PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Wilhelm Steyer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ippo Makunouchi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Steyer
vs
Makunouchi

167 cm
22
149 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

175 cm
19
145 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Very confident

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 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Wilhelm Steyer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ippo Makunouchi!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Matti Vanhoillinen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Steyer misses with a takedown attempt - Makunouchi sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Makunouchi throws a head kick that misses.
Steyer fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Steyer shoots in but Makunouchi avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Steyer closes the distance and clinches.

Makunouchi breaks from the clinch.
Steyer misses with an uppercut.
Makunouchi is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Makunouchi closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Steyer is trying to get back to half guard.
Makunouchi tries to stand but Steyer is controlling his head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steyer tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Makunouchi really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Steyer. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Steyer tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Makunouchi presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Steyer keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Makunouchi goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Steyer turns into him and now he's in Makunouchi's guard.

Steyer 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 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.
Steyer trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Makunouchi manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Steyer working for a triangle but Makunouchi defends it easily.
Makunouchi wants to stand but Steyer has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Makunouchi throwing strikes from guard but Steyer blocks nicely.
Steyer working a defensive guard here.
Makunouchi postures up in Steyer's guard and throws a big left but Steyer blocks it.

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.
Steyer tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Steyer looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Steyer looking to hit a scissor sweep but Makunouchi is one step ahead there.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Makunouchi circles away from the clinch attempt

and Makunouchi counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Makunouchi is pushing down on Steyer's leg trying to pass to half guard. Steyer is fighting to maintain full guard but Makunouchi has managed to sneak the leg through.
Makunouchi throwing shots but Steyer is blocking nicely.
Makunouchi wants to stand up but Steyer has a hold of him and won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ippo Makunouchi dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Steyer lands a glancing blow to the side of Makunouchi's head.

Steyer darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Makunouchi tries to get to full guard but Steyer has control of the leg.
Steyer is pressing down on Makunouchi's thigh, looking to free his foot. Makunouchi is holding on for now.

Steyer seems to be working for a kimura but Makunouchi defends the submission attempt.
Steyer is looking to take a break and control but Makunouchi is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steyer takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Steyer is keen to just control but Makunouchi is a slippery customer.
Steyer wants to pass to mount but Makunouchi is defending the position.
Steyer is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Makunouchi reverses the position - he's now on top in Steyer's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Steyer pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

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.
Makunouchi misses with a takedown attempt
and Steyer makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Steyer with a poor takedown
and Makunouchi counters with a left to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Steyer with a poor takedown

and Makunouchi counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Makunouchi.

Makunouchi breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Makunouchi swinging wilding here.
Makunouchi throws a head kick but Steyer moves out of range.
Makunouchi avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A punch lands to the side of Makunouchi 's head but he takes it in his stride.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steyer wants to get back to striking at distance but Makunouchi won't allow it.
Makunouchi lands a hook that snaps the head of Steyer backwards.
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 lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Makunouchi lands a body shot in the clinch.
Makunouchi drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Steyer has had enough of the clinch but Makunouchi keeps him there for the moment.

Steyer jumps into guard, dragging Makunouchi to the mat.

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.

Makunouchi decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Steyer throws the left hand but Makunouchi avoids the punch easily.
Steyer with a poor takedown

and Makunouchi counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Wilhelm Steyer. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Steyer looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Steyer is refusing to be controlled, as Makunouchi sits in half guard.
Steyer trying to control but Makunouchi postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ippo Makunouchi will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Makunouchi lands with a nice combination. Steyer backs away looking to recover.

Steyer tries to keep at a distance but Makunouchi has taken the fight into the clinch.
Steyer wants to break free but Makunouchi has control.
Steyer looking to stall.
Makunouchi is working Steyer over against the cage.
Makunouchi tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Makunouchi lands a nice shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A bit of stalling here from Makunouchi.
Steyer makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

Steyer jumps guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Makunouchi's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Steyer wants to hit a switch here but Makunouchi passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Steyer there!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Makunouchi landing punches.
Makunouchi takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Steyer is wriggling around trying to escape.

Makunouchi wants to finish this one by submission but Steyer is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Makunouchi.
Steyer wants to control but Makunouchi is having none of it.

Makunouchi goes for an armbar but Steyer turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Steyer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Steyer trying to control but Makunouchi is working from the bottom.
Steyer passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Steyer is in a dominant position here, looking for a kimura. Makunouchi looks calm but he's in trouble here. Steyer gets his leg over his opponent's head and yanks on the arm. Makunouchi is tapping like a morse code operator on the titanic! SOS! SOS! Steyer lets go of the hold and Makunouchi can pop his arm back in it's socket.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:59 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Wilhelm Steyer!