PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bjorn Ragnarsson (ranked 1194 p4p, 1545 weight class) and Sergey Makarov (ranked 138 p4p, 185 weight class). Sergey Makarov has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Bjorn Ragnarsson's chin.

Ragnarsson
vs
Makarov

209 cm
37
276
30 - 18 - 1

200 cm
25
250
6 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

SynCity Fightwear
Core Combat

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 30 - 18 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Bjorn Ragnarsson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Sergey Makarov!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, James Atkins and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ragnarsson gets cracked there but stands up to it.

It looks like Bjorn Ragnarsson has been cut.
Makarov misses with a wild combination.
Makarov lands with a thumping leg kick.
Makarov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
As Makarov looks to move away, Ragnarsson throws a big counter combo but Makarov just gets out of the way.
Makarov is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Ragnarsson looks to land a combination but Makarov avoids it well.
Makarov flicks out a counter leg kick but Ragnarsson steps away.
Makarov swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Ragnarsson counters with a stiff right hand.

It looks like Sergey Makarov has been cut.
Ragnarsson misses with a few strikes there.

Ragnarsson gets caught napping as Makarov dives in and scores a takedown. Ragnarsson manages to retain guard.
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!
Ragnarsson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Ragnarsson is trying to control the position but Makarov postures up.
Makarov trying to control but Ragnarsson is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Makarov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Makarov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Makarov looking to sit in guard and control but Ragnarsson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Ragnarsson preventing the sweep.
Ragnarsson tries to free his leg and advance position but Makarov is retaining full guard.
Ragnarsson is pushing down on Makarov's leg trying to pass to half guard. Makarov is fighting to maintain full guard but Ragnarsson has managed to sneak the leg through.
Makarov tries to roll over but Ragnarsson keeps him under control.

Makarov looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ragnarsson passes into side control, despite Makarov's attempt to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Both fighters take a look at the clock.
Ragnarsson trying to control the position but Makarov is working away.
Makarov is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Ragnarsson off and has taken his back!

Ragnarsson defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Makarov's arms.
Ragnarsson prevents Makarov from getting a body triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ragnarsson tries to break free.

Makarov tightening his grip on Ragnarsson, looking for the choke.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Makarov thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.
Makarov keeps control of the position as Ragnarsson tries to break free.
Makarov is punishing Ragnarsson with strikes - can he finish him?!
Makarov lands with a nice looking elbow that stuns Ragnarsson.
Ragnarsson prevents Makarov from getting a body triangle.
Makarov throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Can Ragnarsson hold on?! Makarov is landing more strikes to his hapless foe.
Ragnarsson wants to control his opponent's hands but Makarov gets his hands free.
Makarov scores with punches from the back.
Makarov trying to control momentarily.
Ragnarsson is trying to remain composed but Makarov is hammering down strikes to the side of his head.
Makarov softening up his opponent with strikes here.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Makarov trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Oooh a big shot gets through from Makarov. Many more shots like that and the referee will have to think about stepping in!
Ragnarsson manages to reverse the position and now he's in Makarov's guard. Nice work there by Ragnarsson.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Sergey Makarov dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Ragnarsson slips a jab from Makarov.
Makarov cracks Ragnarsson with an open hand slap.
Makarov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Ragnarsson swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Makarov is looking to slow Ragnarsson down with leg kicks.
Ragnarsson looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Makarov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Ragnarsson counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Makarov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Ragnarsson is looking to counter punch.
The fighters circling - Makarov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Ragnarsson is looking to counter punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Makarov blocks a leg kick.
Makarov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Ragnarsson staying out of range there.
Makarov misses with a body kick.
Ragnarsson goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Makarov throws out a counter right but Ragnarsson avoids it with no problem.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ragnarsson takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Ragnarsson throws a body shot but no joy.
Makarov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Ragnarsson tries to avoid it but Makarov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Ragnarsson to the ground. Ragnarsson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Makarov looks to land a left hand but Ragnarsson moved out of range nicely.
Ragnarsson is looking to counter punch.
Good leg kick by Makarov.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Makarov. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Good shot there by Makarov.
Ragnarsson misses with a hook. Makarov ducked under it nicely.
Makarov doesn't manage to clinch there - Ragnarsson circles away.

