PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Canan Makoniko (ranked 4893 p4p, 4823 weight class) and Popay Stols (ranked 0 p4p, 543 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
Stols

179 cm
18
175
0 - 0 - 0

200 cm
25
180
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

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, Canan 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, Popay Stols!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, Peter Branson and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Makoniko leaves Stols with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Makoniko looking to score a takedown here. Stols is defending well but Makoniko drives through and ends up in Stols's guard.
Stols has his hands on Makoniko's head, controlling the position.
Makoniko throws a big right hand that misses.
Stols keeping moving, preventing Makoniko from controlling successfully.
Stols is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Makoniko scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Makoniko trying to control the position from guard on top but Stols is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stols is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Makoniko passes Stols's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Makoniko works his way into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes there by Makoniko.
Stols tries to escape but Makoniko is in control.
Stols sneaks back into half guard.
Stols on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Makoniko looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Ground and pound from Makoniko.
Makoniko sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Stols trying to control but Makoniko postures up.
Stols works his way to full guard. Good work.
Makoniko working some strikes from top position.

Stols is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Makoniko defends well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stols is trying to keep Makoniko in close.
Stols is pulling down on Makoniko's head to control his posture.
Stols tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Makoniko tries to free his leg and advance position but Stols is retaining full guard.
Makoniko working some strikes from top position.
Makoniko wants to control from the top but Stols keeps moving.

Stols is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Makoniko with a flurry of punches that miss.
Makoniko looking to sit in guard and control but Stols gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Makoniko might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stols prevents Makoniko from getting back to his feet.

Stols decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Stols shoots in for a takedown but Makoniko shows good takedown defense.
Stols tries to clinch up but Makoniko circles away and keeps his distance.

Makoniko feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Stols is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Makoniko throws a strike but Stols rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Stols advances position into side control!
Makoniko is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Stols has just dragged him back down to the mat.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Makoniko's face as Stols controls the position.
Makoniko is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Stols asserts his dominance and retains side control.

Stols wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Makoniko, who protects the arm well.
Makoniko wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Stols stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Makoniko slaps away a takedown attempt from Stols, before circling back to the center of the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Canan Makoniko will probably get the nod.
That's time! Makoniko's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Makoniko closes this distance looking for a takedown but Stols circles away.
Canan Makoniko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Makoniko fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Stols defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Makoniko.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Canan Makoniko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A nice combination there by Stols.
Stols darts in looking for a takedown but Makoniko gets double underhooks and turns Stols into the cage.
Stols throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Makoniko stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Makoniko goes for a double leg but Stols avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Stols continues to drive forward.

Makoniko scores with a takedown into Stols's guard.
Stols is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Makoniko wants to get back to his feet.
Stols not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Stols missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Stols is looking for a kimura but Makoniko is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Stols to get the leverage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stols is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Makoniko!
Makoniko wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Stols looking to ground and pound but Makoniko is blocking nicely.
Stols throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Makoniko trying desperately to get to his feet.
Stols throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Popay Stols has got the better of the ground game so far.
Makoniko is trying to stand up.
Stols has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stols controlling his opponent.
Makoniko knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Stols on the ground.
Makoniko is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stols looking to control but Makoniko is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Makoniko is trying to stand.
Stols throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Makoniko because Stols loaded up on that one.
Makoniko is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Makoniko wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Stols.
Stols misses with a head shot.

Stols has hold of Makoniko's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Makoniko manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Makoniko wants to try and get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Makoniko blocking the ground and pound.
Makoniko is trying to stand up.
Stols thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Makoniko's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Stols throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Makoniko because Stols loaded up on that one.
Stols misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Makoniko is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stols tries to control but Makoniko wriggling away.
Stols throws some wild stikes that Makoniko manages to avoid easily.
You get the feeling that Makoniko really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Stols has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Poor strikes thrown by Stols there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Makoniko squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Makoniko trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Popay Stols 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! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Stols misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Makoniko is looking to counter the offense by Stols and move into the clinch.
Makoniko has his takedown stuffed
and Stols counters with a series of strikes. Makoniko will be more careful next time no doubt.
No luck for Makoniko with that takedown attempt.
Stols fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Makoniko dodges the punch combination from Stols.
Makoniko shoots in and drives through. Stols sprawls well.
Stols unleashes a big counter combination but Makoniko bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Canan Makoniko. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Makoniko fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Stols sprawls well initially but Makoniko persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Stols manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Makoniko keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Stols takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Makoniko has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Stols is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Makoniko wants a takedown.
Makoniko looking for a takedown.

Stols breaks from the clinch.
Stols looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stols throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Makoniko stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Makoniko gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Stols counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Makoniko shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Makoniko shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Stols is trying to defend but Makoniko finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Makoniko thows a huge punch but Stols dodges it nicely.

Stols looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Stols is refusing to be controlled, as Makoniko sits in half guard.
Stols is trying to maintain the position but Makoniko is very close to passing his half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Makoniko looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Makoniko working the head and body with strikes.
Stols is pressing down on Makoniko's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Makoniko postures up.
Makoniko trying to control the position from guard on top but Stols is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Makoniko working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Stols is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Makoniko is working Stols over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Makoniko's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Makoniko landing with the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Makoniko wants to control from the top but Stols keeps moving.
Makoniko postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Makoniko landing some decent shots from guard.
Makoniko keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Stols's head.
Makoniko won't allow Stols to sweep him here.
Makoniko keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Stols's head.

Makoniko got a little sloppy there for a moment and Stols has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Makoniko has managed to get both his arms back between Stols's legs - danger averted.

Makoniko is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Stols has momentary wrist control but Makoniko slips an elbow through the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stols wants to sweep but no luck.
Makoniko trying to control the position from guard on top but Stols is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Makoniko lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Makoniko postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Makoniko trying to control the position from guard on top but Stols is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Makoniko chips away with some ground and pound.
Makoniko lands a couple of decent looking shots.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Popay Stols.
Well Stols has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Santiago Holmes scores the fight 28:29
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Popay Stols!