PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ichiro Maki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brosif Stalin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ichiro Maki has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Maki
vs
Stalin

170 cm
20
145 lbs
1 - 5 - 0

172 cm
19
149 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ichiro Maki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Brosif Stalin!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Yuuki Gou and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stalin misses with a wild combination.
Stalin fails with an attempt to clinch.
Stalin doesn't manage to clinch there - Maki circles away.

Stalin closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Maki tries to land a knee to the head but Stalin blocks with his arms.
Maki throws a knee to the head but misses.
Maki tries a knee to the head but Stalin blocks it.

Stalin breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Stalin tries to clinch up.
Stalin throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

Stalin gets caught flat footed, as Maki shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Stalin working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Maki doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Maki manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Stalin is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Maki defends well.
Stalin 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.
Stalin wants to get back to his feet but Maki is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Stalin is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stalin keeping moving, preventing Maki from controlling successfully.

Stalin is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Maki is aware though and is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stalin looks gassed!
Maki lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Stalin is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Maki is aware though and is defending well.

Maki 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.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Maki postures up and lands a big shot to Stalin's brow.
Maki working some strikes from top position.
Maki has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Stalin wants to get back to his feet but Maki is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Maki lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Stalin looking for a guillotine here but Maki defends easily.
Maki lands a couple of elbows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Stalin working for a triangle but Maki defends it easily.

Maki decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Maki clinches with his opponent.

Stalin breaks the clinch.
Stalin wants to clinch

and Maki moves into the clinch.
Maki's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Maki dodges an elbow strike from Stalin.
Stalin unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Maki avoiding damage as Stalin throws knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maki slowing the pace effectively.

Maki manages to break the clinch.
Stalin lands a head kick!
Maki tries to close the distance and clinch up but Stalin swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Maki tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Stalin gets off balance looking for a body kick

and Maki counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Maki.
Maki with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Stalin escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Stalin wants to clinch

and Maki counters by moving into the clinch.

Maki's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Stalin wants to clinch up but Maki keeps it at a distance.
Stalin throws a head kick that half lands.
Stalin moves in looking to clinch but Maki pushes him off.
Maki swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Stalin moves into the clinch.
Maki wants to break the clinch but can't.
Maki missing with knees to the body.
Stalin with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Stalin breaks the clinch.

Stalin drives through with a takedown into guard.
Maki is trying to keep Stalin in close.
Stalin stops Maki from standing up.

Stalin thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Stalin throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Maki works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Stalin stops Maki from standing up.
Stalin wants to control from the top but Maki keeps moving.
Maki wants to sweep but no luck.

Stalin stands up from Maki's guard - Stalin perhaps looking for a knockout.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Maki pulls out of a head kick attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brosif Stalin dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Stalin lands with a thumping leg kick.
Maki takes one on the button.
Maki connects with a high kick.
Maki looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Ichiro Maki is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Stalin keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Stalin works over Maki's head and body with a nice combination.
Stalin misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Stalin tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Maki counters with a head kick.
Stalin lands a head shot.
Maki on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Stalin. Stalin obviously looking to wear him down.

Stalin fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Maki, pushing him back against the cage.

Stalin pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Stalin lands with a slapping head kick.
Maki takes a head kick and keeps coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stalin tries to clinch

and Maki counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Stalin gets full guard.

Stalin has his feet on Maki's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Stalin lands with a slapping head kick.
Stalin throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Stalin is looking to clinch.
Maki swats away the attempt to clinch by Stalin.
Maki shoots and misses

and Stalin moves into the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ichiro Maki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Maki is trying to break the clinch but Stalin has him pressed against the cage.
Stalin tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Stalin creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Maki has Stalin pressed against the cage, preventing Stalin from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Maki with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Maki throws a knee to the head but misses.
Stalin tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Maki avoids it.
Maki misses with a knee strike.
Stalin looking to stall.
Stalin tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Stalin gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Stalin stands up from half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Maki is looking to clinch but Stalin is avoiding it.
Stalin fails with an attempt to clinch.
Stalin clinches but Maki breaks the clinch

and Maki moves into the clinch.

