PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Andy Machida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Renan Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Machida
vs
Gracie

190 cm
26
270 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

192 cm
26
231 lbs
5 - 7 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

WatercoloR - 90% Laundry

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Andy Machida!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Renan Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Mauricio Rocha and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Both fighters are only really looking to counter, so after a good 30 seconds of circling eachother endlessly, the referee has stepped in and told them both to be more aggressive.
Machida uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Gracie.
Machida tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sloppy strikes from Machida. Those never looked like landing.
Machida tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie fails to land with a series of punches.

Gracie throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Machida tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Gracie is in Machida's guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Gracie is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Gracie stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Machida swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Machida controlling Gracie's posture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Machida trying to control the position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Nice defenses there by Machida.
Gracie blocks a head kick by Machida.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Machida.
Machida slips a jab from Gracie.
Machida checks a leg kick nicely.
Machida throws a head kick but Gracie moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Gracie moves out of range of the body kick.
Machida could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Machida thows a left - swing and a miss!
Gracie tries to bum rush Machida with a series of wild strikes but Machida uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Machida blocks a leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Renan Gracie dominated that 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.

Gracie tries to land a front kick but Machida steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Gracie throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Machida misses with a body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Machida throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida avoids the body shot from Gracie.
Sloppy strikes from Gracie. Those never looked like landing.
Gracie digs a good hook to Machida's body.
Machida throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Machida has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machida moves out of range as Gracie strikes.
Machida throws a head kick that misses.
Machida throws a right and a left that Gracie avoids nicely.
Machida rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Gracie moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machida slips a jab and a cross from Gracie.
Gracie looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
A looping hook to the body misses from Gracie. Machida does a little dance to reset his feet.
Machida looks to land a left hand but Gracie moved out of range nicely.
Gracie swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
A head kick misses from Machida.
Gracie misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Machida.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Gracie. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Machida misses with a hook.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Machida pulls out of a head kick attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Renan Gracie will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Gracie connects with a looping right hand.
Machida lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Gracie slips under a jab.
Machida misses with a body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Machida circles away quickly and effectively.
Machida ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gracie moves away.
A combination from Gracie does no damage.
Gracie throws an overhand right that lands on Machida's shoulder, as Machida tries to avoid the shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Gracie looking to score a takedown here. Machida is defending well but Gracie drives through and ends up in Machida's guard.
Gracie trying to control the position from guard on top but Machida is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Machida controlling Gracie's posture.
Machida looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Machida controls Gracie momentarily but Gracie frees himself.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Gracie is fighting to break Machida's control of his arms but Machida is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Andy Machida just wasn't active enough.
Gracie throws a shot from downtown. Machida moves away and avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machida throws a head kick but Gracie moves out of range.
Gracie misses with a hook. Machida ducked under it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Machida throws a head kick that misses.
Machida slips a jab and a cross from Gracie.
Gracie throws a looping overhand right but Machida ducks down to avoid it.
Machida misses with a straight left.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Renan Gracie.
Well Gracie 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 Luis Engracia scores the fight 28:30
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 27:30
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Renan Gracie!
After winning the bout, Renan Gracie thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.