PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ippo Makunouchi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Henry Six (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ippo Makunouchi has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Makunouchi
vs
Six

170 cm
32
160 lbs
14 - 17 - 0

150 cm
37
162 lbs
23 - 15 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

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 14 - 17 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ippo Makunouchi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Henry Six!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Daniel Cesar and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Makunouchi drives through with a takedown into Six's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Makunouchi throws a strike but Six rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Makunouchi wants to sweep here but Six controlling him for the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Six 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.
Makunouchi utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Six throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Makunouchi works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Makunouchi knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Six on the ground.
Six keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Makunouchi's head.
Six throws a big elbow that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Six is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Six trying to control the position from guard on top but Makunouchi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Six is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Six content to stall in guard here.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Henry Six wasn't active enough on the ground.
Six throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Makunouchi misses with a looping left.
Six throws a right and a left that Makunouchi avoids nicely.
Six misses the jab.
Six shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Makunouchi as he jumps to the side.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Six fails with the takedown.
Makunouchi slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Six shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Makunouchi but Makunouchi pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Ippo Makunouchi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Henry Six.
Makunouchi fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Ippo Makunouchi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Makunouchi tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Six defends well and Makunouchi ends up having to push Six into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Makunouchi manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Six missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Six looking to pass the guard.
Six controlling from the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Six trying to control the position from guard on top but Makunouchi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Six postures up in Makunouchi's guard and throws a big left but Makunouchi blocks it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Makunouchi trying to control the position.

Henry Six has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Six tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Makunouchi is able to avoid easily.
Six swings for the body but Makunouchi moves out of range.
Makunouchi fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Makunouchi stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Makunouchi wants it to stay on the feet.
Six stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Six wants it to stay on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Makunouchi clobbers Six with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Six misses with a body kick.
Six throws a lazy right hand but Makunouchi sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Six works over Makunouchi's head and body with a nice combination.
A shot to the liver by Makunouchi. Beautiful body shot.
Makunouchi misses with a wild combination.
Six misses with a wild combination.
Makunouchi misses with an uppercut. Six saw that one coming.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Six throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A jab from Six misses.
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!
Nice defenses there by Makunouchi.
Makunouchi fails to land the takedown.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Henry Six will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Six misses the jab.

Six gets caught napping as Makunouchi dives in and scores a takedown. Six manages to retain guard.
Makunouchi throwing strikes but missing.
Six has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Six working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Makunouchi.
Makunouchi stays in close to Six's body and controls the position.
Makunouchi throws a big elbow that misses.
Makunouchi won't allow Six to sweep him here.
Six seems keen to control Makunouchi's posture.
Makunouchi will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Makunouchi trying to control the position from guard on top but Six is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Makunouchi staying out of range there.
Six fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Six misses with a low kick.
Good shot there by Makunouchi.
Makunouchi will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Six takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Ippo Makunouchi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Makunouchi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Makunouchi misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Six.
Makunouchi stuffs the takedown.
Makunouchi is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Nice shot by Makunouchi.
Six slips under a jab from Makunouchi.
Six misses with a two punch combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Six shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Six loads up on a big right hand but Makunouchi slips the punch.
Makunouchi feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Sixs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!

It looks like Henry Six has been cut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Makunouchi lands with a shot to the body.
Six stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Six wants it to stay on the feet.
Makunouchi shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Six as he avoids it easily.
Six on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Makunouchi dodges the punch combination from Six.
Makunouchi misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ippo Makunouchi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Six shoots in but Makunouchi avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Makunouchi moves out of range of the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Six will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Makunouchi throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Six.
Makunouchi has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Makunouchi there as he acknowledges the shot.
Makunouchi on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Makunouchi lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Six tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Makunouchi swivels and escapes.
Six throws a leg kick but Makunouchi checks it.
A cross from Makunouchi lands.
Makunouchi misses with a wild combination.
Makunouchi fails to land with a series of punches.
Makunouchi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Six misses with a right hand
and Makunouchi counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Makunouchi shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Six but Six pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Six misses with a straight right.
Makunouchi misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Six.
Makunouchi thows a body shot but no joy.
Six swinging wildly here.
Makunouchi is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Six misses the jab.
A combination from Six does no damage.
Six throws an overhand right that lands on Makunouchi's shoulder, as Makunouchi tries to avoid the shot.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Six fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Makunouchi manages to avoid it.
Six throws a body kick that misses.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Makunouchi decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ippo Makunouchi dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Henry Six's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Makunouchi misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Six.
Makunouchi lands a glancing blow to the side of Six's head.
Makunouchi closes this distance looking for a takedown but Six circles away.
Makunouchi jabs at Six's body.
Makunouchi changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Six tries to avoid it but Makunouchi manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Six to the ground. Six escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Six takes a swing at Makunouchi's ribcage but misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Makunouchi. Six does a little dance to reset his feet.
Six throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Decent striking displayed by Six there.
Six stuffs the takedown attempt from Makunouchi. Makunouchi gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ippo Makunouchi. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Makunouchi gets caught flat footed, as Six shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Six stays in close to Makunouchi's body and controls the position.
Let's hope that Six has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Six trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Six is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Henry Six.

Makunouchi looking to score a takedown here. Six is defending well but Makunouchi drives through and ends up in Six's guard.
Six wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Six tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Makunouchi trying to control but Six is working from the bottom.
Six is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Six shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Makunouchi pinned against the cage. Makunouchi gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Makunouchi stuns Six with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Six throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

Makunouchi closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Six quickly recovers to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Six keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Makunouchi throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Makunouchi thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Six's head.
Six is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Makunouchi scores with a couple of nice shots.
Makunouchi missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Six blocking the ground and pound attempt from Makunouchi.
Makunouchi missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Makunouchi stalling away here and it's allowed Six to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Six is adopting a defensive guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Six keeping moving, preventing Makunouchi from controlling successfully.
Six is adopting a defensive guard.
Six bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Makunouchi's guard.
Six trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
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!
Six stays in close to Makunouchi's body and controls the position.
Six trying to control but Makunouchi is working from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Six shoots in but Makunouchi avoids the takedown attempt easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Henry Six.
I think Six has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Henry Six!
In his post fight interview, Henry Six started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.