PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Avon Barksdale (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Salvador Machima (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Salvador Machima struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 137.1lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Barksdale
vs
Machima

175 cm
20
140 lbs
2 - 7 - 0

150 cm
22
145 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Avon Barksdale!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Salvador Machima!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, Damien Edna and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barksdale tries to bum rush Machima with a series of wild strikes but Machima uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Barksdale swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Avon Barksdale seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Barksdale blocks a head kick by Machima.
Barksdale fails to land with a series of punches.
Machima tries to close the distance and clinch up but Barksdale swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Jab by Barksdale.
Barksdale will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Machima has eaten all the pies!
A nice combination there by Barksdale.
Machima with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Machima doesn't manage to clinch there - Barksdale circles away.
Machima moves in looking to clinch but Barksdale pushes him off.
The fight stays on the outside here - Machima looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Barksdale throws a head kick that misses
and Machima counters with a solid body kick.
Some wild striking there from Barksdale.
Machima tries to close the distance and clinch up but Barksdale swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Barksdale jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machima tries to clinch up.
Machima tries to close the distance and clinch up but Barksdale swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Barksdale throws a one two combo.
Barksdale misses with a combination
and Machima counters with a head kick.
Barksdale is breathing heavily.

Barksdale takes the fight into the clinch.
Barksdale misses with the head strike.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Machima.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Barksdale.
Barksdale wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Barksdale breaks the clinch.

Barksdale gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Barksdale managing to block the knees to the body from Machima.
Barksdale is trying to break the clinch but Machima is controlling him.

Barksdale breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Barksdale misses with a combination
and Machima counters with a solid body kick.
Machima fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barksdale misses with a double jab

and Machima moves into the clinch.
A knee to the head by Machima.
Machima with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Machima comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

It looks like Avon Barksdale has been cut.
Machima using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Barksdale has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
A short left from Machima.
Machima tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Machima lands a shoulder strike.
Barksdale is trying to break the clinch but Machima is controlling him.
Machima lands a damaging elbow.

Barksdale breaks from the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Barksdale throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Machima throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Machima lands a head kick!

Machima gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Machima creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Barksdale's defenses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barksdale looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Machima throws an elbow but it misses.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Machima.
Machima throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Barksdale blocks it with crossed arms.
Barksdale dodges an elbow strike from Machima.
Machima tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Machima just misses with a elbow thrown towards Barksdale's brow.
Barksdale is trying to break free.
Machima tries to land a knee to the head but Barksdale blocks with his arms.

Barksdale breaks the clinch.
Machima showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Barksdale.
Barksdale throws a combination that misses
and Machima counters with a leg kick.
Machima tries to clinch
and Barksdale counters with a one-two to the body.
Barksdale scores with a body shot.
Machima avoids the head kick by Barksdale.
Barksdale looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Machima throws a head kick that misses.
Left hook, right uppercut from Barksdale.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Barksdale throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Machima counters with a head kick.
A right-left combo lands from Barksdale.
Barksdale throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Machima.
Machima tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Barksdale counters with a two punch combo.
Machima with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Barksdale to score with a decent uppercut.
Machima doesn't manage to clinch there - Barksdale circles away.
Barksdale throws a leg kick
and Machima counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Barksdale lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Machima circles away quickly and effectively.
Machima tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Barksdale throws a right hand that Machima ducks under and follows up with a left that Machima also avoids with ease.
Barksdale throws a looping overhand right but Machima ducks down to avoid it.
A combination from Barksdale does no damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Salvador Machima dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Avon Barksdale's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Barksdale throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Machima counters by clinching up.
Barksdale wants to break the clinch but can't.
Barksdale blocks an elbow strike from Machima.

Barksdale breaks the clinch.
Machima tries to clinch there but Barksdale circles away.
Barksdale misses with a double jab

and Machima counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
A knee to the head by Machima.

Barksdale pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Barksdale throws a right hand that Machima ducks under and follows up with a left that Machima also avoids with ease.
Barksdale falls off balance throwing a combination
and Machima counters with a nice kick to the body.
Machima wants to clinch up but Barksdale keeps it at a distance.
Avon Barksdale is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Barksdale just misses with a punch to the body.
Barksdale closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Barksdale misses with a looping left.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barksdale throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Machima makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Barksdale really felt that one!
Machima is looking to clinch.
Barksdale falls off balance throwing a combination

and Machima counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Machima.
Machima creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

Barksdale breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Barksdale misses with the combination.
Machima clinches but Barksdale breaks the clinch
and Barksdale counters with a straight right hand.
Machima misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Barksdale.
Machima tries to clinch but Barksdale is having none of it.
Barksdale swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Machima counters with a big head kick but Barksdale shrugs it off.
Barksdale swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Barksdale misses with a double jab
and Machima counters with a nice body kick.
Barksdale will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machima dodges the punch combination from Barksdale.
Barksdale throws a right and a left that Machima avoids nicely.
Machima is looking to clinch but Barksdale is avoiding it.
Barksdale throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Machima.
Barksdale throws a nice looking combination but Machima bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Machima plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Barksdale lands a really nice looking cross but Machima seems unphased.

