PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Lyoto Machida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tenlou Maia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Machida
vs
Maia

185 cm
20
205 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

190 cm
22
205 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Cuts easily

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Mundo Green - World Verde

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Lyoto Machida!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Tenlou Maia!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Mauricio Rocha and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maia fails with a takedown attempt.

Machida clinches up against the cage.
Maia tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Machida smiles and moves away.
Maia shoots in and drives through. Machida sprawls well.
Lyoto Machida has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tenlou Maia.
Maia misses with a takedown attempt - Machida sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Maia clinches with his opponent.
Machida wants a takedown.

Machida manages to break the clinch.
Machida tries a head kick but it misses.

Machida closes the distance and pushes Maia back into the cage.

Machida breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Maia closes this distance looking for a takedown but Machida circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maia closes the distance looking to clinch

and Machida moves into the clinch.
The referee calls for Machida to work.

Machida manages to break the clinch.

Machida closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Maia to the mat! Maia manages to get full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Maia wants to sweep but no luck.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Maia is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Maia looks gassed!
Machida sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Machida seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Maia for as long as he can get away with.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machida wanted to stand there but Maia had control of the position.
Maia looking for a sweep. Not yet Maia, not yet.
Maia keeping full guard, as Machida tries to pass.
Machida knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Maia on the ground.
Machida would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machida wants to pass the guard but Maia is keeping the position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Machida shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Machida showed some decent athleticism there.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Maia wants to get back to full guard.

Machida stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Maia to get to his feet.
Maia avoids the head kick by Machida.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Machida clinches.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
The crowd are getting pretty annoyed with Machida for his constant stalling in the clinch and are voicing their displeasure.

Machida manages to break the clinch.
Maia with a lazy takedown attempt
letting Machida counter with a right hand.

Machida looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Machida is figuring out what he wants to do next.
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!

Machida closes the distance and clinches.
Machida lands a good knee to the midsection. Maia won't want to take too many of those.

Machida lands a takedown into guard.
Machida wants to control from the top but Maia keeps moving.
Machida wants to stand but Maia has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Maia is trying to control the position but Machida postures up.
Maia is breathing heavily.

Maia looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Machida has picked Maia up and slammed him! Maia can't keep hold of the triangle and Machida manages to pass to side control!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Machida stands up.
Lyoto Machida is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Machida pushes Maia up against the cage in a clinch.

Machida breaks from the clinch.

Machida closes the distance and clinches.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Machida gets a warning from the ref for wasting time.
Machida crunches a lovely knee into Maia's ribcage.
Machida has Maia pushed against the cage.
Maia wants a takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machida taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Lyoto Machida.
Machida closes this distance looking for a takedown but Maia circles away.
Machida lands a high kick!
Maia doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Machida moves into the clinch.
Machida landing some nice looking knees to the body.
The is referee keeping an eye on Machida - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Machida lands a nice knee to the body.
Machida lands with a short head shot on the inside.

Machida breaks the clinch.
Nice takedown defense from Maia. No joy for Machida on that attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machida lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Machida tries to score a power double leg takedown but Maia sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Machida somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lyoto Machida. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Maia shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Machida decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Maia's guard.
Maia is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Maia throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

Maia looking for subs off his back but Machida has passed one foot through into half guard.
Machida trying to control the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maia wants to get back to his feet.

Maia actively working from the bottom here.
Machida trying to control the pace.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lyoto Machida dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Machida has closed the distance and engaged Maia in a clinch.
Maia tries to pull guard but Machida won't allow it.

Machida escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Machida gets a clinch.
A bit of stalling here from Machida.

Machida pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Maia fails with a takedown attempt.
Machida lands with a kick to the temple. Maia shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

It looks like Tenlou Maia has been cut.
Maia fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Lyoto Machida has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tenlou Maia.
Machida thuds his shin into the meat of Maia's side.
Maia takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Machida has managed to clinch.

Machida escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Machida moves into the clinch.
Maia tries to pull guard but Machida won't allow it.

Machida breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Machida lands a head kick. Maia smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

Machida has taken the fight to the clinch.

Machida breaks the clinch.

Machida forces Maia back against the cage and clinches.
Machida unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Maia is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Machida gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Machida jumps guard and drags Maia to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Machida wants to stand up but Maia is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lyoto Machida overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Maia tries to free his leg and advance position but Machida is retaining full guard.

