PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between William Cavalcante (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marco Machado (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Machado has chosen Let the bodies hit the floor as his entrance music. William Cavalcante has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Cavalcante
vs
Machado

180 cm
22
172 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
22
170 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Can Moonwalk

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, William Cavalcante!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Marco Machado!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Emerson Jorge and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cavalcante is looking to clinch but Machado is avoiding it.
Cavalcante fails with a takedown attempt.
Cavalcante shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Machado as he avoids it easily.
Some wild striking there from Machado.
Machado throws a leg kick that is checked
and Cavalcante counters with a leg kick.

Cavalcante clinches up against the cage.
Cavalcante has Machado pressed against the cage, preventing Machado from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Cavalcante landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Machado has had enough of the clinch but Cavalcante keeps him there for the moment.
Machado gets underhooks to prevent Cavalcante's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for William Cavalcante. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Machado looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Machado has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Machado looks winded!
Cavalcante is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Machado is trying to break the clinch but Cavalcante has him pressed against the cage.

Cavalcante pulls guard successfully.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Machado wants to stand but Cavalcante is controlling his posture from full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machado prevents Cavalcante from getting back to his feet.

Cavalcante is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Machado defends well.
Cavalcante is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Machado is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Machado decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Cavalcante, up you get!
Cavalcante shoots in but no luck this time.
Machado scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Cavalcante tries to score a power double leg takedown but Machado sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Cavalcante somewhat.
Cavalcante shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Machado but Machado pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machado misses with a wild combination.
Cavalcante checks a leg kick nicely.
Cavalcante circles away from the clinch attempt.
Machado shoots in looking for a takedown. Cavalcante tries to sprawl out of it but Machado keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Cavalcante manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Cavalcante moves into the clinch successfully.
Machado misses with an elbow over the top.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Cavalcante manages to break the clinch.
Cavalcante throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Machado's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cavalcante slips a jab and a cross from Machado.
Machado takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Cavalcante scores with a kick to the midsection.
Machado defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Cavalcante.
Cavalcante swats away the attempt to clinch by Machado.

Cavalcante fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Machado, pushing him back against the cage.
Machado stops a takedown attempt from Cavalcante.

Cavalcante manages to break the clinch.
Cavalcante shoots in but no luck this time.
Machado will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Cavalcante is trying hard to land a takedown here. Machado sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Machado closes the distance and clinches.
Cavalcante tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cavalcante is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Machado is keeping busy.
Machado can't break the clinch.

Cavalcante pulls guard.
Machado trying to control but Cavalcante is working from the bottom.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cavalcante throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Cavalcante 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.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Machado gets to his feet. Cavalcante looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cavalcante throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A right-left combo lands from Machado.
A combination from Machado does no damage.
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 William Cavalcante will probably get the nod.
That's time! Cavalcante's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Cavalcante closes the distance and clinches up with Machado, looking for a takedown. Cavalcante pushes Machado against the cage but Machado circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Cavalcante jabs Machado right on the nose. Machado blinks but takes it well.

Cavalcante moves into the clinch.
Machado is trying to break the clinch but Cavalcante has him pressed against the cage.
Machado missing with knees to the body.
Machado is trying to pull guard but Cavalcante turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Machado prevents the takedown attempt.

Cavalcante's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Cavalcante shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Machado as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for William Cavalcante. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Machado throws a right and a left that both miss.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Machado enables Cavalcante to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Machado manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Cavalcante is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Machado is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cavalcante wants to control from the top but Machado keeps moving.

William Cavalcante has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Cavalcante looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Machado is fending him off so far but Cavalcante persists. Nope, Machado circles away and we're back to standing.
Cavalcante will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Machado misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Machado scores with a three punch combo!

Cavalcante rushes Machado and presses him up against the cage.
Machado has had enough of the clinch but Cavalcante keeps him there for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cavalcante tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Machado just stands there and leans against the cage.
Machado is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Cavalcante to keep the fight standing.
Machado is looking to break free of the clinch but Cavalcante has double underhooks.
Machado misses with a punch on the inside.
Cavalcante wants to stall.
Cavalcante landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Cavalcante has Machado pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Machado manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Cavalcante misses with a hook from the clinch.
Machado is trying to break free.
Machado wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Cavalcante tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Machado is trying to break free.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cavalcante manages to break the clinch.
Marco Machado seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cavalcante fails with an attempt to clinch.
Some wild striking there from Machado.
William Cavalcante is winning the standup battle so far.
Cavalcante fails to land with a series of punches.
Machado misses with a jab, cross combination.

