PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Arwind Santos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matt Machida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Santos
vs
Machida

193 cm
28
205 lbs
8 - 6 - 0

186 cm
27
210 lbs
5 - 6 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Determined

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 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Arwind Santos!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Matt Machida!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Daniel Cesar and Luis Engracia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Machida tries a head kick but it misses.
Machida stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Machida wants it to stay on the feet.

Santos scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Santos content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Santos trying to pass the guard but Machida defending well.
Santos stalling.

Santos decides to return to a standing position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Santos circles away quickly and effectively.

Santos clinches with his opponent.
Machida tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Santos lands a knee to the head.
Santos lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

It looks like Matt Machida has been cut.
Santos on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Santos is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Machida gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Santos pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Machida throws a right hand that Santos ducks under and follows up with a left that Santos also avoids with ease.
A thudding body kick lands there by Machida!
Santos avoids a kick to the body.

Santos moves into the clinch.
Santos on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Machida takes an elbow to the forehead.
Santos landing some nice looking knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santos blocks the elbow strike.
Santos leaning against his opponent.
Machida tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Machida is defending well against a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Arwind Santos. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Machida using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Santos has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Santos avoiding damage as Machida throws knees to the body.

Santos manages to break the clinch.
Santos shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Machida defends it nicely.
Machida takes a swing at Santos's ribcage but misses.
Santos closes this distance looking for a takedown but Machida circles away.
Machida throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Machida stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Machida wants it to stay on the feet.
Santos moves out of range as Machida throws a body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santos shoots in looking for a takedown but Machida manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Santos's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Santos shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Machida pinned against the cage. Machida gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Santos is breathing heavily.
Santos avoids a punch combination nicely.
Machida lands with a thumping leg kick.
Machida stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Machida wants it to stay on the feet.
Matt Machida is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Machida misses with the combination.

Santos scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

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

Santos seems to be looking for submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Santos is looking for a kimura here.
Santos passes the guard and advances to mount!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Machida is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arwind Santos dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Matt Machida'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.

Santos fails with a takedown attempt.
Machida throws a series of punches but Santos avoids them all with ease.
Machida leaves Santos with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Arwind Santos is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Santos fails with the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Arwind Santos. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Santos fails with a takedown attempt.
Santos takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Machida throws a sloppy head kick and Santos moves out of range easily.
Santos pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Santos shoots in for a takedown but Machida shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Horrible takedown by Santos or perhaps it was just good defense by Machida which made him look bad.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Santos is out of range.
Machida stuffs the takedown.
Machida throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Machida keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Machida lands a two punch combo.

Santos closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Santos blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Machida tries to land knees in the clinch but Santos avoids the damage to the body.

Santos pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Santos clinches.

Santos escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Santos shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Machida but Machida pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Machida lands a nice leg kick that just misses Santos's sensitive parts.

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!
A thudding body kick lands there by Machida!
Santos takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Machida - that will leave a mark!
Machida tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Santos is defended easily by Machida.
Machida pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Santos drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Machida throws a series of strikes that have Santos backpedaling.
Machida throws a body kick that misses.
Machida throws a head kick but Santos moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santos sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Machida lands with a thumping leg kick.
Machida throws a sloppy head kick and Santos moves out of range easily.
Machida scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Machida looks to land a body kick but Santos moved away.
Machida throws a one two combo.

Santos is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Machida's half guard.
Santos works his way into side control.
Machida is trying to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Santos wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Machida, who protects the arm well.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Santos is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Machida has escaped the position, nice work there.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Santos is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Machida knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Machida showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Matt Machida'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.

Machida slaps away a takedown attempt from Santos, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Machida scores with a nice head shot.
Santos blocks a leg kick.
Arwind Santos seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A punch combination from Machida misses.
Machida takes a swing at Santos's ribcage but misses.
Santos shoots in for a takedown but Machida shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Machida falls off balance throwing a combination

and Santos moves into the clinch.
Santos lands a nice knee to the body.

Santos manages to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santos looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Arwind Santos. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Machida wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Machida fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Machida misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Machida misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Machida looks to land a combination but Santos avoids it well.
Machida throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Santos shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Santos.
Santos doesn't manage to clinch there - Machida circles away.
Some wild striking there from Machida.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Santos.
Machida clobbers Santos with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Santos shoots for a double leg takedown but Machida sprawls well. He's pushed Santos's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Santos takes a kick to the side of the head.
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 scores with a kick to the midsection.
Machida throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Machida lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Santos circles away quickly and effectively.
Santos takes one to the side of the head.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Santos.
Nice cross by Machida.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machida with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Santos takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Machida throws a sloppy head kick and Santos moves out of range easily.
Machida scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Machida. Santos shrugs it off though.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Machida.
Machida throws a right and a left that Santos avoids nicely.

