PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Magnus Machida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mario Ribeiro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Machida
vs
Ribeiro

183 cm
26
221 lbs
10 - 7 - 0

190 cm
22
212 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
KO power

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Powerful

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 10 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Magnus Machida!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mario Ribeiro!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, Jorge Garcia and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ribeiro fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Ribeiro clinches.
Machida is pressed up against the cage. Ribeiro has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Machida down to the mat. Machida avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Ribeiro shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Machida trying to hold on to Ribeiro's head to control him but Ribeiro postures up.

Ribeiro is working for a kimura here but Machida manages to reverse the position and he's now in Ribeiro's guard.

Ribeiro is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Ribeiro is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Machida is fighting to break Ribeiro's control of his arms but Ribeiro is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Machida is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Ribeiro is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Ribeiro has escaped and now he's on top!
Ribeiro sitting in guard here, content to control.
Machida keeping moving, preventing Ribeiro from controlling successfully.

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

Ribeiro postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Machida is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Ribeiro, into his guard.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Ribeiro working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Machida doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Machida manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Machida throwing strikes from guard but Ribeiro blocks nicely.

Ribeiro isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Machida stacks Ribeiro on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Machida!

Machida tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ribeiro regains half guard.

Ribeiro actively working from the bottom here.
Ribeiro is looking to improve his position.
Machida is thwarting Ribeiro's attempts to control the position.
Machida moves into full mount! Ribeiro won't be happy about that!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ribeiro is squirming around, avoiding Machida's attempts to control the action.

That's four 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.
Machida cracks Ribeiro with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.

It looks like Mario Ribeiro has been cut.
Ribeiro keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Machida looking to secure an arm triangle but Ribeiro defends it well.
Ribeiro is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

Machida jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Ribeiro manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Machida looks up at the clock and then as Ribeiro takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Machida smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Machida misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Magnus Machida dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mario Ribeiro's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Ribeiro is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Machida wants to clinch but Ribeiro slips to the side

and Ribeiro counters with a single leg into guard. Machida didn't expect that.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Machida wants to sweep but no luck.
Machida tries to strike from the bottom.
Ribeiro stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Machida swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Machida wants to sweep but no luck.
Ribeiro slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Ribeiro wants to pass the guard but Machida is keeping the position.
Ribeiro wants to control from the top but Machida keeps moving.
Ribeiro is fighting to break Machida's control of his arms but Machida is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Machida misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ribeiro.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Machida.
Machida tries to clinch up.

Ribeiro takes the fight into the clinch.

Ribeiro jumps into guard, dragging Machida to the mat.
Ribeiro looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Ribeiro working a defensive guard here.
Machida wants to control from the top but Ribeiro keeps moving.

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.
Machida throwing strikes but missing.
Machida working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Machida is looking to work some ground and pound but Ribeiro has wrist control.
Machida throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ribeiro works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Machida in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Ribeiro fails in his attempt to clinch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Machida. Ribeiro does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ribeiro steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Machida.

Ribeiro drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Ribeiro tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ribeiro swings around for an armbar but Machida sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Ribeiro's guard.

Ribeiro is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Ribeiro escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Machida gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Ribeiro is breathing heavily.
Ribeiro keeping moving, preventing Machida from controlling successfully.
Ribeiro looking for a sweep. Not yet Ribeiro, not yet.
Ribeiro keeping moving, preventing Machida from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Machida in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Machida has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Ribeiro is trying to keep Machida in close.
Machida trying to control the position from guard on top but Ribeiro is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Machida scores a takedown into full mount!
Ribeiro keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Machida breaks from Ribeiro's wrist control and lands an elbow.

That has opened up Mario Ribeiro's cut even more.
Ribeiro is working to get back to half guard.
Magnus Machida overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Machida lands with some strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Magnus Machida will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Mario Ribeiro's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Machida throws out a loose jab but Ribeiro uses good head movement to avoid it.
Machida misses with a body punch

and Ribeiro counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Ribeiro wants to lay and pray for a moment but Machida keeps working.
Machida is trying to control but can't.
Machida is not content to let Ribeiro control the position.
Machida tries to roll over but Ribeiro keeps him under control.
Ribeiro is taking a breather. Machida says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Machida looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Ribeiro moves in looking to clinch but Machida pushes him off.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Ribeiro being controlled against the cage.
Ribeiro drops down looking for an ankle pick but Machida pulls his leg out and moves away.

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 looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ribeiro with a lazy takedown attempt

and Machida counters by moving into the clinch.
Machida is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

Ribeiro ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Ribeiro no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Machida stopping the sweep attempt from Ribeiro.
Ribeiro trying to keep a closed guard but Machida is proving a slippery customer.
Machida trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ribeiro is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Machida is aware though and is defending well.
Ribeiro is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Machida throws a big right hand that misses.

Ribeiro looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Machida wants to pass the guard but Ribeiro is keeping the position.
Ribeiro wants to sweep but no luck.

Ribeiro working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Machida doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Machida manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Machida throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

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.

Ribeiro working for a triangle but Machida defends it easily.
Machida slips nicely into half guard.
Machida looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Ribeiro with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Machida missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Ribeiro is trying to control but can't.
Machida drops an elbow to the side of Ribeiro's head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Ribeiro looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Machida not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mario Ribeiro comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Machida has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Anthony Taglia scores the fight for Magnus Machida!
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight as a draw!
Judge John Roberts scores the fight as a draw!

The fight ends as a draw!