PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Lyoto Machida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jake Shields (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jake Shields has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Machida
vs
Shields

173 cm
18
186 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
25
185 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Self confident

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Lyoto Machida!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jake Shields !
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Yukihiro Shimada and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Shields shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Shields showed some decent athleticism there.
Machida is trying to control but can't.
Shields working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Shields lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Machida wants to control but Shields is keeping busy.
Machida wants to get back to full guard.
Shields slips a nice elbow through Machida's hands, connecting with Machida's forehead.
Shields sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Machida defending well though.
Machida could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Shields with the ground and pound but Machida uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Shields chips away with some ground and pound.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Shields 's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Machida trying to control the position.
Shields with a nice head shot there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Shields with a nice head shot there.
Machida looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Shields cracks Machida with a solid left hand.
Machida trying to control the position here.
Shields is looking to work some ground and pound but Machida has wrist control.
Shields must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Shields trying to control the position from guard on top but Machida 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.
Machida is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Shields lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shields trying to control but Machida is working from the bottom.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Shields has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Machida is proving hard to escape from.
Machida keeping moving, preventing Shields from controlling successfully.
Machida is trying to keep Shields in close.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Jake Shields was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Shields scores with a hook to the body. Machida takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

Machida tries to sprawl but Shields drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Machida has hold of Shields 's hands but Shields slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Shields drops an elbow to the side of Machida's head.
Machida might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Shields lands with a punch from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machida is trying to maintain the position but Shields is very close to passing his half guard.
Machida misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Machida is breathing heavily.
Shields landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Nice strikes from Shields there.
Machida blocking the ground and pound attempt from Shields .
My spies in Fitness Pit inform me that Shields has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Machida wants to improve his position but Shields is controlling well.
Machida trying to control here.
Shields scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Shields perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Machida trying to control here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machida on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Machida wants to improve his position but Shields is controlling well.
Machida is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Shields scores with a couple of nice shots.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Machida is trying to stand up here but Shields is controlling him well.
Shields scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Machida on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Shields is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Shields working the head and body with strikes.
Shields takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Shields lands with a punch from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jake Shields dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Shields jabs at Machida's body.

Shields decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Machida wants to control but Shields is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Shields with the ground and pound but Machida uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Machida working a defensive guard here.
Machida 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.
Shields scoring with some ground and pound.
Jake Shields has got the better of the ground game so far.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Shields connects with a couple of short punches.
Machida is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Shields working some strikes from top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shields distracts Machida with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Shields content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Machida is trying to hold Shields in close to prevent damage but Shields has managed to pass into half guard.
Machida has hold of Shields 's hands but Shields slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Shields looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Machida with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shields seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Shields working the head and body with strikes.
Shields lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Shields has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Machida wants to control but Shields is keeping busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shields takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Shields lands strikes from half guard.
Shields is nestled in close to Machida, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Shields working the head and body with strikes.
Machida on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Shields looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
The fighters are battling for position here. Machida manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Shields scoring with some ground and pound.
Shields cracks Machida with a solid left hand.
Shields lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Shields is in close to Machida's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Shields pushes down on Machida's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shields scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Machida is trying to maintain the position but Shields is very close to passing his half guard.
Shields lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Machida is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Shields scores with a couple of nice shots.

Shields seems to be working for a kimura but Machida defends the submission attempt.
Shields scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shields seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

Shields is looking for a kimura here.
Shields working the head and body with strikes.
Shields sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Machida defending well though.
Machida is trying to control but can't.

Shields seems to be working for a kimura but Machida defends the submission attempt.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Machida wants to control but Shields is keeping busy and won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jake Shields showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Machida's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

A looping hook to the body misses from Shields . Machida does a little dance to reset his feet.
Machida fails in his attempt to clinch.
Machida tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Shields paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Machida fails with a takedown attempt.
Machida tries to clinch up but Shields circles away and keeps his distance.
Jake Shields seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Shields feints and as Machida raises his hands in defense, Shields changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Shields working some strikes from top position.
Shields postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Shields prevents Machida from getting back to his feet.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Shields 's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Machida is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Shields defends well.
Shields content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shields lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Shields makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Shields drops back, looking for a kneebar! Machida looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Machida looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Machida!
Machida is looking to take a break and control but Shields is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Shields is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Machida off and has taken his back!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shields just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.
Shields is punishing Machida with some ground and pound.
Machida is trying to break free.
Shields is working the ground and pound here and the referee is taking a close look at Machida. He must escape soon or this one will be stopped.
Machida grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Shields looking for the choke but no joy.
Shields gets his hooks in and is throwing strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shields is working the ground and pound here and the referee is taking a close look at Machida. He must escape soon or this one will be stopped.
Machida grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.
You can see the frustration on Machida's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Machida is trying to get back to his feet but Shields has full control of the position and if anything, Machida has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Shields is hanging on to Machida's back as he tries to escape.
Shields connects with a series of strikes and the referee is calling for Machida to escape the position.
Shields controlling well, preventing Machida from escaping the position.
Shields throwing strikes from the back - he gets a warning from the referee for striking the back of the head but all these shots are hurting Machida!

Machida defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Shields 's arms.
Shields landing with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shields punches Machida on the ear.
Shields struggling to land strikes to the head as Machida covers up.
Shields lands with a hammerfist to the side of Machida's head.
Shields is not going to allow Machida to sit and survive in this position.
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!
Shields lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
Machida just trying to survive but Shields is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Machida is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Machida is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Machida is trapped and Shields is scoring with shots to the head and body.
Shields lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
Lyoto Machida has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Machida rolls, trying to escape but Shields keeps control of the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jake Shields comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Shields has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jake Shields !