PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Lyoto Machida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aodhan o hAodha (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Machida comes to the cage accompanied by Straight Out of Line. o hAodha has chosen Cursum Perficio by Enya as his entrance music. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Machida
vs
o hAodha

186 cm
25
185 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

182 cm
23
200 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid Muay Thai
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Good gas tank

BioPharm Nutrition [ACME]
PWNAGE $17.50 Clothing & BOTC TUF show

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Aodhan o hAodha!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, John Kavanagh and Dean Styles.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Machida throws a head kick that misses.
o hAodha scores with a three punch combo!
Machida lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

It looks like Aodhan o hAodha has been cut.
o hAodha dives in and grabs Machida's left leg, looking for a takedown. Machida pushes down on o hAodha's head and hops out.
Machida uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by o hAodha.
Machida throws a combination but it was largely blocked by o hAodha.
o hAodha chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Machida can pounce on him.
Machida throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Machida misses with the combination.
Machida throws a combination that misses
and o hAodha counters with a series of strikes. Machida will be more careful next time no doubt.
Machida throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and o hAodha counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Machida's guard now.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

o hAodha drops back looking for a leg! Machida is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Machida manages to kick o hAodha off! o hAodha jumps back into Machida's guard.
o hAodha looks gassed!
o hAodha throwing strikes from guard but Machida blocks nicely.
o hAodha pushing down on Machida's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
o hAodha is looking to take a break and control but Machida is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
o hAodha not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Machida wants to control but o hAodha is keeping busy and won't allow it.
o hAodha tries to pass the half guard into mount. Machida knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

o hAodha is looking for a kimura but Machida is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for o hAodha to get the leverage.
o hAodha has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

o hAodha is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

o hAodha seems to be working for a kimura but Machida defends the submission attempt.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Machida pushes o hAodha off looking to stand but o hAodha dives back in and keeps control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Machida fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt o hAodha.
Machida throws a leg kick which misses o hAodha's front leg but catches the back leg as o hAodha tries to avoid it.
Machida is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
o hAodha has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from o hAodha there as he acknowledges the shot.
Machida sizes up o hAodha with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Machida lands with a kick to the temple. o hAodha shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Machida throws a head kick that misses.
o hAodha shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Machida sprawls well. Machida wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. o hAodha gets slowly back to his feet.

Machida cracks o hAodha with a big right hand that sends him to the floor! o hAodha looks wobbly but he's sprung back up to his feet straight away… can Machida finish him?

o hAodha is rocked!
Machida pulls out of a head kick attempt.
o hAodha walks into a straight right hand from Machida.
Machida misses with a two punch combination.
Machida dodges the punch combination from o hAodha.
o hAodha on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Machida. Machida obviously looking to wear him down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
o hAodha doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Machida throws a left and a right that both miss

and o hAodha counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
o hAodha thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Machida's head.
Machida won't allow o hAodha to pass to mount.
o hAodha stops Machida from getting back to his feet.
Machida is not content to let o hAodha control the position.
Machida is trying to stand back up but o hAodha is controlling him
Machida is refusing to be controlled, as o hAodha sits in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machida looks like he's trying to stand up.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Machida stuffs the takedown.
Lyoto Machida has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aodhan o hAodha.
Machida displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Machida misses with the combination.
Jab, jab by o hAodha - just one landing.
Machida throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A head kick by o hAodha misses
and Machida counters with a flying knee. Nice.
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 head kick that misses.
o hAodha dodges the punch combination from Machida.
Lyoto Machida is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
o hAodha throws a series of punches but Machida avoids them all with ease.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

o hAodha gets the takedown into side control.
Machida is trying to buck o hAodha off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lyoto Machida dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Aodhan o hAodha's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Nice uppercut there from o hAodha.
o hAodha throws a series of punches but Machida moves out of range.
o hAodha shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Machida defends it nicely.
Machida throws a head kick but o hAodha moves out of range.
o hAodha moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Machida throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Machida takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
The fighters circling - Machida throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Machida thows a body kick. o hAodha tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Machida goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
The fighters circle momentarily. Machida darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Machida lands an overhand right.
Machida digs a good body shot into o hAodha's ribs.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Machida fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Machida looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida thumps o hAodha with a low kick.
Machida scores with a spinning back kick!
Machida throws a head kick but o hAodha moves out of range.
Machida swings for the body but o hAodha moves out of range.
Machida connects with a right hand. o hAodha shakes it off.
Lyoto Machida is winning the standup battle so far.
A big left from Machida misses.
Machida misses with a wild combination.
o hAodha throws a right and a left that Machida avoids nicely.
o hAodha uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Machida.
A slapping leg kick lands for Machida.
o hAodha misses with a combination
and Machida counters with a slapping leg kick.
o hAodha connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

