PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kob Nitaya (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rigan Machado (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Nitaya
vs
Machado

190 cm
27
221 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

182 cm
26
210 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
World class MT
Cardio machine

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kob Nitaya!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Rigan Machado!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Yuuki Gou and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Machado stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Nitaya.
Machado shoots in looking for a takedown. Nitaya tries to sprawl out of it but Machado keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Nitaya manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Nitaya slaps away a takedown attempt from Machado, before circling back to the center of the mat.
A head kick misses from Machado.
Nitaya connects with a solid leg kick.

Nitaya clinches with his opponent.
Machado is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Kob Nitaya has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rigan Machado.
Nitaya unloads a knee to the mid-section. Machado lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Nitaya scores with a knee to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Knees to the body from Nitaya.
Machado looks gassed!
A knee to the head by Nitaya.

It looks like Rigan Machado has been cut.
Machado wants a takedown but no success here.
Nitaya lands a knee to the head.
Nice elbow from Nitaya.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nitaya lands an elbow inside that Machado shrugs off.
Nitaya putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Machado in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
A bit of stalling here from Nitaya.
Nitaya prevents the takedown attempt.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Nitaya.
Machado takes an elbow to the forehead.
Nitaya unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Nitaya creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Machado's defenses.
Knees in the clinch landing for Nitaya.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nitaya scores a nice knee to the body.
Nitaya connects with a knee to the head.
Nitaya connects with a knee to the head.
Nitaya lands an elbow just above Machado 's eye.
Nitaya gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Nitaya prevents the takedown attempt.
Knees to the body from Nitaya.
Nitaya lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nitaya creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Machado's defenses.
Nitaya is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Nitaya gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Machado takes an elbow to the forehead.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Nitaya.
Machado takes an elbow to the forehead.
Nitaya slows down the pace here.
Nitaya lands a body punch in the clinch.
A knee to the head by Nitaya.
Nitaya lands an elbow inside.
Nitaya landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Nitaya creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Machado's defenses.
Nitaya creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Machado's defenses.
Nitaya lands an elbow inside that Machado shrugs off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nitaya lands a good knee to the midsection. Machado won't want to take too many of those.
Nitaya landing knees to the head.
Nitaya lands an elbow inside that Machado shrugs off.
Nitaya landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Nitaya crunches a lovely knee into Machado's ribcage.
Nitaya lands a nice knee to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nitaya lands an elbow inside.
Knees in the clinch landing for Nitaya.
A short body shot lands from Nitaya as the two fighters clinch.
Nitaya lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Nitaya working Machado over with knees to the body.
Nitaya landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Nitaya comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Machado looking for a takedown.
Nitaya crunches a lovely knee into Machado's ribcage.
A knee to the head by Nitaya.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nitaya is struggling to control the position.
Nice elbow from Nitaya.
Nitaya creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Machado's defenses.
Nitaya crunches a lovely knee into Machado's ribcage.
Machado tries to pull guard but Nitaya holds him up against the cage and eventually Machado drops back down to his feet.
Nitaya is pushing Machado up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Nitaya unloads a knee to the mid-section. Machado lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Nitaya lands a nice knee to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nitaya makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Nitaya lands a knee to the head.
Machado takes a knee right on the jaw!
Nice elbow from Nitaya.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kob Nitaya dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Rigan Machado's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

A shot to the liver by Nitaya. Beautiful body shot.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Nitaya - that will leave a mark!
Nitaya lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Nitaya feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Machado's calf.
Nitaya thuds his shin into the meat of Machado's side.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Nitaya - that will leave a mark!
Nitaya connects with a high kick.
Decent striking displayed by Nitaya there.

