PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Islam Makhachev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eric Staal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Makhachev's entrance music is HEY MAMA - David Guetta ft Nicki Minaj & Afrojack. A fine choice. Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Eric Staal enters the ring!

Makhachev
vs
Staal

180 cm
23
190 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

180 cm
23
192 lbs
5 - 1 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Zenith Nutrition (160q/225$)
KAISER Nutrition - Q160/$250

Victory! Sports Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Islam Makhachev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 1, fighting out of New York, Eric Staal!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Kenichi Hosakawa and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Makhachev throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Staal is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Makhachev tries to work over Staal's front leg with a kick but Staal checks it.
Staal thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Makhachev if he has to take too many more of those.
Staal circles away from the clinch attempt

and Staal counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Makhachev!
Staal looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Makhachev is not content to let Staal control the position.

Staal tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Staal trying to control the action but Makhachev is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Staal goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Makhachev rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Staal's guard! Nice work there by Makhachev!
Makhachev won't allow Staal to get back to his feet.
Makhachev won't allow Staal to sweep him here.
Makhachev has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Staal is proving hard to escape from.

Makhachev decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Staal, up you get!
Makhachev takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Staal thumps Makhachev with a low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Makhachev is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Staal feints the counter takedown.
Makhachev cracks Staal with an open hand slap.

It looks like Eric Staal has been cut.
Makhachev dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Makhachev looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Staal avoids a punch combination nicely.
Staal tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Islam Makhachev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Makhachev misses with a hook. Staal ducked under it nicely.
Makhachev misses with a body shot.
Makhachev throws a low kick but Staal moves out of range easily.
Staal drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Makhachev defends it well.
A swing and a miss from Makhachev.
A big right from Makhachev misses.
Islam Makhachev is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Makhachev misses the jab.
Staal slips a jab from Makhachev.
Staal drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Makhachev defends it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Staal misses the target.

Staal scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Staal is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Makhachev is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Makhachev is trying to get back to his feet.
Staal wants to control but Makhachev is keeping him busy.

Staal is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Makhachev is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Makhachev is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Makhachev stops Staal from passing to mount.
Makhachev tries to escape but Staal is in control.

Staal thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Staal tries to advance to mount but Makhachev denies him.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Staal is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Makhachev is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Makhachev is trying to escape the position but Staal is controlling the position.
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 Islam Makhachev will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Eric Staal's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Makhachev misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Staal.
Staal with the counter takedown but Makhachev avoids it easily.
Staal thumps Makhachev with a low kick.
Makhachev tests Staal's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Makhachev lands a jab to the nose.
Makhachev swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Staal with the counter takedown but Makhachev avoids it easily.
Staal uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
The fight stays on the outside here - Makhachev looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A jab lands there for Makhachev.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Makhachev fails in his attempt to clinch.
Makhachev throws a body shot but no joy.
And Staal tries to counter it with a takedown but Makhachev pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Makhachev misses with a looping right.
Makhachev uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Staal.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Staal connects with a nice looking jab.
Staal connects with a single shot there.

Makhachev gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Makhachev working aggressively here.

Staal breaks from the clinch.
Staal tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Makhachev was well out of range. Poor timing from Staal.
Islam Makhachev is winning the standup battle so far.
Staal lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Makhachev punishes Staal's body with a nice straight punch.
Makhachev swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Staal counters with a nice double leg into side control. Makhachev won't be happy with that.
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!
Makhachev pushes Staal away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Staal gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

Staal wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Makhachev, who protects the arm well.
Staal trying to control the action but Makhachev is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Staal goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Makhachev has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Staal but great work by Makhachev.
Makhachev wants to stand but Staal is controlling his arm.
Staal is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Staal is looking to improve his position.
Makhachev tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Staal moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Staal working a defensive guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Staal lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Makhachev wants to stand up but Staal is controlling him.
Staal looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Staal's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Eric Staal will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Eric Staal's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

The fighters circle momentarily. Staal darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Makhachev cracks Staal with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Staal scores with a push kick.
Staal keeps the fight on the outside.
Staal throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Makhachev sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Sloppy strikes from Makhachev. Those never looked like landing.
Staal feints the counter takedown.
Makhachev will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Makhachev lands a big right hand and follows it up with an uppercut. Oh and another big punch and a knee - Staal can't take much more of this! Another big shot to the jaw from Makhachev and Staal drops to the floor. Beaten and bloodied - he had enough there. A vicious beatdown by Makhachev.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:44 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Islam Makhachev!
A less than humble Islam Makhachev misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.