PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Anatoli Todorov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lyoto Machida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Todorov's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Showtek - Black. Machida comes into a darkened arena with his song building. bleed it out kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Todorov
vs
Machida

191 cm
23
210 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

187 cm
22
207 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Anatoli Todorov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Lyoto Machida!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Taro Takaoka and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Todorov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A punch combination from Todorov misses.
Machida blocks a jab.
Todorov keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Machida moves in looking to clinch but Todorov pushes him off.
Machida shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Todorov but Todorov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Machida looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Todorov connects with a vicious head kick that knocks Machida to the floor! Todorov dives in looking for the finish!

Machida is rocked!

It looks like Lyoto Machida has been cut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Machida is defending against the submission attempts here by Todorov.
Machida is still in real trouble! Can Todorov finish him?
Machida wants to get back to full guard but Todorov has passed into side control.
Machida seems to have recovered his senses.
Machida tries to improve his position but instead Todorov has taken his back!
Machida is trying to break free.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A lull in the action here.
Machida rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Machida tries to get to full guard but Todorov has control of the leg.

Todorov stands up out of the half guard.
Todorov swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Machida counters with a low kick, right behind Todorov 's knee.
Todorov fails to land with a series of punches.
Todorov closes the distance and clinches up with Machida, looking for a takedown. Todorov pushes Machida against the cage but Machida circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Todorov is breathing heavily.
Machida throws a nice looking combination but Todorov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Todorov throws a combination that misses

and Machida counters with a single leg into guard. Todorov didn't expect that.

Machida stands and steps away. Todorov gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machida tries to bum rush Todorov with a series of wild strikes but Todorov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Machida misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Todorov swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Machida makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Machida wants to clinch up but Todorov keeps it at a distance.
Todorov 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 Todorov off to one side.
Machida is looking to clinch.
Todorov fails with the takedown
and Machida counters with a low kick, right behind Todorov 's knee.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anatoli Todorov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Todorov takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Todorov has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Machida shoots for a takedown but Todorov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Machida looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Todorov throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Machida counters with a nice low kick that buckles Todorov's knee momentarily.
Machida fails to land with a series of punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machida doesn't manage to clinch there - Todorov circles away.
Todorov fails with the takedown

and Machida counters with a single leg into guard. Todorov didn't expect that.
Machida wants to stand but Todorov is controlling his posture from full guard.
Todorov can't keep his opponent in guard - Machida advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Todorov is looking to improve his position.

Machida is working for a submission of some sort.
Machida is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Todorov!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Machida moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Todorov has worked his arm free - good work by Todorov!

Machida looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Machida is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Todorov is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Machida tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
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 Anatoli Todorov will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Lyoto Machida's cut.
That's time! Todorov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Todorov misses with a combination
and Machida counters with a nice low kick that buckles Todorov's knee momentarily.
Todorov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Todorov misses with a looping right.
Anatoli Todorov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Todorov misses with a low kick.
Some wild striking there from Todorov.
Machida misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Todorov throws out a loose jab but Machida uses good head movement to avoid it.
Todorov swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Machida makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Todorov misses with a leg kick
and Machida counters with an inside leg kick.
Machida fails with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Machida misses with a wild combination.
Machida tries to clinch but Todorov is having none of it.
Todorov throws a combination that misses
and Machida counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Anatoli Todorov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Todorov looks to score with a jab to the body but Machida is just out of range.
Machida shoots in looking for a takedown. Todorov tries to sprawl out of it but Machida keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Todorov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Todorov is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Todorov swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Machida counters with a single leg into guard. Todorov didn't expect that.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Machida works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Machida looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Machida is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Machida is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Machida thows a huge punch but Todorov dodges it nicely.

Machida is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Machida is looking for a kimura here.

Machida is working for a kimura but Todorov is defending it quite comfortably.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Machida takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Todorov throws a sloppy head kick
and Machida counters with a nice leg kick.
Machida doesn't manage to clinch there - Todorov circles away.
Machida throws a series of strikes that have Todorov backpedaling.
Todorov fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Anatoli Todorov is winning the standup battle so far.
Machida fails to land with a series of punches.
Machida blocks a low kick nicely.
Todorov falls off balance throwing a combination

and Machida counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Todorov's guard now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machida is looking to stand up but Todorov won't let him.
Machida looking to pass the guard.
Machida forces his way into half guard.
Machida passes to full mount!
Machida throwing strikes here but Todorov is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Todorov is looking to get to half guard.

Machida quickly switches position and commits to an armbar! It's a big risk for Machida but it's paid off an Todorov is forced to tap! Nice work by Machida.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Lyoto Machida!