PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Norifumi Makayata (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rich Johnston (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rich Johnston is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Makayata
vs
Johnston

168 cm
22
145 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

170 cm
18
145 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Hellbent, Inc.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Norifumi Makayata!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rich Johnston!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Chris Downing and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Makayata shoots in but no luck this time.

Johnston has closed the distance and engaged Makayata in a clinch.
Johnston tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Makayata just stands there and leans against the cage.
Johnston tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Makayata just stands there and leans against the cage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Makayata tries to land knees in the clinch but Johnston avoids the damage to the body.
Makayata connects with a knee to the head.

Makayata gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Johnston regains guard.

Johnston throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Makayata wants to get up but he can't break Johnston's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Johnston really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Makayata. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Makayata trying to control but Johnston is working from the bottom.
Makayata passes easily into side control. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnston is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Makayata is controlling him well.
Johnston is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Makayata off and has taken his back!
Makayata manages to reverse the position and now he's in Johnston's guard. Nice work there by Makayata.
Johnston is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Makayata postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Makayata sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Johnston trying to keep a closed guard but Makayata is proving a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Makayata looking to pass the guard.

Johnston working for a triangle but Makayata defends it easily.
Makayata wants to control from the top but Johnston keeps moving.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Johnston is on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Makayata is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Johnston dives into side control.
Makayata is breathing heavily.

Johnston stands up.
Johnston with a poor takedown

and Makayata decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Johnston's guard.
Norifumi Makayata has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rich Johnston.

Johnston uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Johnston throws a sloppy head kick and Makayata moves out of range easily.
Johnston staying out of range there.

Johnston closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Johnston lands in his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Makayata seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Makayata 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.
Makayata controlling the position.

Makayata scrambles and gets back to his feet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Johnston closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Johnston lands in his opponent's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Norifumi Makayata will probably get the nod.
That's time! Makayata's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Makayata gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Johnston counters with a one-two to the body.
Makayata with a lazy takedown attempt
and Johnston counters with a slapping leg kick.
Norifumi Makayata is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Johnston moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

Johnston drives through with a takedown into guard.
Johnston is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Johnston trying to control but Makayata is working from the bottom.
Makayata trying to keep a closed guard but Johnston is proving a slippery customer.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Makayata keeping full guard, as Johnston tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnston won't allow Makayata to sweep him here.
Johnston tries to free his leg and advance position but Makayata is retaining full guard.

Makayata throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Makayata is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Johnston scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Johnston will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Johnston falls off balance throwing a combination

and Makayata counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Makayata.
Makayata trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Makayata trying to control but Johnston is working from the bottom.
Makayata won't allow Johnston to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Johnston looking for a guillotine here but Makayata defends easily.
Johnston can't keep his opponent in guard - Makayata advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Johnston is trying to control but Makayata manages to pass to mount!
Johnston is in all sorts of trouble here.
Johnston is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Makayata sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Makayata with the ground and pound from mount.
Makayata takes Johnston's back. Could be looking for a rear naked choke here - either way, Johnston is in trouble.
Johnston can't escape the position.
Makayata gets his hands free as Johnston looks to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Norifumi Makayata dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Johnston misses with a takedown attempt

and Makayata counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Johnston's guard now.
Makayata connects with a couple of short punches.
Makayata controls from within his opponent's guard.
Makayata wants to control from the top but Johnston keeps moving.
Makayata showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Johnston wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnston keeping moving, preventing Makayata from controlling successfully.
Johnston not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Makayata won't allow Johnston to sweep him here.
Johnston is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Makayata stands up over Johnston, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Makayata shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Johnston's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnston not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Johnston wants to sweep here but Makayata controlling him for the moment.
Johnston keeping moving, preventing Makayata from controlling successfully.
Makayata is fighting to break Johnston's control of his arms but Johnston is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Makayata throwing strikes from guard but Johnston blocks nicely.
Makayata's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Makayata has gone for a leg lock! Johnston slips out almost immediately though and dives into Makayata's guard.
Johnston slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Norifumi Makayata overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Makayata wants to stand and escape but Johnston is having none of it.
Makayata looking to control.
Makayata keeping moving, preventing Johnston from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Makayata looking for subs off his back but Johnston has passed one foot through into half guard.
Makayata tries to roll over but Johnston keeps him under control.
Johnston is thwarting Makayata's attempts to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Norifumi Makayata clearly takes that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Makayata on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Johnston. Johnston obviously looking to wear him down.
Johnston tries for a takedown but Makayata circles away easily
and Makayata counters with a nice leg kick.
Makayata shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Johnston counters with a takedown into side control.
Makayata is not content to let Johnston control the position.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Makayata regains half guard.
Johnston trying to control the action but Makayata is working from the bottom.
Makayata is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Johnston seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

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.
Makayata wants to get back to his feet.

Johnston seems to be looking for submissions.
Makayata manages to get to full guard.
Johnston wants to control from the top but Makayata keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnston trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Johnston trying to control but Makayata is working from the bottom.
Johnston must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Makayata wants to sweep but no luck.
Makayata trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Johnston shoots and misses

and Makayata counters with a single leg into guard. Johnston didn't expect that.
Makayata is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Makayata preventing the sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Johnston throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Johnston is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Johnston 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.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Norifumi Makayata had his way with Rich Johnston in that round.
That's time! Makayata's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Makayata tries to clinch up

and Johnston counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Makayata makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Makayata.
Johnston tries to free his leg and advance position but Makayata is retaining full guard.
Makayata keeping moving, preventing Johnston from controlling successfully.
Makayata pulls Johnston in close to prevent any damage.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Johnston wants to control from the top but Makayata keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnston tries to free his leg and advance position but Makayata is retaining full guard.

Makayata looking for a triangle here. Johnston is fighting it but it looks tight! Makayata pulls the arm across and this one won't last much longer! Nope, Johnston is tapping out - this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:45 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Norifumi Makayata!
Norifumi Makayata retains his featherweight title!