PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ippo Makunouchi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tony Cuevas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cuevas has chosen Leave Us Alone/ Dead By Gun as his entrance music. Tony Cuevas acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Makunouchi
vs
Cuevas

205 cm
29
280 lbs
8 - 7 - 0

195 cm
29
272 lbs
13 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

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 8 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Ippo Makunouchi !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Tony Cuevas!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Robert Douchet and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cuevas shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Makunouchi counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Cuevas shoots and misses
and Makunouchi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Cuevas closes the distance and pushes Makunouchi back into the cage.
Cuevas tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Makunouchi smiles and moves away.
Ippo Makunouchi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tony Cuevas.
Cuevas with a poor takedown
and Makunouchi counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Cuevas tries to clinch up.
Makunouchi with a jab.
Cuevas doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Makunouchi counters with a left and a right that stings Cuevas.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cuevas walks into a left hand.
Cuevas doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Makunouchi counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Cuevas thinking.
Makunouchi swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Cuevas.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Makunouchi tests Cuevas's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Cuevas is trying hard to land a takedown here. Makunouchi sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Makunouchi !
Makunouchi with a nice cross.
Makunouchi fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

Cuevas closes the distance and clinches.
Makunouchi is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Makunouchi tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Makunouchi breaks from the clinch.
Cuevas is trying desperately to land a takedown but Makunouchi is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Cuevas.
Makunouchi smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

Cuevas gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cuevas misses with a body punch.
Makunouchi is trying to push Cuevas away but Cuevas has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Makunouchi 's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A swing and a miss from Makunouchi .
Cuevas with a lazy takedown attempt
and Makunouchi counters with a one-two to the body.
Makunouchi throws a shot to the body.
Cuevas fails with the takedown
and Cuevas takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Cuevas looks gassed!
Makunouchi lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Ippo Makunouchi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Makunouchi lands a nice looking body shot.
Makunouchi is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Makunouchi misses with a two punch combination.
Cuevas changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Makunouchi tries to avoid it but Cuevas manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Makunouchi to the ground. Makunouchi escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Cuevas shoots and misses
and Makunouchi connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cuevas tries for a takedown but Makunouchi circles away easily
and Makunouchi counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Makunouchi lands a two punch combo.
Cuevas looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Makunouchi jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Cuevas fails to land with a series of punches.
Makunouchi throws a right and a left that both miss.
Makunouchi connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Makunouchi throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Makunouchi is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Cuevas has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Cuevas there as he acknowledges the shot.
Makunouchi closes the distance and lands a one-two.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
No joy there for Makunouchi , who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A shot to the liver by Makunouchi . Beautiful body shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Makunouchi keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Makunouchi is working the combinations to good effect here.
Cuevas drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Cuevas shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Makunouchi counters with a series of strikes. Cuevas will be more careful next time no doubt.
Makunouchi throws a combination. Cuevas tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

Cuevas instigates a clinch.

Makunouchi escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Cuevas shoots and misses
and Makunouchi counters with a nice uppercut.
Cuevas tries to clinch but Makunouchi is having none of it.
Cuevas shoots in for a takedown but Makunouchi shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
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 round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Makunouchi throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Cuevas shoots in and drives through. Makunouchi sprawls well.
Makunouchi throws a series of punches but Cuevas avoids them all with ease.
Cuevas misses with a takedown
letting Makunouchi counter with a right hand.
Danga de danga de dang - Makunouchi scores with a four punch combination!
Cuevas lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Cuevas.
Cuevas looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Ippo Makunouchi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tony Cuevas.
Makunouchi misses with a two punch combination.
Cuevas is breathing heavily.
Cuevas has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Makunouchi throws a combination. Cuevas tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Makunouchi scores with a decent looking hook.
Makunouchi lands a head shot.
Cuevas takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Makunouchi lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Cuevas with a poor takedown
and Makunouchi counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Cuevas thinking.
Cuevas with a lazy takedown attempt
and Makunouchi counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Makunouchi closes the distance and lands a one-two.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Makunouchi 's corner calls for a 1-2. Makunouchi obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Makunouchi lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Cuevas backs up against the cage.
Cuevas gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Makunouchi lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

Cuevas is rocked!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Makunouchi swats away the attempt to clinch by Cuevas.
Cuevas has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Cuevas fails with a takedown attempt.
Makunouchi moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Ippo Makunouchi is winning the standup battle so far.
Makunouchi fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Cuevas on the side of the head.
Makunouchi stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Cuevas misses with a takedown
and Makunouchi counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cuevas gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Makunouchi counters with a series of strikes. Cuevas will be more careful next time no doubt.
Makunouchi jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Makunouchi circles away from the clinch attempt.
Makunouchi connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Left hook, right uppercut from Makunouchi .
Makunouchi lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Makunouchi , as that shot connected.
Cuevas takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Makunouchi digs a good hook to Cuevas's body.
Cuevas shoots in for a double leg but Makunouchi sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Makunouchi scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Cuevas throws a push kick but Makunouchi slaps the foot to one side.
Makunouchi fails to land with a series of punches.
Makunouchi is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Cuevas takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Makunouchi wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Makunouchi misses with a wild combination.
Cuevas shoots and misses
and Makunouchi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Makunouchi displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Cuevas has his takedown stuffed
and Makunouchi counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Makunouchi connects with a body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ippo Makunouchi dominated that second 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. This is the final round!

Makunouchi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Makunouchi darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Makunouchi misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Cuevas closes the distance looking to clinch
and Makunouchi counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Makunouchi misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cuevas.
Cuevas closes the distance but Makunouchi moves to the side
and Makunouchi counters with a three punch combo that has Cuevas backing up. Cuevas nods at Makunouchi to acknowledge the strikes.
Cuevas takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Ippo Makunouchi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Cuevas has his takedown stuffed
and Makunouchi counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Cuevas takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Makunouchi throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Cuevas drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Makunouchi manages to work his way to half guard, despite Cuevas's best efforts.
Makunouchi is trying to stand.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

Makunouchi has one foot on Cuevas's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Cuevas takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Makunouchi lands with a straight right. Cuevas didn't see that one coming.
Cuevas fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Makunouchi , as that shot connected.
Cuevas fails in his attempt to clinch.
Cuevas tries to clinch but Makunouchi is having none of it.
Makunouchi keeps the fight on the outside.
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!

Cuevas gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Makunouchi tries to circle away but Cuevas has him pinned against the cage.
Makunouchi is trying to force a seperation but Cuevas has the dominant position.
Makunouchi is trying to break the clinch but Cuevas is controlling him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Makunouchi blocks a body shot from Cuevas.
Makunouchi is trying to force a seperation but Cuevas has the dominant position.
Makunouchi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Cuevas prevents Makunouchi from breaking the clinch.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Makunouchi takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Makunouchi is trying to push Cuevas away but Cuevas has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Cuevas lands a right hand that snaps the head of Makunouchi backwards.

It looks like Ippo Makunouchi has been cut.
A nice right hand lands inside from Makunouchi .
Ippo Makunouchi is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cuevas looking to slow down the pace here.
Makunouchi wants to break free but Cuevas has control.
Tony Cuevas has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Cuevas misses with a body punch.
Makunouchi misses with a hook to the ribs.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cuevas tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Makunouchi 's elbow.
Makunouchi stalling against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ippo Makunouchi showed his dominance in that final round.
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 Yves DeLean scores the fight 30:27
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 30:27
Judge William Peck scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ippo Makunouchi !
Ippo Makunouchi decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.