PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rodrigo Machado (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Timo Vesala (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Vesala has chosen Bomfunk MC's - Freestyler as his entrance music. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Machado
vs
Vesala

185 cm
27
145 lbs
10 - 8 - 0

160 cm
32
140 lbs
11 - 10 - 0

Great wrestler
World class MT
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Namunamu Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Rodrigo Machado!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Timo Vesala!
The judges for this bout are Saam Ante, Paulsen Ambrosius and Patrick Alders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vesala throws a jab when Machado was well out of range.
Vesala tries to bum rush Machado with a series of wild strikes but Machado uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Machado really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Vesala throws a right and a left that both miss.
Machado is looking to counter the offense by Vesala and move into the clinch.

Machado gets a clinch.
Vesala throws a head punch that misses.
Vesala misses with a knee strike.
We've been hearing reports that Machado has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Machado just misses with a elbow thrown towards Vesala's brow.
Vesala throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Machado blocks it with crossed arms.
Machado misses with an elbow strike.
Machado swings wildly with an uppercut but Vesala uses good head movement to avoid it.
Machado creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Machado misses with a hook from the clinch.
Vesala tries to throw a body punch but Machado avoids it by throwing Vesala back against the ropes.
Machado throws an elbow that misses.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Machado just misses with a elbow thrown towards Vesala's brow.
Machado blocks an uppercut.
Vesala lands with a short head shot on the inside.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Vesala creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vesala takes an elbow to the temple.
Machado lands an elbow inside.
Machado misses with the head strike.
A shot in the inside from Machado.
Machado throws an elbow that misses.
Machado throws an elbow that misses.
Vesala tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Machado just misses with a elbow thrown towards Vesala's brow.
Vesala creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Vesala swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Vesala dodges an elbow strike from Machado.
Machado throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Vesala blocks an elbow strike from Machado.
Vesala is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Vesala has a couple of punches blocked by Machado.
Vesala blocks an elbow strike from Machado.
Machado working aggressively here.
Machado misses with an elbow over the top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vesala blocks an elbow strike from Machado.
Vesala scores with a shoulder strike.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Vesala avoids the elbow strike from Machado, against the ropes.
Vesala misses with a body punch.
Machado blocks a body shot from Vesala.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Vesala.
Vesala lands with a short shot to the head.
Vesala misses with the head strike.
Vesala lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Machado lands an elbow inside.
Vesala's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Machado throws an elbow but it misses.
Vesala throws a punch but it's blocked by Machado.
Vesala swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A nice left hand lands by Vesala.
Vesala avoids a wild elbow strike from Machado.
Machado throws an elbow that misses.
Machado throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Machado lands an elbow inside.

It looks like Timo Vesala has been cut.
Machado blocks the elbow strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machado throws an elbow but it misses.
Machado blocks a body shot from Vesala.
Vesala lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the ropes.
Machado throws an elbow that misses.
Vesala blocks an elbow strike.
Vesala is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Vesala looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Machado misses with an elbow over the top.
Vesala with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Machado softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.
Still in the clinch, Machado scores with a nice short uppercut.
A short right from Machado on the inside.
Machado lands an elbow that stopped Vesala in his tracks for a moment.
Machado lands an elbow inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Machado.
Machado scores with a shoulder strike.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Vesala unloads a knee to the mid-section. Machado lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Machado misses with an elbow strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vesala swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Vesala tries to work over Machado's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Vesala takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Machado lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Vesala backwards.
Vesala misses with a short punch on the inside.
Machado has a couple of punches blocked by Vesala.
A head punch on the inside from Machado fails to land.
Vesala throws an elbow that misses.
Vesala blocks an elbow strike from Machado.
Vesala working aggressively here.
Machado lands a damaging elbow.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Machado pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the ropes.
Vesala working aggressively here.
Vesala tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Vesala goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Vesala avoids the elbow strike from Machado, against the ropes.
Machado throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Vesala goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rodrigo Machado dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Timo Vesala's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Vesala throws a body punch but Machado moves out of range.
Machado tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Vesala manages to circle out of the way.
Vesala tries a head kick but it misses.
Machado seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.

Vesala shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Machado manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Vesala throws a big right hand that misses.
Machado keeping moving, preventing Vesala from controlling successfully.
Vesala throws an elbow that misses. Machado uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Vesala's guard. Nice move by Machado!

