PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Manny Makunouchi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cole Trickle (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Makunouchi comes into the arena with sandstorm blaring out of the sound system. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Makunouchi
vs
Trickle

170 cm
24
167 lbs
8 - 9 - 0

170 cm
27
168 lbs
8 - 7 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

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 8 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Manny Makunouchi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Cole Trickle!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Trickle throws a right and a left that Makunouchi avoids nicely.
Makunouchi keeps the fight on the outside.
Trickle fails with the takedown
and Makunouchi connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

It looks like Cole Trickle has been cut.
Makunouchi gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Trickle counters with a nice double leg into side control. Makunouchi won't be happy with that.
Makunouchi is looking to reverse the position.
Check out the look on Trickle's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Makunouchi is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Trickle landing a few strikes.
Makunouchi takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Trickle is looking to take a break and control but Makunouchi is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Makunouchi is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Trickle off and has taken his back!
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Trickle rolls, trying to escape but Makunouchi keeps control of the position.
Trickle wants to escape the position but for the time being he's just trying to control the pace.
Trickle manages to reverse the position and now he's in Makunouchi's guard. Nice work there by Trickle.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Makunouchi throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Trickle throwing strikes but missing.
Trickle trying to control the position from guard on top but Makunouchi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Makunouchi can't keep his opponent in guard - Trickle advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Trickle throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Makunouchi tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

Makunouchi is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Trickle pulls his head out easily.
Trickle working Makunouchi over with strikes.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Makunouchi blocking the ground and pound attempt from Trickle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Trickle throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Trickle lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Makunouchi wants to improve his position but Trickle is controlling well.

Makunouchi is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Trickle pulls his head out easily.

Trickle is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Makunouchi sees it coming and defends easily.
Trickle lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Trickle is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Trickle throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Trickle is trying to work for a kimura but Makunouchi is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Trickle is looking to take a break and control but Makunouchi is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Trickle looks gassed!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Trickle seems to be looking for submissions.
Trickle thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Trickle lands strikes from half guard.
Makunouchi tries to kick Trickle off but Trickle keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Trickle throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Makunouchi has hold of Trickle's hands but Trickle slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Trickle works his foot free and advances to mount.
Makunouchi tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Trickle pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Trickle avoids the attempt from Makunouchi to control.
Makunouchi really wants to buck Trickle off and get back to his feet.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Trickle cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Trickle working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Trickle has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Makunouchi's face.
Trickle looking to finish Makunouchi with some ground and pound. This is bad for Makunouchi!
Makunouchi is bucking up trying to escape but Trickle cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Trickle lands a nice shot to the head.
Trickle lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Makunouchi regains half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Trickle trying to control from half guard but Makunouchi is working away.
Trickle is nestled in close to Makunouchi, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

Makunouchi looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Trickle working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Makunouchi is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Trickle's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Trickle's back!
Trickle breaks Makunouchi's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cole Trickle dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Cole Trickle's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Trickle misses with a takedown attempt

and Makunouchi counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Makunouchi won't allow Trickle to sweep him here.
Makunouchi pushes down on Trickle's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Makunouchi is working for a kimura but Trickle is defending it quite comfortably.

Makunouchi is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Trickle is just riding it out for now. Makunouchi eventually gives up the hold.

Makunouchi is looking for submissions but instead, Trickle has regained full guard.
Trickle looking to control.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Makunouchi postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Trickle is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Makunouchi, into his guard.
Trickle wants to pass the guard but Makunouchi is keeping the position.
Trickle won't allow Makunouchi to sweep him here.
Trickle wants to control from the top but Makunouchi keeps moving.
Cole Trickle has got the better of the ground game so far.

Makunouchi is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Trickle defends well.
Trickle in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Trickle landing some decent shots from guard.

Makunouchi had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Trickle defends it easily.
Trickle lands a couple of digs.
Trickle stands up over Makunouchi, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Trickle scoring with punches to the head and body.
Trickle keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Makunouchi's head.
Makunouchi working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Trickle.
Makunouchi being controlled here, momentarily.

Makunouchi looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Makunouchi preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Trickle has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Makunouchi pulls Trickle in close to prevent any damage.
Trickle wants to control from the top but Makunouchi keeps moving.

Makunouchi working for a triangle but Trickle defends it easily.
Trickle working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Trickle wants to control from the top but Makunouchi keeps moving.

Makunouchi has his foot on Trickle's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Trickle works his way back into a safe position though.
Trickle scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Trickle postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Makunouchi keeping moving, preventing Trickle from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Trickle content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Makunouchi looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Trickle trying to control but Makunouchi is working from the bottom.

Makunouchi has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Trickle can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Trickle trying to control but Makunouchi is working from the bottom.
Trickle lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Trickle passes into half guard.
Trickle wants to control but Makunouchi is keeping him busy.
Trickle has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
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 Manny Makunouchi will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Cole Trickle's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Makunouchi tries to keep at a distance but Trickle has taken the fight into the clinch.

Makunouchi breaks the clinch.
Trickle misses with a takedown attempt - Makunouchi sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Trickle fails to land the takedown.
Makunouchi misses with a combination

and Trickle counters with a takedown into side control.
Trickle wants to control but Makunouchi is keeping him busy.

Trickle is working for what looks like an arm triangle here. Makunouchi is trying to escape and Trickle transitions quickly into an armbar! He's slapped it on tight and Makunouchi is forced to tap! Nice work there by Trickle! Very nice indeed!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:54 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Cole Trickle!