PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ippo Makunouchi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jake The Terror (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.

Makunouchi
vs
The Terror

166 cm
18
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

167 cm
22
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ippo Makunouchi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jake The Terror!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Makunouchi swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Makunouchi shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Makunouchi showed some decent athleticism there.

The Terror kicks Makunouchi off and gets back to his feet.
The Terror tries to clinch up but Makunouchi circles away and keeps his distance.
Makunouchi stuffs the takedown attempt from The Terror. The Terror gets slowly back to his feet.
Jake The Terror seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as The Terror checks a leg kick.
Makunouchi with a poor takedown

and The Terror holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
The Terror goes for a takedown in the clinch but Makunouchi prevents it.
The Terror stalling the fight.
Makunouchi wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Come on The Terror - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

The Terror has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Makunouchi is trying to keep an underhook but The Terror manages to get the takedown into half guard.
The Terror wants to control but Makunouchi is keeping him busy.
The Terror misses with a head shot. Makunouchi uses the momentum to regain guard.
The Terror in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Makunouchi manages to escape and get back to his feet.
The fighters circle momentarily. Makunouchi darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Makunouchi lands a two punch combo.

The Terror closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
The Terror tries to advance to mount but Makunouchi denies him.
The Terror lands a nice forearm strike.
The Terror cracks Makunouchi with a big right hand but Makunouchi just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.

Makunouchi sneaks out the side door and pushes The Terror away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Makunouchi is breathing heavily.
The Terror fails in his attempt to clinch.
The Terror checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Horrible takedown by Makunouchi or perhaps it was just good defense by The Terror which made him look bad.

Excellent takedown into side control there by The Terror.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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 takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
The Terror working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Makunouchi being controlled for a moment.
The Terror cracks Makunouchi with a big elbow.
The Terror prevents Makunouchi from escaping the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The Terror moves into full mount!
Makunouchi wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Makunouchi bucks The Terror off and manages to get back to his feet!

Makunouchi tries to keep at a distance but The Terror has taken the fight into the clinch.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Makunouchi just misses with a elbow thrown towards The Terror's brow.

Makunouchi breaks the clinch.
Makunouchi throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
The Terror stuffs the takedown attempt from Makunouchi. Makunouchi gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ippo Makunouchi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The Terror has his takedown stuffed

and Makunouchi counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Makunouchi tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The Terror is pressing down on Makunouchi's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

The Terror is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The Terror looking to throw knees to the head but Makunouchi is blocking nicely.
Makunouchi is trying to break free.

The Terror gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The Terror trying to control but Makunouchi is working from the bottom.
The Terror postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The Terror trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The Terror stops Makunouchi from standing up.
The Terror looking to pass the guard.
The Terror prevents Makunouchi from getting back to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The Terror controls from within his opponent's guard.
The Terror keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Makunouchi's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jake The Terror dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

The Terror has his takedown stuffed
and Makunouchi counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
The Terror doesn't manage to clinch there - Makunouchi circles away.
The Terror keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Makunouchi tries to clinch up but The Terror circles away and keeps his distance.
The Terror fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
The Terror throws a left and a right that both miss
letting Makunouchi counter with a right hand.
Makunouchi throws a one two combo.
Makunouchi bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
The Terror throws a sloppy body shot
and Makunouchi counters with a left and a right that stings The Terror.
The Terror keeps the fight on the outside.
Decent striking displayed by The Terror there.
The Terror is looking to clinch.
The Terror tries to clinch up.
The Terror walks into a straight right hand from Makunouchi.

The Terror closes the distance and clinches.
The Terror looking for a takedown.
Ippo Makunouchi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jake The Terror.
The Terror is breathing heavily.
The Terror tries for a takedown but Makunouchi manages to get underhooks.
The Terror drops down looking for an ankle pick but Makunouchi pulls his leg out and moves away.
Makunouchi misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Makunouchi 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.
The Terror tries to land a sweep but no joy.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if The Terror can do anything to dispel that myth.
The Terror controls Makunouchi momentarily but Makunouchi frees himself.
Makunouchi preventing the sweep.
The Terror is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

The Terror pushes Makunouchi off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Makunouchi rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but The Terror moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

The Terror clinches up with Makunouchi and pushes him back against the cage.

