PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Akio Hideaki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ippo Makunouchi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Makunouchi is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Pretender. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the ring.

Hideaki
vs
Makunouchi

167 cm
24
142 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

165 cm
19
138 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Rastafarii Clothing

[JMFC] Arashi Fighting Nutrition Q156 Rec/Stamina

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Akio Hideaki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ippo Makunouchi !
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Kenichi Hosakawa and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hideaki staying out of range there.
Hideaki cracks Makunouchi with a right hand to the side of the head.

It looks like Ippo Makunouchi has been cut.
Makunouchi stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

It looks like Akio Hideaki has been cut.
Hideaki misses with a wild combination.
Makunouchi fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Hideaki shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Makunouchi pinned against the cage. Makunouchi gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Hideaki connects with a good right hand that stumbles Makunouchi . Makunouchi circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
A combination from Makunouchi does no damage.
Hideaki throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Makunouchi sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Hideaki misses with a wild body shot.
Makunouchi slaps away a takedown attempt from Hideaki, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Hideaki throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Akio Hideaki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hideaki slips a straight right by Makunouchi .
Makunouchi lands with a hook. Hideaki tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Hideaki waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Makunouchi .
Hideaki tries to score a power double leg takedown but Makunouchi sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Hideaki somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Akio Hideaki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Makunouchi slips under a jab.
Hideaki throws a jab when Makunouchi was well out of range.
Hideaki waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Makunouchi .
Makunouchi connects with the punch.
Hideaki tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Makunouchi was well out of range. Poor timing from Hideaki.
Hideaki fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Makunouchi dodges the punch combination from Hideaki.
Hideaki throws a body punch but Makunouchi moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Makunouchi stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Makunouchi wants it to stay on the feet.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hideaki is defended easily by Makunouchi .
Hideaki takes a swing at Makunouchi 's ribcage but misses.
Makunouchi throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hideaki.
Hideaki loads up on a big right hand but Makunouchi slips the punch.
Hideaki has a takedown stuffed.
Hideaki fails with a takedown attempt.
Hideaki uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Makunouchi .
Hideaki throws a looping overhand right but Makunouchi ducks down to avoid it.
A left lands for Hideaki.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Makunouchi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hideaki moves away.
Makunouchi takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

Hideaki shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Makunouchi manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Hideaki drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Hideaki jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Makunouchi not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Hideaki trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Hideaki thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Hideaki drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Makunouchi dives on top into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Makunouchi wants to stand but Hideaki has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Hideaki utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Makunouchi wants to stand but Hideaki is controlling his posture from full guard.
Makunouchi must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Makunouchi throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hideaki works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hideaki avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Makunouchi would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Hideaki manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Makunouchi manages to get himself to full guard.
Makunouchi wants to stand but Hideaki is controlling the position.

That's five minutes gone in the round.

Hideaki 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.

Hideaki drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Hideaki jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Hideaki drops back looking for a leg! Makunouchi is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Makunouchi manages to kick Hideaki off! Hideaki jumps back into Makunouchi 's guard.

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

That's six minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Hideaki takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Hideaki is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Makunouchi 's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
It looks like Makunouchi is going to stand back up.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Hideaki regains full guard. Nicely done.
Hideaki has a closed guard, preventing Makunouchi from standing up.

Hideaki working for a triangle but Makunouchi defends it easily.
Makunouchi landing some decent shots from guard.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Makunouchi thows a big elbow that misses.
Makunouchi won't allow Hideaki to sweep him here.

Hideaki had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Makunouchi defends it easily.

Makunouchi avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Hideaki is breathing heavily.

Hideaki is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Makunouchi is aware though and is defending well.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Makunouchi accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Makunouchi with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Makunouchi working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hideaki manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

Hideaki is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Makunouchi to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Makunouchi shrugs it off.

Hideaki working for a guillotine from mount but Makunouchi is in no mood to give up.

