PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Mariano Filipe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mahdi Makungu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Makungu is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Nelly - Heart of a Champion. Mahdi Makungu is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Filipe
vs
Makungu

166 cm
21
153 lbs
10 - 2 - 0

174 cm
24
156 lbs
10 - 3 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Аптека
New Era Nutrition (156Q REC/STA $50)

Knock Out Artistry

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Mariano Filipe !
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Mahdi Makungu!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Eliza Hachem and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Filipe misses with the combination.
Makungu takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
No joy there for Filipe , who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Filipe ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

Filipe shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Filipe was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Filipe lands a big elbow.

It looks like Mahdi Makungu has been cut.
Filipe unloads with some shots from mount but Makungu bucks and avoids them well.
Makungu is looking to get to half guard.
Makungu tries to hold on but Filipe postures up.
Filipe punching from mount but Makungu doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Makungu regains half guard.
Filipe throwing shots but Makungu is blocking nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Filipe sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Makungu defending well though.
Filipe working Makungu over with strikes.

Filipe is trying to work for a kimura but Makungu is defending well.

Filipe seems to be working for a kimura but Makungu defends the submission attempt.
Makungu works his way to full guard. Good work.
Filipe stopping the sweep attempt from Makungu.
Makungu utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Filipe postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Filipe throws a strike but Makungu rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Filipe keeping moving, preventing Makungu from controlling successfully.
Makungu stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Filipe swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Filipe bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Makungu's guard.
Makungu looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Filipe connects with a couple of short punches.
Filipe loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Makungu is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Filipe throws and elbow that misses. Makungu uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Filipe 's guard. Nice move by Makungu!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Filipe preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Makungu in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Filipe seems keen to control Makungu's posture.
Makungu missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Filipe is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Makungu stands and throws Filipe 's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Makungu goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Filipe rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Makungu's guard! Nice work there by Filipe !
Filipe distracts Makungu with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Filipe throws and elbow that misses. Makungu uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Filipe 's guard. Nice move by Makungu!
Makungu preventing the sweep.
Makungu passes Filipe 's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Makungu is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Makungu looks gassed!
Filipe is looking for a sweep. Makungu is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Makungu seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Filipe does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Filipe 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.
Makungu throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The fighters are battling for position here. Filipe manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Filipe pulls Makungu in close to prevent any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mariano Filipe dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mahdi Makungu's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Filipe shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Makungu defends it nicely.
Nice body punch from Filipe .
Filipe lands a nice looking body shot.
Filipe misses with the combination.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Filipe shoots in and drives through. Makungu sprawls well.
Filipe ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Filipe fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mariano Filipe . That's going to take a lot out of him.
A jab from Makungu misses.
Filipe uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Makungu.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Makungu throws a hook to the side of Filipe 's head but Filipe sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Filipe thows a body shot but no joy.
Filipe thuds his right hand into Makungu's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Filipe fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Filipe tries to move into range but Makungu moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Filipe fails to land the takedown.
Filipe lands a nice looking body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Makungu lands a really nice looking cross but Filipe seems unphased.
Filipe lands the left hand.
Filipe looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Makungu is fending him off so far but Filipe persists. Nope, Makungu circles away and we're back to standing.
Filipe jabs at Makungu's body.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Filipe .
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Filipe slips a straight right by Makungu.
Makungu uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Filipe uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Makungu.
Makungu throws out a loose jab but Filipe uses good head movement to avoid it.
Makungu throws a shot from downtown. Filipe moves away and avoids it.
Filipe slips a jab from Makungu.
Makungu throws a hook but Filipe blocks it.
Makungu tries to close the distance and clinch but Filipe swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Makungu misses with a hook. Filipe ducked under it nicely.
Makungu throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Filipe .
Filipe slips a jab from Makungu.
Filipe uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Makungu.
Filipe moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
A combination from Filipe does no damage.
Makungu moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Filipe misses.
Makungu swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Filipe avoids the body shot from Makungu.
Makungu throws a series of punches but Filipe avoids them all with ease.
Filipe punishes Makungu's body with a nice straight punch.
Makungu misses with a double jab.
Mariano Filipe seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Makungu avoids the body shot from Filipe .
Makungu dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Makungu misses with a hook. Filipe ducked under it nicely.
Filipe with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Filipe connects with the punch.
Filipe scores with a jab. Makungu acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Filipe fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Makungu takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Filipe digs a good hook to Makungu's body.
Filipe scores with a nice strike.
Filipe lands a lovely overhand right.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Filipe displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Makungu throws out the jab.
Filipe throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Makungu.
Makungu scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Filipe avoids a punch combination nicely.
A jab from Makungu misses.
Filipe lands with a hook. Makungu tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Filipe is looking to wear down Makungu with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
The crowd cheers as Filipe lands an impressive looking overhand right. Makungu doesn't seem phased though.
Nice takedown defense from Makungu. No joy for Filipe on that attempt.

