PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Chris Makoniko (ranked 4825 p4p, 4965 weight class) and Fraser Hickins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Makoniko
vs
Hickins

175 cm
18
175
0 - 0 - 0

166 cm
25
175
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Chris Makoniko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Fraser Hickins!
The judges for this bout are Michael Johnstone, Dirk Anderson and David Hoff.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Makoniko is trying hard to land a takedown here. Hickins sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Hickins lands a slapping body shot.
Hickins works Makoniko's body with a nice hook.
Hickins connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Nice sprawl there from Hickins as Makoniko shoots in.

Makoniko gets a takedown into half guard.
Makoniko seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Hickins does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Hickins is looking to escape.
Makoniko throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Makoniko wants to control but Hickins is keeping him busy.
Makoniko not doing much here.
Makoniko throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Nice strikes from Makoniko there.
Makoniko lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ground and pound from Makoniko.
Makoniko looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Makoniko 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.
Makoniko is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Makoniko seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Hickins does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Makoniko slips a nice elbow through Hickins's hands, connecting with Hickins's forehead.
Makoniko trying to mount his opponent but Hickins defends it.
Makoniko is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Hickins!
Makoniko wants to control the pace but Hickins is squirming around nicely.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Hickins can do anything to dispel that myth.
Makoniko avoids the attempt from Hickins to control.
Makoniko with a couple of short strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Makoniko can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Hickins is looking to escape.
Makoniko is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Hickins is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Makoniko lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Hickins is squirming around, avoiding Makoniko's attempts to control the action.
Makoniko working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Makoniko lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Hickins hang on?
This has been an exciting period of action!
Makoniko postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Hickins looks a forlorn figure.
Makoniko wants to control the pace but Hickins is squirming around nicely.
Makoniko has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Hickins's face.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Makoniko cracks Hickins with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Makoniko in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Makoniko working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Hickins really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Makoniko. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Makoniko cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Makoniko landing punches.
Makoniko can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Hickins is looking to escape.
Hickins looks winded!
Makoniko scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Hickins?
Makoniko lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Hickins taking shots to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hickins is looking to improve his position but Makoniko isn't that keen on the idea.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Makoniko has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Hickins's face.
Hickins is bucking up trying to escape but Makoniko cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Makoniko with the ground and pound from mount.

Hickins is rocked!
A nice elbow there by Makoniko.
Hickins is still in real trouble! Can Makoniko finish him?
Makoniko cracks Hickins with a big head shot that has him covering up instantly! He's rolled onto his side and the referee has seen enough - this one is aaaaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:36 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Chris Makoniko!
Chris Makoniko decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.