PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between John Tavares (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tj Machida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Tavares
vs
Machida

190 cm
19
160 lbs
1 - 7 - 0

178 cm
19
175 lbs
0 - 5 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Prefers standup

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, John Tavares!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Tj Machida!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, William Peck and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tavares misses with a double jab
and Machida counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Machida throws a leg kick which misses Tavares's front leg but catches the back leg as Tavares tries to avoid it.
Tavares throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Machida.
Machida tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Tavares manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A low kick from Tavares is predictable there
and Machida counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Tavares throws a series of punches but Machida moves out of range.
Machida keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Tavares throws a left and a right that both miss
and Machida counters with a thumping low kick.
Machida showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Tavares.
Tavares swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Machida counters with a low kick, right behind Tavares 's knee.
Tavares throws a combination that misses
and Machida counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
John Tavares seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Machida lands a jab to the head.
Machida tries to clinch but Tavares moves out of range.
Tavares tries to bum rush Machida with a series of wild strikes but Machida uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A combination from Machida does no damage.
Machida throws a front kick that sends Tavares stumbling back into the cage.
Tavares is breathing heavily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Machida tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Tavares paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida slips a jab and a cross from Tavares.
Tavares swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Tavares misses with a combination
and Machida counters with a head kick.
Machida wants to clinch up but Tavares keeps it at a distance.
Tavares is looking to clinch.
Danga de danga de dang - Machida scores with a four punch combination!
Machida throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Tavares.
Tavares misses with a combination
and Machida counters with a nice body kick.
Machida lands with a kick to the temple. Tavares shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Tj Machida is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
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!
Tavares is looking to clinch but Machida is avoiding it.
Machida wants to clinch up but Tavares keeps it at a distance.

Machida rushes Tavares and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Machida wants to break the clinch but can't.
Tavares really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Machida lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Tavares dodges an elbow strike from Machida.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A frustrated look appears on Machida's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Machida scores a nice knee to the body.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Machida obliges.
Machida creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

Tavares has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Machida uses from the top position.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Machida would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Tavares wants to stand and escape but Machida is having none of it.
Machida has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Tavares is proving hard to escape from.

Machida decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Tavares, up you get!
Machida showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Tavares.
Machida doesn't manage to clinch there - Tavares circles away.
Tavares throws a leg kick
enabling Machida to counter with a crisp jab.
Tavares throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Machida counters with a head kick. That will keep Tavares thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Machida tries to clinch up but Tavares circles away and keeps his distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Machida gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Machida.
Tavares takes a knee right on the jaw!
Tavares wants to get back to striking at distance but Machida won't allow it.
Machida unloads a knee to the mid-section. Tavares lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

Machida breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Tavares buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Tavares changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Machida fails with an attempt to clinch.
Tavares throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Machida counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Machida drives through and clinches with Tavares against the cage.
Tavares is trying to push Machida away but Machida has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Machida is trying to break the clinch but Tavares has him pressed against the cage.

Tavares pulls guard.
Machida wants to stand but Tavares has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tavares is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Machida would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Tavares kicks Machida off and gets to his feet.

Tavares takes the fight into the clinch.
Machida is trying to break free.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Machida wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Machida using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Tavares has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Machida trying to land knees to the body.
Tavares avoiding damage as Machida throws knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tj Machida dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Machida showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Tavares.
Tavares swats away the attempt to clinch by Machida.
Tavares will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Tavares swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Machida wants to clinch
and Tavares counters with a left and a right that stings Machida.
John Tavares is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Machida throws out a powerful jab.
Tavares misses with a body shot.
Tavares misses with a double jab
and Machida counters with a low kick, right behind Tavares 's knee.
Tavares avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Tavares fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Machida wants to clinch up but Tavares keeps it at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tavares takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Machida tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Tavares paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Tavares lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Machida circles away quickly and effectively.
Tavares swats away the attempt to clinch by Machida.
Machida scores with a hook to the body. Tavares takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Machida looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

Machida clinches up against the cage.
Machida is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Tavares is looking to break free of the clinch but Machida has double underhooks.
Tavares can't break the clinch.

