PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Benos machida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Alvarez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Michael Alvarez struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 156.6lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

machida
vs
Alvarez

175 cm
22
154 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

173 cm
22
165 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Team S.W.A.T.

Attliction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Benos machida!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Michael Alvarez!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Thiago Cunha and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Alvarez throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around machida's waist but machida gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Alvarez off to one side.
Alvarez checks a leg kick.
machida lands a head kick!

It looks like Michael Alvarez has been cut.
machida throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
machida throws a right hand that Alvarez ducks under and follows up with a left that Alvarez also avoids with ease.
machida throws a series of punches but Alvarez moves out of range.
An inside leg kick from machida misses.
machida misses with a jab, cross combination.
Alvarez shoots in looking for a takedown. machida tries to sprawl out of it but Alvarez keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. machida manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
machida misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Alvarez closes the distance and clinches up with machida, looking for a takedown. Alvarez pushes machida against the cage but machida circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Benos machida has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Alvarez.
machida throws a sloppy head kick and Alvarez moves out of range easily.
machida connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
machida throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Alvarez shoots in but no luck this time.
machida keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Alvarez looks gassed!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alvarez fails with the takedown.
A bone on bone clash there as Alvarez blocks the leg kick.
A good leg kick by machida.
machida lands a head kick. Alvarez smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
machida fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
machida chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Alvarez shoots for a double leg takedown but machida sprawls well. He's pushed Alvarez's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
machida misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Benos machida is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
machida throws a head kick that half lands.
machida throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
machida throws a right hand that Alvarez ducks under and follows up with a left that Alvarez also avoids with ease.
machida moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
machida tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
machida throws a head kick that misses.
machida misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
machida misses with a head kick.
Alvarez shoots in for a takedown but machida shows good takedown defense.
machida scores with a leg kick.

Alvarez shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
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!
Alvarez wants to pass to mount but machida is defending the position.

Alvarez in half guard on the top. He's looking for a kimura... He's got it locked and he's managed to free his trapped foot. machida tries to escape but it's on too tight and he has to tap! Great BJJ skills there from Alvarez!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:47 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Michael Alvarez!
Michael Alvarez is the new lightweight champion!