PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bryer McGuire (ranked 1164 p4p, 1286 weight class) and Sergey Makarov (ranked 144 p4p, 151 weight class). McGuire's entrance music is Simple Man - Lynyrd Skynyrd. A fine choice. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

McGuire
vs
Makarov

202 cm
25
265
8 - 3 - 0

200 cm
26
250
7 - 5 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Core Combat
Conviction

Core Combat

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Bryer McGuire!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Sergey Makarov!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Phil Schofield and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Makarov throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and McGuire counters with a left to the body.
McGuire fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Makarov manages to avoid it.
Makarov ducks under a wild hook from McGuire.

Makarov drives through with a takedown into guard.
Makarov engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Makarov throws an elbow that misses. McGuire uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Makarov's guard. Nice move by McGuire!

Makarov wants to sweep but no luck.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

McGuire gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
McGuire throws a shot from downtown. Makarov moves away and avoids it.
Makarov has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from McGuire finds it's way round the side to connect with Makarov's head.
McGuire takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Makarov dives in and scores a takedown into McGuire's guard.
Makarov throws a big elbow that misses.
Makarov trying to control but McGuire is working from the bottom.
Makarov passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Makarov looking to punish the body of his opponent here but McGuire is avoiding damage well.
McGuire wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Makarov has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Makarov trying to control the position but McGuire is working away.
Makarov wants to take a breather but McGuire manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Makarov.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Makarov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Makarov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Makarov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
McGuire preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Makarov trying to control but McGuire is working from the bottom.
McGuire preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Makarov scoring with punches to the head and body.
McGuire has momentary wrist control but Makarov slips an elbow through the middle.
Makarov throws a big elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Makarov throwing strikes but missing.
Makarov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Makarov working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Makarov throwing strikes but missing.
Makarov looking to sit in guard and control but McGuire gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Makarov is pulling down on McGuire's head. It's preventing any offense from McGuire, at least for the moment.

Makarov is working an open guard so McGuire takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

McGuire tries to keep at a distance but Makarov has taken the fight into the clinch.
Nice elbow from Makarov.
McGuire struggles to land a body shot inside as Makarov controls his hands.
Knees to the body from Makarov.
Makarov stalling in the clinch but McGuire improves position.
McGuire lands with a right to the head.
Makarov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and McGuire avoids it.
McGuire looking to throw knees to the head but Makarov is blocking nicely.
McGuire utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Makarov tries to land knees in the clinch but McGuire avoids the damage to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Makarov trying to land knees to the body.
Makarov has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. McGuire avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
McGuire on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Makarov just misses with a elbow thrown towards McGuire's brow.
Makarov lands a nice knee to the body.
Makarov takes a shot to the head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Sergey Makarov will probably get the nod.
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.

McGuire tries a head kick but it misses.
Makarov shoots for a takedown but McGuire saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
McGuire throws a right and a left that Makarov avoids nicely.
Makarov throws a looping overhand right but McGuire ducks down to avoid it.

