PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between John James (ranked 6613 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ippo Makunouchi (ranked 6703 p4p, 0 weight class). James kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Justin Bieber ft. The Chainsmokers - Everything I Gave You. Makunouchi comes into a darkened arena with his song building. はじめのいぽのうた kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

James
vs
Makunouchi

150 cm
25
130 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

164 cm
20
140 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, John James!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Ippo Makunouchi!
The judges for this bout are Michael Johnstone, David Hoff and Dirk Anderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
James avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Makunouchi.
Makunouchi tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but James paws at him with a jab and circles away.
James attempts a counter takedown but Makunouchi avoids it well and moves away.
Makunouchi tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
James drops down looking for a counter takedown but Makunouchi sprawls and moves away.
Makunouchi throws the left hand but James avoids the punch easily.
Makunouchi looks to clinch

and James counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Makunouchi wants to stand up but James is controlling him.
James is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Makunouchi wants to stand but James is controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James working some strikes from top position.
James with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
James cracks Makunouchi with a solid left hand.
James keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Makunouchi's head.
James with a nice head shot there.
James connects with a couple of short punches.
James postures up and lands a big shot to Makunouchi's brow.
James postures up and lands a big shot to Makunouchi's brow.

Makunouchi is rocked!
James working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Makunouchi is still in real trouble! Can James finish him?
James postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
James lands a couple of decent looking shots.
James makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
James keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Makunouchi's head.
Makunouchi really doesn't want to stay on the ground with James. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
James lands a couple of elbows.
Makunouchi looks winded!
James scoring with punches to the head and body.
James works over Makunouchi with some ground and pound from guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
James scoring with some ground and pound.
James chips away with some ground and pound.
James makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
James gets to his feet and stands over Makunouchi, holding his ankles. He dives in with a big left hand that connects! Makunouchi felt that one! James unloads more punches and elbows and this one is over! The ref has dived in to save Makunouchi from any more punishment!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:36 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). John James!
John James seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
In defeat, Ippo Makunouchi stepped up to the mic, saying 'ごめんなさい ! '.