PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ippo Makunouchi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Russ Reaper (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Makunouchi
vs
Reaper

205 cm
25
280 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

196 cm
25
280 lbs
3 - 6 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Big right hand

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Ippo Makunouchi !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Russ Reaper!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, William Peck and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Makunouchi misses with a double jab.
Reaper misses with a two punch combination.
Makunouchi avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Reaper closes the distance and clinches.
Reaper lands an elbow inside that Makunouchi shrugs off.

It looks like Ippo Makunouchi has been cut.
Makunouchi is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Makunouchi has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Reaper goes for a takedown attempt but Makunouchi pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Reaper walks into a jab.
Makunouchi clobbers Reaper with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

It looks like Russ Reaper has been cut.
Reaper ducks right into an uppercut from Makunouchi .

Reaper gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Reaper is working for takedown but Makunouchi is calmly controlling the position for now.
Makunouchi is trying to break the clinch but Reaper is controlling him.
Reaper unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Makunouchi tries to break the clinch but Reaper is controlling the position.
Makunouchi stops a takedown attempt from Reaper.
Ippo Makunouchi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Russ Reaper.
Makunouchi wants to break free but Reaper has control.
Reaper is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Makunouchi takes an elbow to the forehead.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A frustrated look appears on Makunouchi 's face as he tries to break the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Makunouchi 's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Makunouchi wants to break free but Reaper has control.
Reaper is trying to drag Makunouchi to the mat but Makunouchi just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Reaper keeps control of Makunouchi as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Makunouchi wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Makunouchi tries to break free but Reaper pushes him back against the cage.
Makunouchi is trying to force a seperation but Reaper has the dominant position.
Reaper unloads a knee to the mid-section. Makunouchi lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

Reaper pulls guard.
Reaper is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Makunouchi blocking the ground and pound attempt from Reaper.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Reaper not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Makunouchi is trying to stand back up but Reaper is controlling him

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reaper lands with a punch from half guard.
Reaper is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Makunouchi !
Makunouchi is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.

Reaper looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Makunouchi knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Reaper on the ground.
Reaper is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Makunouchi can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Reaper looking to finish Makunouchi with some ground and pound. This is bad for Makunouchi !
A nice elbow there by Reaper.
Reaper looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Reaper scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Makunouchi ?

Reaper looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Reaper can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Makunouchi is looking to escape.
Reaper unloading with bombs!
Makunouchi taking shots to the head.
Makunouchi really wants to buck Reaper off and get back to his feet.
Makunouchi is bucking up trying to escape but Reaper cracks him with another couple of good strikes.

Reaper looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reaper is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Reaper unloading with bombs!
Makunouchi is bucking up trying to escape but Reaper cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Makunouchi wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.

Reaper is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Makunouchi can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Reaper looks gassed!
Makunouchi is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Russ Reaper dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Makunouchi defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Reaper.
Makunouchi missing with a left hand there. Reaper was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Reaper tries to clinch there but Makunouchi circles away.
Reaper shoots in for a double leg but Makunouchi sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Reaper tries to clinch but Makunouchi is having none of it.
Reaper scores with a hook.
Makunouchi throws out a leg kick but Reaper moves out of range and Makunouchi only half commits.
Reaper tries to close the distance and clinch up but Makunouchi swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Makunouchi connects with a body shot.
Makunouchi fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Reaper on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Makunouchi lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Makunouchi .
Makunouchi scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Reaper tries to clinch but Makunouchi is having none of it.
Makunouchi misses with a series of wild punches.
Makunouchi takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reaper is looking to clinch but Makunouchi is avoiding it.
Makunouchi throws a combination that misses

and Reaper counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Makunouchi working hard to break the clinch.
Reaper throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Makunouchi can't break the clinch.
Makunouchi tries to circle away but Reaper has him pinned against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Makunouchi 's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Reaper has Makunouchi pressed against the cage, preventing Makunouchi from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Makunouchi wants to break free but Reaper has control.

Reaper pulls guard.

Reaper has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Makunouchi can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Reaper is controlling Makunouchi 's posture.

Reaper is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Makunouchi defends well.
Reaper is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Makunouchi wants to stand but Reaper has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Reaper looking for a guillotine here but Makunouchi defends easily.
Makunouchi wants to get up but he can't break Reaper's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reaper 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.

