all with ease.
Baraka stalks Burlson and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Burlson's face. Burlson staggers backwards, shaken.
Baraka displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Burlson tries for a takedown but Baraka sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Baraka feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Burlsons jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Baraka throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Burlson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Burlson misses with a straight right.
Koitsu Baraka seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Baraka bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Burlson's head backwards.
Baraka slaps away a takedown attempt from Burlson, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Baraka lands an overhand right.
Baraka looks to land a combination but Burlson avoids it well.
Baraka jabs at Burlson's body.
Baraka lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Baraka throws a right hand that Burlson ducks under and follows up with a left that Burlson also avoids with ease.
Baraka takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baraka throws a right and a left that both miss.
Burlson tries to clinch up.
Baraka uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Burlson.
Baraka connects with a good right hand that stumbles Burlson. Burlson circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Baraka lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Baraka misses with a few strikes there.
Burlson closes this distance looking for a takedown but Baraka circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Harley Burlson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Baraka misses with a series of wild punches.
Baraka scores with a jab. Burlson acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Baraka cracks Burlson with a right hand to the side of the head.
No joy there for Baraka, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Baraka misses with a wild combination.
Baraka throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Burlson sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burlson has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Baraka finds it's way round the side to connect with Burlson's head.
Baraka throws a right and a left that Burlson avoids nicely.

Burlson closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Baraka did well to prevent Burlson getting side control.
Burlson working the head and body with strikes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Burlson moves into full mount! Baraka won't be happy about that!
Burlson postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Baraka looks a forlorn figure.
Burlson punishing his opponent with strikes.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Baraka can do anything to dispel that myth.
Burlson raining down shots from the mount!
Baraka is working to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burlson lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.

It looks like Koitsu Baraka has been cut.
Burlson tries to control but Baraka wriggling away.
Burlson postures up and throws a couple of big shots that have Baraka in real trouble here! The ref calls for Baraka to improve his position which he doesn't do, so the referee has no choice but to end the fight due to the strikes!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:44 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Harley Burlson!
A relieved looking Harley Burlson thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.
The defeated Koitsu Baraka had this to say: 'It is what it is, I thought my hands were slick enough to pull out the win, but it just didn't work for me. I'm still new to the sport though, and I plan to work hard as I know I can only get better. May need to work on that ground game a bit yeah? Haha, thanks for the time, and good night ladies '.