PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Bernie Sanders (ranked 1362 p4p, 2293 weight class) and Fumito Makino (ranked 77 p4p, 131 weight class). Fumito Makino told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Sanders
vs
Makino

150 cm
30
134
11 - 1 - 0

167 cm
23
147
7 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Basic striking
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Brooklyn Apothecary

Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Bernie Sanders!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Fumito Makino!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, Dean Styles and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Sanders gets a clinch.
Sanders is trying to maintain a safe position but Makino gets an underhook and turns Sanders into the cage.

Makino breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Makino fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Sanders shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Fumito Makino seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jab, jab by Sanders - just one landing.
Sanders throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sanders scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Makino doesn't seem bothered though.
Makino throws an overhand right that lands on Sanders's shoulder, as Sanders tries to avoid the shot.
Makino misses with the combination.
Makino uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Sanders.
A swing and a miss from Sanders.
Makino uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sanders.
Makino scores with a shot to the body.
Sanders uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Makino.
Makino ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Sanders moves away from the strike by Makino.
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!
Makino stuffs the takedown attempt from Sanders. Sanders gets slowly back to his feet.
Sanders throws a series of punches but Makino avoids them all with ease.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanders misses with a few strikes there.
Makino connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Makino misses with a right hand

and Sanders counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Makino keeping moving, preventing Sanders from controlling successfully.
Makino wants to sweep but no luck.
Sanders with a flurry of punches that miss.
Sanders might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Sanders trying to control but Makino is working from the bottom.
Sanders is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Makino is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Makino has his hands on Sanders's head, controlling the position.
Sanders wants to control from the top but Makino keeps moving.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Makino uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Sanders.
Sanders is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Makino.
Makino connects with a body shot that sends Sanders's belly button to the back.
Sanders loads up on a big right hand but Makino slips the punch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Makino misses with a few strikes there.
Makino fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Sanders looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Fumito Makino is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Makino swings for the body but Sanders moves out of range.
Makino throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Sanders stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Sanders walks into a straight right hand from Makino.
Makino keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bernie Sanders. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Makino moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Makino cracks Sanders with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Makino lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Sanders backs up against the cage.
Makino lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Sanders takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Sanders misses the shot to the body.

Sanders drives through with a takedown into Makino's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Sanders wants to pass the guard but Makino is keeping the position.
We've been hearing good reports from Sanders's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Makino has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Makino looking for a sweep. Not yet Makino, not yet.
Sanders won't allow Makino to get back to his feet.
Sanders throwing strikes from guard but Makino blocks nicely.
Makino is controlling Sanders's posture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Makino cracks Sanders with a good jab.
Some wild striking there from Makino.
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!
Makino swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Sanders scores with a takedown into Makino's guard.
Sanders stops Makino from standing up.
Makino trying to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Sanders just misses with a punch to the body.

Sanders pushes Makino up against the cage in a clinch.
Makino has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Sanders swings wildly with an uppercut but Makino uses good head movement to avoid it.
Sanders tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Sanders is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Makino's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Sanders looking to stall.

Makino breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Makino!
Makino scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Makino feints a jab promting Sanders to slip. Makino then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Sanders slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Makino tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sanders was well out of range. Poor timing from Makino.
Makino has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Sanders shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Makino as he jumps to the side.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sanders tries to clinch there but Makino circles away.
Makino lands a nice hook to Sanders's body. Sanders takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Sanders closes this distance looking for a takedown but Makino circles away.
Makino works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Sanders looks to clinch
and Makino counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good standup being displayed there by Makino as he connects with a hook.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Sanders is defended easily by Makino.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bernie Sanders. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Makino with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Sanders tries to bum rush Makino with a series of wild strikes but Makino uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Makino scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Makino throws a jab when Sanders was well out of range.
Makino with a jab.
Makino looks to land a combination but Sanders avoids it well.
Sanders is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Sanders takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Sanders avoids a punch combination nicely.
Makino scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Makino lands with a nice body punch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Jab by Makino.
Makino scores with a jab.
Sanders misses with a hook.
Sanders takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Makino looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Makino misses with an uppercut

