PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Wanderlei Machida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Greg Gaines (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Machida's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Concrete Schoolyard. Gaines is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Candy Paint. Greg Gaines has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Machida
vs
Gaines

185 cm
19
184 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

190 cm
18
183 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Big heart

Good wrestler
Brawler
Solid chin

Natural Nutrition
Heavy Weight Nutrition (*Recovery 152 $50!)

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 2 - 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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Greg Gaines!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Tarja Halkonen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Machida shoots in looking for a takedown. Gaines tries to sprawl out of it but Machida keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Gaines manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Machida shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Gaines as he avoids it easily.
Machida shoots in for a double leg but Gaines sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Wanderlei Machida. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Machida closes the distance and clinches up with Gaines, looking for a takedown. Machida pushes Gaines against the cage but Gaines circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Machida closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Gaines tries to get to full guard but Machida has control of the leg.
Gaines misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Gaines striking from the bottom.
Gaines won't allow Machida to pass to mount.
Gaines really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Machida. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Gaines throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Gaines misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Machida wants to lay and pray for a moment but Gaines keeps working.
Gaines misses with some strikes from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Machida fails with a takedown attempt.
Gaines stuffs the takedown.
Machida is breathing heavily.
Gaines tries to clinch up.

Gaines drives through and clinches with Machida against the cage.

Machida gets a trip takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gaines makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Gaines.
Gaines tries to strike from the bottom.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Gaines is on top in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gaines postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Gaines with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Gaines stands up over Machida, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Gaines stands up over Machida, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gaines with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Gaines scoring with punches to the head and body.
Machida avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Machida is trying to control the position but Gaines postures up.
Machida has momentary wrist control but Gaines slips an elbow through the middle.
Gaines with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Gaines scoring with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gaines loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Machida controls Gaines momentarily but Gaines frees himself.
Gaines stopping the sweep attempt from Machida.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Gaines working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Gaines working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Machida controls Gaines momentarily but Gaines frees himself.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Gaines accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Machida has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Gaines can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Gaines is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gaines trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Machida 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.
Gaines throwing strikes but missing.
Gaines working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Gaines with a nice head shot there.
Gaines postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Gaines scoring with punches to the head and body.
Machida wants to sweep but no luck.
Gaines is looking to work some ground and pound but Machida has wrist control.
Gaines throws a big right hand that misses.
Machida not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Gaines cracks Machida with a solid left hand.
Gaines postures up and lands a big shot to Machida's brow.
Gaines with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gaines cracks Machida with a solid left hand.
Machida is trying to control the position but Gaines postures up.
Gaines scoring with some ground and pound.
Machida not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Gaines lands a couple of digs.
Gaines postures up.
Gaines throws and elbow that misses. Machida uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Gaines's guard. Nice move by Machida!
Machida wants to control from the top but Gaines keeps moving.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gaines lands an upkick as Machida stands over him.
Gaines punching from the bottom - just letting Machida know he's still in a fight.
Machida wants to control from the top but Gaines keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Gaines misses with a straight left.
Machida shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Gaines defends it nicely.

Machida shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Gaines manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Gaines will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Machida wants to pass the guard but Gaines is keeping the position.
Machida is working hard here to advance position.
Gaines trying to strike off his back.
Machida won't allow Gaines to sweep him here.
Machida wants to control from the top but Gaines keeps moving.
Gaines striking off his back but it's not causing Machida any problems.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Gaines doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
No luck for Machida with that takedown attempt.
Greg Gaines seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Machida closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Gaines gets underhooks to prevent Machida's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Wanderlei Machida. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Machida is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Gaines is defending well for now.
Gaines drops down looking for an ankle pick but Machida pulls his leg out and moves away.
No luck for Machida with that takedown attempt.
A telegraphed right hand from Gaines misses the target.
Machida moves out of range as Gaines strikes.

