EFC 12: Makanouchi vs Jackson PBP Commentary

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jonathan Black (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Luke Walter (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Black
vs
Walter

180 cm
25
180 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

187 cm
18
175 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Powerful

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jonathan Black!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Luke Walter!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Gwen Towbar and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Walter defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Black.
Walter misses with a leg kick

and Black counters by clinching up.
Black blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Walter wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Walter stops a takedown attempt from Black.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Black blocks an uppercut.
Walter has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Good body shot from Walter.
Walter is struggling to control the position.
Walter working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Walter is trying to break the clinch but Black is controlling him.
Walter misses with a punch to the body.
Black pushes off an throws an elbow but Walter leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Black.

Black pulls guard successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Black working a defensive guard here.
Walter lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Walter throwing strikes but missing.

Black working for a triangle but Walter defends it easily.
Walter wants to pass the guard but Black is keeping the position.
Black wants to control but Walter passes easily into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Walter not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Walter sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Black defending well though.
Black regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Walter.
Walter throws and elbow that misses. Black uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Walter's guard. Nice move by Black!

Black drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Black jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Walter throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Walter wants to sweep here but Black controlling him for the moment.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Walter can do anything to dispel that myth.
Walter really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Black. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Walter wants to hit a switch here but Black passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Walter there!
Black controlling his opponent.

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.
Walter is wriggling around trying to escape.
Walter is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Black takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
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 Jonathan Black will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Black tries for a takedown but Walter circles away easily
and Walter counters with an inside leg kick.
Walter lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Black fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Black shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Walter defends it nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jonathan Black. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Walter throws a body punch but Black moves out of range.
Good leg kick by Walter there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Walter misses with a body kick.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Walter stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Walter wants it to stay on the feet.
Walter cracks the inside of Black's front leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Walter throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
An inside leg kick from Walter misses.
Walter feints and then cracks Black's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Black down.
Jonathan Black is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Walter throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
A low kick from Walter is predictable there

so Black counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Black won't allow Walter to sweep him here.
Walter trying to strike off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Walter wants to sweep but no luck.
Walter manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Black manages to get himself to full guard.
Walter trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Walter throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Walter working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Walter postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Walter throwing strikes but missing.
Walter must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Walter thows a big elbow that misses.
Walter stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Black swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Walter working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Black preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Black working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Walter.
Walter looking to pass the guard.
Black utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Walter postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Walter works a leg free and moves into half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Walter is looking to advance position but Black won't allow it.
Walter thows a huge punch but Black dodges it nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luke Walter showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Walter scores with a push kick.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Walter.
Jab, jab by Walter - just one landing.
Walter keeps Black at a distance using the push kick.
Walter connects with a leg kick. Black looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Walter throws a solid leg kick but Black takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Walter.
Black takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Black ducks right into an uppercut from Walter.
Luke Walter seems to be getting the better of the standup.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Walter.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A chopping leg kick lands by Walter.
Walter throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Walter swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Walter throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Walter tries to score with a low kick but Black moves his leg out of the way.
Black on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Black stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Walter.
Walter throws a looping overhand right but Black ducks down to avoid it.
Black checks a leg kick nicely.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Walter.
Luke Walter seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Walter scores with a hook to the body. Black takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Walter connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Walter thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Black if he has to take too many more of those.
Black on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Walter. Walter obviously looking to wear him down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Walter is looking to score with low kicks.
A good leg kick by Walter.
Black moves out of range as Walter throws a body kick.
A solid leg kick lands there for Walter.
Walter lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Walter scoring well with a low kick there.
A slapping body kick lands there for Walter.
Black takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Walter scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Walter moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Walter shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Black will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Walter lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Walter lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Walter finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Walter connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Walter throws a front kick that sends Black stumbling back into the cage.
Walter scores with a nice head shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A lazy left from Walter finds it's target.
Walter scoring well with a low kick there.
Walter misses with a low kick.
Black closes the distance and clinches up with Walter, looking for a takedown. Black pushes Walter against the cage but Walter circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Walter throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Walter has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Walter fakes the leg kick and cracks Black in the body.
Walter connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Walter.
Black sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
A solid leg kick lands there for Walter.
Black on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Walter tries to land a leg kick but Black saw it coming and moves away.
Walter moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Walter with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Walter tries to score with a low kick but Black moves his leg out of the way.
Walter thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Black if he has to take too many more of those.