Nitaya gets a clinch.
Nitaya landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Machado takes an elbow to the forehead.
Nitaya connects with a nasty looking knee right to Machado's face.
Machado is breathing heavily.
Nitaya using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nitaya pressing his opponent against the cage.
Nitaya scores a nice knee to the body.
Nitaya scores a nice knee to the body.
Nitaya putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Machado in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Nitaya utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nitaya lands a good knee to the midsection. Machado won't want to take too many of those.
Nitaya is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Machado can do to turn this around?
Nitaya comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Nitaya comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Knees to the body from Nitaya.
Nitaya landing knees to the head.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Nitaya seems to have come into the fight with the intention of avoiding any damage in the clinch, rather than actually showing any aggression.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nitaya scores with a knee to the head.
Knees to the body from Nitaya.
Machado tries to pull guard but Nitaya holds him up against the cage and eventually Machado drops back down to his feet.
Nitaya unloads a knee to the mid-section. Machado lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Nitaya lands an elbow that stopped Machado in his tracks for a moment.
Machado takes an elbow to the temple.
Nitaya using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Nitaya lands an elbow just above Machado 's eye.
Kob Nitaya has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Nitaya crunches a lovely knee into Machado's ribcage.
Nitaya lands a good knee to the midsection. Machado won't want to take too many of those.
Nitaya utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Machado's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machado fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Nitaya lands an elbow inside.
Nitaya landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Nitaya is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
A short right from Nitaya on the inside.
Nitaya lands an elbow just above Machado 's eye.
Nitaya putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Machado in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nitaya gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Nitaya lands a good knee to the midsection. Machado won't want to take too many of those.
A short body shot lands from Nitaya as the two fighters clinch.
Nitaya with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Nitaya slowing the pace effectively.
Nitaya landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Machado tries to pull guard but Nitaya won't allow it.
Kob Nitaya has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rigan Machado.
Machado takes a knee right on the jaw!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machado takes an elbow to the forehead.
Machado jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Nitaya walks away with a smile on his face. Machado gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Machado takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Nitaya fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Machado has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Machado tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Rigan Machado is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nitaya scores with a kick to the midsection.
Nitaya ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Machado on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Nitaya. Nitaya obviously looking to wear him down.
Nitaya plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nitaya lands a head kick. Machado smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Nitaya lands a nice looking body kick.
Nitaya scores with a jab to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kob Nitaya dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Rigan Machado's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Nitaya throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
A nice leg kick lands there from Nitaya.
Nitaya thuds his shin into the meat of Machado's side.
Kob Nitaya seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
An inside leg kick lands from Nitaya.
Nitaya moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Nitaya thumps Machado with a low kick.
Nitaya pushes Machado away with a front kick.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Nitaya throws a quick inside leg kick.
Nitaya thuds his shin into the meat of Machado's side.
Nitaya thumps Machado with a low kick.

Nitaya closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Nitaya lands a nice elbow.
Machado has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Nitaya.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice elbow from Nitaya.
Machado tries to pull guard but Nitaya holds him up against the cage and eventually Machado drops back down to his feet.
Nitaya lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Nitaya is pushing Machado up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Nitaya prevents a takedown attempt there.
Nitaya lands a good knee to the midsection. Machado won't want to take too many of those.
Machado takes a knee right on the jaw!
Nitaya lands a knee to the body.
Nitaya with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Nitaya is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A right hook to the body lands for Nitaya.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nitaya scores a nice knee to the body.
Nitaya lands a damaging elbow.
Nitaya lands a damaging elbow.
Nitaya is leaning against Machado and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Machado takes an elbow to the temple.
Nitaya lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Nitaya unloads a knee to the mid-section. Machado lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
A right hook to the body lands for Nitaya.
Nitaya lands a nice knee to the body.
Nice body punch from Nitaya.
Knees in the clinch landing for Nitaya.
Nitaya working Machado over with knees to the body.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Nitaya obliges.
Machado's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Nitaya lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Nitaya with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Come on Nitaya - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Machado is trying to drag Nitaya to the mat but Nitaya just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Kob Nitaya has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rigan Machado.
Machado tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Nitaya landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Good body shot from Machado.
Nitaya landing knees to the head.
Machado tries to pull guard but Nitaya holds him up against the cage and eventually Machado drops back down to his feet.
A short right from Nitaya.
Machado jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Nitaya walks away with a smile on his face. Machado gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Nitaya, right into the meat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machado shoots and misses
and Nitaya counters with a nice low kick that buckles Machado's knee momentarily.
Nitaya throws a head kick but Machado moves out of range.
Machado throws a head kick that misses.

