PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mikel Machida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marshall Mason (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mikel Machida had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 172.7lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Machida
vs
Mason

187 cm
19
177 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

180 cm
21
182 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mikel Machida!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Marshall Mason!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Alyssa Summers and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Machida moves away from the strike by Mason.
Marshall Mason seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mason will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Mason scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Mason decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Mason shoots for a takedown but Machida saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Mason has a takedown stuffed.
Mikel Machida has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marshall Mason.
Mason throws out a powerful jab.
Mason shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Machida pinned against the cage. Machida gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Mason looks gassed!
Machida tries to clinch there but Mason circles away.
Mason misses with a takedown attempt - Machida sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Machida looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Mason!
Machida tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mason is desperately trying to improve his position but Machida has a good base and remains in mount.
Mason is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Mason sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Machida wants to pass the guard but Mason is defending well.
The fighters are battling for position here. Mason manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Mason throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Machida wants to control from the top but Mason keeps moving.

That's two 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.

Mason is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Machida slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Mason gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mason is looking for a sweep. Machida is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Machida is pressing down on Mason's thigh, looking to free his foot. Mason is holding on for now.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Mason slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Mason wants to sweep here but Machida controlling him for the moment.
Machida trying to control the position from guard on top but Mason is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machida stopping the sweep attempt from Mason.
Machida tries to stand but Mason is controlling from the bottom.
Mason manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Machida manages to get himself to full guard.

Mason stands up and waves to Machida to follow him.
Mason gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Machida counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Machida preventing the sweep.

Machida avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Machida drops back looking for a leg! Mason is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Mason manages to kick Machida off! Machida jumps back into Mason's guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Machida wants to control from the top but Mason keeps moving.

Machida avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Mason escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Machida gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
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.
Machida stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Mason swivels though and keeps the full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marshall Mason dominated that round.
That's time! Machida's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Mason shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Machida counters with a good, hard body kick but Mason shrugs it off.

Mason forces Machida back against the cage and clinches.
Machida gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Mason.
Machida wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Mason has him pressed against the cage.

Mason has clasped his hands together around Machida's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Machida tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Mason working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Machida is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Mason is controlling him well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mason working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Mason tries for a kimura but Machida is defending well.

Mason tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Machida tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Mason wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Mason has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mason will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Mikel Machida has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marshall Mason.

Machida gets the takedown into side control.
Mason manages to work his way to half guard, despite Machida's best efforts.

Mason actively working from the bottom here.
Mason trying to hold on to Machida's head to control him but Machida postures up.
Mason is looking for a sweep. Machida is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Machida works his way into full mount!
Mason slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Mason is looking for a sweep. Machida is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Machida is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Mason manages to get to full guard.
Machida controlling from the top position.
Mason looking to control.
Machida preventing the sweep.
Mason is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Mason is actively looking for submissions from his back. He's worked himself a little space on the bottom and seems to be going for a triangle. No, he's switched into an armbar! That was slick! Machida rolls with it to try and escape but Mason cranks on the arm and Machida is forced to tap out! This one is aaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:19 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Marshall Mason!