Machida manages to break the clinch.
Machida is looking to clinch but Tavares is avoiding it.
Tavares swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Machida counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Machida tries to clinch up but Tavares circles away and keeps his distance.
Machida avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machida tries to clinch up.
Machida fails with an attempt to clinch.
Machida connects with a body shot that sends Tavares's belly button to the back.
Tj Machida seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Tavares swats away the attempt to clinch by Machida.
Machida tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Tavares manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Machida throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Tavares.
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!
Machida fails with an attempt to clinch.
Machida moves in looking to clinch but Tavares pushes him off.
Tavares throws a combination that misses
and Machida counters with a nice body kick.
Tavares lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Machida circles away quickly and effectively.
Machida tries to close the distance and clinch up but Tavares swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Machida wants to clinch up but Tavares keeps it at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tavares takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
The fight stays on the outside here - Machida looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Machida fails in his attempt to clinch.

Machida closes the distance and pushes Tavares back into the cage.
Tavares is trying to break the clinch but Machida has him pressed against the cage.
Tavares is trying to push Machida away but Machida has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Machida misses with a knee to the head.
Tavares prevents Machida from breaking the clinch.
Tavares has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Machida is trying to break free.
Tavares managing to block the knees to the body from Machida.
Machida lands a good knee to the midsection. Tavares won't want to take too many of those.
Tavares tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Machida crunches a lovely knee into Tavares's ribcage.
Machida is looking to break free of the clinch but Tavares has double underhooks.
Tavares is trying to break the clinch but Machida has him pressed against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tavares wants to get back to striking at distance but Machida won't allow it.
Machida wants to break free but Tavares has control.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Machida obliges.
Tavares keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Machida's efforts to push away.

Tavares's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Machida tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Tavares tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Machida manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Tavares misses with a combination
and Machida counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Tavares is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Machida is looking to clinch.
Tavares circles away from the clinch attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Machida delivers a nice body kick.
Tavares lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Machida circles away quickly and effectively.
A combination from Machida does no damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tj Machida showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Machida has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Machida throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Tavares lands with a nice body punch.
Tavares lands a leg kick that knocks Machida off balance momentarily.
Machida tries to clinch but Tavares is having none of it.
Tavares looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
A slapping body kick lands there for Machida.
No joy there for Tavares, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Machida is looking to clinch but Tavares is avoiding it.
Machida lands a leg kick that knocks Tavares off balance momentarily.
No luck for Tavares with that takedown attempt.
Machida lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Machida tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Machida has Tavares up against the cage in a clinch.
Tavares takes an elbow to the forehead.
Machida lands a nice knee to the body.
Machida misses with a knee strike.
Tavares avoiding damage as Machida throws knees to the body.

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

Tavares scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Machida lands a high kick!
Tavares fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Tavares. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tavares circles away from the clinch attempt.
Tavares just misses with a punch to the body.
Machida scores with a shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machida tries to clinch but Tavares is having none of it.
Tavares lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Tavares looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Machida thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Tavares if he has to take too many more of those.
Machida lands a head kick!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tavares throws a left and a right that both miss
and Machida counters with a nice body kick.
Machida fails with an attempt to clinch.
Machida tries to clinch up.
Some wild striking there from Tavares.
Machida misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Tavares cracks a nice hook into Machida's ribs.
Machida moves in looking to clinch but Tavares pushes him off.
Tavares digs a good body shot into Machida's ribs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Machida clinches up against the cage.
Machida wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Machida is trying to break free.
Tj Machida is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Tj Machida seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Tavares is trying to break the clinch but Machida has him pressed against the cage.

Tavares's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Tavares throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Machida throws a head kick that Tavares semi-blocks.
Machida dodges the punch combination from Tavares.

Machida gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Machida is trying to break free.

Tavares pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Tavares throws a series of punches but Machida moves out of range.
Machida throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Tavares's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machida fails in his attempt to clinch.
Machida avoids a punch combination nicely.
Machida throws a series of strikes that have Tavares backpedaling.
A punch combination from Tavares misses.
Tavares avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Tavares misses with a two punch combination.
Tavares avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Machida is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
No luck for Tavares with that takedown attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Machida moves into the clinch.
John Tavares has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Machida blocks an elbow strike from Tavares.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tj Machida comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Machida winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Ian Loll scores the fight 27:30
Judge William Peck scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tj Machida!