PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Victor Szczęsny (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zach Makovsky (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Szczęsny
vs
Makovsky

225 cm
32
135 lbs
25 - 10 - 0

163 cm
27
145 lbs
11 - 7 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Great elbows
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

KnockOut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 25 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Victor Szczęsny!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Zach Makovsky!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Makovsky drives through with a takedown into Szczęsny's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Makovsky trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Makovsky postures up in Szczęsny's guard and throws a big left but Szczęsny blocks it.
Makovsky throwing strikes from guard but Szczęsny blocks nicely.
Makovsky has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Makovsky working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Makovsky is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Szczęsny holds on and takes a little breather.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Makovsky won't allow Szczęsny to sweep him here.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Makovsky loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Szczęsny managing to control the position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Makovsky gets the takedown into side control.
Szczęsny is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Makovsky misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Makovsky controlling the position.
You can see the frustration on Szczęsny's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Szczęsny is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Szczęsny is trying to improve his position.
Szczęsny wants to control but Makovsky postures up.
Makovsky cracks Szczęsny with an elbow. That is naaassty.
The strikes coming from Makovsky are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Szczęsny taking punishment in the form of punches.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Makovsky working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Szczęsny manages to get back to half guard.
Szczęsny is looking to improve his position.
Szczęsny is positioning himself well to prevent Makovsky advancing to mount.
Szczęsny knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Makovsky on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Szczęsny tries to get to full guard but Makovsky has control of the leg.
Szczęsny really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Szczęsny is trying to maintain the position but Makovsky is very close to passing his half guard.
Makovsky looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Makovsky thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Szczęsny's head.
We've been hearing good reports from Szczęsny's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Makovsky lands a nice short elbow.
Makovsky thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Szczęsny is trying is best to control the position here.

Makovsky wants to work for an arm triangle but Szczęsny is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Szczęsny wants to get back to his feet.
Makovsky trying to control the pace.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Szczęsny wants to control but Makovsky passes into side.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zach Makovsky dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Szczęsny works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Makovsky scores with a decent looking hook.
Makovsky misses with a body shot
and Szczęsny counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Szczęsny fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Makovsky is out of range.
Szczęsny tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Zach Makovsky is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Makovsky misses with a leg kick.
Makovsky gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Makovsky connects with a leg kick. Szczęsny looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Makovsky connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Makovsky swinging wildly here.
Szczęsny throwing a counter right hand but Makovsky manages to avoid it.
Makovsky misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Szczęsny counters with a stiff right hand.
A low kick from Makovsky is predictable there
letting Szczęsny counter with a right hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Szczęsny looks to throw the jab but Makovsky is out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Makovsky misses with the combination.
Szczęsny darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Victor Szczęsny is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Makovsky dives in for a single leg takedown but Szczęsny sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the ropes.

Makovsky shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Szczęsny manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Makovsky seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Makovsky wants to control from the top but Szczęsny keeps moving.
Szczęsny will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Szczęsny is trying to keep Makovsky in close.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Szczęsny controlling Makovsky's posture.
Szczęsny on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Szczęsny tries to get out of the position.
Makovsky landing with the ground and pound.
Szczęsny is adopting a defensive guard.
Szczęsny can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Makovsky controls the pace.
Makovsky with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Makovsky loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Szczęsny utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Szczęsny is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Makovsky trying to control but Szczęsny is working from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
A big right from Makovsky misses.
Szczęsny cracks Makovsky with an open hand slap.
Makovsky fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Szczęsny is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Makovsky throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Szczęsny.
Makovsky swinging wildly here.
Makovsky keeps the fight on the outside.
Victor Szczęsny is winning the standup battle so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Makovsky misses with a takedown
and Szczęsny counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Nice shot by Szczęsny.
Makovsky connects with an inside leg kick.
Makovsky throws a left and a right that both miss
and Makovsky takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Makovsky has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Makovsky swings away with a body shot that misses
and Szczęsny counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Szczęsny is looking to clinch.
Makovsky fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Victor Szczęsny has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zach Makovsky.
Makovsky misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Szczęsny.
Donk. Szczęsny catches Makovsky right on the button with a cross.
A combination from Makovsky does no damage.
Makovsky throws a half hearted mid kick.
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 Victor Szczęsny will probably get the nod.
That's time! Szczęsny's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Szczęsny scores with a nice strike.
Makovsky on the wrong end of a nice jab.

