PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Sheldon Maia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Spider Machida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Maia's entrance music is Basket Case. A fine choice. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Maia
vs
Machida

185 cm
20
193 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

188 cm
22
197 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Excellent MT
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

WIN Nutritional

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 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Sheldon Maia!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Spider Machida!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maia looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
The fighters circling - Machida throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Machida throws a good cross that connects.
Maia avoids the head kick by Machida.
Maia checks the leg kick nicely there.

Maia shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Maia is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Maia wants to control from the top but Machida keeps moving.
Maia stops Machida from standing up.
Maia pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Machida is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maia wants to control from the top but Machida keeps moving.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Maia looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Machida is fending him off so far but Maia persists. Nope, Machida circles away and we're back to standing.
Machida lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Maia slips under a jab.
Maia will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sheldon Maia. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Maia dives in and grabs Machida's left leg, looking for a takedown. Machida pushes down on Maia's head and hops out.
Machida throws a right hand that Maia ducks under and follows up with a left that Maia also avoids with ease.
No luck for Maia with that takedown attempt.
Nice uppercut lands for Machida. That snapped Maia's head back.

It looks like Sheldon Maia has been cut.

Maia throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Machida was covering up waiting for the punch and Maia finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Maia wants to pass the guard but Machida is keeping the position.
Machida tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maia passes into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Maia moves into full mount! Machida won't be happy about that!
Maia wants to take Machida's back but he can't do it this time.
Machida is looking to improve his position but Maia isn't that keen on the idea.
Machida has given up his back. Will we see Maia going for some submissions?

Maia is working for the choke. It looks like he might have got it... has he...? Yes! Machida is tapping out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:01 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Sheldon Maia!