PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Togi Makabe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Frank Stevens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Makabe comes into the arena with Immigrant Song blaring out of the sound system. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Makabe
vs
Stevens

196 cm
24
265 lbs
12 - 6 - 0

191 cm
29
252 lbs
18 - 9 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Lethal high kicks
Very quick

Excellent grappler
Good low kicks
Heavy handed

AnonymouS
Fury Nutrition Inc.

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 12 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Togi Makabe!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Frank Stevens!
The judges for this bout are Summer Carpenter, Ben Hemmingworth and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Makabe clinches up with Stevens and pushes him back against the cage.
Our sources have told us that Makabe has been working on his knees in the buildup to the fight.
Makabe tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Stevens has picked Makabe up - he's going for a ride! Stevens dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Stevens thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Makabe won't allow Stevens to pass to mount.

Stevens is trying to work for a kimura but Makabe is defending well.
Makabe won't allow Stevens to pass to mount.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stevens seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Makabe does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Stevens is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Makabe is just riding it out for now. Stevens eventually gives up the hold.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevens wants to pass the guard but Makabe is defending well.
My spies in Sydney Fight Team inform me that Stevens has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Makabe blocking the ground and pound attempt from Stevens.
Makabe blocking the ground and pound attempt from Stevens.
Makabe is looking to improve his position.
Stevens working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Makabe's thigh. Makabe counters though and makes it back to full 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.
Makabe looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Stevens postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Stevens has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Makabe keeping moving, preventing Stevens from controlling successfully.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Makabe forces Stevens back against the cage and clinches.
Makabe is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Makabe gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Stevens.
Makabe landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Makabe tries to stall but Stevens uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Makabe misses with a knee to the head.
Stevens on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Makabe escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Stevens tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Stevens has managed to clinch.
Makabe using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Stevens has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Makabe tries a knee to the head but Stevens blocks it.

Stevens ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Stevens no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Stevens is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Makabe is aware though and is defending well.

Stevens looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Makabe passes into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Makabe perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Stevens makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Stevens.

Stevens throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Makabe controls from within his opponent's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frank Stevens dominated that 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.

Makabe clinches.
Makabe lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

It looks like Frank Stevens has been cut.
Makabe with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Makabe lands a nice uppercut.

Stevens decides to pull guard.

Stevens has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Makabe can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Makabe passes into half guard under a barage of strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Stevens actively working from the bottom here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevens missing with punches from the bottom.
Stevens manages to get to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Makabe slips nicely into half guard, despite the strikes coming from Stevens.
Makabe with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Stevens is looking to improve his position.
Stevens gets back to full guard.

Stevens looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Stevens working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Makabe has passed into half guard!

Stevens actively working from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stevens looking for submissions off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stevens tries to roll over but Makabe keeps him under control.
Frank Stevens has got the better of the ground game so far.
Makabe controlling the action here.

That's four 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.

Stevens actively working from the bottom here.
Stevens throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Makabe takes the fight into the clinch.

Stevens jumps into guard, dragging Makabe to the mat.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Stevens looking for a guillotine here but Makabe defends easily.
Stevens looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Togi Makabe will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Frank Stevens's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Makabe gets a clinch.
A knee to the head by Makabe.
Makabe missing with knees to the body.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

Stevens gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Stevens seems to be working for a kimura but Makabe defends the submission attempt.
Stevens trying to control from Makabe's half guard. Makabe has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stevens working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Stevens trying to control the position from guard on top but Makabe is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Makabe knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Stevens on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Makabe keeping full guard, as Stevens tries to pass.
Stevens stands up over Makabe, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Stevens wants to control from the top but Makabe keeps moving.
Stevens is looking to advance position but Makabe has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Stevens keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stevens regains half guard.

Stevens looking for submissions off his back.

Stevens looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stevens looking for submissions off his back.
Stevens is looking for a sweep. Makabe is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Stevens makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Stevens.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Makabe is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Stevens has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Makabe can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Stevens looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Makabe passes into half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Stevens has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Makabe is working away from the top position though.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Frank Stevens.
I think Stevens has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Summer Carpenter scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ben Hemmingworth scores the fight 28:29
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Frank Stevens!