PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Lyoto Machida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe Hockley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Machida has a slight injury, which hopefully won't affect the fight too much. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Machida
vs
Hockley

190 cm
21
205 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

187 cm
18
200 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Prefers ground

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 - 1 - 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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Joe Hockley!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, Reed Andrews and Dean Styles.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hockley tries to clinch there but Machida circles away.
Machida closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hockley circles away.

Hockley decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Machida is breathing heavily.
Hockley wants to take a breather but Machida is having none of it.
Machida is looking to improve his position.
Hockley thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Machida's head.
Hockley wants to pass to mount but Machida is defending the position.
Hockley seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hockley wants to pass the guard but Machida is defending well.
Hockley is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Hockley misses with a jab, cross combination.
Hockley thows a body shot but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida has his takedown stuffed

and Hockley counters with a nice double leg into side control. Machida won't be happy with that.
Hockley wants to stand but Machida is controlling his arm.
Machida is trying to get back to half guard.
Machida sneaks back into half guard.
Hockley really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Machida. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Machida actively working from the bottom here.
Machida manages to get to full guard.

Machida working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hockley doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hockley manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hockley trying to control the position from guard on top but Machida is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hockley controlling from the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hockley trying to stand up but can't free himself from Machida's guard.
Hockley with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Hockley trying to control the position from guard on top but Machida is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Hockley accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Machida looking for a sweep. Not yet Machida, not yet.
Hockley with a nice head shot there.

Hockley decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Machida, up you get!
Hockley swinging wilding here.

Hockley fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Machida sprawls well initially but Hockley persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Machida looking for submissions off his back.
Hockley is figuring out what he wants to do next.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machida tries to get to full guard but Hockley has control of the leg.
Hockley scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Hockley missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Hockley prevents Machida from improving his position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.

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

Machida is working for a submission of some sort.
Hockley wants to control but Machida is keeping busy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hockley looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hockley is trying to get back to full guard.
Hockley tries to kick Machida off but Machida keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Hockley is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Hockley trying to control but Machida postures up.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Hockley does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Hockley throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A decent looking cross lands there for Hockley.
Machida with a poor takedown

and Hockley counters with a takedown into side control.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lyoto Machida. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Machida looking for a sweep but Hockley has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Machida regains half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Machida tries for a takedown but Hockley circles away easily
and Hockley finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Hockley throws a nice looking combination but Machida bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Hockley lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Hockley lands a nice looking body shot.
Machida changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hockley tries to avoid it but Machida manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hockley to the ground. Hockley escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Hockley tries to close the distance and clinch but Machida swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Hockley rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Machida moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Machida misses with a takedown attempt
and Hockley counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lyoto Machida. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hockley misses with a wild combination.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hockley stuffs the takedown.
Machida looks for a takedown but Hockley sprawls well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hockley misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Machida gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Hockley counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Hockley wants to get back to his feet.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Hockley lands a nice short elbow.
Hockley seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Hockley wants to stand but Machida has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Machida gets back to full guard.
Machida lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Hockley!
Hockley is in all sorts of trouble here.

Machida working for a submission but Hockley is keeping him at bay.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hockley's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Hockley tries to lock up and control but Machida gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

Machida is working for a guillotine from mount but Hockley frees his head quite easily.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Machida throwing strikes here but Hockley is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Hockley regains half guard.
Hockley wants to control but Machida is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Machida seems to be working for a kimura but Hockley defends the submission attempt.
Hockley regains full guard. Nicely done.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Machida drops back, looking for a kneebar! Hockley looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Hockley looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Hockley!
Machida is looking to regain half guard here but Hockley keeps moving and retains side control.
Machida is working hard here to advance position.

Hockley stands up.
Machida doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Hockley counters with a left and a right that stings Machida.
Hockley throws a series of punches but Machida moves out of range.
Hockley misses with a wild combination.
Lyoto Machida is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hockley paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Hockley stuffs the takedown.

Hockley gets the takedown into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machida regains half guard.
Still in half guard, Hockley seems content to control.
Hockley not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The fighters are battling for position here. Machida manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Machida working for a triangle but Hockley defends it easily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Hockley gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Machida shoots and misses

and Hockley counters with a nice double leg into side control. Machida won't be happy with that.
Machida is trying to improve his position.
Hockley is chipping away with strikes.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Machida is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Hockley is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Hockley controlling the pace for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Hockley showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Hockley misses with a series of wild punches.
Machida shoots and misses
enabling Hockley to counter with a crisp jab.

Hockley shoots in and bounces Machida off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Machida bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Hockley's guard.
Machida passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Hockley wants to control but Machida postures up.
Hockley is trying to improve his position.
Hockley wants to get back to his feet.
Hockley can't do much from the bottom here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hockley is looking for a sweep.
Hockley is trying to control Machida's posture but Machida avoids it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Hockley tries to clinch up.
Machida staying out of range there.

Hockley decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
It looks like Hockley is going to stand back up.
Hockley is looking to stand up but he'll have to free his leg first. Instead, Machida manages to get to full guard.
Machida lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Hockley!
Hockley keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hockley defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Machida.
Hockley sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Hockley is looking to control Machida's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Hockley avoid being mounted?

Hockley is defending against the submission attempts here by Machida.
Hockley is trying to maintain the position but Machida is very close to passing his half guard.
Machida stops Hockley from getting back to his feet.

Machida is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Hockley defends it well.
Hockley is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hockley controlling the position for now.
Hockley wants to get back to full guard.
Hockley misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Hockley tries to get to full guard but Machida has control of the leg.
Machida seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

Machida is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Machida prevents Hockley from standing back up.
Hockley tries to roll over but Machida keeps him under control.
Hockley is trying to stand back up but Machida is controlling him

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Machida seems to be working for a kimura but Hockley defends the submission attempt.

Machida wants to work for an arm triangle but Hockley is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Hockley is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Machida's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Machida's back!
The referee is taking a good look at Machida as he is on the wrong end of some big shots from Hockley!
Hockley is throwing punches to the body, looking to soften Machida up.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Hockley's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Machida is covering up but some of the strikes from Hockley are getting through and doing damage.
I would not like to be Machida right now.
Hockley struggling to land strikes to the head as Machida covers up.
Lyoto Machida has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hockley throwing damaging strikes from the back! Machida could be in trouble here!

Machida is rocked!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Hockley controlling the positon.
Oh Machida is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Machida grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joe Hockley comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Hockley has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Joseph Jones scores the fight 27:30
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joe Hockley!