Makarov scores with a takedown into Ragnarsson's guard.
Ragnarsson keeping moving, preventing Makarov from controlling successfully.
Ragnarsson wants to sweep but no luck.
My spies in St Petersburg MMA Gym inform me that Makarov has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Makarov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Makarov 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.
Sergey Makarov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Ragnarsson has his hands on Makarov's head, controlling the position.
Makarov connects with a couple of short punches.
Makarov works over Ragnarsson with some ground and pound from guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Makarov stands up over Ragnarsson, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Makarov being controlled here momentarily.
Makarov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Makarov drops back looking for a leg! Ragnarsson is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Ragnarsson manages to kick Makarov off! Makarov jumps back into Ragnarsson's guard.
Ragnarsson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Makarov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Makarov works over Ragnarsson with some ground and pound from guard.
Makarov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Ragnarsson has momentary wrist control but Makarov slips an elbow through the middle.
Makarov with a nice head shot there.
Makarov throws an elbow that misses. Ragnarsson uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Makarov's guard. Nice move by Ragnarsson!

There's a bit of a scramble here and now Makarov is on top in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Makarov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Makarov trying to control the position from guard on top but Ragnarsson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Makarov postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Ragnarsson can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Makarov controls the pace.
Makarov postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Makarov is working Ragnarsson over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Makarov distracts Ragnarsson with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Makarov postures up and lands a big shot to Ragnarsson's brow.
Makarov working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Ragnarsson controls Makarov momentarily but Makarov frees himself.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Sergey Makarov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Makarov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Ragnarsson tries to avoid it but Makarov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Ragnarsson to the ground. Ragnarsson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Ragnarsson cracks Makarov with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Makarov misses with a low kick.
Sergey Makarov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ragnarsson misses with the combination.
Sergey Makarov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Makarov with a jab.
Makarov connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Ragnarsson's hands.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Makarov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ragnarsson was well out of range. Poor timing from Makarov.
Ragnarsson is looking to counter punch.
Makarov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ragnarsson as he avoids it easily.
Ragnarsson throws a big counter combination but Makarov scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Makarov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ragnarsson.

Makarov closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Makarov scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Ragnarsson to see if he's OK.
Makarov looks up at the clock and then as Ragnarsson takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Makarov smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Ragnarsson is trying to get back to half guard.

Makarov looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Makarov with the ground and pound but Ragnarsson regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Ragnarsson avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Makarov.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Makarov in particular looking to stall.
Makarov has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Makarov working Ragnarsson over with strikes.
Bjorn Ragnarsson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ragnarsson wants to improve his position but Makarov is controlling well.
Makarov throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Ragnarsson to regain full guard.
Ragnarsson pulls Makarov in close to his closed guard and prevents Makarov from doing any damage or advancing position.
Makarov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Ragnarsson wants to hit a sweep here but Makarov passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Ragnarsson there!
Makarov landing strikes from the mount.
Makarov lands a nice shot to the head.

Makarov goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Ragnarsson is on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Makarov escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Ragnarsson gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Sergey Makarov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Makarov looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Ragnarsson puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Makarov blocking the ground and pound attempt from Ragnarsson.
Ragnarsson working Makarov over with strikes.

Ragnarsson is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Makarov sees it coming and defends easily.
Ragnarsson is trying to control. Makarov wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Makarov slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Makarov had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Ragnarsson defends it easily.
Ragnarsson looking to sit in guard and control but Makarov gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Ragnarsson is trying to keep Makarov in close.

Makarov postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Ragnarsson is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Makarov, into his guard.

Ragnarsson throws a big right hand that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sergey Makarov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Makarov has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Phil Schofield scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sergey Makarov!
A victorious Sergey Makarov thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.