PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Lyoto Machida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Henrique Tavares (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Machida kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is For Whom The Bell Tolls. Tavares is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Devour the Day - Get Out of My Way. Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Machida
vs
Tavares

185 cm
51
205 lbs
39 - 47 - 1

195 cm
31
210 lbs
14 - 12 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Experienced

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 39 - 47 - 1, fighting out of New York, Lyoto Machida!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 12 - 0, fighting out of New York, Henrique Tavares!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Jonathan Paton and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Machida throws a left and a right that both miss
and Tavares counters with a nice uppercut.
Machida tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Lyoto Machida seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Machida misses with a right hand
and Tavares counters with a nice uppercut.
Machida misses with an uppercut.
Machida keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Machida looks to land a left hand but Tavares moved out of range nicely.
Tavares throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Machida throws a head kick that misses.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Tavares has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
A cross from Machida lands.
A combination from Machida does no damage.
A shot to the liver by Tavares. Beautiful body shot.
Some wild striking there from Machida.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Machida misses with a jab, cross combination.
Tavares lands a leg kick that knocks Machida off balance momentarily.
Machida will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Machida misses with a few strikes there.

Tavares lands a left and a right that send Machida crashing to the mat, dazed. Tavares thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!

Machida is rocked!
Tavares pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Tavares lands a big head kick that sends Machida to the canvas! Tavares follows up with strikes from the mount that forces the ref to step in and stop the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:12 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Henrique Tavares!
Henrique Tavares tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.