PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ippo Makunouchi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tony Andersson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Makunouchi
vs
Andersson

175 cm
19
145 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

178 cm
18
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ippo Makunouchi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Tony Andersson!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Roosa Järviläinen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Andersson shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Andersson controlling the pace for now.
Makunouchi keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Andersson throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Makunouchi stops Andersson from taking his back. Still, being mounted isn't any better.
Makunouchi swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Andersson tries to control but Makunouchi wriggling away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Makunouchi is desperately trying to improve his position but Andersson has a good base and remains in mount.

Andersson goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Makunouchi is on top in guard.
Andersson wants to sweep but no luck.
Makunouchi in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Andersson is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Andersson doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Andersson is trying to keep Makunouchi in close.
Makunouchi throwing strikes from guard but Andersson blocks nicely.
Makunouchi stopping the sweep attempt from Andersson.

Andersson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Andersson looks gassed!

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Andersson wants to clinch up but Makunouchi keeps it at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Andersson tries to clinch up but Makunouchi circles away and keeps his distance.
Andersson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Makunouchi rushes Andersson and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Makunouchi is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Andersson wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Makunouchi.

Andersson jumps into guard, dragging Makunouchi to the mat.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Makunouchi tries to free his leg and advance position but Andersson is retaining full guard.
Andersson keeping moving, preventing Makunouchi from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Makunouchi cracks Andersson with a solid left hand.

Makunouchi stands up from Andersson's guard - Makunouchi perhaps looking for a knockout.

Makunouchi gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Makunouchi breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Andersson keeps the fight on the outside.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Makunouchi stuffs the takedown.

Andersson gets caught flat footed, as Makunouchi shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ippo Makunouchi 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.

Andersson fails with the takedown
and Makunouchi counters with a nice body shot.

Makunouchi clinches up with Andersson and pushes him back against the cage.

Makunouchi breaks from the clinch.
Andersson misses with a takedown

and Makunouchi counters with a takedown into side control.
Makunouchi in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Makunouchi working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Makunouchi working the ground and pound.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Andersson prevents Makunouchi from moving into mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Makunouchi cracks Andersson with a big elbow.
Makunouchi scores with punches from side control.
Makunouchi landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Andersson on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Andersson struggling a bit here.

Andersson sneaks out the side door and pushes Makunouchi away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Makunouchi moves into the clinch successfully.
Andersson tries to score a body lock takedown but Makunouchi shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Ippo Makunouchi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tony Andersson.
Makunouchi gets underhooks to prevent Andersson's takedown attempt.
Makunouchi digs a right hand into Andersson's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Andersson's gas tank.
Andersson lands a body shot in the clinch.
Makunouchi has Andersson pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Andersson manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Andersson wants to break free but Makunouchi has control.
Makunouchi gets underhooks to prevent Andersson's takedown attempt.
Makunouchi working some nice short punches in the clinch.
with the fighters clinched against the cage, Makunouchi creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Andersson wants to clinch but Makunouchi slips to the side

and Makunouchi counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Andersson wants to control but Makunouchi passes into side.
Makunouchi tries to advance position but instead Andersson slips a leg back in to half guard.
Makunouchi stalling away here and it's allowed Andersson to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Andersson looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Makunouchi passes into half guard.
Makunouchi thows a huge punch but Andersson dodges it nicely.
Makunouchi is keen to just control but Andersson is a slippery customer.
Andersson trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Makunouchi prevents Andersson from getting the reversal.
Andersson is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Makunouchi working Andersson over with strikes here.
Andersson can't escape the position.
Makunouchi trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Andersson tries to hold on but Makunouchi pushes him away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ippo Makunouchi dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Andersson tries for a takedown but Makunouchi circles away easily

and Makunouchi counters by clinching up.
Andersson tries for a takedown but Makunouchi manages to get underhooks.
Makunouchi digs a right hand into Andersson's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Andersson's gas tank.
Andersson takes an elbow to the temple.
Makunouchi has Andersson pushed against the cage.
A right hand to the body from Makunouchi.
Makunouchi prevents Andersson from breaking the clinch.
Andersson throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Makunouchi lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Makunouchi holding his opponent close, against the cage.

Makunouchi pulls guard effortlessly.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Andersson won't allow Makunouchi to get back to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Andersson trying to control but Makunouchi is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Makunouchi wants to sweep but no luck.
Ippo Makunouchi overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Makunouchi is working hard here to advance position.
Makunouchi keeping moving, preventing Andersson from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Andersson has taken the fight to the clinch.
Andersson is looking to break free of the clinch but Makunouchi has double underhooks.
Makunouchi tries to stall but Andersson uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Andersson jumps guard but Makunouchi stands there with Andersson around his waist. Andersson gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Ippo Makunouchi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tony Andersson.

Andersson successfully pulls guard.
Andersson managing to control the position.
Makunouchi trying to control the position from guard on top but Andersson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Andersson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Makunouchi is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Andersson wants to stand but Makunouchi is controlling the position.
Andersson is controlling Makunouchi's posture.
Makunouchi won't allow Andersson to sweep him here.

That's four 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.
Andersson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Makunouchi is looking to work some ground and pound but Andersson has wrist control.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Andersson gets the takedown into side control.
Makunouchi tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Andersson wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Makunouchi is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Andersson's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Makunouchi works his way to full guard. Good work.
Tony Andersson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Andersson thows a big elbow that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Tony Andersson.
Well Makunouchi 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:28
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ippo Makunouchi!