and Sanders counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Sanders is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Makino avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Sanders.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Makino makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Makino.
Sanders prevents Makino from getting back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanders throwing strikes but missing.
Makino looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sanders is one step ahead there.
Sanders controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Sanders keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Makino's head.
Bernie Sanders overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Makino is looking to stand up but Sanders isn't so interested in that idea.
Makino wants to sweep here but Sanders controlling him for the moment.
Sanders has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Makino working a defensive guard here.
Sanders controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Makino throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Makino pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Makino is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Makino keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sanders throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Makino scores with a body shot.
Sanders throws an overhand right that lands on Makino's shoulder, as Makino tries to avoid the shot.
Good exchange - Makino coming out on top.
Makino scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Makino works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Sanders misses with a series of wild punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fumito Makino showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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.

Makino lands a slapping body shot.
Makino tests Sanders's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Makino with a jab.
Sanders changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Makino tries to avoid it but Sanders manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Makino to the ground. Makino escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Makino throws out a counter right but Sanders avoids it with no problem.
Makino listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Makino changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Sanders looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Makino's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Makino duly obliges.
Makino fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Makino lands a jab-cross combination.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Makino stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Makino keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sanders has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Sanders there as he acknowledges the shot.
Makino thuds a left hand into Sanders's body.
Makino connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Sanders's hands.
Makino throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Makino works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Fumito Makino seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanders keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sanders swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Makino counters with a straight right hand.
Sanders takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Makino misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sanders.
Makino looks to land a left hand but Sanders moved out of range nicely.
Makino comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Sanders is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Sanders will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Makino paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Makino fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sanders manages to avoid it.
A nice combination there by Makino.
Makino scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

Sanders takes the fight into the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sanders manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

Makino escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Makino connects with a body shot that sends Sanders's belly button to the back.
Donk. Makino catches Sanders right on the button with a cross.
Sanders has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Makino finds it's way round the side to connect with Sanders's head.
Sanders misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Makino.
A nice side step and Makino releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Sanders takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Makino thows a left - swing and a miss!
Makino throws a hook to the side of Sanders's head but Sanders sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Sanders tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Makino was well out of range. Poor timing from Sanders.
Sanders misses the body punch
and Makino connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Makino throws a body shot but no joy.
Sanders throwing a counter right hand but Makino manages to avoid it.
Makino lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Sanders at a distance.
Makino goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Makino takes a swing at Sanders's ribcage but misses.
Makino throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Sanders stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

Sanders clinches up with Makino and pushes him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Makino pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Sanders is looking to wear down Makino with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Makino keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bernie Sanders. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Makino tests Sanders's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Sanders has his takedown stuffed
and Makino counters with a straight right hand.
Sanders defending well as Makino loads up on a big left hand.
Makino dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Sanders misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Makino.
Makino misses with a wild body shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Sanders misses the target.
Sanders looks for a takedown but Makino sprawls well.
Sanders uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Makino.
Sanders takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Makino throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Sanders tries to counter with a takedown but Makino is quick to defend against it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Makino throws a right hand that misses

and Sanders counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sanders prevents Makino from improving his position.
Sanders throwing shots but Makino is blocking nicely.
Sanders wants to lay and pray for a moment but Makino keeps working.
Sanders is taking a breather. Makino says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Sanders's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sanders stops Makino from getting back to his feet.
Sanders not landing any meaningful shots this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fumito Makino really dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Makino misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
The fight stays on the outside here - Sanders looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Makino misses with a series of wild punches.
Makino connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Makino scores with a nice head shot.
Makino throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Sanders ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Makino moves away.
Makino lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Sanders at a distance.
Makino lands a nice shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Makino misses with a body shot.
Sanders tries to counter by clinching up but Makino breaks away and moves out of range.
Sanders pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Makino misses with an uppercut. Sanders saw that one coming.
Makino just misses with a punch to the body.
Makino lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Makino lands a jab to the nose.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanders keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sanders keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sanders misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Sanders misses with a body shot.
Sanders shoots and misses
letting Makino counter with a right hand.
Sanders uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Makino.
Sanders loads up on a big right hand but Makino slips the punch.
Makino misses with a double jab.