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Machado tries to free his leg and advance position but Vesala is retaining full guard.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

Vesala is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Machado with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vesala is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Vesala has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Vesala is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Machado is just riding it out for now. Vesala eventually gives up the hold.
Machado is in trouble now - Vesala has advanced to mount!
Machado regains half guard.
Well, if Vesala is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vesala wants to free his trapped foot but Machado is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Vesala misses with a head shot. Machado uses the momentum to regain guard.
Vesala trying to control but Machado is working from the bottom.
Machado working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Vesala.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vesala is looking to work some ground and pound but Machado has wrist control.
Machado controls Vesala momentarily but Vesala frees himself.
Machado keeping moving, preventing Vesala from controlling successfully.
Vesala trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Machado manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Machado stopping the sweep attempt from Vesala.
Vesala trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Machado throws a big right hand that misses.
Machado stopping the sweep attempt from Vesala.
Machado throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Vesala works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vesala controlling Machado's posture.
Vesala keeping moving, preventing Machado from controlling successfully.
Vesala wants to sweep here but Machado controlling him for the moment.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Machado landing with the ground and pound.
Vesala has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Machado has passed into side control.
Machado is putting a hurting on Vesala here, landing some big shots from side control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Machado tries to advance to mount but Vesala denies him.
Vesala sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Timo Vesala will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Timo Vesala's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Machado staying out of range there.

Vesala moves into the clinch successfully.
Nice elbow from Machado.
Machado lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Machado just misses with a elbow thrown towards Vesala's brow.
Machado misses with an elbow over the top.
Machado lands an elbow that stopped Vesala in his tracks for a moment.
Vesala tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Vesala utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
A nice right hand lands inside from Vesala.
Vesala misses with a short punch on the inside.
Vesala blocks the elbow strike.
A nice left hand lands by Vesala.
A head punch on the inside from Vesala fails to land.
Vesala scores with a shoulder strike.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Machado lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Machado throws an elbow but it misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machado lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Vesala misses with a hook from the clinch.
Vesala throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Machado lands a damaging elbow.

That has opened up Timo Vesala's cut even more.
Machado takes a shot to the head.
Vesala blocks the elbow strike.
Vesala tries to work over Machado's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Machado as Vesala tries to tie him up.
Vesala tries to land knees in the clinch but Machado avoids the damage to the body.
Vesala blocks an elbow strike.
Vesala looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Machado on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Vesala misses with a hook to the ribs.
Machado throws an elbow but it's blocked.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Vesala.
Machado makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Vesala throws a knee to the head but misses.
Vesala blocks an elbow strike from Machado.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vesala scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Vesala has a couple of punches blocked by Machado.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Machado throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Vesala scores with a hook to the body.
A short left from Machado.
Vesala lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Machado backwards.
Machado blocks an uppercut.
Vesala fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Vesala throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
A shot in the inside from Machado.
Vesala lands a left hand that snaps the head of Machado backwards.
Vesala pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the ropes.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Machado.
Vesala blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Vesala working aggressively here.
Vesala swings wildly with an uppercut but Machado uses good head movement to avoid it.
Vesala fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vesala lands a hook to the side of the head.
Vesala working aggressively here.
A short right from Machado on the inside.
Machado lands an elbow inside.
Machado misses with an elbow strike.
Vesala blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Machado misses with an elbow strike.
Vesala lands a body shot.
Machado lands with a light punch inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Vesala.
Vesala takes an elbow to the temple.
Vesala connects with a knee to the head.
Vesala can't find room to land a body shot as Machado controls the action.
Vesala misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Vesala avoids a wild elbow strike from Machado.
Vesala misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Vesala throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Machado blocks it with crossed arms.
Rodrigo Machado has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Machado lands a shoulder strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machado blocks the elbow strike.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Vesala makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Machado.
A nice right hand lands inside from Vesala.
Vesala tries to work over Machado's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Machado misses with an elbow over the top.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Machado.
Vesala avoids a wild elbow strike from Machado.
Vesala taking a breather.
A short right from Machado.
Vesala goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Machado gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

The cut above Timo Vesala's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Vesala misses with a short punch on the inside.
Vesala throws an elbow that misses.
Vesala is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Machado throws a punch but it's blocked by Vesala.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Timo Vesala.
I think Vesala 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 Saam Ante scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 29:29
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 29:28

The fight is ruled a draw!