PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Villi Kotobalavu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ippo Makunouchi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kotobalavu has a slight injury, which hopefully won't affect the fight too much. Ippo Makunouchi will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Kotobalavu
vs
Makunouchi

180 cm
20
180 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

182 cm
22
190 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Villi Kotobalavu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ippo Makunouchi!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Makunouchi pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kotobalavu is breathing heavily.
A big right from Makunouchi misses.
Makunouchi tries to clinch but Kotobalavu is having none of it.
Makunouchi wants to clinch.
Makunouchi smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Kotobalavu on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

It looks like Villi Kotobalavu has been cut.
Makunouchi lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Kotobalavu at a distance.
Makunouchi throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A cross from Makunouchi lands.

Kotobalavu is rocked!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!

Makunouchi has Kotobalavu up against the cage in a clinch.
Oh Kotobalavu is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Kotobalavu blocks the elbow strike.
Makunouchi lands a hook to the side of the head.
Makunouchi throws an elbow but it misses.
Makunouchi misses with an elbow strike.
Makunouchi misses with an elbow strike.
Kotobalavu seems to have got his legs back now.

Kotobalavu jumps guard.
Kotobalavu wants to sweep here but Makunouchi controlling him for the moment.

Makunouchi gets to his feet. Kotobalavu looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Makunouchi tries to clinch but Kotobalavu moves out of range.
Kotobalavu uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Makunouchi.
Makunouchi tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kotobalavu moves out of range of the strikes.
Ippo Makunouchi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Makunouchi doesn't manage to clinch there - Kotobalavu circles away.
Makunouchi misses with a straight right.
Makunouchi loads up on a big right hand but Kotobalavu slips the punch.
Makunouchi tries to clinch up.
Nice uppercut lands for Makunouchi. That snapped Kotobalavu's head back.
A big left from Makunouchi misses.
Makunouchi lands a glancing blow to the side of Kotobalavu's head.
Makunouchi tries to clinch but Kotobalavu is having none of it.

Makunouchi moves into range and clinches up with Kotobalavu.

Makunouchi breaks from the clinch.
Kotobalavu slips under a jab from Makunouchi.
Makunouchi tries to clinch there but Kotobalavu circles away.
Makunouchi slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Makunouchi misses with a few strikes there.

Kotobalavu clinches with his opponent.
Kotobalavu on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Makunouchi throws an elbow but it misses.
Kotobalavu dodges an elbow strike from Makunouchi.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Makunouchi breaks from the clinch.
Makunouchi throws out a loose jab but Kotobalavu uses good head movement to avoid it.

Makunouchi has closed the distance and engaged Kotobalavu in a clinch.
With the fighters up against the cage, Makunouchi throws an elbow but misses.
Makunouchi lands a nice elbow.
Makunouchi throws an elbow but it misses.
Makunouchi lands an elbow that stopped Kotobalavu in his tracks for a moment.
Makunouchi lands a damaging elbow.

Villi Kotobalavu's cut is getting worse.
Kotobalavu blocks an elbow strike from Makunouchi.
Kotobalavu wants to get back to striking at distance but Makunouchi won't allow it.
Kotobalavu wants to break free but Makunouchi has control.
Kotobalavu takes an elbow to the temple.
Kotobalavu manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
With the fighters up against the cage, Makunouchi throws an elbow but misses.
Makunouchi throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Makunouchi throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Makunouchi throws an elbow that misses.
Kotobalavu avoids the elbow strike from Makunouchi, against the cage.
Kotobalavu blocks the elbow strike.
Makunouchi misses with an elbow over the top.

Makunouchi breaks the clinch.
Makunouchi clinches but Kotobalavu breaks the clinch

and Kotobalavu counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Kotobalavu.
Kotobalavu avoiding damage as Makunouchi throws knees to the body.
Makunouchi lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Makunouchi throws an elbow but it's blocked.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kotobalavu breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kotobalavu looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Makunouchi throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Makunouchi tries to clinch there but Kotobalavu circles away.
Kotobalavu swats away the attempt to clinch by Makunouchi.
Makunouchi swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Makunouchi closes the distance looking to clinch
and Kotobalavu counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Makunouchi tries to clinch up but Kotobalavu circles away and keeps his distance.
Makunouchi missing with a left hand there. Kotobalavu was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Makunouchi throws an off balance right hand
and Kotobalavu counters with a nice body kick.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Kotobalavu.
Makunouchi misses with a two punch combination.