And that's the end of the fight!
Luke Walter comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Walter has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 26:30
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 27:29
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 27:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Luke Walter!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
100%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Tyson Brown (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Manny Pacquiao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). On his way into the cage it seems that Tyson Brown has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Tyson Brown seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Brown
vs
Pacquiao

173 cm
19
163 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

175 cm
23
155 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tyson Brown!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Manny Pacquiao!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Chris Downing and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Brown scores with a takedown into Pacquiao's guard.
Brown pushing down on Pacquiao's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Brown not doing much here.
Pacquiao really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Brown. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Brown 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.
Pacquiao slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pacquiao is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Brown controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Brown seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Pacquiao for as long as he can get away with.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Brown advances to half guard.
Brown is figuring out what he wants to do next.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tyson Brown has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

Pacquiao tries to sprawl but Brown drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Brown is pressing down on Pacquiao's thigh, looking to free his foot. Pacquiao is holding on for now.

Pacquiao is defending against the submission attempts here by Brown.
Brown not doing much here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Brown is trying to work for a kimura but Pacquiao is defending well.
Brown controlling the action here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tyson Brown dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Brown shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Pacquiao is trying to escape the mount but Brown keeps good control and instead manages to take Pacquiao's back.
Brown is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.

Brown is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.

Brown is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Pacquiao knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Pacquiao for a finish.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Brown looking for the RNC.

Pacquiao showing good submission defense here.
Brown controlling the position well here. Pacquiao rolled but Brown kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pacquiao breaks Brown's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.

Pacquiao drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Brown manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Pacquiao has Brown in his guard.
Brown slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brown preventing the sweep.
Brown sitting in guard, not really doing much.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

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.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Tyson Brown just wasn't active enough.

Pacquiao gets caught flat footed, as Brown shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Brown advances to half guard.
Brown looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Pacquiao is breathing heavily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tyson Brown dominated that second round.
That's time! Brown's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Brown manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Pacquiao on his heels. He'll look to pass Pacquiao's guard now, I'm sure.
Brown sitting in guard here, content to control.
Brown sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Pacquiao's guard.
Brown slows the pace down in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Tyson Brown wasn't doing enough on the ground.

Brown closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Pacquiao to the mat! Pacquiao manages to get full guard.

Brown is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brown passes Pacquiao's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Brown is trying for a kimura here. Pacquiao looks like he's in a lot of pain... and he's tapping out! Brown wins by kimura!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:44 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Tyson Brown!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
54%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Johnatan Bruks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Leonid Gatovskiy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gatovskiy has chosen Boo as his entrance music. Both fighters really staring eachother down here, as Leonid Gatovskiy enters the cage!

Bruks
vs
Gatovskiy

175 cm
25
175 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

180 cm
23
175 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Tends to cut

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Johnatan Bruks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Leonid Gatovskiy!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Wesley Smith and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Bruks drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Bruks looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!

Bruks is sitting in close to Gatovskiy's body. Gatovskiy has gone for a guillotine from the bottom. Oh damn, that looks pretty tight! Bruks is panicking - it looks like this one could be all over! Yes, Bruks is tapping! That was a very nice submission by Gatovskiy.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:18 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Leonid Gatovskiy!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
35%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mathew Davidson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Billy Badass (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Billy Badass looks lathargic as he enters the arena. Wake up son, you're about to have a fight!

