PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Akira Shigeru (ranked 4507 p4p, 4353 weight class) and Khamzat Makhachev (ranked 487 p4p, 478 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Shigeru
vs
Makhachev

190 cm
25
189
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
25
192
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Akira Shigeru!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Khamzat Makhachev !
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Steven Brown and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shigeru bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

Makhachev shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Shigeru is trying to defend but Makhachev finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Shigeru wants to get back to full guard.

Makhachev is looking for a kimura but Shigeru is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Makhachev to get the leverage.

Makhachev wants to work for an arm triangle but Shigeru is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Makhachev is thwarting Shigeru's attempts to control the position.
Makhachev lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Makhachev looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Shigeru with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shigeru is defending against the submission attempts here by Makhachev .
Makhachev thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Shigeru's head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Makhachev throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Makhachev sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Shigeru defending well though.
Shigeru is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Makhachev throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Makhachev is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Makhachev landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Makhachev throwing shots but Shigeru is blocking nicely.
Shigeru blocking the ground and pound attempt from Makhachev .
Makhachev missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Makhachev scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Makhachev lands strikes from half guard.
Shigeru tries to get to full guard but Makhachev has control of the leg.
Shigeru on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Makhachev sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Shigeru defending well though.
Makhachev thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Makhachev thows a huge punch but Shigeru dodges it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Makhachev working Shigeru over with strikes.
Makhachev takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Makhachev lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Makhachev thows a huge punch but Shigeru dodges it nicely.
Makhachev looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Shigeru with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Makhachev thows a huge punch but Shigeru dodges it nicely.
Makhachev wants to control but Shigeru is keeping him busy.
Makhachev seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Makhachev thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Makhachev perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
It looks like Makhachev might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Makhachev has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Makhachev seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Shigeru does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Makhachev is looking for a kimura but Shigeru is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Makhachev to get the leverage.
Shigeru trying to control from the bottom.
Makhachev sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Shigeru is trying to maintain the position but Makhachev is very close to passing his half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Makhachev lands strikes from half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Khamzat Makhachev dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Makhachev has a takedown stuffed.
Shigeru throws a sloppy head kick and Makhachev moves out of range easily.
Shigeru lands with a good body shot.
Shigeru stuffs the takedown attempt from Makhachev . Makhachev gets slowly back to his feet.
Shigeru throws a big counter combination but Makhachev scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Makhachev tries to clinch but Shigeru is having none of it.
A little feinted left hand from Shigeru on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
A chopping leg kick lands by Shigeru.
Makhachev tries to score a power double leg takedown but Shigeru sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Makhachev somewhat.
Akira Shigeru has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Khamzat Makhachev .
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shigeru throws a body kick that misses.
Makhachev shoots and misses
and Shigeru counters with a stiff right hand.
Shigeru connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Shigeru tries a head kick but it misses.
Shigeru connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Makhachev 's hands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Makhachev tries for a takedown but Shigeru circles away easily

and Shigeru counters with a head kick that drops Makhachev to the mat! Makhachev scrambles across the canvas and gets back to his feet, still wobbly!
Makhachev shoots in but Shigeru avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Shigeru lands a head kick!
Makhachev fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Shigeru is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Makhachev walks forward, straight into a front kick from Shigeru.
Makhachev is breathing heavily.
Makhachev shoots in but Shigeru avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Khamzat Makhachev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Shigeru cracks Makhachev with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Shigeru connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Makhachev 's hands.

Makhachev is rocked!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Makhachev switches off momentarily and Shigeru cracks him with a monster right hand! Makhachev topples backwards and makes a semi conscious attempt to cover up, as Shigeru dives in to land one more shot, before the referee has time to call the fight. What a finish by Shigeru!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:06 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Akira Shigeru!