PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Yancy Makaki Iii (ranked 58 p4p, 9 weight class) and Cheik Imbula (ranked 484 p4p, 80 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Imbula's choice of entrance music: ~Apache~. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Makaki Iii
vs
Imbula

182 cm
26
177 lbs
14 - 4 - 0

185 cm
25
180 lbs
10 - 6 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Hell's Balls Recovery (160)
KAISER Nutrition - Q160

Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Yancy Makaki Iii!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Cheik Imbula!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Ryoma Takatsuka and Jeff Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A jab from Makaki Iii finds it's way through Imbula's defenses.
Makaki Iii misses with a hook
and Imbula makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Makaki Iii looks to land a combination but Imbula avoids it well.
Imbula keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Imbula steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Imbula connects with a right hand. Makaki Iii shakes it off.
Makaki Iii misses with a wild body shot.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Makaki Iii.
Imbula moves away from the strike by Makaki Iii.
Makaki Iii is looking to score with low kicks.
Imbula pulls out of a head kick attempt.
The fighters circle momentarily. Makaki Iii darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Makaki Iii takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
A low kick from Makaki Iii misses
and Imbula counters with a stiff right hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Imbula avoids a kick to the body.
Makaki Iii definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Imbula goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Imbula misses with an uppercut
and Imbula takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Makaki Iii takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Makaki Iii throws a head kick that misses.
Crunch! Imbula slams his shin into Makaki Iii's torso.
Makaki Iii with a jab.
Makaki Iii uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Imbula.
Imbula takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Makaki Iii looks to score with a jab to the body but Imbula is just out of range.
Yancy Makaki Iii seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Imbula keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Makaki Iii.
Imbula lands a nice leg kick that just misses Makaki Iii's sensitive parts.
We've been informed that Imbula has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Imbula lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

It looks like Yancy Makaki Iii has been cut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Makaki Iii connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Makaki Iii throws a leg kick
and Imbula counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Makaki Iii walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Imbula scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Makaki Iii doesn't seem bothered though.
A big right from Makaki Iii misses.
Imbula cracks Makaki Iii with a right hand to the side of the head.
A big right from Imbula misses.
Imbula misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Makaki Iii.
Makaki Iii is looking to counter punch.
Makaki Iii misses with a body shot.
Imbula looks to throw the jab but Makaki Iii is out of range.
Makaki Iii throws an off balance right hand
and Imbula counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Makaki Iii darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Makaki Iii misses with a right hand
and Imbula makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Imbula just misses with a punch to the body.
Makaki Iii slips under a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A lazy body kick from Imbula
letting Makaki Iii counter with a right hand.
Imbula ducks under a wild hook from Makaki Iii.
Some bone on bone action there as Imbula checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Imbula moves into range and connects with a jab.
Makaki Iii misses with a lunging right hand
and Imbula counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Imbula misses with a lunging right hand
enabling Makaki Iii to counter with a crisp jab.
Imbula misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Makaki Iii.
Imbula lunges at Makaki Iii with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Makaki Iii's hand.
The fighters circling - Imbula throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Makaki Iii turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Imbula showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Makaki Iii.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Makaki Iii scores with a jab.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Makaki Iii pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Makaki Iii looks to score with a jab to the body but Imbula is just out of range.
Imbula thows a leg kick but Makaki Iii checks it
and Makaki Iii counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Imbula throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Imbula lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Imbula throws a big shot that misses.
A little feinted left hand from Makaki Iii on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Makaki Iii looks to land a combination but Imbula avoids it well.
Makaki Iii moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Makaki Iii drops Imbula with a beautiful combination! Imbula stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Makaki Iii is looking for the KO!

