PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between John Makres (ranked 999 p4p, 1743 weight class) and Vasiliy Kulik (ranked 161 p4p, 255 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Makres might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to SABATON - Coat of Arms. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Makres
vs
Kulik

190 cm
31
187
15 - 12 - 0

200 cm
30
195
14 - 12 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Red Belt
World class MT
Good gas tank

Conviction
Conquer

Knockaround Guys Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Makres!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Vasiliy Kulik!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kulik tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kulik swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kulik moves out of range as Makres strikes.

Makres closes the distance and clinches.
Makres blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Kulik's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Vasiliy Kulik seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Makres avoids the head kick by Kulik.
Makres displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kulik throws out the jab.
Kulik avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kulik misses with a body kick.
Kulik throws a sloppy head kick and Makres moves out of range easily.

Makres has managed to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kulik swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Makres lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Kulik stalling against the cage.
Kulik blocks a body shot from Makres.
Makres tries to throw a body punch but Kulik avoids it by throwing Makres back against the cage.
Makres blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Makres tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kulik misses with a body punch.
Kulik manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Kulik can't find room to land a body shot as Makres controls the action.
Makres blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kulik blocks a body shot from Makres.
Kulik is trying to break the clinch but Makres has him pressed against the cage.
Kulik tries to stall but Makres uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Makres lands a body shot.
Kulik lands a right hand that snaps the head of Makres backwards.
A right handed body shot lands from Makres.
Kulik tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Makres's elbow.
Makres lands a body shot in the clinch.
Makres blocks an uppercut.
Makres lands a body punch.
Good body shot from Makres.
Kulik looks winded!
Makres lands an uppercut.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Kulik has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Makres lands a hook to the side of the head.
Makres misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Makres misses with a punch to the body.
Kulik taking a breather.
A short right from Kulik on the inside.
Makres tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kulik avoids it.
Makres tries to throw a body punch but Kulik avoids it by throwing Makres back against the cage.
Kulik taking a breather.
A nice right hand lands inside from Makres.
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!
Makres pushes Kulik back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Kulik tries to throw a body punch but Makres avoids it by throwing Kulik back against the cage.
Kulik blocking some punches.
Kulik is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Makres stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Makres lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Kulik tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kulik scores with a nice hook to the head.
Makres lands a shot to the body.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Makres prevents Kulik from breaking the clinch.
Kulik tries a body shot but Makres blocks it.
Kulik wants to break free but Makres has control.
Makres manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
A right hook to the body lands for Makres.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Makres lands a hook that snaps the head of Kulik backwards.
Makres is looking to control Kulik's arms but Kulik gets an underhook and turns him. Now Makres has his back to the cage.
Kulik fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kulik looking to stall.
Makres prevents a body shot from Kulik.
Kulik wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Good body shot from Makres.
Makres scores with a shoulder strike.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Makres.
Makres works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Kulik taking a breather.
Makres utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Kulik is struggling to control the position.
Makres misses with a punch to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A left hand lands to the body for Makres.
Makres working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Kulik blocks a body shot from Makres.
A right hook to the body lands for Kulik.
Kulik tries to break the clinch but Makres is controlling the position.
Makres blocks an uppercut.
Nice body punch from Makres - that landed with a thud.
Kulik wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Makres doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kulik being controlled against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Makres stalls.
A shot in the inside from Kulik.
A head punch on the inside from Kulik fails to land.
A left hand lands to the body for Makres.
A nice left hand lands by Makres.
Makres lands with a short shot to the head.
Makres throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Makres lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

John Makres dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Makres moves into the clinch successfully.
Makres lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Kulik.
A frustrated look appears on Kulik's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Nice body punch from Makres.
Makres lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Kulik is trying to stall.
John Makres has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Kulik tries to stall but Makres uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
A right handed body shot lands from Makres.
Kulik has had enough of the clinch but Makres keeps him there for the moment.
Makres tries to throw a body punch but Kulik avoids it by throwing Makres back against the cage.
Makres lands a good knee to the midsection. Kulik won't want to take too many of those.
Makres misses with a punch to the body.
Makres digs a right hand into Kulik's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Kulik's gas tank.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Makres lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Kulik is breathing heavily.
Makres throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
A shot in the inside from Makres.
Makres works on Kulik's body with a couple of short punches.
Kulik prevents a body shot from Makres.
Kulik misses with the head strike.
Makres doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Kulik can't find room to land a body shot as Makres controls the action.
Makres lands a nice shot to the body.
Makres just leaning against Kulik, taking a breather.
Kulik tries a body shot but Makres blocks it.
Makres is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kulik can do to turn this around?
Makres lands a shot to the body.
Makres slowing the pace effectively.
Kulik prevents a body shot from Makres.
Kulik fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Makres tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Makres struggles to land a body shot inside as Kulik controls his hands.
Good body shot from Makres.
Makres slowing the pace effectively.
Makres slows down the pace here.
Makres cracks Kulik with a nice body shot.
Makres stalling in the clinch.

