PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Errol Valenzuela (ranked 7046 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cain Makayapissa (ranked 5798 p4p, 531 weight class). Cain Makayapissa has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Errol Valenzuela's chin.

Valenzuela
vs
Makayapissa

205 cm
18
193 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

188 cm
21
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid 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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Errol Valenzuela!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Cain Makayapissa!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, George Francis and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Valenzuela closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Makayapissa's guard.

Makayapissa pushes Valenzuela off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

Makayapissa gets in close and instigates a clinch.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Makayapissa effectively controlling the action here.
Valenzuela drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Makayapissa gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Makayapissa has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Valenzuela uses from the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Valenzuela drops back looking for a leg! Makayapissa is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Makayapissa manages to kick Valenzuela off! Valenzuela jumps back into Makayapissa's guard.
Valenzuela tries to stand but Makayapissa is controlling from the bottom.
Makayapissa is trying to control the position but Valenzuela postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Makayapissa looking for a sweep. Not yet Makayapissa, not yet.

Valenzuela stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Makayapissa tries to sprawl but Valenzuela drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Makayapissa pushes Valenzuela off and gets back to his feet.
Cain Makayapissa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Makayapissa stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Makayapissa wants it to stay on the feet.

Makayapissa decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Valenzuela manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Makayapissa moves into the clinch successfully.

Makayapissa has hold of one of Valenzuela's legs. Valenzuela is fighting the takedown attempt but Makayapissa gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Makayapissa won't allow Valenzuela to get back to his feet.
Makayapissa tries to free his leg and advance position but Valenzuela is retaining full guard.
Valenzuela is trying to keep Makayapissa in close.
Valenzuela wants to stand up but Makayapissa is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Makayapissa trying to control but Valenzuela is working from the bottom.
Valenzuela is looking to stand up but Makayapissa isn't so interested in that idea.
Makayapissa throwing strikes but missing.
Valenzuela is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Makayapissa seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Makayapissa moves into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Makayapissa breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Makayapissa has Valenzuela up against the cage in a clinch.

Makayapissa pulls guard successfully.
Valenzuela missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Valenzuela throws a strike but Makayapissa rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Valenzuela manages to escape and get back to his feet.

Valenzuela throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Makayapissa was covering up waiting for the punch and Valenzuela finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Makayapissa is pulling down on Valenzuela's head to control his posture.
Valenzuela throwing strikes but missing.
Valenzuela trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Valenzuela drops back, looking for a kneebar! Makayapissa looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Makayapissa looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Makayapissa!

The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Makayapissa decides to stand up, so the ref orders Valenzuela to his feet.
Valenzuela is breathing heavily.
Valenzuela shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Errol Valenzuela. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Makayapissa throws a head kick that misses.

Valenzuela closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Valenzuela lands in his opponent's guard.
Valenzuela has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Makayapissa is proving hard to escape from.

Makayapissa is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cain Makayapissa dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Valenzuela misses with a leg kick
and Valenzuela takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Valenzuela looks for a takedown but Makayapissa sprawls well.

Makayapissa has Valenzuela up against the cage in a clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

Valenzuela gets control of Makayapissa's arms and successfully pulls guard. Valenzuela will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Valenzuela not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Makayapissa is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Makayapissa is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Valenzuela pushes Makayapissa off and gets back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Makayapissa shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Valenzuela napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Valenzuela is trying to get back to his feet.
Makayapissa is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Cain Makayapissa has got the better of the ground game so far.
Valenzuela sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Valenzuela wants to get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Valenzuela is staying active underneath Makayapissa, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Makayapissa is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valenzuela is trying to stand back up but Makayapissa is controlling him
Makayapissa seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Valenzuela does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Makayapissa in particular looking to stall.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Valenzuela tries to keep at a distance but Makayapissa has taken the fight into the clinch.

Makayapissa jumps into guard, dragging Valenzuela to the mat.
Makayapissa is looking to stand up but Valenzuela isn't so interested in that idea.
Valenzuela distracts Makayapissa with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Makayapissa working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Valenzuela.
Makayapissa trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Makayapissa is on top in guard.

Valenzuela is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Makayapissa trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Makayapissa throwing strikes but missing.
Makayapissa postures up.
Makayapissa won't allow Valenzuela to get back to his feet.
Makayapissa seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Valenzuela is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Valenzuela is trying to keep Makayapissa in close.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Valenzuela wants to get back to his feet but Makayapissa is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Valenzuela is trying to control the position but Makayapissa postures up.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Valenzuela gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Makayapissa trying to control but Valenzuela is working from the bottom.
Makayapissa cracks Valenzuela with a solid left hand.
Valenzuela seems keen to control Makayapissa's posture.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Valenzuela is looking for a triangle but Makayapissa pushes his legs off easily.
Makayapissa postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cain Makayapissa 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. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Valenzuela closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Makayapissa to the mat! Makayapissa manages to get full guard.
Valenzuela in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Valenzuela drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Makayapissa dives on top into guard.

Valenzuela keeping moving, preventing Makayapissa from controlling successfully.
Makayapissa preventing the sweep.
Makayapissa tries to free his leg and advance position but Valenzuela is retaining full guard.
Valenzuela is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Makayapissa is controlling him.
Makayapissa wants to control from the top but Valenzuela keeps moving.
Makayapissa must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Makayapissa seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

Valenzuela scrambles and gets back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Valenzuela gets caught napping as Makayapissa dives in and scores a takedown. Valenzuela manages to retain guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Valenzuela managing to control the position.
Makayapissa looking to pass the guard.
Valenzuela is pulling down on Makayapissa's head to control his posture.

Valenzuela has his foot on Makayapissa's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Makayapissa works his way back into a safe position though.
Makayapissa prevents Valenzuela from getting back to his feet.
Makayapissa working some strikes from top position.
Makayapissa stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Valenzuela swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Makayapissa keeps trying to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Makayapissa works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Makayapissa trying to control the pace.

Makayapissa stands up and beckons Valenzuela to join him on the feet.

Makayapissa shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Valenzuela is trying to defend but Makayapissa finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Valenzuela desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Makayapissa is controlling the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Valenzuela is defending against the submission attempts here by Makayapissa.
Makayapissa working over Valenzuela with some ground and pound. Valenzuela looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Makayapissa has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Valenzuela trying to control but Makayapissa postures up.

Valenzuela kicks Makayapissa off and gets back to his feet.
Errol Valenzuela is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Valenzuela shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Makayapissa counters by moving into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Valenzuela leaning his opponent against the cage.
Valenzuela stalling against the cage.

Makayapissa jumps guard and drags Valenzuela to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Valenzuela throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Makayapissa works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Makayapissa trying to control the position here.
Valenzuela throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Errol Valenzuela has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Cain Makayapissa is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Makayapissa has his feet on Valenzuela's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cain Makayapissa comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Makayapissa has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 27:30
Judge George Francis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cain Makayapissa!