PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Thiago Tavares (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Renzo Machida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Machida has chosen No more Shadows for the Past- NARNIA as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Tavares
vs
Machida

190 cm
36
240 lbs
26 - 9 - 0

193 cm
41
243 lbs
47 - 21 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Mohito Fightwear
Spartan Nutrition

Spartan Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the super heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 26 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Thiago Tavares!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 47 - 21 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Renzo Machida!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Edson Gomes and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tavares throws a head kick but Machida moves out of range.
Tavares throws a sloppy head kick and Machida moves out of range easily.
Tavares throws a body kick that misses.
Tavares lands a leg kick that knocks Machida off balance momentarily.
Tavares looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Tavares, right into the meat.
Machida avoids the body shot from Tavares.
Tavares connects with a right hand. Machida shakes it off.
Tavares fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Tavares lands a right hook to the body.
Tavares thumps Machida with a low kick.
Tavares swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Tavares takes a jab right on the kisser.
Tavares misses with an uppercut
letting Machida counter with a right hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tavares scores with a spinning back kick!
Tavares doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tavares rushes Machida and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
We've been informed that Machida has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
A left hand lands to the body for Tavares.
A short right from Tavares on the inside.
Tavares misses with a body punch.
Machida prevents a body shot from Tavares.
Machida tries to work over Tavares's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Tavares digs a right hand into Machida's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Machida's gas tank.
Tavares lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Tavares lands with a left to the head.

Machida breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Tavares lands a glancing blow to the side of Machida's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machida misses with a straight right.
Machida scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Tavares doesn't seem bothered though.
Machida defending well as Tavares loads up on a big left hand.
Machida uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Tavares.
Tavares tries to clinch up
and Machida counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Tavares thinking.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tavares looks to land a body kick but Machida moved away.
A nice side step and Machida releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Tavares takes a swing at Machida's ribcage but misses.
Machida throws a lazy head kick
and Tavares counters with a good low kick that Machida was not able to check.
Tavares throws a head kick but Machida moves out of range.
Tavares connects with an inside leg kick.
Tavares throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Machida swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Tavares misses with a low kick as Machida jumps back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machida is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Tavares throws a front kick aimed at Machida's knee but Machida avoids it well.
Machida throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tavares throws out a powerful jab.
Machida lands with a cross.
Machida uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Tavares.
Tavares does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Machida swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Machida avoids a kick to the body.
Tavares does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Machida has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Tavares.
Machida misses with a hook. Tavares ducked under it nicely.
Machida blocks a low kick nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tavares chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Machida avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Nice defenses there by Tavares.
Tavares throws a head kick that Machida semi-blocks.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Machida tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
A low kick from Tavares misses
and Machida counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Tavares thinking.
Tavares throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Tavares.
Machida uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Tavares.
Tavares misses with a low kick as Machida jumps back.
Machida shapes to counter with a head kick.
Machida takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Machida's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Tavares lands with a straight right. Machida didn't see that one coming.
Machida misses with a looping left.
As Machida backs away, Tavares returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Machida.
Tavares throws a front kick that sends Machida stumbling back into the cage.
Tavares misses with a head kick.
Tavares scores with a sloppy right hand. Machida should have avoided that one.
Machida looks to land a left hand but Tavares moved out of range nicely.
Tavares misses with a hook
and Machida makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Tavares is looking to chop away at Machida's legs.
Machida bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Thiago Tavares is winning the standup battle so far.
Machida drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tavares waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Machida.
Tavares wants to slow Machida down by chopping away at his legs.
A big right from Machida misses.
Machida misses with a looping left.
Tavares lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tavares throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Machida checks a leg kick.
Machida throws out a counter right but Tavares avoids it with no problem.
Tavares lands a leg kick that knocks Machida off balance momentarily.
Machida on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Tavares. Tavares obviously looking to wear him down.
Tavares is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Machida can do to turn this around?
Tavares throws a chopping leg kick but Machida manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Good work by Machida as he checks the leg kick.
Machida appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Tavares does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
A lazy body kick from Tavares
and Machida counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Tavares looks for the body kick but Machida saw that one coming.
Tavares looks to land a right hand but Machida moved out of range.
Machida looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Thiago Tavares seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Machida throws a head kick that misses.
You can see that Machida has visibly slowed down as a result of the leg kicks
Machida throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Tavares sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Tavares goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tavares throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Tavares throws a lazy uppercut
and Machida counters with a right hand to the body.
Tavares slips a straight right by Machida.
Machida takes a kick to the side of the head.