Stalin escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Maki scores with a takedown into Stalin's guard.

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

Maki clinches.
Stalin works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Stalin stalling in the clinch but Maki improves position.
Stalin tries to circle away but Maki has him pinned against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maki has Stalin pressed against the cage.
Stalin tries to land a knee to the head but Maki blocks with his arms.
Stalin can't break the clinch.
Maki misses with a knee strike.
Maki tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Stalin avoids it.

Stalin breaks the clinch.

Stalin feints and as Maki raises his hands in defense, Stalin changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Stalin decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Maki, up you get!
Maki tries to clinch up but Stalin circles away and keeps his distance.
Stalin pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Stalin throws a right and a left that both miss.
Maki is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Stalin.
Stalin wants to clinch

and Maki counters with a shoot takedown. Stalin fights it but they end up in guard.

Stalin looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Stalin pushes Maki off and gets back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Maki clinches up with Stalin and pushes him back against the cage.
Stalin blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Stalin pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Stalin doesn't manage to clinch there - Maki circles away.
Stalin is looking to clinch.
Stalin darts in trying to clinch

and Maki counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Maki works his way into full mount!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stalin wants to control but Maki is having none of it.
You get the feeling that Stalin really doesn't like being in this position too much.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Ichiro Maki will probably get the nod.
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. This is the final round!

Maki clinches up against the cage.
Maki landing knees to the body.
Stalin is pushing Maki up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Stalin blocks an elbow strike from Maki.
Maki trying to stall but Stalin improves his position.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Maki tries to stall but Stalin uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Maki takes a knee to the side of the body.

Stalin breaks the clinch.

Stalin drives through with a takedown into guard.
Maki has a closed guard, preventing Stalin from standing up.
Stalin pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Maki is keeping the position for now.
Stalin looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Stalin drops back looking for a leg! Maki is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Maki manages to kick Stalin off! Stalin jumps back into Maki's guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Maki manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Maki gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Stalin counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Stalin stands up and waves to Maki to follow him.

Stalin looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Stalin wanted to stand there but Maki had control of the position.
Maki keeping full guard, as Stalin tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stalin wanted to stand there but Maki had control of the position.
Maki keeping moving, preventing Stalin from controlling successfully.
Stalin has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Maki is proving hard to escape from.
Stalin postures up.

Stalin gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Maki misses with a head kick.

Stalin moves into the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Maki misses with an elbow strike.
Maki misses with a knee to the head.
Stalin tries a knee to the head but Maki blocks it.
Maki tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Stalin just stands there and leans against the cage.
Maki scores with a shoulder strike.
Maki throws a knee to the head but misses.
Knees in the clinch landing for Stalin.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stalin with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Stalin works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Maki avoiding damage as Stalin throws knees to the body.

Stalin pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Nice sprawl there from Stalin as Maki shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ichiro Maki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A left and a right from Stalin both land. Nice combination.

Maki drives through and clinches with Stalin against the cage.

Stalin escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Stalin lands a nice leg kick that just misses Maki's sensitive parts.
Stalin lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Maki backs up against the cage.

Stalin scores with a takedown into Maki's guard.
Stalin trying to control the position from guard on top but Maki is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stalin lands a couple of digs.
Maki keeping moving, preventing Stalin from controlling successfully.
Stalin would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maki is looking to stand up but Stalin isn't so interested in that idea.

Stalin gets to his feet - Maki follows without any prompting.
Stalin fails in his attempt to clinch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Stalin escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Maki moves in looking to clinch but Stalin pushes him off.
Maki avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Brosif Stalin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Stalin tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Maki counters with a single leg into guard. Stalin didn't expect that.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stalin tries to strike from the bottom.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Maki decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Stalin, up you get!
Maki slips a jab and a cross from Stalin.
Maki swats away the attempt to clinch by Stalin.
Maki throws a head kick but Stalin moves out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Brosif Stalin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Stalin has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Brosif Stalin!