Kotobalavu clinches up against the cage.
Makunouchi gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Kotobalavu tries to stall but Makunouchi uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Kotobalavu dodges an elbow strike from Makunouchi.
Kotobalavu dodges an elbow strike from Makunouchi.
Makunouchi stalls.
Makunouchi misses with an elbow strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Makunouchi lands an elbow inside.

Villi Kotobalavu's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.

Makunouchi escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Makunouchi misses with the combination.
Makunouchi throws an overhand right that lands on Kotobalavu's shoulder, as Kotobalavu tries to avoid the shot.
Makunouchi wants to clinch

and Kotobalavu moves into the clinch.

Makunouchi breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kotobalavu closes the distance looking to clinch
and Makunouchi counters with a nice uppercut.
Makunouchi throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Kotobalavu fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Makunouchi wants to clinch but Kotobalavu slips to the side
and Kotobalavu makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Makunouchi lands a jab to the head.

Jeez, Villi Kotobalavu's cut is really nasty now. The referee must be thinking about getting that checked.
Makunouchi throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Makunouchi might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Kotobalavu fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Makunouchi wants to clinch.
Kotobalavu ducks under a wild hook from Makunouchi.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ippo Makunouchi dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Villi Kotobalavu's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Donk. Makunouchi catches Kotobalavu right on the button with a cross.
Kotobalavu bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Makunouchi digs a good hook to Kotobalavu's body.
Good shot there by Makunouchi.
Kotobalavu tries to clinch
and Makunouchi counters with a nice uppercut.
Kotobalavu scores with a body shot.
No joy there for Kotobalavu, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Kotobalavu defending well as Makunouchi loads up on a big left hand.
Villi Kotobalavu is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kotobalavu moves out of range as Makunouchi strikes.
Kotobalavu misses with an uppercut.
Makunouchi misses with a lunging right hand
and Kotobalavu counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Makunouchi is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Kotobalavu displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Makunouchi throws out the jab.
Makunouchi lands an overhand right.
Makunouchi slips a straight right by Kotobalavu.
Makunouchi jabs Kotobalavu right on the nose. Kotobalavu blinks but takes it well.
Kotobalavu buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Makunouchi misses with a straight left.
Makunouchi moves in looking to clinch but Kotobalavu pushes him off.
Kotobalavu avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kotobalavu staying out of range there.

Makunouchi rushes Kotobalavu and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Makunouchi stalling in the clinch but Kotobalavu improves position.
Makunouchi lands with a right to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Makunouchi throws an elbow but it misses.
Makunouchi misses with an elbow strike.
Kotobalavu changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Makunouchi fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Makunouchi ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Makunouchi waving his hands out infront of him, looking to distract Kotobalavu.
Kotobalavu circles away from the clinch attempt
and Kotobalavu counters with a big head kick but Makunouchi shrugs it off.
Makunouchi showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kotobalavu.
Makunouchi closes the distance but Kotobalavu moves to the side
letting Kotobalavu counter with a right hand.
Makunouchi looks to score with a jab to the body but Kotobalavu is just out of range.
Kotobalavu misses with a wild body shot.
Makunouchi tries to clinch but Kotobalavu moves away

and Kotobalavu counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Kotobalavu blocks an elbow strike from Makunouchi.
Makunouchi throws an elbow that misses.
Kotobalavu fails to pull guard.
Makunouchi looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Kotobalavu tries to pull guard but Makunouchi holds him up against the cage and eventually Kotobalavu drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Villi Kotobalavu. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Makunouchi lands a nice elbow.
Makunouchi looks to throw an elbow but misses.
A short right from Makunouchi.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kotobalavu is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Makunouchi lands an elbow just above Kotobalavu 's eye.
Kotobalavu goes for a takedown attempt but Makunouchi pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Makunouchi throws a combination that misses
and Kotobalavu counters with a two punch combo.
Kotobalavu looks to score with a jab to the body but Makunouchi is just out of range.
Makunouchi tries to clinch up.
Kotobalavu throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Makunouchi.
Ippo Makunouchi seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Makunouchi tries to clinch there but Kotobalavu circles away.
Kotobalavu shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Makunouchi pinned against the cage. Makunouchi gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Makunouchi doesn't manage to clinch there - Kotobalavu circles away.