Nitaya instigates a clinch.
Nitaya utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Machado jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Nitaya walks away with a smile on his face. Machado gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Machado looks to land a left hand but Nitaya moved out of range nicely.
Machado on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nitaya scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Machado doesn't seem bothered though.
Machado tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
A head kick misses from Nitaya.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kob Nitaya clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Rigan Machado's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Nitaya delivers a nice body kick.
Machado takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Nitaya fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Machado manages to avoid it.
Nitaya looks to land a left hand but Machado moved out of range nicely.
Machado shoots in and drives through. Nitaya sprawls well.
Machado fails to land with a series of punches.
Machado throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nitaya comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Nitaya lands a nice leg kick that just misses Machado's sensitive parts.
Machado is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Nitaya throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Machado.
Nitaya misses with a body kick.
Nitaya lets loose with a powerful body kick. Machado will feel that in the morning.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machado throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nitaya moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Nitaya.
Nitaya lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Nitaya scores with a shot to the body.
Kob Nitaya is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nitaya feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Machado's calf.
Kob Nitaya is winning the standup battle so far.
Nitaya goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Nitaya is looking to wear down Machado with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nitaya scores with a spinning back kick!
Nitaya connects with a leg kick. Machado looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Nitaya lands with a shot to the body.
Nitaya throws a nice head kick!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machado shoots in and drives through. Nitaya sprawls well.
Nitaya with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Machado gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Nitaya bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Machado's head.
Machado on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Machado tries a head kick but it misses.
Machado shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kob Nitaya has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rigan Machado.
Nitaya scores with a head kick. Machado tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Machado tries to score a power double leg takedown but Nitaya sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Machado somewhat.
Nitaya slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nitaya closes the distance and clinches.
Nitaya using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Nitaya connects with a knee to the head.
Nitaya is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
A knee to the head by Nitaya.
Nitaya with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Nitaya with a knee to the head.
Nitaya is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Nitaya using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Nitaya just leaning against Machado, taking a breather.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Machado on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Machado manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Nitaya tries to stand but Machado is controlling from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nitaya looking to sit in guard and control but Machado gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Machado passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Machado landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Machado remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Machado in side control lands a decent elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kob Nitaya had his way with Rigan Machado in that round.
The cut man is working on Rigan Machado's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Nitaya goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Machado looks to score with a jab to the body but Nitaya is just out of range.
Nitaya tries to clinch up.
A low kick from Nitaya misses
and Machado counters with a left and a right that stings Nitaya.
Nitaya throws a head kick but Machado moves out of range.
Nitaya scores with a nice body kick.
Nitaya slips under a jab from Machado.
Machado fails to land the takedown.
Nitaya pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Machado looks to land a left hand but Nitaya moved out of range nicely.
Machado tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Machado misses the target.
Machado looks to score with a jab to the body but Nitaya is just out of range.
A punch combination from Machado misses.
Nitaya tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Machado manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Machado takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Machado is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Machado keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nitaya connects with a leg kick. Machado looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Machado shoots for a double leg takedown but Nitaya sprawls well. He's pushed Machado's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Machado takes one to the side of the head.

Nitaya clinches with his opponent.
Machado tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Nitaya smiles and moves away.
Kob Nitaya has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rigan Machado.
Machado takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Nitaya pushes Machado away with a front kick.
Nitaya scores with a leg kick.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Nitaya.
Nitaya dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Nitaya plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Good exchange - Nitaya coming out on top.
Nitaya connects with a solid leg kick.
Nitaya stuns Machado with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Nitaya - that will leave a mark!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nitaya lands with a thumping leg kick.
Machado on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Nitaya plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Machado tries to work over Nitaya's front leg with a kick but Nitaya checks it.
Nitaya lands a nice shot to the body.
Machado misses with a takedown
and Nitaya counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Nitaya.
Machado shoots for a double leg takedown but Nitaya sprawls well. He's pushed Machado's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Nitaya closes the distance and clinches.
Nitaya stalling against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nitaya unloads a knee to the mid-section. Machado lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Machado tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Nitaya lands an elbow that stopped Machado in his tracks for a moment.
Nitaya working Machado over with knees to the body.
Nitaya lands an elbow that stopped Machado in his tracks for a moment.
Nitaya scores a nice knee to the body.
Nitaya scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Nitaya landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
A knee to the head by Nitaya.
Rigan Machado has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Machado takes a knee right on the jaw!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nitaya lands an uppercut.
Nitaya comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Nitaya landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Machado.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kob Nitaya showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Nitaya, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 50:42
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 50:42
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 50:42

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kob Nitaya!
Kob Nitaya retains his light heavyweight title!