PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Lyoto Machida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cliff Dempsey (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Machida's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, RockStarr. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Machida
vs
Dempsey

185 cm
21
206 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

190 cm
21
200 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Intelligent

Mundo Green - World Verde

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Lyoto Machida!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Cliff Dempsey!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Anthony Taglia and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Machida keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Machida displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Dempsey.
Dempsey misses with a takedown attempt - Machida sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Lyoto Machida has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cliff Dempsey.
Dempsey fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dempsey fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dempsey checks a low kick from Machida.
Dempsey shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Cliff Dempsey seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Dempsey fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Dempsey has closed the distance and engaged Machida in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Machida gets underhooks to prevent Dempsey's takedown attempt.
Machida stops a takedown attempt from Dempsey.

Dempsey breaks from the clinch.
Dempsey fails with a takedown attempt.
A clash of legs there as Dempsey blocks the low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machida lands a head shot.
Dempsey moves out of range of the body kick.
Machida scores with the left hand. Dempsey knows he should have avoided that one.
Machida scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Dempsey shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Machida pinned against the cage. Machida gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Dempsey shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Machida as he jumps to the side.
Dempsey looks gassed!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dempsey shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Dempsey shoots in for a takedown but Machida shows good takedown defense.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Machida scores with a push kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lyoto Machida dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Dempsey fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Machida avoids it really well and circles away.
Machida avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dempsey dives in and grabs Machida's left leg, looking for a takedown. Machida pushes down on Dempsey's head and hops out.
Machida avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dempsey fails to land the takedown.
Lyoto Machida has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cliff Dempsey.
Dempsey is breathing heavily.
Dempsey moves out of range as Machida throws a body kick.
Machida keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Machida.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Dempsey closes the distance and clinches up with Machida, looking for a takedown. Dempsey pushes Machida against the cage but Machida circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Machida throws a leg kick which misses Dempsey's front leg but catches the back leg as Dempsey tries to avoid it.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Machida.
Lyoto Machida is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Machida misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Machida throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Machida looks for the body kick but Dempsey saw that one coming.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dempsey sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Machida scoring well with a low kick there.
A thudding body kick lands there by Machida!
Dempsey checks a low kick from Machida.
Machida showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Dempsey.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machida throws a looping overhand right but Dempsey ducks down to avoid it.
Lyoto Machida is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Dempsey moves out of range of the leg kick from Machida.
Dempsey shoots in but Machida avoids the takedown attempt easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Machida scores with a kick to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lyoto Machida dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

A nice inside leg kick there by Machida. That's going to slow Dempsey down.
Nice defenses there by Dempsey.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Machida.
Machida circles away from the clinch attempt.
Dempsey takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Machida throws the left hand but Dempsey avoids the punch easily.
Dempsey fails with the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Machida with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Dempsey shoots for a takedown but Machida saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
A slow jab from Machida misses its intended target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Dempsey tries to score a power double leg takedown but Machida sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Dempsey somewhat.
Lyoto Machida has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cliff Dempsey.
Dempsey has a takedown stuffed.
Machida lets loose with a powerful body kick. Dempsey will feel that in the morning.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machida scores with a kick to the midsection.
Machida misses with a low kick.
Machida misses with a body kick.
Both fighters circling a little - Machida finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Lyoto Machida is winning the standup battle so far.
Dempsey avoids the head kick by Machida.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machida connects with a solid leg kick.
Machida pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Dempsey tries for a takedown but Machida sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Machida throws a head kick that misses.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Dempsey throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Machida's waist but Machida gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Dempsey off to one side.
Cliff Dempsey has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Machida thuds his shin into the meat of Dempsey's side.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lyoto Machida showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Machida, 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 John Kavanagh scores the fight 30:27
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 30:27
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lyoto Machida!