PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between David Danis (ranked 24267 p4p, 689 weight class) and Islam Makhacevov (ranked 24610 p4p, 697 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Danis
vs
Makhacevov

178 cm
26
193 lbs
8 - 11 - 0

178 cm
21
186 lbs
3 - 14 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Experienced

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 8 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, David Danis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 14 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Islam Makhacevov!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Danis throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Danis shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Makhacevov as he jumps to the side.
Despite the aggression on Makhacevov's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Makhacevov tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Danis defends well and Makhacevov ends up having to push Danis into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Danis is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Danis fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Makhacevov shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Danis is staying active underneath Makhacevov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Makhacevov trying to mount his opponent but Danis defends it.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Makhacevov prevents Danis from improving his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Makhacevov is looking to stall here but Danis recovers full guard.
Makhacevov works over Danis with some ground and pound from guard.
Makhacevov trying to control the position from guard on top but Danis is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Danis is trying to keep Makhacevov in close.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Makhacevov won't allow Danis to sweep him here.
Makhacevov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's two 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.
Makhacevov content to stall in guard here.
Makhacevov with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Makhacevov controls from within his opponent's guard.
Makhacevov looking to pass the guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.
Danis is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Makhacevov is doing well to control the position and prevent Danis from advancing to side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Danis seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Makhacevov does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Danis looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Danis scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Danis is trying to control the action in half guard but Makhacevov is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Makhacevov trying to control here.
Danis wants to pass to mount but Makhacevov is defending the position.
Danis prevents Makhacevov from improving his position.
Danis is pressing down on Makhacevov's thigh, looking to free his foot. Makhacevov is holding on for now.

Danis stands up and beckons Makhacevov to join him on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Danis moves into the clinch.

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

Danis rushes Makhacevov and presses him up against the cage.

Danis gets control of Makhacevov's arms and successfully pulls guard. Danis will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Makhacevov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Danis. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Danis controls Makhacevov momentarily but Makhacevov frees himself.
Makhacevov cracks Danis with a solid left hand.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Makhacevov stays in close to Danis's body and controls the position.
Makhacevov is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Danis not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

David Danis dominated that 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.

Danis gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Danis manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Makhacevov manages to get himself to full guard.

Danis trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Makhacevov pulls Danis in close to prevent any damage.
Danis trying to control the position from guard on top but Makhacevov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Danis is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Makhacevov can do to turn this around?
Makhacevov is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Danis manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Makhacevov closes the distance and clinches up with Danis, looking for a takedown. Makhacevov pushes Danis against the cage but Danis circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Makhacevov displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Danis.
Makhacevov darts in looking for a takedown but Danis gets double underhooks and turns Makhacevov into the cage.

Makhacevov shoots in and bounces Danis off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Danis trying to control the position here.
Danis manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Makhacevov manages to get himself to full guard.

Makhacevov is trying to stand and escape. In the scramble, Danis has locked hold of an arm and he's managed to lock on an armbar - Makhacevov taps out instantly and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:55 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). David Danis!
David Danis was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.