Hideaki goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Makunouchi is on top in guard.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Makunouchi lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Makunouchi thows a big elbow that misses.
Makunouchi trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Makunouchi is in close to Hideaki's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Makunouchi postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Makunouchi with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Hideaki is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Hideaki avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Hideaki working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Makunouchi doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Makunouchi manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ippo Makunouchi dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Hideaki's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Hideaki misses with a straight left.
Makunouchi thows a left - swing and a miss!
Hideaki fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Makunouchi manages to avoid it.
Hideaki displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Makunouchi throws out the jab.
Hideaki shoots in but no luck this time.
Hideaki fails with a takedown attempt.
Makunouchi scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Hideaki.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Akio Hideaki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Horrible takedown by Hideaki or perhaps it was just good defense by Makunouchi which made him look bad.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Makunouchi looks to throw the jab but Hideaki is out of range.
A swing and a miss from Hideaki.
Some wild striking there from Makunouchi .
Hideaki lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Hideaki ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Hideaki dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
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.
Makunouchi misses with a wild combination.
Makunouchi throws a shot from downtown. Hideaki moves away and avoids it.
Ippo Makunouchi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hideaki throws the left hand but Makunouchi avoids the punch easily.
Makunouchi throws a lazy right hand but Hideaki sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

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.
Hideaki scores with a jab to the body.
Makunouchi slaps away a takedown attempt from Hideaki, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Hideaki moves out of range as Makunouchi strikes.
Hideaki shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Makunouchi defends it nicely.
Makunouchi misses with a looping right.
Makunouchi throws a shot from downtown. Hideaki moves away and avoids it.
Makunouchi on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

Hideaki closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Hideaki looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hideaki is trying to get an arm triangle but Makunouchi is defending well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Hideaki goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Makunouchi rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Hideaki's guard! Nice work there by Makunouchi !
Makunouchi scoring with punches to the head and body.
Makunouchi really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Hideaki. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Hideaki throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Makunouchi throwing strikes but missing.

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 postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Makunouchi throws a big right hand that misses.
Makunouchi postures up in Hideaki's guard and throws a big left but Hideaki blocks it.
Makunouchi stopping the sweep attempt from Hideaki.

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

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Hideaki avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hideaki working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Makunouchi .
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Makunouchi 's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Makunouchi postures up and lands a big shot to Hideaki's brow.
Makunouchi tries to stand but Hideaki is controlling from the bottom.

Hideaki looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Makunouchi decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Hideaki, up you get!
Makunouchi uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hideaki.
Hideaki has a takedown stuffed.
Ippo Makunouchi seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Hideaki with that takedown attempt.
Hideaki ducks under a wild hook from Makunouchi .
Hideaki bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Makunouchi 's head backwards.
Makunouchi throws out a loose jab but Hideaki uses good head movement to avoid it.
Makunouchi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hideaki was well out of range. Poor timing from Makunouchi .
Makunouchi moves out of range of the strikes.
Hideaki slips a jab and a cross from Makunouchi .
Hideaki bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Makunouchi defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Hideaki.
Hideaki throws the left hand but Makunouchi avoids the punch easily.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Hideaki ducks under a wild hook from Makunouchi .
A telegraphed right hand from Makunouchi misses the target.
Makunouchi walks into a jab.
Hideaki tries for a takedown but Makunouchi sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Makunouchi cracks Hideaki with a right hand to the side of the head.

Akio Hideaki's cut is getting worse.
Makunouchi throws a right hand that Hideaki ducks under and follows up with a left that Hideaki also avoids with ease.
Hideaki slips a jab and a cross from Makunouchi .
Hideaki keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Makunouchi walks into a stiff left hand from Hideaki.

Makunouchi gets caught flat footed, as Hideaki shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Makunouchi manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Hideaki manages to get himself to full guard.

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

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Hideaki throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Makunouchi .
Hideaki fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Makunouchi on the side of the head.
Makunouchi throws a good cross that connects.
Makunouchi slaps away a takedown attempt from Hideaki, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Hideaki swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Makunouchi drops his hands momentarily and Hideaki takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Makunouchi throws the left hand but Hideaki avoids the punch easily.
Hideaki misses the jab.
Hideaki throws a looping overhand right but Makunouchi ducks down to avoid it.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Makunouchi lands with a right hand.
Makunouchi keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hideaki.
Hideaki shoots in for a double leg but Makunouchi sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Hideaki misses the jab.
Makunouchi cracks Hideaki with a right hand to the side of the head.
A jab from Makunouchi misses.
Makunouchi throws the left hand but Hideaki avoids the punch easily.
Makunouchi leaves Hideaki with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Hideaki shoots in for a takedown but Makunouchi shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Hideaki uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Makunouchi .
Hideaki misses the jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ippo Makunouchi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Makunouchi 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 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight for Ippo Makunouchi !
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight for Ippo Makunouchi !
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight for Ippo Makunouchi !

Ippo Makunouchi wins by unanimous decision!