It looks like Renzo Machida has been cut.
Machida is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Tavares.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Machida takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Tavares misses with the combination.
A little jabbing left from Machida on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Machida tried to score with a low kick but Tavares checks it.
Tavares swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Tavares misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Tavares throws a head kick but Machida moves out of range.
Machida now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
The fight stays on the outside here - Tavares looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
It seemed like Machida was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tavares swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Machida avoids a punch combination nicely.
Tavares bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Tavares ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Machida misses with a looping right.
Tavares smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Tavares lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Machida has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Machida and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Tavares throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
An inside leg kick from Tavares misses.
A punch combination from Tavares misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tavares blocks a jab.
Tavares misses with a low kick.
Tavares drops his hands momentarily and Machida takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Tavares lands a leg kick that knocks Machida off balance momentarily.
Machida is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Tavares getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tavares throws a right hand that Machida ducks under and follows up with a left that Machida also avoids with ease.
A nice leg kick lands there from Tavares.
Machida throws a hook but Tavares blocks it.
Tavares fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Tavares is looking to chop away at Machida's legs.
Machida moves out of range of the leg kick from Tavares.
Machida misses with a looping left.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thiago Tavares dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Renzo Machida's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Tavares misses with a wild body shot.
Tavares fails in his attempt to clinch.
Tavares motions for Machida to come forward. Tavares throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Machida misses with a wild body shot.
Tavares shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Tavares listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Machida checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Machida! But no joy.
Machida works Tavares's body with a nice hook.
Tavares lands a body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Machida on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Tavares. Tavares obviously looking to wear him down.
Machida is looking to score with low kicks.
Machida lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Tavares at a distance.
Tavares bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tavares throws a sloppy head kick and Machida moves out of range easily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Machida. Tavares does a little dance to reset his feet.
Machida checks a low kick from Tavares.
Machida slips a jab from Tavares.
Tavares connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Machida throws a lazy head kick

and Tavares counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Tavares.
Tavares tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Tavares tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Tavares tries to work over Machida's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Machida blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Tavares lands a body punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tavares lands a nice shot to the body.
Machida blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A right hook to the body lands for Tavares.
Machida takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Tavares tries to throw a body punch but Machida avoids it by throwing Tavares back against the cage.

Machida breaks from the clinch.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Tavares, right into the meat.
Tavares tries a head kick but it misses.
Tavares takes a swing at Machida's ribcage but misses.
Tavares throws a leg kick but Machida sees it coming and moves out of range.
Machida avoids the head kick by Tavares.
Tavares tries to work over Machida's front leg with a kick but Machida checks it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tavares throws the kick towards the body but Machida avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tavares throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Tavares tries to land a leg kick but Machida saw it coming and moves away.
A nice side step and Machida releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Machida misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Tavares counters with a left to the body.
Tavares tries to land a front kick but Machida steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Machida ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Tavares swings for the body but Machida moves out of range.
Machida looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Tavares tries to land a front kick but Machida steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
A solid leg kick lands there for Tavares.
Machida checks a leg kick.
Tavares shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Machida now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Nice cross by Machida.
Machida throws a body punch but Tavares moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tavares tries a low kick but Machida avoids it.
Machida shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
It looked like Tavares wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Tavares throws a head kick but Machida moves out of range.
Tavares lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Tavares takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Machida thows a left - swing and a miss!
Tavares thows a leg kick but Machida checks it
letting Machida counter with a right hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tavares throws a sloppy head kick and Machida moves out of range easily.
Machida throws a fast counter high kick but Tavares manages to duck under it in time.
Tavares gets cracked there but stands up to it.
That kick from Tavares tenderised Machida's leg. Machida is trying to keep his angry face on.
Tavares wants to slow Machida down by chopping away at his legs.
Machida fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thiago Tavares clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Renzo Machida's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Tavares uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Machida.
Machida tries to work over Tavares's front leg with a kick but Tavares checks it.
Tavares keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tavares appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Tavares closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Tavares throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Machida counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Tavares uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Machida.
Tavares throws a head kick but Machida moves out of range.
Tavares tries a head kick but it misses.
Machida swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
No joy there for Tavares, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Machida swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Tavares throws a half hearted mid kick.
Tavares misses with a few strikes there.
Tavares misses with an attempted mid kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Machida.
Tavares throws a low kick but it's checked well by Machida.
A little jabbing left from Machida on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Machida slips a jab from Tavares.
Tavares slips under a jab.
Tavares throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Machida on the side of the head.
Tavares pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Tavares misses with the body kick
and Machida counters with a straight right hand.
Tavares throws a chopping leg kick but Machida manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
A good leg kick by Tavares.
Machida scores with a punch to the head.
Machida scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Machida throws a lazy right hand but Tavares sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tavares throws a series of punches but Machida avoids them all with ease.
Tavares checks a leg kick.
Tavares throws a lazy right hand but Machida sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Tavares tries to score with a low kick but Machida moves his leg out of the way.
Tavares moves away from the strike by Machida.
Machida has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Tavares.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A low kick from Tavares is predictable there
and Machida counters with a stiff right hand.
Tavares with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Machida misses with a straight left.
Tavares uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Machida.
Machida steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Tavares.
Tavares throws a leg kick that is checked
and Machida counters with a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machida throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Machida tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Tavares feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Tavares throws a front kick that sends Machida stumbling back into the cage.
Machida takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Machida blocks a head kick by Tavares.
Tavares fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Machida takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Tavares with a nice cross.
Tavares throws a sloppy body shot
and Machida counters with a straight right hand.
Tavares attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Tavares scores with a kick to the midsection.
Tavares misses with a lunging right hand
letting Machida counter with a right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machida swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Tavares rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
letting Machida counter with a right hand.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Machida connects with a body shot that sends Tavares's belly button to the back.