Makungu gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Filipe tries to break the clinch but Makungu is controlling the position.

Makungu's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Makungu gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Filipe to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Filipe wants to pass the guard but Makungu is keeping the position.

Filipe has gone for a leg lock! Makungu slips out almost immediately though and dives into Filipe 's guard.
Makungu looking to pass the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Filipe is pulling down on Makungu's head. It's preventing any offense from Makungu, at least for the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Makungu accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Makungu stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Filipe swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Filipe trying to control the position.
Makungu must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Filipe 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.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Filipe uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Makungu.
The crowd cheers as Filipe lands an impressive looking overhand right. Makungu doesn't seem phased though.

Filipe changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Makungu looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Filipe tries to advance position but instead Makungu slips a leg back in to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Makungu is pressing down on Filipe 's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Makungu is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Filipe throwing strikes from guard but Makungu blocks nicely.
Mariano Filipe overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Filipe in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Filipe is in close to Makungu's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Filipe throws a strike but Makungu rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Makungu stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Filipe swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Filipe avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Makungu wants to pass the guard but Filipe is keeping the position.
Filipe is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Makungu drops back looking for a leg! Filipe is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Filipe manages to kick Makungu off! Makungu jumps back into Filipe 's guard.
Makungu takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Filipe lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Makungu!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
BOOM! Filipe connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Filipe throwing strikes here but Makungu is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Makungu tries to lock up and control but Filipe gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Filipe has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Makungu's face.
Filipe in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Makungu wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Filipe .
Filipe sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Filipe looking to finish with strikes here!
Filipe throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Makungu wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Filipe .
Filipe with a couple of short strikes.

Filipe has hold of Makungu's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Makungu manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Makungu regains half guard.
Makungu is looking to control Filipe 's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Makungu avoid being mounted?
Makungu might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Filipe kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Makungu is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Filipe 's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Filipe 's back!
Filipe is in bad spot here.

Makungu is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Filipe defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Makungu has the hooks in. Filipe is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Filipe 's corner are yelling at him, telling him to just focus on controlling Makungu's hands.
Filipe trying to control the position but Makungu manages to sink in the hooks.
Makungu loading up with punches from the back mount - how long can Filipe hold on?

Makungu has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mariano Filipe clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Mahdi Makungu's cut.
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.

