PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Yancy Makaki Iii (ranked 1396 p4p, 178 weight class) and Russell Northrop (ranked 1772 p4p, 228 weight class). Northrop is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Alive And Kicking. 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.

Makaki Iii
vs
Northrop

182 cm
36
177 lbs
29 - 17 - 1

180 cm
37
175 lbs
24 - 21 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Heavy handed

Zenith Nutrition (160q/$200)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 29 - 17 - 1, fighting out of New York, Yancy Makaki Iii!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 21 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Russell Northrop!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Donald Grub and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Makaki Iii throws a one two combo.
Northrop gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Northrop takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Northrop misses with a straight left.
Northrop misses with a takedown
and Makaki Iii counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

Makaki Iii drives through with a takedown into Northrop's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Northrop uses the cage to get back to his feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Makaki Iii misses with a series of wild punches.

Makaki Iii closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Northrop to the mat! Northrop manages to get full guard.

Northrop looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Makaki Iii trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Northrop looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Makaki Iii throws a big elbow that misses.
Makaki Iii with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Makaki Iii preventing the sweep.

Northrop is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Makaki Iii in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Makaki Iii missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Makaki Iii stays in close to Northrop's body and controls the position.
Makaki Iii keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Northrop's head.

Northrop looking for a guillotine here but Makaki Iii defends easily.

Northrop working for a triangle but Makaki Iii defends it easily.
Northrop keeping moving, preventing Makaki Iii from controlling successfully.
Northrop wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Makaki Iii throwing strikes but missing.
Makaki Iii is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Makaki Iii postures up.
Makaki Iii trying to control but Northrop is working from the bottom.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Makaki Iii accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Northrop had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Makaki Iii defends it easily.
Northrop lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Northrop lands a couple of digs.
Makaki Iii trying to control the position here.
Makaki Iii utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Makaki Iii tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Makaki Iii preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Northrop slips nicely into half guard.
Makaki Iii is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Northrop is looking to advance position but Makaki Iii won't allow it.

Northrop looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Northrop wants to control but Makaki Iii is keeping him busy.
Northrop lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Makaki Iii wants to control but Northrop is keeping busy.
Northrop lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Northrop wants to pass to mount but Makaki Iii is defending the position.

Northrop is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Makaki Iii has managed to free his arm - good work.
Northrop is thwarting Makaki Iii's attempts to control the position.
Makaki Iii is positioning himself well to prevent Northrop advancing to mount.

Northrop is looking for a kimura here.
Northrop is looking to take a break and control but Makaki Iii is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Makaki Iii controlling the position for now.
Makaki Iii wants to control but Northrop is keeping busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Russell Northrop will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Northrop fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Northrop misses with a right hand
and Makaki Iii counters with a series of strikes. Northrop will be more careful next time no doubt.
Makaki Iii blocks a jab.
Makaki Iii showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Northrop.
Northrop wants to clinch
and Makaki Iii counters with a straight right hand.
Makaki Iii pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Northrop back to the cage. Makaki Iii follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

Northrop gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Makaki Iii breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Northrop swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Makaki Iii is looking for a counter combo.
Makaki Iii jabs at Northrop's body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Northrop takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Makaki Iii leaves Northrop with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Northrop is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Northrop throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Makaki Iii's waist but Makaki Iii gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Northrop off to one side.
It looked like Makaki Iii was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Northrop misses the shot to the body.
It looked like Makaki Iii was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Northrop.
Makaki Iii slips a jab and a cross from Northrop.
Makaki Iii bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Northrop tries to bum rush Makaki Iii with a series of wild strikes but Makaki Iii uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Northrop throws a leg kick that is checked

and Makaki Iii counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Makaki Iii lands a couple of digs.
Makaki Iii sitting in guard here, content to control.

Northrop looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Northrop utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Makaki Iii throwing strikes from guard but Northrop blocks nicely.
Makaki Iii works over Northrop with some ground and pound from guard.

Northrop looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Makaki Iii chips away with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Northrop avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Makaki Iii stands up over Northrop, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Makaki Iii postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Northrop keeping moving, preventing Makaki Iii from controlling successfully.
Makaki Iii won't allow Northrop to sweep him here.

