PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Brad Pickett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ippo Makunouchi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Makunouchi comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Hajime no Ippo - Champion Road Intro kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Pickett
vs
Makunouchi

168 cm
20
135 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

165 cm
26
135 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Hopkins Athletics

- - - - - All Nutrients 160 - - - - -
[CBK] LEGAL HIGHS « AJFC↑ TRIPLE 160Q ®

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 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Brad Pickett!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ippo Makunouchi!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pickett bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Makunouchi's head.
Pickett scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Ippo Makunouchi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Makunouchi jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Pickett 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.
Makunouchi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Pickett was well out of range. Poor timing from Makunouchi.
Makunouchi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Pickett manages to avoid it.
Makunouchi bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A telegraphed right hand from Makunouchi misses the target.
A left lands for Pickett.
Pickett tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Makunouchi was well out of range. Poor timing from Pickett.
Pickett scores with a jab to the body.
Pickett tries to clinch up.
Makunouchi thows a left - swing and a miss!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The fighters circle momentarily. Pickett darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Pickett misses with a looping left.
Makunouchi avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Makunouchi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Pickett slips under a jab from Makunouchi.
No luck for Pickett with that takedown attempt.
Makunouchi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Pickett manages to avoid it.
Makunouchi swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Makunouchi bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Pickett's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Makunouchi connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Pickett scrambles back to his feet.
Pickett connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Makunouchi momentarily.
Pickett jabs Makunouchi to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Makunouchi throws an overhand right that lands on Pickett's shoulder, as Pickett tries to avoid the shot.
Pickett tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Makunouchi was well out of range. Poor timing from Pickett.
Pickett tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Makunouchi was well out of range. Poor timing from Pickett.
Pickett scores with a jab to the body.
Makunouchi misses with a straight right.
Makunouchi displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Pickett.
Pickett shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Makunouchi as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Brad Pickett. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pickett misses with a body shot.
Makunouchi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Makunouchi cracks Pickett with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Makunouchi scores with a jab. Pickett acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Pickett defending well as Makunouchi loads up on a big left hand.
Pickett missing with a left hand there. Makunouchi was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Makunouchi thuds his right hand into Pickett's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Pickett lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Pickett listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Makunouchi scores with a jab.
Makunouchi avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Pickett on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Pickett cracks Makunouchi with a right hand to the side of the head.
Pickett tries to bum rush Makunouchi with a series of wild strikes but Makunouchi uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A jab from Makunouchi misses.
Pickett uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Makunouchi.
Pickett misses with a few strikes there.
Pickett is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Makunouchi dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Makunouchi takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Good standup being displayed there by Pickett as he connects with a hook.
Pickett connects with a jab.
Pickett feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Makunouchis jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Makunouchi misses with a looping right.
Pickett digs a good body shot into Makunouchi's ribs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Makunouchi throws a jab but it's blocked by Pickett.
Pickett slips a jab from Makunouchi.
Pickett on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Makunouchi swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Makunouchi ducks under a wild hook from Pickett.
Pickett scores with a decent looking hook.
Makunouchi swings widly with a right hand
and Pickett counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Pickett scores with a jab.
Pickett throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Pickett works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Makunouchi cracks a nice hook into Pickett's ribs.
Pickett is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Pickett shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Makunouchi defends it nicely.
Pickett walks into a straight right hand from Makunouchi.
Makunouchi needs to keep his hands up - Pickett had a free shot at his head there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Pickett ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Pickett drops his hands momentarily and Makunouchi takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pickett throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Pickett swings for the body but Makunouchi moves out of range.
Pickett doesn't manage to clinch there - Makunouchi circles away.
A looping hook to the body misses from Makunouchi. Pickett does a little dance to reset his feet.
Makunouchi misses with a shot to the body
and Pickett counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Pickett jabs Makunouchi to the body, keeping him at a distance.
A left lands for Pickett.
Ippo Makunouchi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Pickett thows a body shot but no joy.
Makunouchi throws a shot from downtown. Pickett moves away and avoids it.
Makunouchi throws a body punch but Pickett moves out of range.
The fighters circle momentarily. Pickett darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Pickett is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Makunouchi.
Makunouchi just misses with a punch to the body.
Pickett throws out a loose jab but Makunouchi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Makunouchi has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Makunouchi swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Pickett counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Pickett throws out a powerful jab.
Pickett tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Makunouchi manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Makunouchi with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Pickett to score with a decent uppercut.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Makunouchi lands with a cross.
Pickett tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Makunouchi was well out of range. Poor timing from Pickett.
Pickett misses with a straight left.
Pickett throws a big shot that misses.
Pickett stuns Makunouchi with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Makunouchi misses with a wild body shot.
Pickett steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Makunouchi.
Pickett scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Makunouchi has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Pickett finds it's way round the side to connect with Makunouchi's head.
Makunouchi misses with a wild body shot.
Makunouchi throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Pickett counters with a nice uppercut.
Pickett connects with a looping right hand.
Makunouchi is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Pickett.
Pickett scores with a nice right hand.
A left lands for Pickett.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Pickett ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Makunouchi moves away.
Nice body punch from Makunouchi.
Pickett misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Makunouchi.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Pickett connects with the punch.
Makunouchi missing with a left hand there. Pickett was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Makunouchi misses with a wild body shot.
Makunouchi defending well as Pickett loads up on a big left hand.
Good standup being displayed there by Pickett as he connects with a hook.
Makunouchi slaps away a takedown attempt from Pickett, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Pickett fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Makunouchi manages to avoid it.
Pickett thuds his right hand into Makunouchi's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Makunouchi throws a poor cross that misses
and Pickett counters with a nice uppercut.
Makunouchi fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Makunouchi ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
No joy there for Pickett, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Makunouchi slips under a jab from Pickett.
Makunouchi slips under a jab from Pickett.
Pickett feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Makunouchis jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Pickett fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Makunouchi on the side of the head.
Makunouchi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Pickett moves away.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Pickett instigates a clinch.