Makarov rushes McGuire and presses him up against the cage.
McGuire struggles to land a body shot inside as Makarov controls his hands.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Makarov.
Makarov trying to land knees to the body.
Makarov tries to stall but McGuire uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
McGuire misses with a punch to the body.
McGuire lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McGuire will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Makarov up against the cage.
Makarov missing with knees to the body.
McGuire is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Makarov is defending well for now.
McGuire lands a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGuire managing to block the knees to the body from Makarov.
McGuire lands a right hand that snaps the head of Makarov backwards.
McGuire trying to land knees to the body.
Makarov crunches a lovely knee into McGuire's ribcage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Makarov has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. McGuire is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Knees to the body from Makarov.
Makarov missing with knees to the body.
Makarov is trying to work for a single leg takedown but McGuire pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Bryer McGuire has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sergey Makarov.
Makarov looking for a takedown.
Makarov tries for a takedown. No joy.
McGuire tries to throw a body punch but Makarov avoids it by throwing McGuire back against the cage.
McGuire can't find room to land a body shot as Makarov controls the action.
McGuire misses with a hook from the clinch.
Makarov throws a blind hook that connects with the side of McGuires head.
Makarov lands a nice knee to the body.
McGuire landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Makarov lands an elbow inside that McGuire shrugs off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Good body shot from McGuire.
Makarov has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. McGuire avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Makarov throws an elbow but it misses.
Makarov creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through McGuire's defenses.
McGuire looking to throw knees to the head but Makarov is blocking nicely.
McGuire tries to work over Makarov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Makarov unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Makarov lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
With the fighters up against the cage, Makarov throws an elbow but misses.
McGuire misses with a punch on the inside.
Makarov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Makarov misses with an elbow strike.
A shot in the inside from Makarov.
McGuire stops a takedown attempt from Makarov.
McGuire tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Makarov's elbow.
Makarov blocks an uppercut.
McGuire swings wildly with an uppercut but Makarov uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from McGuire - that landed with a thud.
Makarov has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. McGuire seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Makarov can turn it around.
McGuire lands a shot to the body.
Makarov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Makarov creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through McGuire's defenses.
McGuire takes a knee to the side of the body.
Makarov is working for takedown but McGuire is calmly controlling the position for now.
Makarov gets through McGuire's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Makarov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
McGuire working aggressively here.
McGuire blocks an elbow strike from Makarov.
Sergey Makarov seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A right hand to the body from Makarov.
Makarov has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by McGuire after a bit of a struggle.
Makarov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Makarov tries to land knees in the clinch but McGuire avoids the damage to the body.
McGuire tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Makarov crunches a lovely knee into McGuire's ribcage.
McGuire using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Makarov has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Makarov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Makarov.
McGuire lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Makarov misses with a punch on the inside.
Makarov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Makarov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
McGuire tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Makarov has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by McGuire after a bit of a struggle.
Good body shot from McGuire.
McGuire working Makarov over with knees to the body.
A nice right hand lands inside from McGuire.
McGuire scores a nice knee to the body.
McGuire lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Makarov or not.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, McGuire creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
McGuire scores with a shot to the side of Makarov's head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Bryer McGuire will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Makarov fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Makarov misses with a straight left.
McGuire fires out a quick counter leg kick but Makarov just manages to avoid it.
A big right from McGuire misses.
Sergey Makarov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McGuire scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Makarov checks the leg kick.
Makarov looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
McGuire throws a lazy right hand but Makarov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Makarov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but McGuire paws at him with a jab and circles away.
McGuire bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Makarov swings widly with a right hand
and McGuire counters with a nice low kick that buckles Makarov's knee momentarily.
Makarov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
McGuire moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
McGuire lands a nice shot that snaps Makarov's head back.
McGuire ducks under a wild hook from Makarov.
McGuire throws a body kick that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGuire bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Makarov throws a leg kick that is checked
and McGuire counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Bryer McGuire is winning the standup battle so far.
McGuire staying out of range there.
Makarov tries to clinch up.
Makarov walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. McGuire checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
McGuire is looking to slow Makarov down with leg kicks.
Bryer McGuire is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
McGuire throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
McGuire bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Makarov shoots for a double leg takedown but McGuire sprawls well. He's pushed Makarov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Makarov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Makarov has closed the distance and engaged McGuire in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGuire landing knees to the body.
McGuire unloads a knee to the mid-section.
McGuire lands a body shot.
Makarov wants to stall.
Knees in the clinch landing for McGuire.
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!
McGuire landing knees to the body.
McGuire misses with a knee to the head.
McGuire lands a left hand that snaps the head of Makarov backwards.
Makarov is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Makarov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A short right from McGuire.
McGuire presses Makarov against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
McGuire putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Makarov in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
McGuire lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Makarov blocks a body shot from McGuire.
McGuire working Makarov over with knees to the body.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from McGuire.
McGuire unloads a knee to the mid-section. Makarov lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
McGuire scores a nice knee to the body.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. McGuire obliges.
Nice body punch from McGuire.
McGuire lands a shoulder strike.
McGuire throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Makarov takes a knee to the side of the body.
McGuire lands a right hand.
McGuire scores with a nice hook to the head.
McGuire is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Makarov is defending well for now.
Makarov managing to block the knees to the body from McGuire.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Makarov as McGuire tries to tie him up.
McGuire managing to block the knees to the body from Makarov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from McGuire.
McGuire makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
McGuire lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A body shot lands from McGuire.
McGuire lands a right hand that snaps the head of Makarov backwards.
McGuire is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Makarov can do to turn this around?
Makarov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from McGuire.
McGuire scores with a knee to the head.
Makarov is trying to maintain a safe position but McGuire gets an underhook and turns Makarov into the cage.
McGuire gets underhooks to prevent Makarov's takedown attempt.
A short right from McGuire on the inside.
McGuire is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Nice body punch from McGuire - that landed with a thud.
McGuire avoiding damage.
McGuire lands an uppercut.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bryer McGuire showed his dominance in that final round.
I think McGuire has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 29:28
Judge William Gold scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Sergey Makarov!
Sergey Makarov bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.