PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Lyoto Machida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and David Bielkheden (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). David Bielkheden will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Machida
vs
Bielkheden

175 cm
20
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

186 cm
20
210 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Syndicate Drugs

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Lyoto Machida!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, David Bielkheden!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Matheus Silva and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Bielkheden shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Bielkheden showed some decent athleticism there.
Machida could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Bielkheden is keen to just control but Machida is a slippery customer.

Bielkheden seems to be working for a kimura but Machida defends the submission attempt.
Machida is staying active underneath Bielkheden, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Bielkheden tries to pass the half guard into mount. Machida knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Machida has a hand on Bielkheden's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Bielkheden takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Machida on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Machida tries to get out of the position.
Machida is looking to get to half guard.
Machida is working hard here to advance position.
Machida holds on for dear life.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida is trying to escape the mount.
Machida tries to lock up and control but Bielkheden gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Machida tries to control Bielkheden's body but Bielkheden pushes him off. Machida squirms to his side and now Bielkheden has his back!
Machida trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Machida is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bielkheden trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Bielkheden biding his time, looking for the opening.
Machida holding both Bielkheden 's hands and preventing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Bielkheden has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Machida holding both Bielkheden 's hands and preventing any damage.
The referee is taking a good look at Machida as he is on the wrong end of some big shots from Bielkheden!
Bielkheden gets his hands free as Machida looks to control.
Machida can't escape the position.
Bielkheden avoiding Machida 's attempts to control his hands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bielkheden throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.
Machida knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Bielkheden on the ground.
Machida tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Machida is working to get back to half guard.
Bielkheden looking to finish with strikes here!
Bielkheden trying to control but Machida is having none of it.
Machida looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
Bielkheden is not going to allow Machida to sit and survive in this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Bielkheden tightening his grip on Machida, looking for the choke.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
I would not like to be Machida right now.
Bielkheden looks gassed!
Machida tries to escape but Bielkheden has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Bielkheden is working the ground and pound. Can Machida escape?
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Machida holding on to Bielkheden's left wrist, preventing the choke.
Machida wants to get back to his feet.
I really don't envy Machida right now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

David Bielkheden dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Machida misses with a double jab.
Machida connects with a solid leg kick.
Bielkheden tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Machida circles away from the clinch attempt.
Bielkheden shoots in looking for a takedown. Machida tries to sprawl out of it but Bielkheden keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Machida manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Machida tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Bielkheden counters with a shoot takedown. Machida fights it but they end up in guard.
Machida looking for a sweep. Not yet Machida, not yet.
Bielkheden wants to control from the top but Machida keeps moving.
Machida is trying to keep Bielkheden in close.
Bielkheden is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida is pulling down on Bielkheden's head. It's preventing any offense from Bielkheden, at least for the moment.
Bielkheden trying to control the position from guard on top but Machida is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Bielkheden avoids the head kick by Machida.
Machida throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Bielkheden's waist but Bielkheden gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Machida off to one side.
Machida throws a nice looking combination but Bielkheden bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Bielkheden tries to clinch there but Machida circles away.
Bielkheden cracks Machida with a right hand to the side of the head.
Bielkheden has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bielkheden lands a right hook to the body.
Bielkheden has his takedown stuffed

and Machida counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Bielkheden tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Machida tries to free his leg and advance position but Bielkheden is retaining full guard.
Machida throwing strikes from guard but Bielkheden blocks nicely.
Bielkheden can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Machida controls the pace.
Bielkheden controls Machida momentarily but Machida frees himself.
Machida trying to control but Bielkheden is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machida wants to stand but Bielkheden has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Machida throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Lyoto Machida is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Bielkheden drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Bielkheden wants to control from the top but Machida keeps moving.
Machida can't keep his opponent in guard - Bielkheden advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Bielkheden sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Bielkheden 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.
Machida trying to control but Bielkheden postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bielkheden passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Machida!
Bielkheden breaks from Machida's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Bielkheden punishing his opponent with strikes.
Bielkheden throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Machida tries to hold on but Bielkheden pushes him away.
A nice elbow there by Bielkheden.
Bielkheden scoring with strikes but Machida is staying in there.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bielkheden throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Machida because Bielkheden loaded up on that one.
Machida might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Bielkheden trying to control but Machida is having none of it.
Bielkheden lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Machida hang on?
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

David Bielkheden showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Bielkheden throws a leg kick but Machida moved away.
Machida takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Bielkheden slips under a jab from Machida.

Bielkheden drives through with a takedown into guard.
Bielkheden stops Machida from standing up.
Bielkheden sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Bielkheden throws a big right hand that misses.
Bielkheden is pushing down on Machida's leg trying to pass to half guard. Machida is fighting to maintain full guard but Bielkheden has managed to sneak the leg through.
Machida trying to control but Bielkheden postures up.
Machida is not content to let Bielkheden control the position.
Machida trying to control from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida tries to roll over but Bielkheden keeps him under control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Bielkheden is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Machida is just riding it out for now. Bielkheden eventually gives up the hold.
Machida keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.

Bielkheden stands up from half guard.
Bielkheden closes this distance looking for a takedown but Machida circles away.

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.
Bielkheden misses with a double jab.
Bielkheden fails in his attempt to clinch.
Bielkheden fails in his attempt to clinch.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Machida, as that shot connected.
Machida tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Machida looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Machida trying to control the pace.
Bielkheden trying to control but Machida postures up.
Bielkheden moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bielkheden not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Bielkheden holds on and takes a little breather.
Bielkheden is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Bielkheden tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Lyoto Machida has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Machida trying to control the position from guard on top but Bielkheden is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bielkheden looking to hit a scissor sweep but Machida is one step ahead there.
Machida stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Bielkheden swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Bielkheden is pulling down on Machida's head to control his posture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Bielkheden avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Machida keeps the fight on the outside.

Machida shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Machida showed some decent athleticism there.
Bielkheden is trying to stand.

Machida is working for a kimura but Bielkheden is defending it quite comfortably.
Bielkheden is looking to control Machida's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Bielkheden avoid being mounted?

Bielkheden actively working from the bottom here.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Lyoto Machida.
I think Bielkheden has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Daniel Cesar scores the fight 28:29
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... David Bielkheden!