PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Jaspar Fletch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ippo Makounchi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Makounchi is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: rolling go. The key to victory for Jaspar Fletch has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Fletch
vs
Makounchi

167 cm
21
138 lbs
2 - 8 - 1

178 cm
19
139 lbs
3 - 4 - 1

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

Bushido Clothing

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 2 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Jaspar Fletch!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Ippo Makounchi!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Ren Mimura and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Makounchi.

Fletch gets a double leg takedown into Makounchi's guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Fletch in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Fletch throws a big elbow that misses.
Makounchi is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Fletch is controlling him.

Makounchi wriggles free and stands up.
Horrible takedown by Makounchi or perhaps it was just good defense by Fletch which made him look bad.
Makounchi shoots in and drives through. Fletch sprawls well.
Jaspar Fletch has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ippo Makounchi.

Fletch gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Makounchi makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Makounchi looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
A nice left hand lands by Makounchi.
Fletch wants to stall.
Makounchi working hard to break the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Fletch stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Makounchi looks gassed!
Fletch presses Makounchi against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A body shot lands from Fletch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
A frustrated look appears on Makounchi's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Makounchi presses Fletch against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Makounchi lands a left hand.
Fletch effectively controlling the action here.
Makounchi tries to break free but Fletch pushes him back against the cage.
Fletch keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Makounchi's efforts to push away.
Good body shot from Fletch.
Stalling in the clinch from Fletch.
Makounchi is trying to break free.
Makounchi is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Makounchi tries to break the clinch but Fletch is controlling the position.
Fletch keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Makounchi's efforts to push away.
Fletch has Makounchi pushed against the cage.
Fletch is trying to maintain a safe position but Makounchi gets an underhook and turns Fletch into the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fletch stalling in the clinch.
Fletch tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Makounchi's elbow.
Makounchi prevents a takedown attempt there.
Makounchi has a couple of punches blocked by Fletch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Makounchi as Fletch tries to tie him up.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Makounchi pulls guard.

Makounchi uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Fletch stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Fletch wants it to stay on the feet.
Makounchi changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Fletch tries to avoid it but Makounchi manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Fletch to the ground. Fletch escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Fletch misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Fletch shoots in but Makounchi avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Fletch shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Makounchi as he jumps to the side.
Makounchi shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Fletch pinned against the cage. Fletch gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fletch throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Fletch shoots in for a takedown but Makounchi shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Makounchi tries to score a power double leg takedown but Fletch sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Makounchi somewhat.

Fletch shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Fletch 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.

Makounchi pushes Fletch off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Fletch.
Fletch shoots for a takedown but Makounchi saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Makounchi fails with the takedown.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Fletch just misses with a punch to the body.
Fletch tries to clinch up.
Makounchi dives in and grabs Fletch's left leg, looking for a takedown. Fletch pushes down on Makounchi's head and hops out.
Fletch fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Makounchi fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fletch is trying hard to land a takedown here. Makounchi sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Makounchi shoots in for a takedown but Fletch shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Fletch gets a takedown into half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Makounchi is looking to escape.
Makounchi manages to get to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jaspar Fletch dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Fletch closes this distance looking for a takedown but Makounchi circles away.
Makounchi shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Fletch as he jumps to the side.
Makounchi shoots in for a double leg but Fletch sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Makounchi looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Jaspar Fletch has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ippo Makounchi.

Fletch gets a double leg takedown into Makounchi's guard.
Fletch scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

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

Makounchi working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Fletch doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Fletch manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Fletch trying to control the position from guard on top but Makounchi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Fletch is really struggling to control Makounchi but he's trying to hold on to the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fletch prevents Makounchi from getting back to his feet.
Fletch trying to control but Makounchi is working from the bottom.
Makounchi is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Jaspar Fletch has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Makounchi displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Fletch.
Fletch tries for a takedown but Makounchi sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Makounchi shoots in for a takedown but Fletch shows good takedown defense.
No luck for Makounchi with that takedown attempt.
Jaspar Fletch is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nice sprawl there from Fletch as Makounchi shoots in.
Makounchi slaps away a takedown attempt from Fletch, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Makounchi fails with the takedown.
Makounchi keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Makounchi will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Fletch has a takedown stuffed.
Makounchi shoots in for a double leg but Fletch sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Makounchi tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Fletch swivels and escapes.

