PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Melvin Butts (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and War Machine (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Butts
vs
Machine

225 cm
26
277 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

195 cm
27
270 lbs
4 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Experienced

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Determined

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 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Melvin Butts!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of The Island, War Machine!
The judges for this bout are Michael Johnstone, David Hoff and Santiago Holmes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Machine misses with a takedown

and Butts counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Butts is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Machine is just riding it out for now. Butts eventually gives up the hold.
Machine wants to improve his position but Butts is controlling well.

Butts seems to be looking for submissions.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Machine is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Machine is refusing to be controlled, as Butts sits in half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Machine is holding on to half guard well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Butts working over Machine with some ground and pound. Machine looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Butts trying to mount his opponent but Machine defends it.

Butts is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Machine sees it coming and defends easily.
Machine trying to control here.

Butts is working for a submission of some sort.
Machine trying to control but Butts postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Butts missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Machine makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Machine.

Butts drops back looking for a leg! Machine is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Machine manages to kick Butts off! Butts jumps back into Machine's guard.
Butts looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Butts throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Machine works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Butts is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Machine controls Butts momentarily but Butts frees himself.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Machine escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Butts gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Machine is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Machine controlling Butts's posture.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Machine falls off balance throwing a combination

and Butts counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Machine really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Butts. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Butts wants to lay and pray for a moment but Machine keeps working.
Butts lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Machine regains full guard. Nicely done.
Machine keeping moving, preventing Butts from controlling successfully.

Butts postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Machine is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Butts, into his guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Butts not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Machine wants to control from the top but Butts keeps moving.
Butts looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Machine pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Butts is keeping the position for now.
Machine stops Butts from standing up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Melvin Butts dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Butts steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Machine.
Machine comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
A clash of legs there as Butts blocks the low kick.
Butts keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Machine.
Machine swinging wildly here.
Butts half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Butts shoots for a takedown but Machine saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Machine tries to counter by closing the distance.
Butts really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Machine misses with an uppercut. Butts saw that one coming.
Butts tries to counter with a takedown but Machine is quick to defend against it.
Machine connects with a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Machine throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Butts gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Butts moves out of range as Machine strikes.
A decent looking cross lands there for Machine.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Butts shoots in looking for a takedown but Machine manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Butts's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Butts throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Machine was covering up waiting for the punch and Butts finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Machine looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Machine not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Butts slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Machine wants to sweep here but Butts controlling him for the moment.
Butts works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Machine tries to roll over but Butts keeps him under control.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Machine can do anything to dispel that myth.
Butts wants to control but Machine is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Butts stalling.
Machine wants to control but Butts passes into side.
Machine tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Butts is working Machine over with some ground and pound from side control.
Butts wants to control but Machine is keeping him busy.
Butts is staying tight to Machine's torso, preventing him from escaping.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machine parries the strikes from Butts easily there. Butts is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Machine to escape.

Butts is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Machine is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Butts is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Machine will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.

Butts tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Machine is looking for a sweep.

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.
Butts working away.

Butts tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Butts has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Butts lands a decent elbow from side control.
Machine is trying to improve his position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Butts wants to stand but Machine is controlling his arm.

Butts tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Butts decides to take the fight back to the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but War Machine will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Butts's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Machine lands a head shot.
Machine misses the body punch

and Butts counters with a nice double leg into guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Machine holds on and takes a little breather.

Machine escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Butts gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Butts won't allow Machine to sweep him here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Butts stands and steps away. Machine gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Machine throws a body punch but Butts moves out of range.
Butts feinted with a counter takedown.
War Machine seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Machine looks to land a right hand but Butts moved out of range.
Butts half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
A telegraphed right hand from Machine misses the target.
Butts appears to be looking for a counter takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machine misses with a few strikes there.
Butts dodges the punch combination from Machine.
Butts changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Machine swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Machine misses with an uppercut.
Butts drops down looking for a counter takedown but Machine sprawls and moves away.
Machine scores with a jab to the body.
Butts walks into a left hand.
Machine scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

Butts closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Machine to the mat! Machine manages to get full guard.
Machine looking to control.
Machine takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Butts pushes down on Machine's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Butts wants to stand but Machine has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Machine manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Butts stands up over Machine, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Machine 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.
Butts wanted to stand there but Machine had control of the position.
Butts stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Machine swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Butts lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Butts trying to control but Machine is working from the bottom.
Butts stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Machine swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Butts trying to control the position from guard on top but Machine is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Machine working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Butts.

Butts is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Butts drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Butts jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Butts trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Butts walks into a jab.
Machine lands the left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machine fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Butts checks it well.
Butts drops down looking for a counter takedown but Machine sprawls and moves away.
Machine misses with a low kick.
Machine scores with a jab to the head.
A bone on bone clash there as Butts blocks the leg kick.
Butts changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Machine is trying hard to land a takedown here. Butts sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Butts looks for a takedown but Machine sprawls well.
Butts looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Butts takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Machine misses with a jab, cross combination.

And that's the end of the fight!
War Machine comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Machine has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Michael Johnstone scores the fight 28:29
Judge David Hoff scores the fight 28:29
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... War Machine!