PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Wanderlei Machida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Sanders (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Machida comes to the cage accompanied by Concrete Schoolyard. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Machida
vs
Sanders

185 cm
18
184 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

185 cm
22
165 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Heavy Weight Nutrition (*Sale prices in effect!!)
Natural Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Wanderlei Machida!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Michael Sanders !
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Johanna Lukiainen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Sanders fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Machida sprawls well initially but Sanders persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Sanders wants to pass to mount but Machida is defending the position.
Machida is pressing down on Sanders 's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Sanders looks gassed!
Sanders preventing the sweep.
Machida being controlled here, momentarily.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Machida holds on and takes a little breather.
Machida has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Machida wants to sweep here but Sanders controlling him for the moment.

Sanders got a little sloppy there for a moment and Machida has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Sanders has managed to get both his arms back between Machida's legs - danger averted.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Machida is pulling down on Sanders 's head to control his posture.
Machida controls Sanders momentarily but Sanders frees himself.
Machida manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Sanders stops Machida from taking his back. Still, being mounted isn't any better.
Machida controlling his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Machida is working for a guillotine from mount but Sanders frees his head quite easily.
Machida raining down shots from the mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machida controlling from mount.
Machida seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Sanders for as long as he can get away with.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Wanderlei Machida just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Machida gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Sanders moves into the clinch.

Machida has picked Sanders up - he's going for a ride! Machida dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machida stops Sanders from getting back to his feet.
Machida wants to pass the guard but Sanders is defending well.
Machida not doing much here.
Machida passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Sanders !
Machida moves to the back.
Machida lands with a big left hand that may well have hurt his opponent. Can Sanders hold on?!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wanderlei Machida dominated that round.
That's time! Machida's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Machida fails with the takedown

and Sanders counters with a shoot takedown. Machida fights it but they end up in guard.
Machida seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Sanders postures up.
Machida lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Sanders !
Machida takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Sanders is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Machida gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
Wanderlei Machida is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sanders slaps away a takedown attempt from Machida, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Sanders throws a jab but it's blocked by Machida.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Sanders looks to throw the jab but Machida is out of range.

Machida shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Machida controlling from the top position.
Sanders can't keep his opponent in guard - Machida advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Machida perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Wanderlei Machida just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.

Machida shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Sanders manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Machida tries to free his leg and advance position but Sanders is retaining full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sanders keeping moving, preventing Machida from controlling successfully.
Machida advances to half guard.
Machida prevents Sanders from improving his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machida not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Machida perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Machida has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Machida tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Machida avoids the attempt from Sanders to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wanderlei Machida dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Machida scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Machida controlling the action here.
Machida works his way into side control.
Sanders takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Machida tries to move to mount but Sanders blocks the move with his legs.
Machida slows the pace down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanders wants to control but Machida postures up.
Sanders takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Sanders is trying to escape the position but Machida is controlling the position.
Machida working the head and body with strikes.
Machida is staying tight to Sanders 's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Sanders tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Sanders taking a bit of punishment here - Machida scoring with strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machida taking a breather here.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Wanderlei Machida just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.

Machida shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Machida sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sanders throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Machida slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Machida is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Sanders is looking to reverse the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Machida works to advance to full mount. Sanders defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Machida controlling his opponent.
Machida moves to back control.
Machida lands a couple of good shots to his opponent's body and a final shot to the head. Good little attack there by Machida.
Sanders wants to control his opponent's hands but Machida gets his hands free.
Machida trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Sanders doesn't escape.
Michael Sanders has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Wanderlei Machida is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

And that's the end of the fight!
Wanderlei 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 30:27
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:26
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:27

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