o hAodha looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
o hAodha missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

o hAodha is trying to work for a kimura but Machida is defending well.
o hAodha looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Machida is concentrating on defense, preventing o hAodha from advancing position.
o hAodha seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Machida does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
o hAodha tries to pass the half guard into mount. Machida knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

o hAodha is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
o hAodha stops Machida from getting back to his feet.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Machida throws a series of punches but o hAodha avoids them all with ease.
Danga de danga de dang - o hAodha scores with a four punch combination!
o hAodha throws a nice looking combination but Machida bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Machida leaves o hAodha with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Machida throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by o hAodha.
o hAodha takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
o hAodha drops his hands momentarily and Machida takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Machida throws a left and a right that both miss

and o hAodha counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by o hAodha.
o hAodha wants to control from the top but Machida keeps moving.
o hAodha is looking to work some ground and pound but Machida has wrist control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
o hAodha stops Machida from standing up.
o hAodha stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Machida swivels though and keeps the full guard.

o hAodha drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and o hAodha jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

o hAodha drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and o hAodha jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Machida wants to get back to his feet but o hAodha is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lyoto Machida dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Aodhan o hAodha's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

o hAodha shoots in but Machida avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Machida misses with a looping left.
Machida dips to his left and cracks o hAodha with an uppercut!
o hAodha tries to bum rush Machida with a series of wild strikes but Machida uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Lyoto Machida is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Machida slips a jab and a cross from o hAodha.
Machida needs to keep his hands up - o hAodha had a free shot at his head there.
Machida throws a head kick but o hAodha moves out of range.
Machida throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
o hAodha fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
o hAodha fails with a takedown attempt.
Machida throws a quick inside leg kick.
o hAodha avoids the head kick by Machida.
Machida tries a head kick but it misses.
Machida misses with a jab, cross combination.
o hAodha throws a left and a right that both miss
and Machida counters with an inside leg kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida slips under a jab.
o hAodha fails with a takedown attempt.
Lyoto Machida has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aodhan o hAodha.
Machida lands with a kick to the temple. o hAodha shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
o hAodha will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
No joy there for o hAodha, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Machida.
o hAodha slips a jab and a cross from Machida.
o hAodha shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Machida defends it nicely.
o hAodha shoots for a takedown but Machida saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Machida lunges at o hAodha with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by o hAodha's hand.
A jab from Machida misses.
Machida throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Machida closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Aodhan o hAodha has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machida lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Machida looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
o hAodha looks to land a combination but Machida avoids it well.
o hAodha dives in and grabs Machida's left leg, looking for a takedown. Machida pushes down on o hAodha's head and hops out.
o hAodha lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by o hAodha.
Machida looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Machida keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Machida misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A swing and a miss from Machida.
o hAodha throws a right hand that Machida ducks under and follows up with a left that Machida also avoids with ease.
Machida throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
o hAodha tries to bum rush Machida with a series of wild strikes but Machida uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

o hAodha closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
o hAodha wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
o hAodha is trying to drag Machida to the mat but Machida just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Machida keeps control of o hAodha as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Machida breaks from the clinch.
Machida misses with a combination
and Machida takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A combination from o hAodha does no damage.
Machida connects with a single shot there.
Machida throws a sloppy head kick and o hAodha moves out of range easily.
o hAodha misses with a combination
and Machida counters with an outside leg kick.
o hAodha throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Machida.
Machida lands a right hook to the body.
o hAodha on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
o hAodha walks forward, straight into a front kick from Machida.
Machida takes a swing at o hAodha's ribcage but misses.
Machida throws a series of strikes that have o hAodha backpedaling.
o hAodha misses with a two punch combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
o hAodha misses with a wild combination.
o hAodha throws a one two combo.
o hAodha moves out of range of the body kick.
Machida swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
o hAodha fails with an attempt to clinch.
Machida with a nice cross.
o hAodha moves out of range of the strikes.
o hAodha tries to clinch up but Machida circles away and keeps his distance.
o hAodha scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
o hAodha swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
letting Machida counter with a right hand.
o hAodha works over Machida's head and body with a nice combination.
Machida connects with a body shot.
Machida scores with a kick to the body.
o hAodha blocks a head kick by Machida.
o hAodha misses with a jab, cross combination.
Lyoto Machida is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
o hAodha swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Machida counters with a one-two to the body.
Machida lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

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 Jonathan Paton scores the fight 30:27
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 30:27

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