Santos closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Machida's guard.
Santos sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Machida's guard.
Santos missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santos works his way into side control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Santos throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

Santos decides to stand back up. Santos steps back and let's Machida get back to his feet.
Machida moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
A head kick by Machida misses

and Santos counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Santos drops down looking for an ankle pick but Machida pulls his leg out and moves away.
Santos shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Machida but Machida pushes him off and we're back to square one.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Machida really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Matt Machida's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Machida lands a two punch combo.
Santos tries for a takedown but Machida sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Machida misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A cross from Machida lands.

Santos clinches with his opponent.

Santos manages to break the clinch.
Santos slips under a jab.
Machida goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Machida throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Santos dodges the punch combination from Machida.
Machida is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Santos.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santos wants to lay and pray for a moment but Machida keeps working.

Santos has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Santos avoids the head kick by Machida.
Machida does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Machida scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Santos avoids the head kick by Machida.

Santos closes the distance and pushes Machida back into the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machida tries to land knees in the clinch but Santos avoids the damage to the body.
Santos utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Santos has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Machida after a bit of a struggle.

Santos manages to break the clinch.

Santos shoots in and bounces Machida off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Santos stands and throws Machida's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Santos decides to stand back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santos shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Machida but Machida pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Arwind Santos. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Machida throws an overhand right that lands on Santos's shoulder, as Santos tries to avoid the shot.
Machida stuffs the takedown.
Santos will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Nice takedown defense from Machida. No joy for Santos on that attempt.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Machida, right into the meat.
Machida catches Santos with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Machida slaps away a takedown attempt from Santos, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Machida throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Machida connects with a solid leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machida scores with a one two! Santos had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Machida avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Machida throws a nice looking combination but Santos bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Santos shoots in looking for a takedown but Machida manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Santos's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Machida pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Santos back to the cage. Machida follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Machida misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Santos takes the fight into the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Santos displaying some good clinch control by pressing Machida up against the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Machida using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Santos has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Santos dodges an elbow strike from Machida.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Arwind Santos will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Matt Machida's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Santos fails to land the takedown.
Santos tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Machida swivels and escapes.
Machida lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Machida swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Machida throws a right and a left that Santos avoids nicely.
Santos fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Arwind Santos. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Santos closes this distance looking for a takedown but Machida circles away.
Machida throws a one two combo.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Machida fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Santos manages to avoid it.
A head kick misses from Machida.
Santos 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 Santos off to one side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santos takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Machida scores with a push kick.
Santos tries to move into range but Machida moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Machida pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Machida avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Machida rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Santos moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Machida leaves Santos with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Machida swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Machida scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Santos doesn't seem bothered though.
Machida fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Santos shoots in looking for a takedown. Machida tries to sprawl out of it but Santos 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good exchange - Machida coming out on top.
Santos has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Machida stuffs the takedown attempt from Santos. Santos gets slowly back to his feet.
Machida connects with a solid leg kick.
Machida throws a front kick that sends Santos stumbling back into the cage.
Matt Machida seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Santos shoots for a takedown but Machida saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Machida tries a head kick but it misses.
Santos closes the distance and clinches up with Machida, looking for a takedown. Santos pushes Machida against the cage but Machida circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santos moves out of range as Machida throws a body kick.
Santos shoots in for a double leg but Machida sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Machida cracks Santos with an open hand slap.
Machida lands with a shot to the body.
Machida throws a right hand that Santos ducks under and follows up with a left that Santos also avoids with ease.
Santos shoots for a double leg takedown but Machida sprawls well. He's pushed Santos's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Machida throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Santos shoots in and drives through. Machida sprawls well.
Santos takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Santos is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Machida tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Machida falls off balance throwing a combination

and Santos counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Santos postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Machida to stand up.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Machida lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Santos shoots in looking for a takedown but Machida manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Santos's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Machida throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Santos.
Santos is trying hard to land a takedown here. Machida sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Santos looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Machida keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Machida throws a shot to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Santos changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Machida tries to avoid it but Santos manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Machida to the ground. Machida escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Santos dodges the punch combination from Machida.
Machida looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matt Machida comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Machida has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Thiago Cunha scores the fight 47:48
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 47:49
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matt Machida!
Matt Machida is the new light heavyweight champion!
A very excited looking Matt Machida made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.