Davidson
vs
Badass

200 cm
25
215 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

186 cm
19
210 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good in bed

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mathew Davidson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Billy Badass!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Robert Twigg and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Badass shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Davidson counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Badass looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!

Davidson gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Davidson is nestled in close to Badass, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Ground and pound from Davidson.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Davidson in particular looking to stall.
Davidson scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Davidson content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Davidson will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Davidson looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Davidson is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Davidson trying to control the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Davidson looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Badass with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Davidson sitting and controlling from the half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Badass on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Davidson prevents Badass from improving his position.
Davidson is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Davidson performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Davidson passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Badass!
Badass takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Davidson looking to secure an arm triangle but Badass defends it well.
Davidson in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Davidson fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Davidson looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mathew Davidson dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Davidson lands a brutal head kick. Badass looks out on his feet and Davidson throws more strikes until the ref is forced to stop the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:05 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Kick and Punches). Mathew Davidson!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
100%

Co-main event

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Andrew Cramor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vitor Donato (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Donato is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Anarchy In The UK - Sex Pistols. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Cramor
vs
Donato

185 cm
25
195 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

182 cm
25
195 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Good chin

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Andrew Cramor!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Vitor Donato!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Chris Downing and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cramor fails with an attempt to clinch.
Donato looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Donato misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Cramor is looking to clinch but Donato is avoiding it.
Donato lands with a jab that stuns his opponent. Cramor is looking to close the distance but Donato sees it coming and throws a beautiful knee! Cramor crumbles to the mat and that's all she wrote! Let's hope Cramor is OK because that was naaaaaasty!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:18 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Knee). Vitor Donato!
Vitor Donato is the new middleweight champion!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
24%

Main event

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ippo Makanouchi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Samuel Jackson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Makanouchi comes to the cage accompanied by Inner Light by Schocking Lemon. Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Makanouchi
vs
Jackson

220 cm
21
300 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

200 cm
24
300 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the super heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ippo Makanouchi!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Samuel Jackson!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Robert Twigg and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A swing and a miss from Makanouchi.
Jab by Makanouchi.
A punch combination from Makanouchi misses.
Makanouchi throws a series of punches but Jackson moves out of range.
Makanouchi misses with a series of wild punches.
Jackson staying out of range there.
Jackson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Makanouchi sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Jackson somewhat.
Makanouchi misses with a jab, cross combination.
Jackson shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Makanouchi sprawls well. Makanouchi wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Jackson gets slowly back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Makanouchi connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Jackson scrambles back to his feet.

It looks like Samuel Jackson has been cut.

Makanouchi lands a left and a right that send Jackson crashing to the mat, dazed. Makanouchi thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!
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!
Makanouchi throws a combination that misses

and Jackson decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Makanouchi's guard.
Makanouchi is looking to stand up but Jackson isn't so interested in that idea.
Jackson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Makanouchi pulls Jackson in close to prevent any damage.
Makanouchi keeping full guard, as Jackson tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Makanouchi utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Jackson controlling from the top position.
Jackson wants to pass the guard but Makanouchi is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Makanouchi's jab looks to have found its range, popping Jackson under the eye.
No luck for Jackson with that takedown attempt.
Ippo Makanouchi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Samuel Jackson.

Makanouchi drops Jackson with a beautiful combination! Jackson stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Makanouchi is looking for the KO!
Jackson looks gassed!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nice cross by Makanouchi.
Makanouchi cracks Jackson with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

That has opened up Samuel Jackson's cut even more.
Makanouchi misses with a double jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Makanouchi scores with a jab to the body.

Makanouchi lands a big right hand that sends Jackson crashing to the mat! Makanouchi stays standing though and waves Jackson back to his feet!
Makanouchi connects with a jab, followed by a picture perfect straight right that sends Jackson to the canvas, out cold! What a finish by Makanouchi!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:18 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Ippo Makanouchi!
Ippo Makanouchi retains his super heavyweight title!