Cavalcante clinches.
Machado wants to break free but Cavalcante has control.
Cavalcante has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Machado avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Machado manages to break the clinch.
Cavalcante shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Machado as he avoids it easily.
Nice takedown defense from Machado. No joy for Cavalcante on that attempt.
Machado cracks Cavalcante with an open hand slap.
Cavalcante closes this distance looking for a takedown but Machado circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cavalcante dives in and grabs Machado's left leg, looking for a takedown. Machado pushes down on Cavalcante's head and hops out.
Machado throws a right hand that Cavalcante ducks under and follows up with a left that Cavalcante also avoids with ease.
A combination from Machado does no damage.
A thudding body kick lands there by Cavalcante!
Machado throws the kick towards the body but Cavalcante avoids it.
Cavalcante misses with a jab, cross combination.
Machado scores with a one two! Cavalcante had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Machado misses with the combination.
Machado lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cavalcante throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Machado fails with the takedown.
Cavalcante wants to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

William Cavalcante 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. This is the final round!

Cavalcante slaps away a takedown attempt from Machado, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Machado showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Cavalcante.
Cavalcante wants to clinch.
Cavalcante shoots in for a takedown but Machado shows good takedown defense.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cavalcante fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Machado misses with a few strikes there.
Cavalcante shoots in and drives through. Machado sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for William Cavalcante. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Machado throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Cavalcante's waist but Cavalcante gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Machado off to one side.
Cavalcante stuns Machado with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cavalcante shoots for a takedown but Machado saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Cavalcante looks to land a combination but Machado avoids it well.
Some bone on bone action there as Cavalcante checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Sloppy strikes from Machado. Those never looked like landing.
Cavalcante keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Cavalcante is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Cavalcante tries to clinch but Machado moves out of range.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Cavalcante. Machado shrugs it off though.
Cavalcante dodges the punch combination from Machado.
Cavalcante tries to clinch but Machado moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machado stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Machado wants it to stay on the feet.
Machado throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Cavalcante darts in and clinches Machado up against the cage.
Machado gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Cavalcante.
Cavalcante tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Machado just stands there and leans against the cage.
Machado looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Cavalcante tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Machado just stands there and leans against the cage.
Machado is trying to break the clinch but Cavalcante has him pressed against the cage.
Machado tries to pull guard but Cavalcante holds him up against the cage and eventually Machado drops back down to his feet.
Cavalcante is looking to take this one to the mat.
William Cavalcante has scored more points in the clinch so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cavalcante jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Machado walks away with a smile on his face. Cavalcante gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Cavalcante dives in and grabs Machado's left leg, looking for a takedown. Machado pushes down on Cavalcante's head and hops out.
Machado fails to land with a series of punches.
Machado drops his hands momentarily and Cavalcante takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Machado throws a nice looking combination but Cavalcante bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Cavalcante shoots in looking for a takedown but Machado manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Cavalcante's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Machado throws a series of punches but Cavalcante moves out of range.
Machado throws a right and a left that Cavalcante avoids nicely.
Cavalcante connects with a high kick.
No luck for Cavalcante with that takedown attempt.
Machado throws a series of strikes that have Cavalcante backpedaling.
Machado throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Cavalcante.
Cavalcante wants to clinch up but Machado keeps it at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cavalcante looks to score with a jab to the body but Machado is just out of range.
A combination from Machado does no damage.
Machado throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Cavalcante.
Cavalcante jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Machado scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Cavalcante looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Marco Machado has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Machado stuffs the takedown attempt from Cavalcante. Cavalcante gets slowly back to his feet.
Machado misses with a two punch combination.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cavalcante fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cavalcante fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
William Cavalcante is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Machado scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to William Cavalcante.
Well Cavalcante has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Edson Gomes scores the fight 29:28
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 30:27
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... William Cavalcante!