PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ippo Makunouchi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vinny Vegas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Makunouchi kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Pretender. Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Makunouchi
vs
Vegas

165 cm
23
138 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

152 cm
21
137 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ippo Makunouchi !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Vinny Vegas!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Makunouchi swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Vegas connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Vegas lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Vegas!
Makunouchi throws a left and a right that both miss
letting Vegas counter with a right hand.
Makunouchi throws a lazy uppercut
and Vegas counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Makunouchi is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Makunouchi uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Vegas.
Makunouchi throws a right hand that misses
and Vegas counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Makunouchi rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Vegas counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Vegas smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Vegas throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Makunouchi .
Makunouchi scores with a jab.
Makunouchi lands with a hook. Vegas tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Makunouchi scores with a body shot.
Makunouchi misses with a combination
and Vegas counters with a nice body shot.
Makunouchi misses the body punch
and Vegas counters with a left to the body.

Vegas moves into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee is keeping an eye on Vegas - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Makunouchi wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Vegas has him pressed against the cage.
Makunouchi 's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Vegas just leaning against Makunouchi , taking a breather.

Vegas breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Vegas is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Makunouchi had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Makunouchi misses with a hook to the body
and Vegas counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Makunouchi falls off balance throwing a combination
and Vegas counters with a nice uppercut.
Makunouchi misses with a shot to the body
and Vegas cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Vegas fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Makunouchi , pushing him back against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Makunouchi 's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Vegas lands a nice shot to the body.
Vegas lands a right hand that snaps the head of Makunouchi backwards.
Vegas just leaning against Makunouchi , taking a breather.
Makunouchi wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Makunouchi is trying to break the clinch but Vegas has him pressed against the cage.
Makunouchi wants to get back to striking at distance but Vegas won't allow it.
Makunouchi has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Vegas lands a right hand that snaps the head of Makunouchi backwards.
Vegas lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Vegas softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Makunouchi wants to break the clinch but can't.
A right handed body shot lands from Vegas.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Good body shot from Vegas.
Vegas lands with a light punch inside.
Vegas stalls.
Vegas digs a right hand into Makunouchi 's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Makunouchi 's gas tank.
Makunouchi is breathing heavily.
Vegas lands a body punch.
A short right from Vegas on the inside.
Makunouchi has had enough of the clinch but Vegas keeps him there for the moment.
Vegas scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Vegas stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Vegas lands a shot to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Makunouchi wants to break free but Vegas has control.
Makunouchi tries to score a body lock takedown but Vegas shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Vegas is struggling to control the position.

Vegas pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Makunouchi throws an off balance right hand
and Vegas counters with an outside leg kick.
Vegas connects with a looping right hand.
Vegas connects with a nice looking jab.
Makunouchi throws a right hand that misses
and Vegas finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Vegas feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Makunouchi 's calf.
Vegas thuds a left hand into Makunouchi 's body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vegas scores with a nice head shot.
An inside leg kick lands from Vegas.

Vegas rushes Makunouchi and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Vegas presses Makunouchi against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Vegas works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Makunouchi 's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Vegas lands a left hand that snaps the head of Makunouchi backwards.
Vegas taking a breather.
Vegas lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Good body shot from Vegas.

Vegas pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Vegas connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Vegas scores with the left hand. Makunouchi knows he should have avoided that one.
Vegas scores with a leg kick.

