PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Khabib Makarov (ranked 4205 p4p, 4303 weight class) and Nikitas Pulilis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Makarov
vs
Pulilis

179 cm
23
150
3 - 1 - 0

165 cm
18
145
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Prefers standup

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Khabib Makarov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Nikitas Pulilis!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pulilis throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Makarov counters with a good low kick that Pulilis was not able to check.
Makarov shoots in for a takedown but Pulilis shows good takedown defense.
Pulilis scores with a jab to the body.
Makarov looks to throw the jab but Pulilis is out of range.
Makarov throws a looping overhand right but Pulilis ducks down to avoid it.
Pulilis keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Pulilis scores with a shot to the body.
Pulilis throws a series of punches but Makarov avoids them all with ease.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A combination from Pulilis does no damage.
Pulilis swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Pulilis scores with a shot to the body.
Pulilis looks to land a combination but Makarov avoids it well.
Makarov changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pulilis displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Pulilis looks to score with a jab to the body but Makarov is just out of range.
Pulilis swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Makarov counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Makarov is trying to pull guard but Pulilis has him pressed against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Khabib Makarov. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Makarov ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Makarov no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Pulilis must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Pulilis drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Makarov manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Pulilis has Makarov in his guard.

Makarov throwing strikes but missing.
Pulilis utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Makarov trying to control but Pulilis is working from the bottom.
Makarov will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Makarov is working Pulilis over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Makarov scoring with punches to the head and body.

Makarov thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Makarov got a little sloppy there for a moment and Pulilis has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Makarov has managed to get both his arms back between Pulilis's legs - danger averted.
Makarov trying to control but Pulilis is working from the bottom.
Makarov postures up and lands a big shot to Pulilis's brow.
Makarov looking to pass the guard.
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!
Makarov trying to control but Pulilis is working from the bottom.
Makarov lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Makarov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Makarov 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Makarov 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.
Makarov working some strikes from top position.
Makarov prevents Pulilis from getting back to his feet.
Makarov postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Pulilis is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Pulilis keeping moving, preventing Makarov from controlling successfully.
Makarov postures up and lands a big shot to Pulilis's brow.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Makarov controls from within his opponent's guard.
Makarov looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Pulilis keeping moving, preventing Makarov from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Makarov postures up and lands a big shot to Pulilis's brow.
Pulilis controls Makarov momentarily but Makarov frees himself.
Makarov trying to control but Pulilis is working from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Makarov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Makarov stays in close to Pulilis's body and controls the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Khabib Makarov will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

A looping hook to the body misses from Pulilis. Makarov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Pulilis lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Makarov circles away quickly and effectively.
Pulilis throws a left and a right that both miss

and Makarov moves into the clinch.
Makarov tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Pulilis just stands there and leans against the cage.
Pulilis is trying to break the clinch but Makarov has him pressed against the cage.
Makarov is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Pulilis to keep the fight standing.
A frustrated look appears on Pulilis's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Makarov is trying to pull guard but Pulilis has him pressed against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Khabib Makarov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Makarov jumps guard but Pulilis stands there with Makarov around his waist. Makarov gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Makarov tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pulilis dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

Makarov manages to pull guard.
Khabib Makarov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Makarov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Pulilis manages to get himself to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Makarov working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Pulilis's head.
Makarov trying to control but Pulilis is working from the bottom.
Makarov content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Makarov with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Makarov postures up and lands a big shot to Pulilis's brow.
Pulilis wants to stand up but Makarov is controlling him.
Makarov stands and throws Pulilis's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Check out the look on Makarov's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Pulilis taking punishment in the form of punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Makarov thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Makarov cracks Pulilis with a big right hand but Pulilis just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Makarov grinds an elbow into Pulilis's temple.
Pulilis struggling a bit here.
Pulilis on the wrong end of some ground and pound.

Makarov thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Makarov is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Pulilis has escaped the position, nice work there.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Makarov tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Makarov has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pulilis is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Makarov taking a breather here.
Pulilis is not content to let Makarov control the position.
Makarov scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Pulilis to see if he's OK.

Makarov tries for a kimura but Pulilis is defending well.
Makarov working the ground and pound from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Makarov is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Pulilis has escaped the position, nice work there.
Pulilis can't do much from the bottom here.
Makarov is working Pulilis over with some ground and pound from side control.

Pulilis is rocked!

Makarov tries for a kimura but Pulilis is defending well.
Pulilis is still in real trouble! Can Makarov finish him?

Makarov looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Makarov working the head with strikes.
Makarov scoring with punches and elbows.

Makarov has worked his way into a potential kimura here. Pulilis is trying to get out of the position but his squirming has just got him deeper into trouble. Makarov yanks on the arm and Pulilis is forced to tap due to a very painful looking submission! Nice work by Makarov.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Khabib Makarov!