Pickett breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Makunouchi cracks a nice hook into Pickett's ribs.
Pickett takes a swing at Makunouchi's ribcage but misses.
Makunouchi has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Makunouchi there as he acknowledges the shot.
Pickett throws a body punch but Makunouchi moves out of range.
Pickett uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Makunouchi.
Makunouchi swings for the body but Pickett moves out of range.
Makunouchi changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Makunouchi throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Pickett's jab looks to have found its range, popping Makunouchi under the eye.
Pickett paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Pickett changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Makunouchi tries to avoid it but Pickett manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Makunouchi to the ground. Makunouchi escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Pickett shoots in looking for a takedown. Makunouchi tries to sprawl out of it but Pickett keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Makunouchi manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Pickett throws a shot from downtown. Makunouchi moves away and avoids it.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Makunouchi lands a nice shot to the body.
Horrible takedown by Pickett or perhaps it was just good defense by Makunouchi which made him look bad.
Makunouchi throws a jab but it's blocked by Pickett.
Pickett tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Makunouchi was well out of range. Poor timing from Pickett.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Makunouchi misses with a straight right.
Pickett on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Pickett lands a jab to Makunouchi's midsection.
Pickett shoots in looking for a takedown but Makunouchi manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Pickett's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Pickett fails with the takedown.
Pickett is breathing heavily.
Makunouchi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Pickett was well out of range. Poor timing from Makunouchi.
Good shot there by Makunouchi.
Pickett jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Pickett looks to land a right hand but Makunouchi moved out of range.
Pickett scores with a body shot.
Pickett swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A big right from Pickett misses.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Pickett drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Makunouchi moves out of range of the strikes.
Pickett changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Makunouchi tries to avoid it but Pickett manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Makunouchi to the ground. Makunouchi escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Makunouchi misses with a shot to the body
and Pickett counters with a series of strikes. Makunouchi will be more careful next time no doubt.
Makunouchi misses with a straight right.
Nice body punch from Makunouchi.
Pickett walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Makunouchi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Makunouchi thows a body shot but no joy.
Makunouchi swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Pickett lands a nice shot that snaps Makunouchi's head back.
Pickett shoots for a takedown but Makunouchi saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Pickett slips under a jab from Makunouchi.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Makunouchi misses with a lunging right hand
and Pickett counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Pickett throws a lazy right hand but Makunouchi sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Pickett scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Pickett scores with a hook to the body. Makunouchi takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brad Pickett dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Pickett pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Pickett throws out a loose jab but Makunouchi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Pickett lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
A looping hook to the body misses from Pickett. Makunouchi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Pickett clobbers Makunouchi with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Makunouchi pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Pickett throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Makunouchi on the side of the head.
Pickett with a jab.
Pickett throws a looping overhand right but Makunouchi ducks down to avoid it.
Pickett misses with a few strikes there.
Makunouchi misses the shot to the body.
Makunouchi needs to keep his hands up - Pickett had a free shot at his head there.
Pickett connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Makunouchi defending well as Pickett loads up on a big left hand.
Pickett slips under a jab.
Makunouchi keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Pickett.
Makunouchi throws a poor cross that misses
and Pickett counters with a nice uppercut.
Makunouchi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Pickett manages to avoid it.