Vegas has taken the fight to the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Vegas displaying some good clinch control by pressing Makunouchi up against the cage.
Vegas lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A short left from Vegas.
Vegas throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Makunouchi s head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Makunouchi 's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Makunouchi is trying to push Vegas away but Vegas has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Makunouchi tries to break free but Vegas pushes him back against the cage.
Vegas lands a hook to the side of the head.
Vegas throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Makunouchi s head.
Vegas lands with a light punch inside.
Vegas gets through Makunouchi 's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Makunouchi is trying to push Vegas away but Vegas has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Still in the clinch, Vegas scores with a nice short uppercut.
Vegas lands a left hand.
Vegas has Makunouchi pressed against the cage, preventing Makunouchi from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Vegas is working Makunouchi over against the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Vegas.
The referee calls for Vegas to work.
Vegas lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Vegas makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Vegas working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
A body shot lands from Vegas.
Vegas lands a right hand.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Vegas has Makunouchi pushed against the cage.
Vegas throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Makunouchi s head.
Vegas scores with a hook to the body.
Vegas lands with a right to the head.
Vegas taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vinny Vegas dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Makunouchi getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Vegas scores with a hook.
Vegas scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Vinny Vegas seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Vegas misses with a looping left.
Makunouchi takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Vegas thuds a left hand into Makunouchi 's body.
Makunouchi throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Vegas connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Vegas misses with a head kick.
Makunouchi throws a leg kick
and Vegas counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Vegas scores with a jab.
Vegas scores with a hook.
Vegas connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Vegas's corner calls for a 1-2. Vegas obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

Vegas closes the distance and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vegas scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Makunouchi looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
A right hook to the body lands for Vegas.
Makunouchi takes a shot to the head.
Makunouchi can't break the clinch.
Makunouchi jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Vegas walks away with a smile on his face. Makunouchi gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Vegas goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Vegas.
Makunouchi misses with a hook to the body
and Vegas counters with a series of strikes. Makunouchi will be more careful next time no doubt.
Ippo Makunouchi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Vegas scores with a shot to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Vegas closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Makunouchi jumps guard but Vegas stands there with Makunouchi around his waist. Makunouchi gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
A body shot lands from Vegas.
Still in the clinch, Vegas scores with a nice short uppercut.
Vegas lands with a short shot to the head.
Makunouchi wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ippo Makunouchi . That's going to take a lot out of him.

Makunouchi breaks the clinch.
Vegas scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Makunouchi misses with a combination
and Vegas counters with a nice leg kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Vegas closes the distance and pushes Makunouchi back into the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vegas keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Makunouchi 's efforts to push away.
Vinny Vegas seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Vegas makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Vegas slows down the pace here.
Vegas pushes Makunouchi back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Vegas softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A short uppercut from Vegas.
Makunouchi tries to circle away but Vegas has him pinned against the cage.

Vegas escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Vegas lands a head kick. Makunouchi smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Vegas closes the distance and clinches.
Vegas lands a left hand.
Makunouchi can't break the clinch.
Vegas will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Makunouchi up against the cage.
Vegas stops a takedown attempt from Makunouchi .
A shot in the inside from Vegas.
Vegas softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Vegas is stalling here.
Makunouchi wants to break the clinch but can't.
Vegas effectively controlling the action here.
A frustrated look appears on Makunouchi 's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vegas lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Makunouchi .
Vegas pressing his opponent against the cage.
Vegas lands a right hand that snaps the head of Makunouchi backwards.
Vegas scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Makunouchi has had enough of the clinch but Vegas keeps him there for the moment.
Makunouchi being controlled against the cage.
Vegas keeps control of Makunouchi as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Vegas lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Vegas is stalling here.
Vegas has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Vegas lands with a right to the head.
A nice left hand lands by Vegas.
Vegas looking to stall.
Makunouchi drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Vegas lands a hook that snaps the head of Makunouchi backwards.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Vegas.
Vegas works on Makunouchi 's body with a couple of short punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Makunouchi is trying to drag Vegas to the mat but Vegas just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Vegas lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Makunouchi or not.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Vegas.

Vegas breaks from the clinch.
Makunouchi throws a right hand that misses
and Vegas finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Vegas lands a head kick. Makunouchi smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Ippo Makunouchi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Vegas lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Makunouchi throws a combination that misses

and Vegas holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Vegas escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Vegas lands a right hook to the body.
Vegas darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Vegas cracks Makunouchi with an open hand slap.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Makunouchi drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Vegas connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Makunouchi throws a poor cross that misses
and Vegas makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.

Vegas closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vinny Vegas 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!

