PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between LieHarder Machete (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rafael Santos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Santos is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Exodus. LieHarder Machete had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Machete
vs
Santos

190 cm
27
156 lbs
8 - 7 - 0

182 cm
24
152 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent knees
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, LieHarder Machete!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rafael Santos!
The judges for this bout are Paulo Santos, Emerson Jorge and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Machete tries to score a power double leg takedown but Santos sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Machete somewhat.
Santos displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Machete.
Machete shoots for a double leg takedown but Santos sprawls well. He's pushed Machete's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for LieHarder Machete. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Machete closes this distance looking for a takedown but Santos circles away.
Machete fails with an attempt to clinch.

Santos moves into the clinch.

Santos's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Santos shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Machete keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Santos jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Machete manages to avoid the submission attempt.

Santos is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Machete knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machete is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Santos has just dragged him back down to the mat.

Santos tries for a kimura but Machete is defending well.
Machete wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

Santos tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Machete is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

Santos is trying to get an arm triangle but Machete is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Santos is looking to take a break and control but Machete is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Machete really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Machete wants to get back to his feet.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Santos defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Machete.
Machete is breathing heavily.
Machete tries for a takedown but Santos circles away easily
and Santos counters with a good low kick that Machete was not able to check.
Santos misses with a jab, cross combination.

Santos has closed the distance and engaged Machete in a clinch.
Santos prevents the takedown attempt.
Santos gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Machete.
Machete blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santos scores a nice knee to the body.
Santos using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Machete has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Santos lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Santos tries a knee to the head but Machete blocks it.

Santos escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Santos misses with a double jab.

Santos closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Santos's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Santos throws a head kick but Machete moves out of range.
Machete misses with a takedown

and Santos counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Santos.
Santos with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Machete avoiding damage as Santos throws knees to the body.
Santos using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Santos cracks Machete with a nice body shot.
A hook to the body from Santos.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Santos lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Machete is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Santos jumps guard.

Machete decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Santos, up you get!
Machete shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Santos moves into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Santos breaks from the clinch.
Machete avoids the head kick by Santos.

Santos clinches with his opponent.

Santos's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
LieHarder Machete seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Santos doesn't manage to clinch there - Machete circles away.
Machete shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Santos counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Santos.
Santos pressing his opponent against the cage.
Santos works on Machete's body with a couple of short punches.
Santos unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Santos cracks Machete with a nice body shot.
Santos content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Machete wants a takedown but no success here.
Santos prevents a takedown attempt there.
Santos is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

Santos drags the fight down to the ground.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rafael Santos dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Santos swings for the body but Machete moves out of range.
Santos throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
LieHarder Machete is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Santos shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Machete defends it nicely.
Santos swinging wildly here.
Machete shoots in but no luck this time.
Machete fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Santos avoids it really well and circles away.
Santos's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Santos duly obliges.
Machete takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Machete gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Santos counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for LieHarder Machete. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Santos leaning his opponent against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santos prevents the takedown attempt.
Santos connects with a knee to the head.

Santos pulls guard successfully.

Santos escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Machete gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Santos has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Machete can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Machete wants to get up but he can't break Santos's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Santos controlling Machete's posture.

Santos is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Machete is aware though and is defending well.
Machete throws a big right hand that misses.
Machete trying to control but Santos is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machete stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Santos swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Machete is looking to stand up but Santos won't let him.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Santos throws a nice looking combination but Machete bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Santos throws a nice outside leg kick.
Santos misses with a jab, cross combination.
Machete slips a jab and a cross from Santos.
Santos throws a right and a left that Machete avoids nicely.
Santos scores with a kick to the midsection.

Santos closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Santos lands in his opponent's guard.
Santos wants to control from the top but Machete keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santos is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

Santos drops back looking for a leg! Machete is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Machete manages to kick Santos off! Santos jumps back into Machete's guard.
Santos throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Machete works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Machete is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Santos is controlling him.

Machete pushes Santos off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Machete has his takedown stuffed

and Santos holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Santos missing with knees to the body.
Santos manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

Santos has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Machete uses from the top position.

Santos is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Machete tries to free his leg and advance position but Santos is retaining full guard.
Santos looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Santos looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Santos throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Santos has his foot on Machete's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Machete works his way back into a safe position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rafael Santos 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!

Machete misses with a takedown attempt

and Santos counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Santos decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Machete, up you get!

Santos gets a clinch.
Santos stops a takedown attempt from Machete.
Santos unloads a knee to the mid-section. Machete lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Machete blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Santos unloads a knee to the mid-section. Machete lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Santos dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Machete lands an elbow that stopped Santos in his tracks for a moment.
Santos misses with a knee to the head.
Santos misses with a knee strike.
Machete goes for a takedown attempt but Santos pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for LieHarder Machete. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Santos tries a head kick but it misses.
Santos stuffs the takedown attempt from Machete. Machete gets slowly back to his feet.

Santos darts in and clinches Machete up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santos pressing his opponent against the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A knee to the head by Santos.
Machete has Santos pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Santos manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Santos stops a takedown attempt from Machete.
Santos with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Good body shot from Santos.

Santos breaks from the clinch.
Machete stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Machete wants it to stay on the feet.
Santos misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Machete.
Machete misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Machete fails with the takedown.
Santos fails with a takedown attempt.
Machete tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Santos swivels and escapes.
Santos throws a right hand that Machete ducks under and follows up with a left that Machete also avoids with ease.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machete keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Machete avoids a punch combination nicely.
Machete moves out of range of the body kick from Santos.
Santos throws a series of punches but Machete moves out of range.

Machete clinches up with Santos and pushes him back against the cage.
Santos is trying to maintain a safe position but Machete gets an underhook and turns Santos into the cage.
Santos is pressed up against the cage. Machete has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Santos down to the mat. Santos avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Santos fails with a takedown attempt.
Santos throws a wild body kick that Machete sees coming a mile off.
Santos stuffs the takedown.
Machete shoots and misses

and Santos counters by moving into the clinch.
Santos lands a damaging elbow.
Santos unloads a knee to the mid-section. Machete lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Santos avoiding damage.
Machete jumps guard but Santos stands there with Machete around his waist. Machete gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santos lands a nice knee to the body.

Santos pulls guard successfully.
Machete wants to get up but he can't break Santos's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Machete trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Machete preventing the sweep.
Rafael Santos is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Machete gets to his feet. Santos looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Santos keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Machete fails with the takedown

and Santos moves into the clinch.
Santos pressing his opponent against the cage.
Santos tries to land a knee to the head but Machete blocks with his arms.
Machete drops down looking for an ankle pick but Santos pulls his leg out and moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machete moves out of range of the body kick from Santos.
Machete clinches but Santos breaks the clinch
and Santos counters with a left and a right that stings Machete.
Santos throws a sloppy head kick and Machete moves out of range easily.
Machete misses with a takedown attempt
and Santos counters with a two punch combo.
Machete tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Santos swivels and escapes.
Santos fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Machete checks it well.
Santos missing with a left hand there. Machete was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Machete has a takedown stuffed.
LieHarder Machete has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Santos scores with a one two! Machete had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

Machete closes the distance and clinches.
Machete tries to score a body lock takedown but Santos shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Santos lands a knee to the head.
Santos gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Machete.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rafael Santos comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Santos 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 Paulo Santos scores the fight 27:30
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rafael Santos!