Makovsky shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Szczęsny not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Makovsky sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Makovsky works over Szczęsny with some ground and pound from guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Szczęsny tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Makovsky pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Szczęsny is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Szczęsny is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Szczęsny wants to control but Makovsky passes easily into half guard.
Makovsky takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Szczęsny tries to roll over but Makovsky keeps him under control.
Makovsky is looking to take a break and control but Szczęsny is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Szczęsny wants to get back to full guard.
Makovsky lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Szczęsny tries to roll over but Makovsky keeps him under control.
Szczęsny keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Makovsky wants to control but Szczęsny is keeping him busy.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Makovsky lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Szczęsny misses with a hook. Makovsky ducked under it nicely.
Szczęsny throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Makovsky lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Szczęsny circles away quickly and effectively.
Szczęsny lands a nice leg kick that just misses Makovsky's sensitive parts.
Nice shot lands for Szczęsny.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Szczęsny ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Makovsky misses with the body kick
and Szczęsny counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Zach Makovsky seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Makovsky avoids the head kick by Szczęsny.
Szczęsny tries to close the distance and clinch up but Makovsky swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Szczęsny drops his hands momentarily and Makovsky takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Szczęsny checks the leg kick nicely there.
Szczęsny swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Szczęsny connects with a looping right hand.
Szczęsny finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Szczęsny lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

Makovsky shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Makovsky showed some decent athleticism there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Szczęsny blocking the ground and pound attempt from Makovsky.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Szczęsny keeping control of the position.
Szczęsny is trying to maintain the position but Makovsky is very close to passing his half guard.
Makovsky wants to pass the guard but Szczęsny is defending well.
Makovsky thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Makovsky slips a nice elbow through Szczęsny's hands, connecting with Szczęsny's forehead.
Makovsky working Szczęsny over with strikes.
Szczęsny is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Makovsky scores with a couple of nice shots.

Szczęsny is rocked!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Victor Szczęsny did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Szczęsny ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Makovsky moves away.
Makovsky shoots and misses
and Szczęsny counters with an inside leg kick.
Makovsky connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Szczęsny jabs Makovsky right on the nose. Makovsky blinks but takes it well.
Szczęsny misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Makovsky avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Szczęsny cracks Makovsky with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Makovsky fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Szczęsny tries to sprawl but Makovsky drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Makovsky seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Szczęsny does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Makovsky throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Makovsky prevents Szczęsny from standing back up.
Makovsky is keen to just control but Szczęsny is a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Szczęsny taking some punishment here, with Makovsky in his half guard.
Oh Szczęsny is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Makovsky is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Zach Makovsky has got the better of the ground game so far.
Makovsky prevents Szczęsny from improving his position.
Szczęsny is trying to stand.
Szczęsny seems to have got his legs back now.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Makovsky shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Szczęsny but Szczęsny pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Szczęsny moves out of range as Makovsky strikes.
Szczęsny swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Makovsky.
Makovsky looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Szczęsny misses with a wild body shot.
Szczęsny misses the jab.
Makovsky takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Makovsky has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.

Makovsky closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Makovsky lands in his opponent's guard.
Makovsky controlling from the top position.
Szczęsny wants to sweep but no luck.
Makovsky chips away with some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Makovsky engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Makovsky wants to control from the top but Szczęsny keeps moving.
Makovsky lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Szczęsny looking to hit a scissor sweep but Makovsky is one step ahead there.
Szczęsny avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Makovsky throws a big right hand that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Makovsky sitting in guard here, content to control.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Makovsky checks the leg kick.
A jab lands there for Makovsky.
Makovsky has his takedown stuffed
enabling Szczęsny to counter with a crisp jab.
Victor Szczęsny has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zach Makovsky.
Makovsky walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Szczęsny misses with a straight left.
Szczęsny moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Szczęsny takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Szczęsny was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
A big right from Szczęsny misses.
Szczęsny with a hook.
A good leg kick by Szczęsny.
Makovsky looks to land a right hand but Szczęsny moved out of range.
An attempted straight right counter from Szczęsny misses the target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Victor Szczęsny had his way with Zach Makovsky in that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Szczęsny avoids the body shot from Makovsky.
Nice straight punches there by Szczęsny. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Szczęsny.
Szczęsny throws a leg kick which misses Makovsky's front leg but catches the back leg as Makovsky tries to avoid it.
Szczęsny wants to clinch up but Makovsky keeps it at a distance.
Makovsky will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Szczęsny swings widly with a right hand

and Makovsky decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Szczęsny's guard.
Szczęsny is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Makovsky dives into side control.

Szczęsny is trying to get back to half guard.
Szczęsny is pushing Makovsky's head away, looking to escape. Makovsky manages to hold on to the position though.
Szczęsny tries to buck Makovsky off but Makovsky is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Makovsky lands some shots froms side control.
Szczęsny is not in a great position here, taking some shots.

Makovsky is trying to get an arm triangle but Szczęsny is defending well.
Makovsky scores with a big shot from side control... and another... and another! Oh Szczęsny is done here - save him referee! More strikes land and eventually the ref does step in and Makovsky can finally stop beating on his defenseless opponent!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:38 of round 5, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Zach Makovsky!
Zach Makovsky is the new bantamweight champion!
Zach Makovsky was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.
The defeated Victor Szczęsny had this to say: 'I really wanted to defend the belt but it didn't work out. I'm looking to win back this title or take the 145 belt!'.