Filipe misses with a takedown attempt - Makungu sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Makungu keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Makungu throws a hook but Filipe avoids it easily.
Makungu misses with an uppercut.
Makungu stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Makungu wants it to stay on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mariano Filipe . That's going to take a lot out of him.
Filipe shoots in for a double leg but Makungu sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
A big left from Makungu misses.
A decent looking cross lands there for Filipe .
Filipe swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Makungu counters with a straight right hand.
Makungu throws a series of punches but Filipe avoids them all with ease.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Makungu lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Filipe circles away quickly and effectively.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Filipe , as that shot connected.
Makungu takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Makungu misses the shot to the body.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
A jab from Makungu misses.
Filipe takes a swing at Makungu's ribcage but misses.
Filipe uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Makungu.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Filipe shoots in for a takedown but Makungu shows good takedown defense.
Makungu throws a series of punches but Filipe moves out of range.
Filipe moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Makungu misses with a wild body shot.
Makungu throws a nice looking combination but Filipe bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Filipe throws a nice looking combination but Makungu bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Makungu cracks Filipe with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Filipe digs a good hook to Makungu's body.
Filipe keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Filipe bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Makungu displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Filipe .
A right-left combo lands from Makungu.
Filipe lands a nice shot to the body.
Makungu is looking to clinch but Filipe is avoiding it.
Mahdi Makungu seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Filipe shoots in but Makungu avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Makungu tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Filipe was well out of range. Poor timing from Makungu.
Filipe uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Makungu.
Makungu misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Filipe closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Filipe throwing shots but Makungu is blocking nicely.
Makungu avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Filipe .
Filipe sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Makungu defending well though.
Filipe throwing shots but Makungu is blocking nicely.
Filipe thows a huge punch but Makungu dodges it nicely.
Filipe missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Filipe not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Makungu keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Makungu lands a lovely overhand right.
Filipe tries for a takedown but Makungu circles away easily
and Makungu counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Makungu lands a jab.
Filipe misses with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Makungu misses with a looping right.
Filipe 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.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Filipe .
Makungu sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Filipe is looking for a kimura but Makungu is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Filipe to get the leverage.
Filipe missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Makungu moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Filipe accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Filipe pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Makungu is keeping the position for now.
Makungu preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Filipe throwing strikes but missing.
Makungu working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Filipe .

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Makungu lands with a cross.
Filipe with a lazy takedown attempt
and Makungu counters with a left and a right that stings Filipe .
Makungu fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Makungu's corner calls for a 1-2. Makungu obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Filipe closes the distance and clinches up with Makungu, looking for a takedown. Filipe pushes Makungu against the cage but Makungu circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Filipe takes one on the button.
Filipe shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A punch lands to the side of Filipe 's head but he takes it in his stride.

Filipe 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.
Filipe working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Makungu is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Makungu preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Mahdi Makungu will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Mahdi Makungu's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Filipe throws a series of punches but Makungu moves out of range.
Makungu looks to throw the jab but Filipe is out of range.
Makungu takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Filipe stalks Makungu and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Makungu's face. Makungu staggers backwards, shaken.
Makungu misses with a wild combination.
Filipe gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Makungu counters with a single leg into guard. Filipe didn't expect that.
Makungu trying to control but Filipe is working from the bottom.
Filipe wants to stand up but Makungu is controlling him.
Filipe utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Filipe looking to control.

Makungu drops back, looking for a kneebar! Filipe looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Filipe looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Filipe !
Filipe scoring with punches and elbows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Filipe sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Makungu is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Makungu avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Filipe .
Filipe fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Filipe throwing strikes but Makungu manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!

Makungu is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Filipe knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Makungu working away.
Filipe gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Makungu thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Filipe 's head.
Filipe is controlling Makungu's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Filipe tries to kick Makungu off but Makungu keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Makungu looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Filipe wants to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Filipe moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Makungu preventing the sweep.
Filipe keeping moving, preventing Makungu from controlling successfully.
Makungu throws a strike but Filipe rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Filipe is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Filipe working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Filipe is fighting to break Makungu's control of his arms but Makungu is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Filipe throws a strike but Makungu rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Filipe has Makungu pulled in close to control his posture.
Makungu tries to free his leg and advance position but Filipe is retaining full guard.

Filipe scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Makungu swinging wilding here.
Filipe lands a lovely overhand right.
Makungu throws a big shot that misses.
Makungu throws a series of punches but Filipe moves out of range.
Makungu throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Filipe sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Filipe lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Filipe moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Mahdi Makungu.
I think Makungu 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 48:48
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 48:48
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 48:48

The fight is ruled a draw!
Mariano Filipe retains his title. It's always disappointing when a championship fight ends as a draw but that's what happens when you leave the fight in the judges hands!