PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Joko Makihono (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chuck Natawa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Joko Makihono has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Makihono
vs
Natawa

150 cm
24
135 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

175 cm
22
135 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Joko Makihono!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Chuck Natawa!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Franklyn Lucas and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Makihono with a lazy takedown attempt
and Natawa counters with a slapping leg kick.
Natawa fails with the takedown.
Makihono throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Natawa's waist but Natawa gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Makihono off to one side.

Natawa closes the distance and clinches.
Natawa slowing the pace effectively.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Chuck Natawa.
Makihono tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Natawa swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joko Makihono. That's going to take a lot out of him.
No luck for Makihono with that takedown attempt.
Makihono shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Natawa but Natawa pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Makihono misses with a takedown attempt - Natawa sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Makihono misses with a takedown attempt

and Natawa counters by moving into the clinch.
Natawa is trying to force a seperation but Makihono has the dominant position.

Natawa breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Natawa scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Natawa - that will leave a mark!

Makihono shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Makihono is breathing heavily.
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!
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Natawa is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Makihono is controlling him.
Makihono is in close to Natawa's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Natawa has his feet on Makihono's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Natawa jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Natawa fails in his attempt to clinch.
Natawa pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Makihono back to the cage. Natawa follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Makihono with a lazy takedown attempt
and Natawa counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

Makihono decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Natawa is trying to stand back up but Makihono is controlling him
Makihono landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Makihono not doing much here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Makihono has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Makihono looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Makihono looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Natawa with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Natawa is trying to stand back up but Makihono is controlling him
Makihono wants to take a breather but Natawa is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Makihono lands a nice short elbow.
Natawa wants to get back to his feet.
Makihono tries to pass the half guard into mount. Natawa knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Makihono trying to control the action but Natawa is working from the bottom.
Makihono looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Makihono is trying to control the action in half guard but Natawa is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Natawa on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Natawa taking some punishment here, with Makihono in his half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Makihono with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Natawa tries to kick Makihono off but Makihono keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Joko Makihono will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Natawa shoots for a double leg takedown but Makihono sprawls well. He's pushed Natawa's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Makihono shoots in but Natawa avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Natawa changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Makihono looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Makihono is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Natawa is looking to take a break and control but Makihono is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Makihono keeping hold of Natawa's head, controlling as best he can.
Natawa is looking to take a break and control but Makihono is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Chuck Natawa has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Makihono fails with the takedown
and Natawa makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Makihono really felt that one!

That's one minute gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Makihono.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joko Makihono. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Natawa has closed the distance and engaged Makihono in a clinch.
Makihono can't get the takedown.

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

Makihono gets tackled into the cage by Natawa. Natawa maintains the clinch.
Makihono drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Natawa gets the underhooks and prevents it.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Natawa tries to break the clinch but Makihono is controlling the position.

Natawa manages to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Natawa fails to land the takedown.
Makihono fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Natawa avoids it really well and circles away.

Natawa moves into the clinch.
Makihono changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Natawa fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Makihono fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Makihono tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Natawa swivels and escapes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Natawa has taken the fight to the clinch.
Natawa is pressed up against the cage. Makihono has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Natawa down to the mat. Natawa avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Natawa gets a clinch.

Natawa breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Natawa displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Makihono.

Natawa closes the distance and clinches.
Natawa stops a takedown attempt from Makihono.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Natawa breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Natawa clinches with his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chuck Natawa showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Makihono drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Natawa tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Makihono manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
No luck for Natawa with that takedown attempt.
Natawa tries to clinch but Makihono is having none of it.
Makihono looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Natawa is fending him off so far but Makihono persists. Nope, Natawa circles away and we're back to standing.
Natawa lands an overhand right.
Makihono fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Makihono fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Natawa avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joko Makihono. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Natawa shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Makihono but Makihono pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Natawa tests Makihono's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Makihono fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Natawa lands with a good body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Natawa has managed to clinch.

Natawa's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Natawa has taken the fight to the clinch.
Natawa is struggling to control the position.
Natawa is trying to break the clinch but Makihono has him pressed against the cage.

Natawa manages to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Makihono avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Joko Makihono is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Natawa throws a one two combo.
Makihono gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Natawa makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
No luck for Makihono with that takedown attempt.
Makihono tries for a takedown but Natawa circles away easily
and Natawa counters with a leg kick.
Natawa scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

Makihono is rocked!

Natawa clinches up against the cage.
Oh Makihono is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Natawa stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.

Natawa breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Natawa drops a shoulder and throws a monster hook that connects perfectly to the side of Makihono's head, knocking him out cold! Natawa is extatic as he celebrates with his cornermen.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:47 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Chuck Natawa!