PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rafael Santa Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lyoto Machdoor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Santa Cruz's entrance music is 50 cent P.I.M.P. A fine choice. Machdoor has chosen AVICI - LEVELS as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Santa Cruz
vs
Machdoor

180 cm
25
175 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

180 cm
31
184 lbs
14 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

ADCC Champion
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rafael Santa Cruz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Lyoto Machdoor!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, Chad Campbell and Dean Styles.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Machdoor misses with a double jab
and Santa Cruz counters with a thumping low kick.
Santa Cruz throws a head kick that half lands.
Santa Cruz circles away from the clinch attempt.
A decent looking cross lands there for Machdoor.
Machdoor shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Santa Cruz sprawls well. Santa Cruz wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Machdoor gets slowly back to his feet.
Santa Cruz thumps Machdoor with a low kick.
Nice defenses there by Machdoor.
Machdoor looks to land a combination but Santa Cruz avoids it well.
Machdoor throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Machdoor dives in and scores a takedown into Santa Cruz's guard.
Machdoor trying to control the position from guard on top but Santa Cruz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machdoor missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Santa Cruz working for a triangle but Machdoor defends it easily.
Machdoor throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Santa Cruz works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Machdoor wants to control from the top but Santa Cruz keeps moving.
Machdoor stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Santa Cruz swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Santa Cruz wants to sweep here but Machdoor controlling him for the moment.
Machdoor trying to control but Santa Cruz is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Santa Cruz is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Santa Cruz bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Machdoor's guard.
Santa Cruz stopping the sweep attempt from Machdoor.
Santa Cruz trying to control the position from guard on top but Machdoor is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Machdoor trying to keep a closed guard but Santa Cruz is proving a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machdoor is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Santa Cruz trying to control the position from guard on top but Machdoor is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Machdoor lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Machdoor misses with a few strikes there.
Lyoto Machdoor seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Machdoor shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Santa Cruz but Santa Cruz pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Machdoor fails to land with a series of punches.
Machdoor scores with a one two! Santa Cruz had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Machdoor scores with a jab to the body.
Santa Cruz throws a head kick but Machdoor moves out of range.
Santa Cruz takes one to the chin there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machdoor throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Santa Cruz.
Machdoor is looking to score with low kicks.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Santa Cruz, right into the meat.
Santa Cruz throws a leg kick but Machdoor checks it.
Machdoor fails with an attempt to clinch.
Santa Cruz wants to land a leg kick but Machdoor is out of range.
Santa Cruz throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Machdoor's head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Machdoor fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Rafael Santa Cruz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lyoto Machdoor.
Machdoor shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Santa Cruz but Santa Cruz pushes him off and we're back to square one.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Machdoor throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Santa Cruz stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Machdoor misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Rafael Santa Cruz will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Machdoor changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Santa Cruz tries to avoid it but Machdoor manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Santa Cruz to the ground. Santa Cruz escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Machdoor drives through with a takedown into Santa Cruz's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Santa Cruz has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Machdoor can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Santa Cruz throws his legs up looking for a submission but Machdoor uses it to pass to side control.
Machdoor tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Santa Cruz is trying to control Machdoor's posture but Machdoor avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machdoor trying to control the position but Santa Cruz is working away.
You can see the frustration on Santa Cruz's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Santa Cruz is not content to let Machdoor control the position.
Santa Cruz is trying to control Machdoor's posture but Machdoor avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Machdoor working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Santa Cruz tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Machdoor is trying to get an arm triangle but Santa Cruz is defending well.
Machdoor wants to control but Santa Cruz is keeping him busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machdoor tries to advance to mount but can't.
Santa Cruz is looking for a sweep.
Santa Cruz parries the strikes from Machdoor easily there. Machdoor is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Santa Cruz to escape.
Machdoor wants to control but Santa Cruz is keeping him busy.
Santa Cruz gets back to half guard.
Machdoor missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Santa Cruz is looking to improve his position.

Machdoor is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Santa Cruz has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santa Cruz is concentrating on defense, preventing Machdoor from advancing position.
Machdoor thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Santa Cruz's head.
Santa Cruz is pressing down on Machdoor's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Santa Cruz looking for a guillotine here but Machdoor defends easily.
Machdoor trying to control but Santa Cruz is working from the bottom.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Santa Cruz keeping full guard, as Machdoor tries to pass.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lyoto Machdoor showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Machdoor gets the takedown into side control.

Machdoor tries for a kimura but Santa Cruz is defending well.
You can see the frustration on Santa Cruz's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Check out the look on Machdoor's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Machdoor wants to lay and pray for a moment but Santa Cruz keeps working.

Machdoor is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Santa Cruz has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santa Cruz is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Machdoor is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Santa Cruz has escaped the position, nice work there.
Santa Cruz is not content to let Machdoor control the position.
Santa Cruz manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Santa Cruz actively working from the bottom here.
Lyoto Machdoor has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santa Cruz is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Machdoor's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Machdoor's back!

