PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Stefan Chalikiopolous (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lee Machin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Chalikiopolous
vs
Machin

180 cm
19
182 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

180 cm
19
175 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Stefan Chalikiopolous!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Lee Machin!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Viktor Lagutenko and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Machin has taken the fight to the clinch.
Chalikiopolous working hard to break the clinch.
Chalikiopolous wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Machin has Chalikiopolous pressed against the cage, preventing Chalikiopolous from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Chalikiopolous is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Chalikiopolous tries to circle away but Machin has him pinned against the cage.
Machin keeps control of Chalikiopolous as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Chalikiopolous is looking to break free of the clinch but Machin has double underhooks.
Chalikiopolous is pressed up against the cage. Machin has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Chalikiopolous down to the mat. Chalikiopolous avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Machin shoots in but no luck this time.
Lee Machin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Machin clinches with his opponent.

Machin breaks the clinch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
A short left from Machin.

Machin breaks the clinch.
Chalikiopolous stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Chalikiopolous wants it to stay on the feet.
Stefan Chalikiopolous has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lee Machin.

Machin gets a clinch.

Machin breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A jab from Chalikiopolous misses.

Machin fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Chalikiopolous, pushing him back against the cage.

Machin breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big left from Chalikiopolous misses.
Machin looks for a takedown but Chalikiopolous sprawls well.
Chalikiopolous throws a right hand that Machin ducks under and follows up with a left that Machin also avoids with ease.

Machin fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Chalikiopolous, pushing him back against the cage.
Chalikiopolous tries to break the clinch but Machin is controlling the position.

Machin breaks from the clinch.
Machin slips a straight right by Chalikiopolous.
Machin shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Chalikiopolous defends it nicely.
Chalikiopolous defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Machin.
A lazy left from Machin finds it's target.
A head kick misses from Machin.
Machin slips a jab and a cross from Chalikiopolous.

Machin closes the distance and pushes Chalikiopolous back into the cage.
Chalikiopolous is trying to break the clinch but Machin is controlling him.
Chalikiopolous is pressed up against the cage. Machin has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Chalikiopolous down to the mat. Chalikiopolous avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Chalikiopolous swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machin wants to clinch up but Chalikiopolous keeps it at a distance.

Machin moves into the clinch.

Machin pulls guard effortlessly.
Machin is trying to keep Chalikiopolous in close.

Chalikiopolous decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Machin, up you get!
Chalikiopolous ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Machin moves away.

Chalikiopolous gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Machin is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Chalikiopolous is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Chalikiopolous has escaped and now he's on top!
Chalikiopolous has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Machin is proving hard to escape from.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machin tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Chalikiopolous gets to his feet - Machin follows without any prompting.
Machin closes the distance and clinches up with Chalikiopolous, looking for a takedown. Machin pushes Chalikiopolous against the cage but Chalikiopolous circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Chalikiopolous looks to land a combination but Machin avoids it well.

Machin closes the distance and pushes Chalikiopolous back into the cage.
Chalikiopolous prevents the takedown attempt.
Chalikiopolous tries to break free but Machin pushes him back against the cage.
Chalikiopolous prevents a takedown attempt there.
Chalikiopolous is trying to break free.
Machin goes for a takedown attempt but Chalikiopolous pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Machin misses with a double jab
and Chalikiopolous counters with a nice uppercut.
Machin fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Chalikiopolous avoids it really well and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Machin has closed the distance and engaged Chalikiopolous in a clinch.
Machin tries to score a body lock takedown but Chalikiopolous shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Machin drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Machin breaks the clinch.
Machin slips under a jab from Chalikiopolous.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Machin.
Machin ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Machin tries to close the distance and clinch but Chalikiopolous swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Chalikiopolous throws a right and a left that both miss.
Machin throws a right and a left that both miss.
Machin is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Chalikiopolous.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Chalikiopolous misses with a double jab
and Machin counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Chalikiopolous thinking.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Lee Machin will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Machin steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Chalikiopolous.
Some wild striking there from Chalikiopolous.
Machin tries to score a power double leg takedown but Chalikiopolous sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Machin somewhat.
Machin shoots in for a takedown but Chalikiopolous shows good takedown defense.
Machin displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Chalikiopolous throws out the jab.
Stefan Chalikiopolous is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Machin forces Chalikiopolous back against the cage and clinches.
Chalikiopolous has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Chalikiopolous wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Machin breaks the clinch.
A punch combination from Chalikiopolous misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chalikiopolous takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Chalikiopolous fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Machin takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

Machin gets a clinch.

