PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Zakai Turner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and manny makunouchi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Turner comes to the cage accompanied by All I Do Is Win. makunouchi has chosen sandstorm as his entrance music. Zakai Turner had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 157.3lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. manny makunouchi has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Turner
vs
makunouchi

190 cm
18
165 lbs
3 - 11 - 0

170 cm
19
165 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Counter striker
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Zakai Turner!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, manny makunouchi!
The judges for this bout are , Jack Bonds and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
makunouchi fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
makunouchi connects with a good right hand that stumbles Turner. Turner circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Turner fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt makunouchi.
A combination from Turner does no damage.
A jab from Turner misses.
makunouchi tries to score a power double leg takedown but Turner sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten makunouchi somewhat.
makunouchi throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Turner's waist but Turner gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing makunouchi off to one side.
Zakai Turner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of manny makunouchi.
makunouchi shoots in but no luck this time.
Turner throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Turner instigates a clinch.
Stalling in the clinch from Turner.

Turner breaks from the clinch.
makunouchi has a takedown stuffed.
No luck with that takedown attempt from makunouchi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
makunouchi looks to clinch

and Turner counters by moving into the clinch.

Turner pulls guard.
Turner will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
makunouchi throwing strikes but missing.
makunouchi has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
makunouchi passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Turner tries to bench press makunouchi off him but makunouchi keeps the position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Turner is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked makunouchi off and has taken his back!
makunouchi tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Turner lands with some vicious ground and pound - can makunouchi hang on?
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
makunouchi is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Turner landing shots from mount.
Turner landing strikes, looking to finish!
Turner really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Turner lands a nice shot to the head.
Turner lands a heavy elbow.
makunouchi is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
makunouchi looks gassed!
Turner is in the full mount, landing strikes.
makunouchi regains half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Turner wants to control but makunouchi is keeping him busy.
makunouchi is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Turner's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Turner's back!
I really don't envy Turner right now.
Turner is trying to get back to his feet but makunouchi has full control of the position and if anything, Turner has just worked his way into a worse spot.

makunouchi is working for a rear naked choke. Turner is not defending it well and makunouchi has tightened it up quickly! This could be all over! Turner refuses to tap and goes to sleep, forcing the referee to intervene. A little trickle of blood came out of Turner's nose as his head slumped to the floor. That is naaaasty!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:53 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). manny makunouchi!