Kulik breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kulik looks to land a right hand but Makres moved out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Makres tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kulik paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Makres bobbing and weaving well here. And he's unloaded with a massive right hand that drops Kulik! He dives into his guard looking to finish!

Kulik is rocked!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kulik has a closed guard, preventing Makres from standing up.
Kulik is still in real trouble! Can Makres finish him?

Kulik has his foot on Makres's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Makres works his way back into a safe position though.
Kulik seems to have recovered his senses.
Makres wants to stand but Kulik has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Kulik looking to hit a scissor sweep but Makres is one step ahead there.

Makres decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Kulik, up you get!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kulik tries to keep at a distance but Makres has taken the fight into the clinch.
The referee is keeping an eye on Kulik - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Kulik misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Makres as Kulik tries to tie him up.
Kulik swings wildly with an uppercut but Makres uses good head movement to avoid it.
Makres tries a body shot but Kulik blocks it.
Makres misses with a hook to the ribs.

Kulik breaks the clinch.

Makres moves into range and clinches up with Kulik.
Kulik misses with some punches.
Kulik softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Kulik working aggressively here.
Makres tries a body shot but Kulik blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kulik breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kulik tries a head kick but it misses.
Kulik throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Makres.
Makres moves out of range as Kulik throws a body kick.

Makres moves into the clinch.
Makres manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Kulik misses with a punch to the body.
Makres goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Nice body punch from Makres - that landed with a thud.
Kulik taking a breather.
Makres working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Makres tries to throw a body punch but Kulik avoids it by throwing Makres back against the cage.
Kulik lands a shot to the body.
Kulik doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Makres misses with a hook to the ribs.
Makres lands an uppercut.
Makres tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kulik's elbow.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

John Makres dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Makres throws a sloppy head kick and Kulik moves out of range easily.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Kulik! But no joy.
Makres getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Kulik throws a sloppy head kick and Makres moves out of range easily.
Kulik throws a lazy right hand but Makres sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Makres appears to be looking for a big counter.
Kulik throws a body kick that misses.

Makres clinches.
Kulik looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Kulik has a couple of punches blocked by Makres.
A short left from Kulik.
Kulik wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Makres has him pressed against the cage.
Makres cracks Kulik with a nice body shot.
Kulik managing to block the knees to the body from Makres.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kulik trying to stall but Makres improves his position.
Makres lands a body shot in the clinch.
Kulik lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Makres backwards.
Kulik takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Makres scores with a hook to the body.
Makres prevents a body shot from Kulik.
Kulik misses with the head strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Makres tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Makres blocks a body shot from Kulik.
Kulik looking to slow down the pace here.
Makres lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Kulik misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kulik tries to work over Makres's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Makres lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Kulik or not.
Makres can't find room to land a body shot as Kulik controls the action.
A short body shot lands from Makres as the two fighters clinch.
Makres tries to work over Kulik's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Makres works on Kulik's body with a couple of short punches.
Makres lands a left hand.
A short body shot lands from Makres as the two fighters clinch.
Makres stalls.
A hook to the body from Makres.
Kulik swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kulik swings wildly with an uppercut but Makres uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kulik blocks a body shot from Makres.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Makres misses with a body punch.
Makres tries a body shot but Kulik blocks it.
Kulik has had enough of the clinch but Makres keeps him there for the moment.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Makres as Kulik tries to tie him up.
Makres doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Makres lands a left hand.
Kulik content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Kulik doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Makres tries to throw a body punch but Kulik avoids it by throwing Makres back against the cage.
Makres is working Kulik over against the cage.
Makres tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kulik avoids it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Makres tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kulik misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kulik lands with a left to the head.
A hook to the body from Makres.
Makres scores with a shot to the side of Kulik's head.
Makres can't find room to land a body shot as Kulik controls the action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Makres stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Makres tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kulik's elbow.
Kulik fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A short body shot lands from Makres as the two fighters clinch.
Kulik blocks a body shot from Makres.
A short uppercut from Makres.
Makres can't find room to land a body shot as Kulik controls the action.
Makres stalls.
Still in the clinch, Makres scores with a nice short uppercut.
Kulik working aggressively here.
Kulik tries a body shot but Makres blocks it.
Kulik swings wildly with an uppercut but Makres uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kulik taking a breather.
Makres scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Makres utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Kulik tries to stall but Makres uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Makres lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Kulik has a couple of punches blocked by Makres.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
A nice right hand lands inside from Makres.
Kulik goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Makres trying to land knees to the body.
Makres lands a body shot in the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kulik working aggressively here.
Makres tries to throw a body punch but Kulik avoids it by throwing Makres back against the cage.
Makres displaying some good clinch control by pressing Kulik up against the cage.
Kulik tries to throw a body punch but Makres avoids it by throwing Kulik back against the cage.
Kulik swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Kulik pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
John Makres is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kulik misses with a kick to the body.
Kulik misses with a straight right.
Vasiliy Kulik has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Makres takes the fight into the clinch.
Kulik misses with a hook to the ribs.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Makres showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Makres, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Makres!
John Makres seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.