Machida manages to escape and get back to his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Machida throws a nice outside leg kick.

Machida clinches up with Maia and pushes him back against the cage.
Maia is trying to break free.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machida using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Machida holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Maia throws a punch but it's blocked by Machida.

Machida breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Machida is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Maia can do to turn this around?

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

Machida breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Machida shoots in for a double leg but Maia sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Machida has taken the fight to the clinch.

Machida breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Tenlou Maia seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Machida throws a head kick but Maia moves out of range.
Maia fails with the takedown

and Machida counters by clinching up.
Machida tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machida is trying to drag Maia to the mat but Maia just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Machida wants to break the clinch but can't.
Machida is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Machida stops a takedown attempt from Maia.
Machida holding his opponent close, against the cage.

Machida breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Maia darts in trying to clinch
and Machida counters with a nice low kick that buckles Maia's knee momentarily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Maia misses with a takedown attempt
and Machida counters with a big head kick but Maia shrugs it off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lyoto Machida clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Tenlou Maia's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Maia misses with a takedown
and Machida counters with a big head kick but Maia shrugs it off.
Machida misses with a head kick.
Machida throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Machida scores with a three punch combo!
Machida lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Maia circles away quickly and effectively.

Machida moves into the clinch successfully.
Machida manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Knees in the clinch landing for Machida.
Machida wants a takedown but no success here.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Machida creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Maia's defenses.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Machida breaks from the clinch.
Machida closes the distance and clinches up with Maia, looking for a takedown. Machida pushes Maia against the cage but Maia circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Maia falls off balance throwing a combination

and Machida counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Machida.
Maia tries to pull guard but Machida holds him up against the cage and eventually Maia drops back down to his feet.
Machida is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Maia avoids a wild elbow strike from Machida.
Machida's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Machida using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Maia is trying desperately to land a takedown but Machida is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Maia.

Maia successfully pulls guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maia is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Machida wants to stand but Maia is controlling his posture from full guard.
Maia is striking but Machida is not phased and passes to half guard.
Maia is trying to get back to full guard.

Machida decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maia slips a jab and a cross from Machida.

Machida has taken the fight to the clinch.
Machida unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Machida tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Lyoto Machida has scored more points in the clinch so far.
With the fighters up against the cage, Machida throws an elbow but misses.
Machida lands a knee to the head.
Machida landing some nice looking knees to the body.
A bit of stalling here from Machida.
Maia drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Machida gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Lyoto Machida has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tenlou Maia.
Machida stops a takedown attempt from Maia.
Maia tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Maia wants a takedown but no success here.
Knees in the clinch landing for Machida.
Maia takes a knee to the side of the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maia tries to pull guard but Machida won't allow it.

Machida manages to break the clinch.
Maia shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Machida counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Maia looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Machida puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Machida wants to stand but Maia has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Maia is refusing to be controlled, as Machida sits in half guard.
Maia wants to get back to his feet.
It looks like Machida is going to stand back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lyoto Machida had his way with Tenlou Maia in that round.
The cut man is working on Tenlou Maia's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Maia clinches with his opponent.
Machida landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

Machida ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Machida no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Machida keeping moving, preventing Maia from controlling successfully.
Machida has a closed guard, preventing Maia from standing up.
Maia trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Machida is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Maia is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Machida wants to stand but Maia has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Machida in particular looking to stall.

Machida wants to work for an arm triangle but Maia is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Maia misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Maia has a hand on Machida's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Machida takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Maia flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Maia tries to hold on but Machida postures up.
Maia is trying desperately to improve position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Machida stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
Maia throws a combination that misses

and Machida counters by clinching up.
Maia fails to pull guard.
Machida working Maia over with knees to the body.

Machida breaks from the clinch.
Maia wants to clinch but Machida slips to the side

and Machida counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Maia is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Maia gets back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Maia is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Machida is aware though and is defending well.
Machida slips nicely into half guard.

Machida decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Maia moves out of range of the leg kick from Machida.

Machida drives through and clinches with Maia against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Machida goes for a takedown in the clinch but Maia prevents it.
Maia drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lyoto Machida showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Machida has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 50:44
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 50:44
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 50:44

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lyoto Machida!
Lyoto Machida is the new light heavyweight champion!