Vegas lands the left hand.
A slow jab from Vegas misses its intended target.
Makunouchi has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Vegas finds it's way round the side to connect with Makunouchi 's head.
Makunouchi misses with a lunging right hand

and Vegas holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Makunouchi wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Vegas has him pressed against the cage.
Makunouchi working hard to break the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Vegas.
Vegas holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Vegas throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Makunouchi 's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Vegas has Makunouchi pushed against the cage.
Vegas has Makunouchi pressed against the cage, preventing Makunouchi from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Vegas lands a right hand.
Vegas controlling the action here for a moment.
Vegas is leaning against Makunouchi and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Vegas lands an uppercut.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Nice body punch from Vegas - that landed with a thud.
Makunouchi fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Makunouchi stalling in the clinch but Vegas improves position.
Vegas lands with a right to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Makunouchi wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Makunouchi looking to slow down the pace here.
Makunouchi tries to break free but Vegas pushes him back against the cage.
Vegas leaning against his opponent.
Makunouchi working hard to break the clinch.
Vegas scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Makunouchi is trying to push Vegas away but Vegas has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Vegas lands a left hand that snaps the head of Makunouchi backwards.
Vegas lands a shoulder strike.
Vegas lands a left hand.
A short right from Vegas.
Vegas lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Vegas scores with a shoulder strike.

Vegas breaks the clinch.
Makunouchi throws a lazy uppercut
and Vegas counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Makunouchi throws an off balance right hand
and Vegas counters with a nice leg kick.

Vegas forces Makunouchi back against the cage and clinches.
Still in the clinch, Vegas scores with a nice short uppercut.
Makunouchi has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Vegas lands a nice uppercut.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Vegas prevents Makunouchi from breaking the clinch.
Makunouchi looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Ippo Makunouchi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vegas lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Vegas makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Vegas working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Vegas scores with a nice hook to the head.
A body shot lands from Vegas.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Vegas.
Makunouchi wants to break free but Vegas has control.
Vegas scores with a shot to the side of Makunouchi 's head.
Makunouchi has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Vegas avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Vegas's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Vegas cracks Makunouchi with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Vegas throws a front kick that sends Makunouchi stumbling back into the cage.
Vegas connects with the punch.
Vegas throws a head kick that half lands.
Makunouchi misses with a combination
and Vegas counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Makunouchi drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Makunouchi scores with a jab.
Vegas lands a glancing blow to the side of Makunouchi 's head.
Vegas connects with a body shot that sends Makunouchi 's belly button to the back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Makunouchi throws a lazy uppercut
and Vegas counters with a one-two to the body.
Makunouchi misses with a left hand

and Vegas counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Vegas.

Vegas escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Vegas lands a really nice looking cross but Makunouchi seems unphased.
Makunouchi throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Vegas counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Vegas lands an uppercut.
Makunouchi letting Vegas take a breather here.
Vegas receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
Vegas is looking to control Makunouchi 's arms but Makunouchi gets an underhook and turns him. Now Vegas has his back to the cage.
Makunouchi tries to break the clinch but Vegas is controlling the position.
A shot in the inside from Vegas.
The referee calls for Vegas to work.
Makunouchi trying to land knees to the body.
Makunouchi has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Vegas presses Makunouchi against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Makunouchi wants to get back to striking at distance but Vegas won't allow it.
Makunouchi is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Vegas.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Vegas escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Vegas moves into the clinch.
Vegas gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Makunouchi .
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ippo Makunouchi . That's going to take a lot out of him.
Vegas lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Makunouchi .
A right hand to the body from Vegas.
Vegas stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Vegas throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Vegas lands a right hand.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Vegas.
Vegas throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Vegas lands with a short head shot on the inside.

Vegas breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Vegas's corner calls for a 1-2. Vegas obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Vegas lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Vegas connects with a nice looking jab.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Makunouchi swings widly with a right hand
and Vegas counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Vegas lands with an overhand left.
Makunouchi takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vinny Vegas comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Vegas has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 25:30
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 25:30
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vinny Vegas!