PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Hector De Maris (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kaleo Makua (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Kaleo Makua was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

De Maris
vs
Makua

177 cm
18
150 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Hector De Maris!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Kaleo Makua!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Micheangelo Fripello and Paul Gruel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
De Maris ducks right into an uppercut from Makua.

It looks like Hector De Maris has been cut.
Makua staying out of range there.
Makua throws a leg kick which misses De Maris's front leg but catches the back leg as De Maris tries to avoid it.
De Maris misses with a body shot.
De Maris bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Makua's head.

Makua fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging De Maris to the ground. Makua is now in De Maris's guard.
Makua is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Makua passes De Maris's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
De Maris has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Makua is working away from the top position though.
Makua stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Makua is trying to control. De Maris wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Makua decides to return to a standing position.
De Maris has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Camelot's Court in the buildup to the fight.

Makua fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. De Maris sprawls well initially but Makua persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Makua frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
De Maris tries to hold on but Makua pushes him away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Makua punishing his opponent with strikes.
Makua controlling from mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
De Maris can't escape the position.
De Maris is working hard here to advance position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Makua lands with some strikes.
De Maris tries to hold on but Makua postures up.
Poor strikes thrown by Makua there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Makua tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Makua really doesn't want to stay on the ground with De Maris. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
De Maris is trying desperately to improve position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Makua throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for De Maris because Makua loaded up on that one.
De Maris is in all sorts of trouble here.
Makua throwing strikes but De Maris bucks up and reverses the position. He's now in guard on top.

Makua is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
De Maris postures up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
De Maris postures up in Makua's guard and throws a big left but Makua blocks it.
De Maris trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
De Maris passes into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kaleo Makua dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Hector De Maris's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Makua tries to clinch up but De Maris circles away and keeps his distance.
Makua throws a jab but it's blocked by De Maris.
De Maris throws an overhand right that lands on Makua's shoulder, as Makua tries to avoid the shot.

Makua fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging De Maris to the ground. Makua is now in De Maris's guard.

De Maris is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Makua must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Makua trying to control the position from guard on top but De Maris is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Makua wants to pass the guard but De Maris is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

De Maris escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Makua gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Makua tries to stand but De Maris is controlling from the bottom.
De Maris 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.
Makua throws an elbow that misses. De Maris uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Makua's guard. Nice move by De Maris!
Makua throwing rabbit punches from the bottom - showing the judges that he's keeping busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Makua is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and De Maris defends well.
Makua not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
De Maris tries to free his leg and advance position but Makua is retaining full guard.
De Maris trying to control the position from guard on top but Makua is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
De Maris postures up in Makua's guard and throws a big left but Makua blocks it.
De Maris in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Makua keeping moving, preventing De Maris from controlling successfully.
Makua is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Good standup being displayed there by De Maris as he connects with a hook.
Hector De Maris is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Makua takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Makua drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Nice shot lands for De Maris.
A telegraphed right hand from De Maris misses the target.
De Maris stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Makua has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from De Maris finds it's way round the side to connect with Makua's head.
Hector De Maris seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Makua throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. De Maris was covering up waiting for the punch and Makua finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Makua is pushing down on De Maris's leg trying to pass to half guard. De Maris is fighting to maintain full guard but Makua has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
De Maris blocking the ground and pound attempt from Makua.
De Maris is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Makua's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Makua's back!
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - De Maris's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Makua tries to break free.
De Maris throwing sloppy strikes.
A lull in the action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Makua avoids the strikes from De Maris.
De Maris trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
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 Hector De Maris will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Hector De Maris's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Makua shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Makua is trying to work for a kimura but De Maris is defending well.
Makua thows a huge punch but De Maris dodges it nicely.
De Maris gets back to full guard.
Makua looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Makua trying to control the position from guard on top but De Maris is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Makua wants to pass the guard but De Maris is keeping the position.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
De Maris trying to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Kaleo Makua hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
The fighters circling - De Maris throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Makua closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Makua pivots, looking for a leg kick but De Maris is out of range and Makua settles back down.
De Maris ducks under a wild hook from Makua.
De Maris rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Makua counters with a shoot takedown. De Maris fights it but they end up in guard.
Makua controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
De Maris is trying to control the position but Makua postures up.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

De Maris is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Makua trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Makua wants to control from the top but De Maris keeps moving.
Makua wants to get up but he can't break De Maris's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Makua takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Makua stands and throws De Maris's legs to the side, diving into side control.
De Maris manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Makua is looking to escape.
Makua has his hands clasped together around De Maris's back. He's all about the action.
De Maris is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Makua blocking the ground and pound attempt from De Maris.
De Maris missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
De Maris throwing shots but Makua is blocking nicely.
Makua is trying to defend against the ground and pound but De Maris scores with a couple of nice shots.
De Maris throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
De Maris keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Makua is staying active underneath De Maris, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
De Maris throwing shots but Makua is blocking nicely.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
De Maris is just content to waste time from the top position. Makua takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kaleo Makua comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Makua 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 Chris Saunders scores the fight 28:29
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kaleo Makua!