Kotobalavu shoots in and bounces Makunouchi off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Kotobalavu pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Makunouchi is keeping the position for now.

Makunouchi has his feet on Kotobalavu's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kotobalavu blocks a jab.
Makunouchi waving his hands out infront of him, looking to distract Kotobalavu.
Makunouchi thows a body shot but no joy.
Makunouchi is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Makunouchi looks to land a right hand but Kotobalavu moved out of range.
Ippo Makunouchi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Makunouchi misses the jab.
Kotobalavu misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Makunouchi is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Kotobalavu has closed the distance and engaged Makunouchi in a clinch.
Makunouchi lands a nice elbow.
Kotobalavu blocks an elbow strike from Makunouchi.
Kotobalavu tries a knee to the head but Makunouchi blocks it.

Makunouchi breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kotobalavu blocks a jab.
Makunouchi 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.
Kotobalavu bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Makunouchi tries to clinch there but Kotobalavu circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Makunouchi clinches but Kotobalavu breaks the clinch

and Kotobalavu counters with a nice double leg into side control. Makunouchi won't be happy with that.
The strikes coming from Kotobalavu are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Makunouchi sneaks back into half guard.
Makunouchi pushes Kotobalavu off looking to stand but Kotobalavu dives back in and keeps control.
Makunouchi wants to control but Kotobalavu is keeping busy.
Kotobalavu wants to control but Makunouchi is keeping him busy.

Makunouchi pushes Kotobalavu off and gets back to his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Makunouchi connects with a looping right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ippo Makunouchi will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Villi Kotobalavu's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Makunouchi tries to clinch but Kotobalavu is having none of it.
Kotobalavu throws a head kick that half lands.
A big left from Makunouchi misses.
Nice straight punches there by Kotobalavu. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Kotobalavu.
Makunouchi wants to clinch
and Kotobalavu counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Kotobalavu ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Makunouchi moves away.
Makunouchi throws out a loose jab but Kotobalavu uses good head movement to avoid it.
A punch combination from Kotobalavu misses.
Makunouchi misses with a wild combination.
Kotobalavu tries to clinch there but Makunouchi circles away.
Some wild striking there from Kotobalavu.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kotobalavu looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kotobalavu misses with a double jab.
Makunouchi misses with a hook.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Makunouchi closes the distance looking to clinch
and Kotobalavu counters with a leg kick.
Makunouchi looks to land a right hand but Kotobalavu moved out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kotobalavu has Makunouchi up against the cage in a clinch.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Makunouchi.
Makunouchi throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Makunouchi lands a knee to the body.
Nice elbow from Makunouchi.
Makunouchi is trying to break free.
Makunouchi lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Makunouchi lands an elbow inside that Kotobalavu shrugs off.
Kotobalavu manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Kotobalavu blocks an elbow strike from Makunouchi.
Makunouchi is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
With the fighters up against the cage, Makunouchi throws an elbow but misses.
Makunouchi throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Kotobalavu dodges an elbow strike from Makunouchi.
Makunouchi throws an elbow but it misses.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Makunouchi.
Makunouchi lands an elbow just above Kotobalavu 's eye.
Kotobalavu avoids the elbow strike from Makunouchi, against the cage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Makunouchi.
Kotobalavu takes an elbow to the forehead.
Kotobalavu looking to stall.
Kotobalavu tries to score a body lock takedown but Makunouchi shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Makunouchi lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Villi Kotobalavu's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:08 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Ippo Makunouchi!