Reaper had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Makunouchi defends it easily.
Reaper has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Reaper is on top in guard.
Makunouchi can't keep his opponent in guard - Reaper advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Makunouchi is looking to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reaper sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Makunouchi defending well though.
Makunouchi is looking to escape.
Reaper passes the guard and advances to mount!
Reaper is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Makunouchi taking shots to the head.
Reaper can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Makunouchi is looking to escape.
Reaper looking to finish Makunouchi with some ground and pound. This is bad for Makunouchi !
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Russ Reaper showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
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. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Makunouchi misses with a series of wild punches.
Makunouchi throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Makunouchi tries to bum rush Reaper with a series of wild strikes but Reaper uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Makunouchi misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Reaper doesn't manage to clinch there - Makunouchi circles away.
Reaper is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Reaper tries to clinch up.
Reaper tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Makunouchi paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Reaper fails in his attempt to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Reaper tries to clinch but Makunouchi moves out of range.
Reaper misses with a hook. Makunouchi ducked under it nicely.
Makunouchi bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Reaper's head.
No joy there for Makunouchi , who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Reaper takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Russ Reaper seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reaper doesn't manage to clinch there - Makunouchi circles away.
Makunouchi rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Reaper moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Reaper fails in his attempt to clinch.
Makunouchi misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Makunouchi misses with a jab, cross combination.
Reaper shoots in for a takedown but Makunouchi shows good takedown defense.
Ippo Makunouchi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Reaper is looking to clinch.
Reaper takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Makunouchi keeps the fight on the outside.
Reaper uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Makunouchi .
Makunouchi is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Reaper avoids the head kick by Makunouchi .
Makunouchi scores with a jab. Reaper acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Reaper tries to clinch up but Makunouchi circles away and keeps his distance.
Reaper takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Makunouchi jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Ippo Makunouchi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Makunouchi lands the left hand.
Reaper takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Reaper avoids the head kick by Makunouchi .
Makunouchi tries to bum rush Reaper with a series of wild strikes but Reaper uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Ippo Makunouchi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Makunouchi circles away from the clinch attempt.
Makunouchi misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Reaper.
Makunouchi jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Makunouchi misses with a jab, cross combination.
Makunouchi throws a nice looking combination but Reaper bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Makunouchi lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

Reaper moves into the clinch.
Makunouchi working hard to break the clinch.
Reaper throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Makunouchi wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Reaper has him pressed against the cage.
Reaper goes for a takedown attempt but Makunouchi pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Reaper tries to clinch up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Makunouchi fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Reaper dives in and grabs Makunouchi 's left leg, looking for a takedown. Makunouchi pushes down on Reaper's head and hops out.
Ippo Makunouchi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Russ Reaper.
Reaper takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Makunouchi misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Makunouchi tests Reaper's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Makunouchi swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Makunouchi lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Makunouchi dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Makunouchi ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Makunouchi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Reaper manages to avoid it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Makunouchi . Reaper does a little dance to reset his feet.
Makunouchi throws a left and a right that both miss

and Reaper counters by clinching up.
Makunouchi wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Makunouchi looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Makunouchi tries to break free but Reaper pushes him back against the cage.

Reaper pulls guard effortlessly.

Makunouchi decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Reaper, up you get!
Makunouchi lands a body shot.
Russ Reaper is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Makunouchi scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Makunouchi swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Reaper counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Reaper.
Reaper has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Makunouchi is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Reaper has Makunouchi pressed against the cage, preventing Makunouchi from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Makunouchi wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Reaper keeps control of Makunouchi as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Makunouchi wants to get back to striking at distance but Reaper won't allow it.
Reaper trying to control the position but instead, Makunouchi has worked for underhooks and has pushed Reaper into the cage.
Makunouchi wants to break free but Reaper has control.
Makunouchi misses with a body punch.

Reaper jumps guard and drags Makunouchi to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Reaper looking for a guillotine here but Makunouchi defends easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ippo Makunouchi showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Reaper 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 Trevor Gratis scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Peck scores the fight 28:29
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Russ Reaper!