Santa Cruz looking for the RNC.
Machdoor looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
Machdoor turns into Santa Cruz and is now in his guard.
Machdoor wants to control from the top but Santa Cruz keeps moving.

Santa Cruz looking for a guillotine here but Machdoor defends easily.
Machdoor stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Santa Cruz swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santa Cruz looking for a sweep. Not yet Santa Cruz, not yet.
Machdoor trying to control but Santa Cruz is working from the bottom.
Machdoor stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Santa Cruz swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Santa Cruz bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Machdoor's guard.
Santa Cruz trying to control the position from guard on top but Machdoor is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Machdoor wants to sweep but no luck.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santa Cruz showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Santa Cruz forces his way into half guard.
Machdoor trying to hold on to Santa Cruz's head to control him but Santa Cruz postures up.
Santa Cruz looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Santa Cruz is working hard here to advance position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Lyoto Machdoor just about did enough to take it.
That's time! Santa Cruz's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Machdoor keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Machdoor fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Santa Cruz lands with a slapping head kick.
Machdoor shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Santa Cruz as he avoids it easily.
Lyoto Machdoor is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Santa Cruz throws a leg kick but Machdoor checks it.
Machdoor shoots in but Santa Cruz avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Rafael Santa Cruz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lyoto Machdoor.
Machdoor misses with a wild body shot.
Machdoor shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Machdoor checks a leg kick.
Santa Cruz throws a head kick that misses.
Santa Cruz throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santa Cruz avoids the body shot from Machdoor.
Santa Cruz throws a leg kick but Machdoor checks it.
Santa Cruz dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Machdoor. That did some damage!
Machdoor shoots in and drives through. Santa Cruz sprawls well.
Machdoor shoots and misses
and Santa Cruz counters with a nice low kick that buckles Machdoor's knee momentarily.
Santa Cruz lands a head kick!
Machdoor looks to land a combination but Santa Cruz avoids it well.
Machdoor is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Machdoor fails with a takedown attempt.
Machdoor tries to clinch but Santa Cruz moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machdoor checks a low kick from Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Machdoor tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Santa Cruz swivels and escapes.
Machdoor checks a low kick from Santa Cruz.
Machdoor misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A right-left combo lands from Machdoor.
Santa Cruz slaps away a takedown attempt from Machdoor, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Rafael Santa Cruz is winning the standup battle so far.
No luck for Machdoor with that takedown attempt.
Santa Cruz sizes up Machdoor with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machdoor tries to bum rush Santa Cruz with a series of wild strikes but Santa Cruz uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Machdoor swings widly with a right hand
and Santa Cruz counters with a nice low kick that buckles Machdoor's knee momentarily.
Machdoor misses with a two punch combination.
A head kick misses from Santa Cruz.
Machdoor throws a hook to the side of Santa Cruz's head but Santa Cruz sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Santa Cruz explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Santa Cruz looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Santa Cruz tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Machdoor throws a right hand that Santa Cruz ducks under and follows up with a left that Santa Cruz also avoids with ease.
A head kick misses from Santa Cruz.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machdoor misses with a double jab.
Santa Cruz avoids a punch combination nicely.
Santa Cruz throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
The fight stays on the outside here - Machdoor looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Santa Cruz throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
A big right from Santa Cruz misses.
Machdoor shoots for a double leg takedown but Santa Cruz sprawls well. He's pushed Machdoor's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Santa Cruz pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Santa Cruz throws a low kick, looking for Machdoor's leg but Machdoor calmly moves out of range.
Machdoor tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Santa Cruz manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rafael Santa Cruz had his way with Lyoto Machdoor in that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Machdoor is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Santa Cruz's half guard.
Santa Cruz wants to improve his position but Machdoor is controlling well.
Machdoor is taking a breather. Santa Cruz says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Machdoor prevents Santa Cruz from improving his position.
Machdoor missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Santa Cruz is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Machdoor's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Machdoor's back!
Santa Cruz is trying to stick to Machdoor's back but Machdoor is turning into Santa Cruz. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Santa Cruz's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Machdoor.
Santa Cruz keeping moving, preventing Machdoor from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Santa Cruz working for a triangle but Machdoor defends it easily.

Santa Cruz looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Machdoor is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Santa Cruz bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Machdoor's guard.

Santa Cruz has a momentary lapse of concentration, allowing Machdoor to throw up a leg and lock on what appears to be a pretty tight triangle! Santa Cruz is fighting it off but it's all too little too late - Machdoor pulls down on the head and he's put Santa Cruz to sleep! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:56 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Lyoto Machdoor!
Lyoto Machdoor thanked the fans post fight for their support.