PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Lars Wagner (ranked 7070 p4p, 581 weight class) and Islam Makhacevov (ranked 24655 p4p, 649 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Wagner
vs
Makhacevov

180 cm
24
185 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

178 cm
20
186 lbs
3 - 12 - 1

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
Intelligent

Decent wrestler
Basic striking
Knockout power

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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Lars Wagner!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 12 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Islam Makhacevov!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fray, Jeff Smith and Chris Saunders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Wagner instigates a clinch.
Wagner lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Makhacevov has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Wagner after a bit of a struggle.
Makhacevov has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Wagner is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Makhacevov looking for a takedown.
Lars Wagner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Islam Makhacevov.
Makhacevov has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Wagner after a bit of a struggle.
Wagner is pressed up against the cage. Makhacevov has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Wagner down to the mat. Wagner avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Wagner closes the distance and pushes Makhacevov back into the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Makhacevov goes for a takedown in the clinch but Wagner prevents it.

Wagner breaks the clinch.
Makhacevov doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Wagner counters with a lovely shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wagner digs a good hook to Makhacevov's body.
Wagner cracks Makhacevov with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Wagner, as that shot connected.

Wagner rushes Makhacevov and presses him up against the cage.
Makhacevov tries for a takedown but Wagner manages to get underhooks.
Wagner lands a hook to the side of the head.
Wagner stops a takedown attempt from Makhacevov.
Makhacevov has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Wagner after a bit of a struggle.
Makhacevov drops down looking for an ankle pick but Wagner pulls his leg out and moves away.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Wagner pulls guard successfully.
Makhacevov working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Wagner's head.
Makhacevov looking to pass the guard.
Wagner wants to get back to his feet but Makhacevov is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Wagner on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Wagner tries to get out of the position.
Wagner is pulling down on Makhacevov's head to control his posture.
Makhacevov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Wagner swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Makhacevov lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Makhacevov wants to control from the top but Wagner keeps moving.

Wagner has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Makhacevov off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Makhacevov is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

Wagner clinches up against the cage.
Makhacevov goes for a takedown attempt but Wagner pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Wagner looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.

Wagner moves into the clinch successfully.
Makhacevov goes for a takedown attempt but Wagner pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Wagner moves into range and clinches up with Makhacevov.

Wagner pulls guard effortlessly.
Wagner wants to stand and escape but Makhacevov is having none of it.
Makhacevov trying to control the position from guard on top but Wagner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Makhacevov stops Wagner from standing up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Makhacevov trying to control the position from guard on top but Wagner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Wagner wants to stand up but Makhacevov is controlling him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lars Wagner dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A telegraphed takedown attempt from Makhacevov is defended easily by Wagner.

Wagner gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Makhacevov is working for takedown but Wagner is calmly controlling the position for now.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Wagner.
Makhacevov is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Wagner is defending well.
Lars Wagner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Islam Makhacevov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Wagner manages to break the clinch.

Wagner has taken the fight to the clinch.
Wagner gets underhooks to prevent Makhacevov's takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Makhacevov has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Wagner after a bit of a struggle.
Wagner tries to land knees in the clinch but Makhacevov avoids the damage to the body.

Wagner pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Wagner closes the distance and pushes Makhacevov back into the cage.
Makhacevov tries for a takedown but Wagner manages to get underhooks.
Wagner is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Wagner breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Makhacevov with a poor takedown
and Wagner counters with a left to the body.

The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Wagner moves into range and clinches up with Makhacevov.
Wagner dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wagner is pressed up against the cage. Makhacevov has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Wagner down to the mat. Wagner avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Lars Wagner is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Makhacevov shoots in looking for a takedown. Wagner tries to sprawl out of it but Makhacevov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Wagner manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Makhacevov with a lazy takedown attempt
and Wagner counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Makhacevov is breathing heavily.

Makhacevov gets tackled into the cage by Wagner. Wagner maintains the clinch.
Wagner gets underhooks to prevent Makhacevov's takedown attempt.
Wagner working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Wagner effectively controlling the action here.

Wagner breaks from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wagner throws a one two combo.
Wagner lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

Wagner clinches up against the cage.
Makhacevov drops down looking for an ankle pick but Wagner pulls his leg out and moves away.
Lars Wagner is winning the standup battle so far.
Wagner lands with a nice combination. Makhacevov backs away looking to recover.

Wagner gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Wagner's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Makhacevov dives in and grabs Wagner's left leg, looking for a takedown. Wagner pushes down on Makhacevov's head and hops out.
Wagner lands a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Wagner rushes Makhacevov and presses him up against the cage.
Lars Wagner has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Makhacevov is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Wagner pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Makhacevov is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Wagner pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Wagner's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Wagner closes the distance and clinches.
Wagner holding his opponent close, against the cage.

Makhacevov lands a takedown into guard.

Wagner manages to escape and get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lars Wagner dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Wagner jabs Makhacevov to the body, keeping him at a distance.

Makhacevov changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Wagner looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Wagner sneaks out the side door and pushes Makhacevov away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Wagner.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Wagner closes the distance and clinches.
Makhacevov has Wagner pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Wagner manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Wagner breaks the clinch.

Wagner has taken the fight to the clinch.
Wagner looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Wagner stops a takedown attempt from Makhacevov.
Wagner prevents a takedown attempt there.
Lars Wagner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Islam Makhacevov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Makhacevov has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Wagner avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Makhacevov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Wagner's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Wagner sizes up Makhacevov with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

Makhacevov tries to keep at a distance but Wagner has taken the fight into the clinch.
Makhacevov is looking to take this one to the mat.
Makhacevov has Wagner pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Wagner manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Makhacevov tries to score a body lock takedown but Wagner shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Makhacevov looking for a takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wagner throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Wagner is leaning against Makhacevov and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

Wagner's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Wagner fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Makhacevov, pushing him back against the cage.
Wagner is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Makhacevov can do to turn this around?
Wagner is working Makhacevov over against the cage.
Wagner lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Wagner is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Makhacevov wants a takedown but no success here.
A short left from Wagner.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A right hand to the body from Wagner.
Wagner tries to score a body lock takedown but Makhacevov shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Wagner pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Wagner's corner calls for a 1-2. Wagner obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

Makhacevov closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Wagner is trying to stand up here but Makhacevov is controlling him well.
Wagner controlling the position for now.

Makhacevov is working for a submission of some sort.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Wagner manages to escape and get back to his feet!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Wagner rushes Makhacevov and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Wagner breaks from the clinch.

Wagner moves into the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Wagner breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Wagner forces Makhacevov back against the cage and clinches.
Makhacevov wants to take the fight to the mat but Wagner manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Wagner with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Islam Makhacevov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Lars Wagner is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Makhacevov trying to land knees to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lars Wagner showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Wagner 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 Colin Fray scores the fight 30:25
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 30:25
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 30:25

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lars Wagner!