Gaines shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Gaines working Machida over with strikes here.
Gaines pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Gaines lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Machida taking shots to the head.
Machida is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Gaines with shots to the head and body - Machida looks very uncomfortable down there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machida is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Gaines scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Machida?
The referee warns Machida that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gaines working the ground and pound effectively.
Gaines scoring with strikes but Machida is staying in there.
Machida is looking to improve his position but Gaines isn't that keen on the idea.
Machida tries to lock up and control but Gaines gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
A nice elbow there by Gaines.
Machida wants to hold on but Gaines pushes him away.
Machida is desperately trying to improve his position but Gaines has a good base and remains in mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gaines landing strikes from the mount.
Gaines fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Gaines with shots to the head and body - Machida looks very uncomfortable down there.

Machida is rocked!
Gaines landing shots from mount.
Oh Machida is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Gaines landing strikes from the mount.
A nice elbow there by Gaines.
Machida seems to have got his legs back now.
Gaines with a couple of short strikes.
Machida working to try and regain half guard.
Gaines lands a big shot there that rocks Machida but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Gaines with a couple of short strikes.
Machida tries to hold on but Gaines postures up.
Gaines with shots to the head and body - Machida looks very uncomfortable down there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gaines landing punches.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gaines lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Machida tries to lock up and control but Gaines gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Machida keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Gaines looking to finish Machida with some ground and pound. This is bad for Machida!
Machida taking shots to the head.
Gaines dominating with strikes here.
Gaines with good strikes from the mount here!
Gaines prevents Machida from getting the reversal.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gaines scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Greg Gaines has got the better of the ground game so far.
Gaines is landing with some decent strikes but Machida is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Gaines lands a nice shot to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Greg Gaines showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Machida has a takedown stuffed.
Gaines thows a left - swing and a miss!
Gaines displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Machida.
Gaines is looking to clinch.
Machida tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Gaines swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Wanderlei Machida. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Gaines.
Gaines in side control lands a decent elbow.
Check out the look on Gaines's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Gaines tries to score with some ground and pound. Machida controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Gaines tries to score with some ground and pound. Machida controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Machida manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Machida trying to control but Gaines postures up.
Machida is looking for a sweep. Gaines is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Gaines scores with a couple of nice shots.
Gaines working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Machida is positioning himself well to prevent Gaines advancing to mount.
Machida on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Machida is trying to get back to full guard.
Gaines working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Gaines lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Machida tries to roll over but Gaines keeps him under control.
Gaines drops an elbow to the side of Machida's head.
Machida wants to improve his position but Gaines is controlling well.
Gaines working over Machida with some ground and pound. Machida looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Gaines lands a nice short elbow.
Machida is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Machida has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Gaines is working away from the top position though.
Ground and pound from Gaines.
Gaines slips a nice elbow through Machida's hands, connecting with Machida's forehead.
Machida is trying to control but can't.
Gaines working the head and body with strikes.
Machida trying to control from the bottom.
Machida is looking to improve his position.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Gaines lands a nice short elbow.
Gaines is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gaines working the head and body with strikes.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Gaines lands a nice short elbow.
Machida is doing well to control the position and prevent Gaines from advancing to side control.
Gaines looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Gaines takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Gaines connects with a nice short shot to Machida's temple.
Machida tries to get to full guard but Gaines has control of the leg.
Machida is looking to control Gaines's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Machida avoid being mounted?
Gaines drops an elbow to the side of Machida's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gaines is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Machida is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Gaines's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Gaines's back!
Wanderlei Machida has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gaines tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Machida manages to capitalize on a mistake by Gaines to take his back!
Machida has the hooks in. Gaines is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Machida doesn't have the hooks in and Gaines manages to turn into his guard.
Gaines throws a strike but Machida rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Gaines trying to strike off his back.

Machida drops back looking for a leg! Gaines is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Gaines manages to kick Machida off! Machida jumps back into Gaines's guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Greg Gaines comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Gaines 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Greg Gaines!