Sanders feints and as Makino raises his hands in defense, Sanders changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Makino managing to control the position.
Makino wants to stand but Sanders is controlling the position.
Sanders trying to control but Makino is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Makino trying to control the position.
Makino wants to sweep here but Sanders controlling him for the moment.
Sanders throws a big elbow that misses.
Makino seems keen to control Sanders's posture.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Sanders misses the shot to the body.
Sanders fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanders takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Sanders is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Makino looks like he wants to counter punch here.

Sanders drives through with a takedown into guard.
Sanders trying to control but Makino is working from the bottom.
Makino keeping full guard, as Sanders tries to pass.
Makino working a defensive guard here.
Sanders pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Makino is keeping the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanders makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Sanders trying to control the position from guard on top but Makino is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sanders won't allow Makino to get back to his feet.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Sanders takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Sanders looks to score with a jab to the body but Makino is just out of range.
Makino fails to land with a series of punches.
Sanders fails with the takedown.
A nice side step and Makino releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bernie Sanders. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sanders fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
It seemed like Makino was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fumito Makino dominated that fourth round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Sanders takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Makino will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Makino just misses with a punch to the body.
Sloppy strikes from Makino. Those never looked like landing.
Makino leaves Sanders with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Sloppy strikes from Makino. Those never looked like landing.
Makino takes a swing at Sanders's ribcage but misses.
Sanders tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Makino was well out of range. Poor timing from Sanders.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Makino.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Sanders.
Sanders with a poor takedown
and Makino counters with a left to the body.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bernie Sanders. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sanders takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Makino connects with a looping right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanders on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Makino ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Sanders slips a jab and a cross from Makino.
Makino lands a jab to the nose.
Makino scores with a jab to the head.
Sanders throws a body shot but no joy.
Sanders takes a jab right on the kisser.
Makino misses the shot to the body.
Sanders ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Makino moves away.
Despite the aggression on Makino's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Sanders misses with a wild body shot.
Sanders takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Makino dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Makino lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Makino swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Makino throws a jab when Sanders was well out of range.
Sanders fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Makino manages to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanders takes one to the chin there.
Sanders will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Makino lands with a straight right. Sanders didn't see that one coming.

Sanders has managed to clinch.
Makino has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Makino breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sanders gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Makino.
Sanders tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Makino was well out of range. Poor timing from Sanders.
Good standup being displayed there by Makino as he connects with a hook.
Makino tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sanders was well out of range. Poor timing from Makino.
Makino sizes up Sanders with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Sanders misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Makino.
Decent striking displayed by Makino there.
Sanders fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Makino lands with a straight right. Sanders didn't see that one coming.
Makino is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Sanders.
Sanders throws a body punch but Makino moves out of range.
Makino throws a shot to the body.
Makino tests Sanders's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Sanders shoots in looking for a takedown but Makino manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Sanders's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Bernie Sanders has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sanders on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Sanders walks into a jab.
Makino uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Sanders.
Makino scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Sanders swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Sanders misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Makino.
Makino scores with a crisp jab that stopped Sanders in his tracks.
Sanders walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Makino connects with a good right hand that stumbles Sanders. Sanders circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Sanders throws a body shot but no joy.
Makino connects with a looping right hand.
Makino scores with a one two! Sanders had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Makino looks to land a combination but Sanders avoids it well.
Makino cracks Sanders with a good jab.
Makino smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Makino lands with a hook. Sanders tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Fumito Makino is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Sanders misses with a left hand
and Makino counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Makino works over Sanders's head and body with a nice combination.
Sanders takes one to the chin there.
Makino misses with a jab, cross combination.
Makino is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Makino walks into a left hand.
Makino scores with a one two! Sanders had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Makino cracks Sanders with an open hand slap.
Makino lands a nice looking body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Fumito Makino comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Makino winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 45:50
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 45:50
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Fumito Makino!
After winning the bout, Fumito Makino thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.