Makaki Iii got a little sloppy there for a moment and Northrop has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Makaki Iii has managed to get both his arms back between Northrop's legs - danger averted.
Makaki Iii looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Makaki Iii wants to control from the top but Northrop keeps moving.
Northrop wants to sweep here but Makaki Iii controlling him for the moment.
Makaki Iii with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Makaki Iii missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Northrop keeping moving, preventing Makaki Iii from controlling successfully.
Makaki Iii makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Makaki Iii lands a couple of digs.

Northrop escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Makaki Iii gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Makaki Iii engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Makaki Iii lands a couple of digs.

Northrop escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Makaki Iii gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Makaki Iii is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Northrop can do to turn this around?

Northrop is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Makaki Iii slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Northrop is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Makaki Iii defends well.
Makaki Iii throws a big elbow that misses.
Makaki Iii keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Northrop's head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Northrop is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Makaki Iii landing some decent shots from guard.
Makaki Iii landing with the ground and pound.
Makaki Iii wants to control from the top but Northrop keeps moving.
Makaki Iii landing with the ground and pound.
Northrop controls Makaki Iii momentarily but Makaki Iii frees himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yancy Makaki Iii dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Northrop blocks a head kick by Makaki Iii.
An inside leg kick lands from Northrop.
Northrop throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A low kick from Northrop misses
and Makaki Iii counters with a left to the body.
Makaki Iii checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Makaki Iii seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Makaki Iii slips a straight right by Northrop.
Makaki Iii went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Northrop throws a left and a right that both miss

and Makaki Iii counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Makaki Iii.

Northrop gets control of Makaki Iii's arms and successfully pulls guard. Northrop will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Makaki Iii keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Northrop's head.
Makaki Iii is stalling in the full guard.
Makaki Iii throws a big right hand that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Makaki Iii with a flurry of punches that miss.
Makaki Iii stands up over Northrop, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Makaki Iii postures up in Northrop's guard and throws a big left but Northrop blocks it.
Makaki Iii pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Northrop is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Northrop is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Northrop working for a triangle but Makaki Iii defends it easily.
Northrop takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Makaki Iii's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Makaki Iii postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Makaki Iii throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Northrop works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Makaki Iii throws a strike but Northrop rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Northrop throwing strikes but missing.
Northrop wants to control from the top but Makaki Iii keeps moving.
Yancy Makaki Iii overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Makaki Iii pulls Northrop in to control the position.
Northrop trying to control the position from guard on top but Makaki Iii is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Makaki Iii wants to sweep here but Northrop controlling him for the moment.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Northrop accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Makaki Iii looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Makaki Iii is on top in guard.

Northrop trying to control the position.
Makaki Iii lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Northrop has his foot on Makaki Iii's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Makaki Iii works his way back into a safe position though.
Makaki Iii stands up over Northrop, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Makaki Iii trying to control the position from guard on top but Northrop is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Makaki Iii is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Makaki Iii landing with the ground and pound.
Makaki Iii preventing the sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Makaki Iii throwing strikes but missing.
Makaki Iii won't allow Northrop to sweep him here.
Makaki Iii with a flurry of punches that miss.
Makaki Iii lands a couple of digs.
Makaki Iii trying to control but Northrop is working from the bottom.

Makaki Iii got a little sloppy there for a moment and Northrop has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Makaki Iii has managed to get both his arms back between Northrop's legs - danger averted.
Makaki Iii trying to control but Northrop is working from the bottom.
Northrop has momentary wrist control but Makaki Iii slips an elbow through the middle.
Northrop is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Makaki Iii wants to control from the top but Northrop keeps moving.
Northrop 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Makaki Iii cracks Northrop with a solid left hand.
Makaki Iii trying to control but Northrop is working from the bottom.
Makaki Iii postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Makaki Iii working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Northrop has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Makaki Iii can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Makaki Iii trying to control but Northrop is working from the bottom.
Northrop working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Makaki Iii.
Makaki Iii throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Northrop had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Makaki Iii defends it easily.
Makaki Iii looking to pass the guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yancy Makaki Iii showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Makaki Iii has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Daniel Bishop scores the fight 29:28
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 30:27
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yancy Makaki Iii!
A very excited looking Yancy Makaki Iii made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.
The defeated Russell Northrop had this to say: 'No fair. He tried to kiss me.'.