The Terror gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Makunouchi regains guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The Terror scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
The Terror trying to control the position from guard on top but Makunouchi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The Terror with a nice head shot there.
The Terror stands and throws Makunouchi's legs to the side, diving into side control.
The Terror lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Makunouchi down.
Makunouchi is not content to let The Terror control the position.
Makunouchi wants to get back to his feet.
Makunouchi 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.
Makunouchi taking a bit of punishment here - The Terror scoring with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Makunouchi wants to get back to his feet but The Terror drags him back down.
The Terror cracks Makunouchi with a big right hand but Makunouchi just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
The Terror throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
The Terror tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
The Terror lands a decent elbow from side control.
Makunouchi is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
The Terror working the body and head with strikes.
Jake The Terror has got the better of the ground game so far.
The Terror grinds an elbow into Makunouchi's temple.
The Terror in side control lands a decent elbow.
Makunouchi is trying to buck The Terror off.
The Terror scoring with punches from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The Terror scores with a couple of short elbows.
The Terror in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Makunouchi is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, The Terror asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Makunouchi wants to get back to his feet but The Terror is dominant here and he's now got Makunouchi's back!
Makunouchi really wants to buck The Terror off and get back to his feet.
The Terror working away from the top, dropping strikes.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Makunouchi'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.
The Terror is landing with some decent strikes but Makunouchi is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
The Terror working the ground and pound effectively.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jake The Terror showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

The Terror misses with a left hand
and Makunouchi counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps The Terror thinking.
The Terror looks to clinch
and Makunouchi counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
The Terror misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Makunouchi counters with a nice uppercut.
The Terror tries to clinch up
and Makunouchi counters with a three punch combo that has The Terror backing up. The Terror nods at Makunouchi to acknowledge the strikes.
The Terror misses with a hook

and Makunouchi counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Makunouchi wants to stand up but The Terror is controlling the position.
The Terror trying to control but Makunouchi postures up.
The Terror works his way to full guard. Good work.
Makunouchi is looking to stand up but The Terror won't let him.
The Terror takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
A left and a right from Makunouchi both land. Nice combination.
Makunouchi digs a good hook to The Terror's body.
Makunouchi closes this distance looking for a takedown but The Terror circles away.
Makunouchi lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Makunouchi.
Makunouchi throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Makunouchi circles away from the clinch attempt

and Makunouchi counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
The Terror looking for a takedown.
Makunouchi wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
The Terror stalling in the clinch.

The Terror has picked Makunouchi up - he's going for a ride! The Terror dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
The Terror trying to control from half guard but Makunouchi is working away.
Makunouchi on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Still in half guard, The Terror seems content to control.
The Terror working the head and body with strikes.

The Terror stands up from half guard.

The Terror has Makunouchi up against the cage in a clinch.
The Terror drops down looking for an ankle pick but Makunouchi pulls his leg out and moves away.

Makunouchi looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The Terror wants to get back to his feet.

Makunouchi stands up and beckons The Terror to join him on the feet.
Makunouchi misses with a series of wild punches.
Makunouchi smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Makunouchi wants to land a leg kick but The Terror is out of range.
Ippo Makunouchi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Makunouchi throws a combination. The Terror tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
The Terror tries for a takedown but Makunouchi circles away easily
and Makunouchi counters with a one-two to the body.
Ippo Makunouchi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jake The Terror.
A bone on bone clash there as The Terror blocks the leg kick.

The Terror takes the fight into the clinch.

The Terror is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Makunouchi can't fight it off and eventually The Terror manages to take the fight to the floor. Makunouchi looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
The Terror stops Makunouchi from standing up.
The Terror with a nice head shot there.
The Terror cracks Makunouchi with a solid left hand.
The Terror looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
The Terror postures up and lands a big shot to Makunouchi's brow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The Terror passes Makunouchi's left leg - he's now in half guard.
The Terror working over Makunouchi with some ground and pound. Makunouchi looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

The Terror decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
The Terror swings widly with a right hand
and Makunouchi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
The Terror tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Makunouchi counters by moving into the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
The Terror tries for a takedown but Makunouchi manages to get underhooks.
Makunouchi wants to get back to striking at distance but The Terror won't allow it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Makunouchi trying to stall but The Terror improves his position.
Makunouchi prevents the takedown attempt.
Ippo Makunouchi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Makunouchi tries a knee to the head but The Terror blocks it.
Makunouchi tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Ippo Makunouchi.
I think The Terror 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 Ren Mimura scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 28:29
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jake The Terror!