PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jeremy Bell (ranked 3736 p4p, 286 weight class) and Moses Makwame (ranked 4224 p4p, 313 weight class). Bell's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Country Roads. Makwame has chosen House of Pain - Jump Around as his entrance music. Jeremy Bell has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Bell
vs
Makwame

175 cm
17
155 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

163 cm
19
143 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jeremy Bell!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Moses Makwame!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Sergei Dronov and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Makwame lands with a slapping head kick.
Makwame avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
As Bell backs off Makwame throws a huge counter combo but Bell manages to avoid it all.

Makwame moves into the clinch.
Makwame is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Bell to keep the fight standing.
Bell is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Makwame breaks the clinch.
Bell cracks Makwame with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Makwame showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Bell.
Bell swats away the attempt to clinch by Makwame.

Makwame gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Makwame escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
We've been told by Bell's head coaches at Big Price MMA that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Makwame dodges the punch combination from Bell.
Makwame wants to counter with a clinch but Bell pushes him away.
Makwame looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Bell rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Makwame moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bell throws a series of punches but Makwame avoids them all with ease.
Bell looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Makwame is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Bell scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Makwame showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Bell.
Makwame looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Bell throws a leg kick that is checked
and Makwame counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Bell is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Makwame throws a right and a left that Bell avoids nicely.
Makwame throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Bell.
The fight stays on the outside here - Makwame looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Makwame showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Bell.
Makwame tries to counter with a clinch but Bell shakes him off and moves away.
Bell throws a body punch but Makwame moves out of range.
Bell misses with a double jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bell swings away with a body shot that misses
and Makwame counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Makwame has managed to clinch.
Bell wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Makwame tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Makwame breaks from the clinch.
Makwame takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Makwame fails to land the takedown.
Jeremy Bell seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A punch combination from Bell misses.
Makwame throws a right and a left that Bell avoids nicely.
Bell appears to be looking for a big counter.
Jeremy Bell is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Bell dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Bell lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Makwame backs up against the cage.
Bell throws a series of punches but Makwame moves out of range.
Makwame changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
A punch combination from Bell misses.

Makwame pushes Bell up against the cage in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Makwame manages to break the clinch.
Makwame throws a right and a left that Bell avoids nicely.
A telegraphed right hand from Bell misses the target.

Makwame clinches.

Makwame pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Sloppy strikes from Bell. Those never looked like landing.
Makwame tries to counter with a clinch but Bell shakes him off and moves away.
Makwame pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Makwame tries to clinch there but Bell circles away.
Makwame moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Makwame doesn't manage to clinch there - Bell circles away.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Makwame.
Bell looks to land a combination but Makwame avoids it well.

Makwame closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Makwame landing knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Makwame fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Makwame escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Bell misses with a two punch combination.
Bell looks to land a combination but Makwame avoids it well.
Makwame throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Bell lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Makwame circles away quickly and effectively.
Makwame will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A little feinted left hand from Bell on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Jeremy Bell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Moses Makwame.
Bell misses with a wild combination.
Makwame is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Makwame rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Bell moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Bell takes a kick to the side of the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bell throws a series of strikes that have Makwame backpedaling.
Some wild striking there from Bell.
Bell sets himself, and Makwame steps forward looking for the clinch! Bell avoids it this time.
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 Jeremy Bell will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Bell feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Makwames jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Jeremy Bell is winning the standup battle so far.
Makwame takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Bell misses with a series of wild punches.
Makwame tries a head kick but it misses.

Makwame clinches up against the cage.

