PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Liam Machin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Seany Scholes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Scholes has chosen Wonderwall - Oasis as his entrance music. The key to victory for Liam Machin has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Machin
vs
Scholes

180 cm
27
165 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

168 cm
22
155 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Liam Machin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Seany Scholes!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, William Gold and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Scholes darts in and clinches Machin up against the cage.

Machin escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Machin tries to sprawl but Scholes drives through with a takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Scholes trying to pass the guard but Machin defending well.
Scholes is looking to take a break and control but Machin is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Scholes looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Scholes is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Scholes is trying to work for a kimura but Machin is defending well.
Scholes is pressing down on Machin's thigh, looking to free his foot. Machin is holding on for now.

Scholes is working for a submission of some sort.
Machin wants to get back to full guard.
Machin is refusing to be controlled, as Scholes sits in half guard.

Scholes is trying to work for a kimura but Machin is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machin won't allow Scholes to pass to mount.

Scholes seems to be looking for submissions.

Scholes is looking for a kimura but Machin is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Scholes to get the leverage.

Scholes is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Machin is trying to control but can't.
Machin is looking to improve his position.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Scholes is pressing down on Machin's thigh, looking to free his foot. Machin is holding on for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Scholes wants to advance to full mount but Machin doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Scholes pushes down on Machin's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Scholes is pressing down on Machin's thigh, looking to free his foot. Machin is holding on for now.

Scholes is looking for a kimura but Machin is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Scholes to get the leverage.

Scholes seems to be looking for submissions.
Scholes works his way into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Scholes wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Machin, who protects the arm well.

Scholes tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Scholes has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Machin is looking for a sweep.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Machin is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Scholes's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

Machin is defending against the submission attempts here by Scholes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Scholes takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Nice takedown defense from Machin. No joy for Scholes on that attempt.
Machin lands a jab to Scholes's midsection.
Machin throws a series of strikes that have Scholes backpedaling.
Machin swats away the attempt to clinch by Scholes.
Machin wants to land a leg kick but Scholes is out of range.
Nice takedown defense from Machin. No joy for Scholes on that attempt.
Machin smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Scholes tries to clinch
and Machin counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Scholes has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Machin finds it's way round the side to connect with Scholes's head.
Machin is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Scholes tries for a takedown but Machin sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Liam Machin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Seany Scholes.
Scholes drops his hands momentarily and Machin takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Scholes moves out of range of the leg kick from Machin.
Scholes fails with a takedown attempt.
Scholes takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

Scholes is rocked!
Scholes keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Scholes fails with the takedown.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Machin lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Scholes has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Scholes and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Machin loads up on a big right hand but Scholes slips the punch.
Machin fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Scholes manages to avoid it.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Scholes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Scholes misses with a takedown attempt - Machin sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Machin cracks a nice hook into Scholes's ribs.
Machin misses with a low kick.
Machin is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Scholes has his takedown stuffed
and Machin counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Liam Machin is winning the standup battle so far.
Scholes has a takedown stuffed.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
No joy there for Machin, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Scholes fails to land the takedown.
Scholes is looking to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Scholes walks into a straight right hand from Machin.
Scholes tries to clinch but Machin moves out of range.
Machin takes a swing at Scholes's ribcage but misses.
Machin throws a leg kick but Scholes checks it.
Machin throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Machin throws a series of punches but Scholes moves out of range.
Machin swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Machin throws a poor cross that misses

and Scholes counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Machin's guard now.
Machin knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Scholes on the ground.
Scholes trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Scholes trying to control but Machin is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Machin wants to stand but Scholes is controlling the position.
Scholes trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Scholes 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.
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!
Scholes tries to free his leg and advance position but Machin is retaining full guard.

Scholes is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Machin is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Machin has escaped and now he's on top!
Scholes manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Scholes trying to control but he's not successful this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Liam Machin dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Some wild striking there from Machin.
Scholes fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Machin comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Scholes takes a jab right on the kisser.
Machin throws a front kick aimed at Scholes's knee but Scholes avoids it well.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Scholes is defended easily by Machin.
Nice takedown defense from Machin. No joy for Scholes on that attempt.
Liam Machin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Seany Scholes.
Machin pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Scholes back to the cage. Machin follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Machin rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Scholes moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machin avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Scholes closes the distance and clinches up with Machin, looking for a takedown. Scholes pushes Machin against the cage but Machin circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Nice takedown defense from Machin. No joy for Scholes on that attempt.
Some wild striking there from Machin.
Scholes fails with the takedown.
Machin stalks Scholes and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Scholes's face. Scholes staggers backwards, shaken.
Scholes shoots for a takedown but Machin saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Machin defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Scholes.
Scholes takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Machin misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Machin moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

Scholes closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Machin's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Machin wants to stand up but Scholes is controlling him.
Scholes stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Machin swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Scholes trying to control the position from guard on top but Machin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Machin on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Machin tries to get out of the position.
Machin pulls Scholes in close to prevent any damage.

Scholes is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Machin is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Machin has escaped and now he's on top!

Scholes had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Machin defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Scholes is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Scholes is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Scholes throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Machin trying to stand up but can't free himself from Scholes's guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Machin gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Machin rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Scholes moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Liam Machin showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Machin has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Phil Schofield scores the fight 29:28
Judge William Gold scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Liam Machin!
A victorious Liam Machin thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.