Machima rushes Barksdale and presses him up against the cage.
Machima pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

Barksdale's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Barksdale fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barksdale misses with a double jab

and Machima counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Barksdale breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Barksdale tries to bum rush Machima with a series of wild strikes but Machima uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Barksdale is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Machima tries to clinch up but Barksdale circles away and keeps his distance.
Barksdale misses with a wild combination.
Machima showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Barksdale.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Machima throws a head kick that misses.
Barksdale throws a leg kick
and Machima counters with a big head kick but Barksdale shrugs it off.
Barksdale connects with the punch.

Barksdale has Machima up against the cage in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Barksdale escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Barksdale throws a right hand that Machima ducks under and follows up with a left that Machima also avoids with ease.
Barksdale swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
The fight stays on the outside here - Machima looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Salvador Machima seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Machima tries to clinch

and Barksdale counters by clinching up.
Machima with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Barksdale dodges an elbow strike from Machima.
Barksdale has had enough of the clinch but Machima keeps him there for the moment.

Barksdale's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Left hook, right uppercut from Barksdale.
Barksdale jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Barksdale tries a head kick but it misses.
Barksdale closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Machima misses the body punch
and Barksdale counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Barksdale smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Salvador Machima showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Avon Barksdale's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Barksdale misses with a few strikes there.
Barksdale throws a combination that misses
and Machima counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Barksdale goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Barksdale is looking to clinch but Machima is avoiding it.
Barksdale scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Barksdale misses with an uppercut. Machima saw that one coming.
Machima tries to clinch up.
Barksdale misses with a double jab

and Machima counters by moving into the clinch.
Machima tries a knee to the head but Barksdale blocks it.
Machima prevents Barksdale from breaking the clinch.
Machima looking to throw knees to the head but Barksdale is blocking nicely.
Machima misses with a knee to the head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Barksdale wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Machima has him pressed against the cage.
Machima tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Barksdale's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Barksdale misses with a double jab
and Machima counters with a head kick. That will keep Barksdale thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Barksdale is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Barksdale clinches.
Barksdale is trying to break free.
Machima looks to throw an elbow but misses.

Barksdale manages to break the clinch.

Barksdale has Machima up against the cage in a clinch.

Barksdale breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Machima showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Barksdale.
Barksdale throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Machima counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Barksdale throws a right and a left that both miss.
Machima wants to clinch
and Barksdale counters with a left and a right that stings Machima.
Barksdale swinging wilding here.
Machima clinches but Barksdale breaks the clinch
and Barksdale counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barksdale tries to bum rush Machima with a series of wild strikes but Machima uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Machima closes the distance but Barksdale moves to the side
and Barksdale counters with a series of strikes. Machima will be more careful next time no doubt.

Barksdale clinches.
Machima misses with an elbow strike.
Machima tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Machima with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Barksdale breaks from the clinch.
Barksdale lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Barksdale tries to bum rush Machima with a series of wild strikes but Machima uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A punch combination from Barksdale misses.
Barksdale misses with a double jab

and Machima counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Machima.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Barksdale's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Barksdale closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Barksdale is working the combinations to good effect here.
Machima throws a head kick but Barksdale moves out of range.
Machima tries to clinch but Barksdale moves out of range.
Machima has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Machima showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Barksdale.
A head kick from Machima lands but Barksdale takes it in his stride.

Barksdale instigates a clinch.

Barksdale escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Barksdale throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Machima doesn't manage to clinch there - Barksdale circles away.

Barksdale darts in and clinches Machima up against the cage.
Machima tries a knee to the head but Barksdale blocks it.
Machima looks to throw an elbow but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Barksdale manages to break the clinch.
Machima wants to clinch but Barksdale slips to the side
and Barksdale counters with a nice body shot.

Barksdale rushes Machima and presses him up against the cage.
Machima using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Barksdale has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Barksdale looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Barksdale has had enough of the clinch but Machima keeps him there for the moment.

Barksdale escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Barksdale fails to land with a series of punches.
Machima slips a jab and a cross from Barksdale.
Avon Barksdale has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Barksdale misses with a double jab.
Machima gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Barksdale throws a series of punches but Machima avoids them all with ease.
Barksdale misses with a combination

and Machima counters by moving into the clinch.
Salvador Machima is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Machima tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Barksdale avoids it.
Machima missing with knees to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Avon Barksdale showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Machima has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Skip Squint scores the fight 28:29
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 28:29
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Salvador Machima!