Makwame breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Bell looks to land a combination but Makwame avoids it well.
Bell fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Makwame is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fighters circling - Bell throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Bell throws a right and a left that both miss.
Bell scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
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!
Makwame throws a right and a left that both miss.
Bell lands the left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Makwame smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Bell feints a jab promting Makwame to slip. Bell then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Makwame slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Jeremy Bell is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A head kick misses from Makwame.
Makwame tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Bell defends well and Makwame ends up having to push Bell into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Bell throws a body punch but Makwame moves out of range.
Makwame looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Makwame is looking to clinch but Bell is avoiding it.
Bell is looking to counter punch.
Bell is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Bell throws a series of punches but Makwame avoids them all with ease.
Good shot there by Bell.
Bell misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Bell swats away the attempt to clinch by Makwame.
Makwame throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Bell avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bell lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bell throws a nice looking combination but Makwame bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Bell gets tackled into the cage by Makwame. Makwame maintains the clinch.
Good body shot from Makwame.
Bell looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Makwame is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Bell pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Makwame lands with a light punch inside.
Makwame has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Bell after a bit of a struggle.
Jeremy Bell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Moses Makwame.
Makwame tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Makwame breaks the clinch.
Bell throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Makwame misses with a head kick.
Bell rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Makwame moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Bell tries to bum rush Makwame with a series of wild strikes but Makwame uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bell looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Sloppy strikes from Bell. Those never looked like landing.
Makwame unleashes a big counter combination but Bell bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Makwame throws a right and a left that both miss.
Makwame goes for a double leg but Bell avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Bell continues to drive forward.
Bell tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Makwame is able to avoid easily.
Bell throws a head kick that misses.
Bell throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Makwame.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Bell throws a combination that misses

and Makwame counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Makwame.
Makwame tries to pull guard but Bell forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Makwame breaks from the clinch.
Makwame avoids a punch combination nicely.
Makwame closes this distance looking for a takedown but Bell circles away.
Bell was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Makwame looks to land a combination but Bell avoids it well.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Bell's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Makwame fails with a takedown attempt.
Bell throws a combination that misses
and Makwame counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bell misses with a jab, cross combination.
Makwame scores with a three punch combo!
A right-left combo lands from Bell.
Makwame dodges the punch combination from Bell.
Makwame is looking to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jeremy Bell dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Makwame tries to score a power double leg takedown but Bell sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Makwame somewhat.
Bell throws a series of punches but Makwame avoids them all with ease.
Bell throws a combination. Makwame tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
The fighters circling - Bell throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Bell throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Makwame.
A left and a right from Makwame both land. Nice combination.
Bell throws a body shot but no joy.
Makwame looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Bell is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bell looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Bell moves out of range as Makwame throws a body kick.

Makwame gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Moses Makwame seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Makwame is working for takedown but Bell is calmly controlling the position for now.
Makwame misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Makwame struggles to land a body shot inside as Bell controls his hands.

Makwame breaks the clinch.
Bell misses with a series of wild punches.
Bell misses with an uppercut. Makwame saw that one coming.
Makwame scores with a head kick. Bell tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Makwame takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Makwame's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Makwame avoiding damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Makwame is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Jeremy Bell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Moses Makwame.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Bell.
Bell looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Bell looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Bell wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Makwame breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Bell throws a right and a left that Makwame avoids nicely.
Bell tries to move into range but Makwame moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Bell rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Makwame moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Bell cracks Makwame with an open hand slap.
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!
Bell fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Makwame walks into a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bell throws a series of punches but Makwame moves out of range.
Makwame avoids the body shot from Bell.
Makwame lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Makwame avoids a punch combination nicely.
Makwame is looking for the big counter here.
Jeremy Bell is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Bell showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Makwame.
Bell misses with a two punch combination.
Bell misses with a double jab
and Makwame counters with a two punch combo.
Makwame fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Bell misses with a few strikes there.

Makwame forces Bell back against the cage and clinches.
Moses Makwame has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bell wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

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

Makwame forces Bell back against the cage and clinches.
Makwame looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Bell working hard to break the clinch.
Makwame tries for a takedown. No joy.
Makwame lands with a short shot to the head.
Makwame lands a left hand.
Makwame wants a takedown.
Bell is looking to break free of the clinch but Makwame has double underhooks.
Makwame scores a nice knee to the body.
Makwame jumps guard but Bell stands there with Makwame around his waist. Makwame gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
A knee to the head by Makwame.

And that's the end of the fight!
Moses Makwame comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Bell has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Illya Tyunina scores the fight 29:28
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jeremy Bell!
Jeremy Bell retains his featherweight title!
In his post fight interview, Jeremy Bell started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.
Moses Makwame was interviewed post fight and said 'The strongest man won today.'.