Ricky Biechun took out crowd favourite: City Kickboxing’s Henri Burns, in an absolute war over three rounds in the final of Eternal 50’s Heavyweight Grand Prix

Burns was dangerous and threatened submissions often, but the wrestling of Biechun coupled with his masterful range control and use of his 6'5" frame to great effect, pressuring Burns and peppering him with shots from the outside en route to a split decision victory.

Round 1

Both men cautious in the centre, both throwing lazy leg kicks to gauge the reaction of the other, Burns again feinting level changes as well as punches. Biechun controlled the centre early, before Burns clipped him with an overhand right and entered the clinch.

Biechun’s wrestling defence held up for a while, before Burns hit the second-phase and took him to the ground, ending in the mount. Burns moved to a high mount, posturing up to deliver some damage.

Biechun was not oblivious to the threat, bucking and bridging and digging an underhook to get to his feet and pressure Burns against the cage with head position.

Burns turned him briefly, but it seemed that Biechun was the superior wrestler if not grappler, again putting the pressure on before Burns snatched up a nasty kimura, using it to get on top of Biechun and again take the mount position.

As he postured up, Biechun exploded out again, but this time Burns stayed on top, locking up an armbar towards the round end. Biechun lasted til the bell, though.

10-9 Burns

Round 2

Biechun again took the centre in round two, Burns waiting for his opening. Biechun landed a hard 1-2 against the fence and was answered by a nasty punch from Burns. Biechun smelled blood and surged forward with the pressure, but Burns changed levels and got him to the mat once again.

With the BJJ World Champion Burns on top, Biechun knew he had to get up. He surged out but was caught in a deep guillotine by Burns, barely managing to escape. They stood and BNiechun again poured it on, landing several unanswered shots to Burns’ head in the clinch, followed by a vicious body knee.

Biechun started to take over the stand-up, knocking out Burns’ mouthguard with a knee in the clinch. Biechun kept his pressure and it seemed that Burns didn't have the gas to attempt another takedown. Biechun walked him down using his reach well to back Burns up and land effective shots.

10-9 Biechun.

Round 3

Going into round three it was either man's fight. Both men were breathing heavily but Biechun appeared the fresher fighter, still feinting and firing hard jabs down the middle as he pressed Burns.

It didn't take long for Burns to shoot, but Biechun elevated the hips and shrugged him off before again stalking him and landing leg kicks and keeping Burns on the end of his straight punches.

Bicehun kicked hard into Burns' knee which may have discouraged him from throwing the right kick again. He kept the pressure on and landed more nasty punches, forcing Burns to circle out.

Burns shot a lazy double leg late in round three and got it! However, Biechun had gas in the tank, using a guillotine threat to stand back up. Burns shot another takedown and was successful, but Biechun reversed him and ended up in side control threatening to pass to mount.

Burns exploded out and ended the fight on top but it was too little, too late. 10-9 Biechun.

The judges gave their decision: a split decision victory for the new Eternal MMA Heavyweight Champion Ricky Biechun,