Imbula is rocked!
Makaki Iii scores with a shot to the body.
Imbula is still on wobbly legs! Can Makaki Iii finish him?
Imbula looks to score with a jab to the body but Makaki Iii is just out of range.
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 Yancy Makaki Iii will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Yancy Makaki Iii's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Makaki Iii cracks Imbula with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Imbula seems to have recovered his senses.
Makaki Iii avoids a kick to the body.
Makaki Iii sizes up Imbula with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Makaki Iii uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Imbula.
Makaki Iii works the jab nicely.
Imbula throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Makaki Iii tried to counter with a leg kick but Imbula avoided it.
Makaki Iii shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
It seemed like Imbula was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Imbula throws a lazy uppercut
and Imbula takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Imbula scores with a decent looking hook.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Imbula scores with a shot to the body.
Imbula walks into a straight right hand from Makaki Iii.
Imbula misses with a straight right.
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!
Imbula just misses with a punch to the body.
It looked like Makaki Iii wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Imbula uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Makaki Iii.
Makaki Iii misses with a looping right.
Makaki Iii scores with a nice head shot.
Makaki Iii looks to score with a jab to the body but Imbula is just out of range.
Makaki Iii scores with the left hand. Imbula knows he should have avoided that one.
Imbula keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Imbula misses with a looping right.
Imbula fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Makaki Iii blocks the body kick.
Yancy Makaki Iii is winning the standup battle so far.
Imbula tries to land a body kick
and Makaki Iii counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
That kick from Makaki Iii tenderised Imbula's leg. Imbula is trying to keep his angry face on.
Makaki Iii avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Imbula tries to land a front kick but Makaki Iii steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Imbula moves out of range of the body kick.
A slapping leg kick lands for Imbula.
Makaki Iii takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Imbula ducks under a wild hook from Makaki Iii.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Imbula throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Imbula misses with the body kick
and Makaki Iii counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Makaki Iii throws a poor cross that misses
and Imbula counters with a nice uppercut.
Imbula misses with a body shot.
Makaki Iii connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Imbula's hands.
Makaki Iii swings away with a body shot that misses
and Imbula counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Makaki Iii misses with an uppercut.
Makaki Iii slips under a jab from Imbula.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Makaki Iii throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Makaki Iii looks to land a body kick but Imbula moved away.
Imbula connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Imbula has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Imbula throws a lazy right hand but Makaki Iii sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Imbula misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Makaki Iii counters with a nice uppercut.
Imbula cracks the inside of Makaki Iii's front leg.
Makaki Iii throws a jab when Imbula was well out of range.
Makaki Iii looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A solid leg kick lands there for Imbula.
Makaki Iii misses with a straight right.
Makaki Iii misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Imbula.
Makaki Iii thows a left - swing and a miss!
Imbula tries to counter with a clinch but Makaki Iii shakes him off and moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Makaki Iii. Imbula does a little dance to reset his feet.
Makaki Iii with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Imbula moves into range and connects with a jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Makaki Iii throws a lazy uppercut
and Imbula cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Makaki Iii misses with a body shot.
Imbula avoids the body shot from Makaki Iii.
Imbula feints the counter takedown.
Makaki Iii throws a nice inside leg kick.
Makaki Iii misses with a body shot.
Makaki Iii misses with an attempted mid kick.
Makaki Iii throws a head kick that misses.
Imbula does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
A head kick misses from Imbula.
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 Yancy Makaki Iii will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Yancy Makaki Iii's cut.
That's time! Makaki Iii's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Imbula throws a sloppy head kick and Makaki Iii moves out of range easily.
Makaki Iii throws a nice inside leg kick.
Makaki Iii misses with a lunging right hand
letting Imbula counter with a right hand.
Imbula uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Makaki Iii.
Imbula throws out a counter right but Makaki Iii avoids it with no problem.
Makaki Iii ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Imbula moves away.
Imbula takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Imbula throws a body kick that misses.
Imbula swings away with a leg kick that misses.
A nice inside leg kick there by Makaki Iii. That's going to slow Imbula down.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Makaki Iii keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Imbula scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Makaki Iii doesn't seem bothered though.
Makaki Iii throws a nice looking combination but Imbula bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A big right from Imbula misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Makaki Iii swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Imbula rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Makaki Iii counters with a one-two to the body.
Makaki Iii swings widly with a right hand
and Makaki Iii takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A chopping leg kick lands by Makaki Iii.
Imbula ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Makaki Iii backing away here, and Imbula unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Imbula scores with a crisp jab that stopped Makaki Iii in his tracks.
Imbula throws a right hand that misses
and Makaki Iii counters with a straight right hand.
Nice cross by Makaki Iii.
Imbula takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Imbula's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Imbula keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Imbula.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Makaki Iii misses with a hook. Imbula ducked under it nicely.
Imbula was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Makaki Iii.
Imbula jabs at Makaki Iii's body.
Makaki Iii lands a head shot.
Makaki Iii misses the shot to the body.
Makaki Iii throws a hook but Imbula blocks it.
Imbula scores with a leg kick.
Imbula ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Imbula misses with an uppercut. Makaki Iii saw that one coming.
Makaki Iii throwing a counter right hand but Imbula manages to avoid it.
Imbula slips a jab and a cross from Makaki Iii.
Imbula replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Makaki Iii blocks it well.
Nice shot lands for Makaki Iii.
Makaki Iii walks into a stiff left hand from Imbula.
Makaki Iii misses the body punch
and Imbula counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Makaki Iii is rocked!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from Makaki Iii is predictable there
and Imbula counters with a huge left! Makaki Iii is in big trouble! He's backing up but Imbula isn't giving him chance to recover. Under a barage of punches the ref has to step in to save Makaki Iii from any more damage. A dominating finish by Imbula!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:10 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Cheik Imbula!
Cheik Imbula is the new welterweight champion!
Cheik Imbula tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.