Fletch closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Makounchi kicks Fletch off and gets back to his feet.
Fletch stuffs the takedown.

Fletch moves into the clinch.
Makounchi has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Fletch misses with a punch to the body.
Makounchi is looking to break free of the clinch but Fletch has double underhooks.

Fletch's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Fletch stuffs the takedown.
Fletch fails with a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fletch stuffs the takedown.
Fletch shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Makounchi defends it nicely.
Makounchi fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Fletch has a takedown stuffed.
Makounchi shoots in and drives through. Fletch sprawls well.
Fletch moves in looking to clinch but Makounchi pushes him off.
Makounchi looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Fletch closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Makounchi is not content to let Fletch control the position.

Makounchi looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fletch lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Makounchi is trying to stand up here but Fletch is controlling him well.
Fletch trying to control the action but Makounchi is working from the bottom.
Makounchi is trying to stand up here but Fletch is controlling him well.
Fletch knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Makounchi on the ground.
Fletch scoring with strikes to the body and head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fletch landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

Makounchi is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Fletch pulls his head out easily.
Jaspar Fletch overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Makounchi is looking for a sweep. Fletch is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fletch 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.
Fletch prevents Makounchi from standing back up.
Fletch is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jaspar Fletch dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Fletch fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Makounchi, pushing him back against the cage.
Fletch lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Makounchi.
Fletch is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Makounchi goes for a takedown attempt but Fletch pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Makounchi enables Fletch to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Makounchi manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Makounchi uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Makounchi shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Fletch but Fletch pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Fletch fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Makounchi shoots in for a takedown but Fletch shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Jaspar Fletch has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ippo Makounchi.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Fletch looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Makounchi is fending him off so far but Fletch persists. Nope, Makounchi circles away and we're back to standing.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Makounchi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fletch shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Makounchi as he jumps to the side.
Makounchi fails with a takedown attempt.
Makounchi slaps away a takedown attempt from Fletch, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Fletch shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Nice sprawl there from Fletch as Makounchi shoots in.
Fletch fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Fletch tries to clinch but Makounchi moves out of range.
Ippo Makounchi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Makounchi.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Makounchi.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fletch fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Makounchi will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Fletch looks for a takedown but Makounchi sprawls well.
Makounchi closes this distance looking for a takedown but Fletch circles away.

Fletch fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Makounchi, pushing him back against the cage.
Makounchi tries to break the clinch but Fletch is controlling the position.
Makounchi wants to break the clinch but can't.
Fletch misses with a punch to the body.
Fletch taking a breather.
Nice body punch from Fletch - that landed with a thud.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fletch drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Makounchi gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Makounchi breaks the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Makounchi closes the distance and clinches up with Fletch, looking for a takedown. Makounchi pushes Fletch against the cage but Fletch circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Fletch fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Makounchi shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Fletch pinned against the cage. Fletch gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Fletch tries to clinch but Makounchi is having none of it.
Fletch shoots in but no luck this time.
Makounchi shoots for a double leg takedown but Fletch sprawls well. He's pushed Makounchi's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Makounchi gets tackled into the cage by Fletch. Fletch maintains the clinch.
Jaspar Fletch has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Fletch is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Fletch tries to throw a body punch but Makounchi avoids it by throwing Fletch back against the cage.
Makounchi lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Fletch backwards.
Makounchi lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Fletch scores with a shot to the side of Makounchi's head.
Fletch misses with a punch on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fletch misses with a punch to the body.
Makounchi wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Makounchi prevents a body shot from Fletch.
Makounchi pushes Fletch back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Makounchi gets through Fletch's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Makounchi goes for a takedown attempt but Fletch pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Fletch throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Makounchi's waist but Makounchi gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Fletch off to one side.
Makounchi closes this distance looking for a takedown but Fletch circles away.
Jaspar Fletch is winning the standup battle so far.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Fletch manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Makounchi on his heels. He'll look to pass Makounchi's guard now, I'm sure.

Makounchi has his feet on Fletch's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Makounchi fails with the takedown.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Makounchi closes the distance and clinches up with Fletch, looking for a takedown. Makounchi pushes Fletch against the cage but Fletch circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Ippo Makounchi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jaspar Fletch is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Makounchi avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jaspar Fletch showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Fletch has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 30:27
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jaspar Fletch!