Makunouchi throws a body punch but Pickett moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Makunouchi falls off balance throwing a combination
and Pickett connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Makunouchi has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Makunouchi there as he acknowledges the shot.
Pickett waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Makunouchi.
Makunouchi jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Makunouchi swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Pickett throws out a loose jab but Makunouchi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Makunouchi misses with an uppercut. Pickett saw that one coming.
Pickett misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Makunouchi.
Pickett connects with a looping right hand.
Pickett lands a nice looking body shot.
Pickett misses with an uppercut. Makunouchi saw that one coming.
Makunouchi misses with an uppercut.
Pickett uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Makunouchi.
A shot to the liver by Pickett. Beautiful body shot.
Pickett jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Makunouchi smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pickett throws a hook but Makunouchi blocks it.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Pickett, as that shot connected.
Pickett throws a jab when Makunouchi was well out of range.
A swing and a miss from Makunouchi.
Makunouchi takes a swing at Pickett's ribcage but misses.
A big left from Makunouchi misses.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Pickett walks into a straight right hand from Makunouchi.
Pickett scores with a nice head shot.
Makunouchi avoids the body shot from Pickett.
Makunouchi walks into a left hand.
Pickett avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Pickett is looking to clinch but Makunouchi is avoiding it.
Makunouchi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Pickett was well out of range. Poor timing from Makunouchi.
Makunouchi connects with a nice looking jab.
Makunouchi just misses with a punch to the body.
Pickett cracks Makunouchi with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Pickett lands a nice looking body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Makunouchi takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Makunouchi gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Pickett listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Makunouchi scores with a jab. Pickett acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Pickett tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Makunouchi was well out of range. Poor timing from Pickett.
Makunouchi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Makunouchi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Pickett keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Makunouchi is breathing heavily.
Makunouchi dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Pickett steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Makunouchi.
Pickett looks to score with a jab to the body but Makunouchi is just out of range.
Pickett misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Makunouchi.
Pickett digs a good hook to Makunouchi's body.
Makunouchi looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Pickett scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Pickett moves away from the strike by Makunouchi.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pickett is looking to clinch but Makunouchi is avoiding it.
Pickett lands a jab to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Pickett fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Makunouchi on the side of the head.
Pickett smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Pickett scores with a punch to the head.
Makunouchi throws a hook but Pickett blocks it.
Pickett lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Makunouchi at a distance.

Pickett drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

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

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Pickett stands and throws Makunouchi's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Pickett is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Makunouchi knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Pickett is trying to get an arm triangle but Makunouchi is defending well.
Pickett advances to mount.

That's six minutes gone in the round.

Pickett 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.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Pickett has hold of Makunouchi's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Makunouchi manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.

Pickett is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Makunouchi is surviving well by controlling Pickett's body position as best he can.
Pickett manages to capitalize on a mistake by Makunouchi to take his back!

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

Pickett is cranking Makunouchi's head sideways - that looks painful. He's managed to get his other arm under the chin and this looks bad for Makunouchi! He's tightened the choke and Makunouchi is tapping out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 7:33 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Brad Pickett!
Brad Pickett made sure to mention his sponsor, Hopkins Athletics in his post fight interview.