Machin manages to break the clinch.
Chalikiopolous slaps away a takedown attempt from Machin, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Stefan Chalikiopolous has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lee Machin.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Machin closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Machin tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Chalikiopolous has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Machin looking for a takedown.
Machin fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Machin tries to pull guard but Chalikiopolous won't allow it.
Chalikiopolous avoids a wild elbow strike from Machin.
Chalikiopolous tries to break free but Machin pushes him back against the cage.

Machin manages to break the clinch.
Machin fails with an attempt to clinch.
Chalikiopolous takes a swing at Machin's ribcage but misses.
Chalikiopolous comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Chalikiopolous throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Machin closes the distance and pushes Chalikiopolous back into the cage.
Machin lands an elbow inside.

Machin breaks from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machin throws a series of strikes that have Chalikiopolous backpedaling.

Machin darts in and clinches Chalikiopolous up against the cage.
Chalikiopolous wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Machin has him pressed against the cage.
Machin drops down looking for an ankle pick but Chalikiopolous pulls his leg out and moves away.

Machin fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Chalikiopolous sprawls well initially but Machin persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Machin working the head and body with strikes.
Machin passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Chalikiopolous!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Chalikiopolous is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.

Machin swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Chalikiopolous is now in Machin's guard. A big mistake from Machin there, giving up the dominant position!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Machin is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chalikiopolous wanted to stand there but Machin had control of the position.
Machin is looking to sweep but instead, Chalikiopolous has passed into half guard.
Machin is looking to improve his position.
Machin manages to get to full guard.

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.
Chalikiopolous is looking to stand up but Machin won't let him.

Machin throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Machin wants to sweep but no luck.
Machin is pulling down on Chalikiopolous's head. It's preventing any offense from Chalikiopolous, at least for the moment.
Chalikiopolous has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lee Machin showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Machin takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Machin closes the distance and clinches up with Chalikiopolous, looking for a takedown. Machin pushes Chalikiopolous against the cage but Chalikiopolous circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Chalikiopolous looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Machin staying out of range there.
Machin showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Chalikiopolous.
Chalikiopolous just misses with a punch to the body.
Machin lands with a straight right. Chalikiopolous didn't see that one coming.
Machin misses with a body kick.
No joy there for Chalikiopolous, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Chalikiopolous defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Machin.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice shot by Machin.
Chalikiopolous throws a combination that misses
and Machin counters with a left and a right that stings Chalikiopolous.
Chalikiopolous blocks a head kick by Machin.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Machin decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Machin looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Machin wants to work for an arm triangle but Chalikiopolous is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chalikiopolous keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Machin thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Chalikiopolous kicks off Machin and gets to his feet.
Machin throws a right and a left that both miss.

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.
Chalikiopolous looks to land a combination but Machin avoids it well.

Machin rushes Chalikiopolous and presses him up against the cage.
Machin jumps guard but Chalikiopolous stands there with Machin around his waist. Machin gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Stefan Chalikiopolous has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lee Machin.
Machin goes for a takedown attempt but Chalikiopolous pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Stefan Chalikiopolous is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Machin goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Chalikiopolous misses with a combination

and Machin counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Machin is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Machin escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Chalikiopolous stuffs the takedown.
Chalikiopolous fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Machin on the side of the head.
Machin blocks a low kick nicely.

Machin shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Chalikiopolous is refusing to be controlled, as Machin sits in half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chalikiopolous is trying to stand up here but Machin is controlling him well.

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

Machin looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Machin prevents Chalikiopolous from standing back up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lee Machin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Machin winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 27:30
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lee Machin!