PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Raig Si Zhiro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ippo Makunouchi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Si Zhiro
vs
Makunouchi

168 cm
22
152 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

164 cm
18
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Inexperienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Raig Si Zhiro!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ippo Makunouchi!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Shigeki Sano and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Si Zhiro avoids the head kick by Makunouchi.
Makunouchi tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Si Zhiro misses with a few strikes there.
Makunouchi fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Si Zhiro shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Makunouchi counters with a shoot takedown. Si Zhiro fights it but they end up in guard.
Makunouchi wants to control from the top but Si Zhiro keeps moving.

Si Zhiro working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Makunouchi doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Makunouchi manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Makunouchi trying to stand up but can't free himself from Si Zhiro's guard.
Si Zhiro looking to hit a scissor sweep but Makunouchi is one step ahead there.
Si Zhiro is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Si Zhiro has his foot on Makunouchi's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Makunouchi works his way back into a safe position though.
Makunouchi wants to control from the top but Si Zhiro keeps moving.
Makunouchi thows a big elbow that misses.
Makunouchi controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Si Zhiro lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Makunouchi!
Makunouchi tries to reverse the position but Si Zhiro maintains control.

Si Zhiro working for a submission but Makunouchi is keeping him at bay.
Makunouchi can't escape the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Si Zhiro wants to control the pace but Makunouchi is squirming around nicely.
Makunouchi is trying to escape the mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Si Zhiro looking to control but Makunouchi is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
You get the feeling that Makunouchi really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Si Zhiro throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Makunouchi because Si Zhiro loaded up on that one.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Makunouchi is squirming around, avoiding Si Zhiro's attempts to control the action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Si Zhiro works his way to his opponent's back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Makunouchi looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Makunouchi looks gassed!
Makunouchi is in bad spot here.
Makunouchi is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Si Zhiro working for a choke but Makunouchi is defending well.

Si Zhiro is looking for a rear naked choke here but Makunouchi reverses the position brilliantly into Si Zhiro's guard!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Si Zhiro working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Makunouchi doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Makunouchi manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Makunouchi trying to control the position from guard on top but Si Zhiro is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Si Zhiro looking for a guillotine here but Makunouchi defends easily.
Si Zhiro can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Makunouchi controls the pace.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Raig Si Zhiro dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Makunouchi shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Si Zhiro's guard.
Si Zhiro lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Makunouchi!
Makunouchi is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Si Zhiro avoids the attempt from Makunouchi to control.
Makunouchi might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Si Zhiro kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

Makunouchi is flailing around, obviously not happy about being mounted. Si Zhiro locks hold of one of his arms and spins for an armbar. He's got it! Makunouchi is forced to tap!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:01 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Raig Si Zhiro!