PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Carlos Machado (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Bulger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Machado
vs
Bulger

180 cm
27
265 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

186 cm
25
245 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Very strong

Good wrestler
Brawler
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Carlos Machado!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Bulger!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Cecil Peabody and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Machado tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Bulger defends well and Machado ends up having to push Bulger into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Bulger looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Bulger enables Machado to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Bulger manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Bulger wants to stand up but Machado is controlling him.
Machado wants to pass the guard but Bulger is keeping the position.
Machado wants to control from the top but Bulger keeps moving.

Machado drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Machado jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Machado pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bulger is keeping the position for now.
Machado trying to control but Bulger is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machado trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Machado trying to control but Bulger is working from the bottom.
Machado is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at RCJ Machado Jiu-Jitsu that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.
Machado tries to free his leg and advance position but Bulger is retaining full guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Machado trying to control the position from guard on top but Bulger is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Bulger misses with a series of wild punches.

Bulger gets a clinch.
Bulger lands a body punch.
Bulger lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Machado.
Machado is trying to pull guard but Bulger turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bulger tries to work over Machado's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Bulger lands with a light punch inside.
Machado has Bulger pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Bulger manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Carlos Machado. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bulger stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Bulger scores with a shot to the side of Machado's head.
The referee is keeping an eye on Bulger - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Bulger lands a left hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee is keeping an eye on Bulger - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Machado is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Bulger to keep the fight standing.
Machado is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Bulger is defending well.
Machado is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Bulger is stalling here.
Machado fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Machado tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Bulger smiles and moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Machado closes the distance and clinches up with Bulger, looking for a takedown. Machado pushes Bulger against the cage but Bulger circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Machado connects with a solid leg kick.

Bulger has Machado up against the cage in a clinch.
Bulger has Machado pressed against the cage.
Bulger lands a shoulder strike.
Bulger is stalling here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
A body shot lands from Bulger.
Machado fails to pull guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Bulger dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Machado throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Machado throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Bulger counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Machado!
Bulger tries to stand but Machado is controlling his head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Machado sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Machado looking for submissions off his back.
Machado moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Bulger wants to stand up, so he's looking to wriggle free of Machado's closed guard. He's half up but Machado has locked on to an arm! Uh oh! Machado pivots and extends the arm, Bulger falls face first to the mat and taps??... does he?? YES! He's tapping! Excellent counter grappling there by Machado! Well done that man!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:57 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Carlos Machado!
Carlos Machado was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.