Tavares closes the distance and clinches.

Machida breaks the clinch.
Tavares swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Machida connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Tavares lands a high kick!
Tavares lands an overhand right.
Machida tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Machida has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Tavares.
Tavares throws a leg kick but Machida moved away.
Machida throws a leg kick which misses Tavares's front leg but catches the back leg as Tavares tries to avoid it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Thiago Tavares will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Renzo Machida's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Tavares throws a leg kick
and Machida counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Tavares throws a solid leg kick but Machida takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Tavares.
Tavares misses with a leg kick.
Machida shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Decent striking displayed by Tavares there.
Nice defenses there by Machida.
Tavares throws a head kick that misses
and Machida counters with a nice uppercut.
Tavares throws a leg kick
and Machida makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Machida throws a looping overhand right but Tavares ducks down to avoid it.
Tavares tries to bum rush Machida with a series of wild strikes but Machida uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Tavares is looking to slow Machida down with leg kicks.
Nice defenses there by Tavares.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida moves out of range of the body kick from Tavares.
Machida takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Machida feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Tavaress jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Tavares falls off balance throwing a combination
and Machida cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Tavares tries to clinch but Machida is having none of it.
Machida takes one to the side of the head.
Machida takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Tavares is looking to clinch but Machida is avoiding it.
Tavares moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromMachida.
Tavares throws a left and a right that both miss
and Tavares takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Tavares misses with a straight left.
Machida swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Nice straight punches there by Machida. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Machida.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tavares works Machida's body with a nice hook.
Tavares pulls out of a head kick attempt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Machida tries to land a leg kick but Tavares saw it coming and moves away.
Tavares thows a leg kick but Machida checks it
and Tavares takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Machida throws a jab when Tavares was well out of range.
Machida looks to land a combination but Tavares avoids it well.
Machida ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tavares moves away.
Machida avoids the body shot from Tavares.

Machida gets tackled into the cage by Tavares. Tavares maintains the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Tavares.
Tavares prevents Machida from breaking the clinch.
Renzo Machida has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tavares looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Tavares tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Machida's elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tavares tries to throw a body punch but Machida avoids it by throwing Tavares back against the cage.
Tavares doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Machida has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Machida breaks the clinch.
Tavares tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Machida with a hook.
A big left from Machida misses.
Machida avoids the head kick by Tavares.
Tavares uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Machida.
Tavares scores with a head kick. Machida tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Tavares scoring well with a low kick there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tavares lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Tavares wants to clinch
and Machida counters with a good low kick that Tavares was not able to check.
Crunch! Tavares slams his shin into Machida's torso.
Tavares throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Machida pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Machida takes a swing at Tavares's ribcage but misses.
Nice body punch from Tavares.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tavares uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Machida.
No joy there for Tavares, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Machida! But no joy.
Tavares displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Machida throws out the jab.

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 Thiago Tavares.
Well Tavares 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 48:47
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 50:45
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thiago Tavares!
Thiago Tavares retains his super heavyweight title!
Our winner, Thiago Tavares, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.
The defeated Renzo Machida had this to say: 'Assim finalizo minha carreira. Congrats Thiago ( Rodrigo é viado)'.