PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Rodrigo Machado (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vladimir Kharitonov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Machado comes to the cage accompanied by Arcade Fire - Power Out. Kharitonov has chosen BLUNT - Raggae All Day as his entrance music. Rodrigo Machado has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Machado
vs
Kharitonov

185 cm
29
145 lbs
12 - 10 - 1

170 cm
43
142 lbs
35 - 20 - 0

Great wrestler
World class MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rodrigo Machado!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 35 - 20 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Vladimir Kharitonov!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kharitonov clinches up against the cage.
Kharitonov misses with the head strike.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Machado creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Nice elbow from Machado.
Machado lands with a left to the head.
Machado misses with an elbow over the top.
Our sources have told us that Machado has been working on his elbows in the gym.
Machado looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Machado throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Kharitonov lands a right hand that snaps the head of Machado backwards.
Kharitonov dodges an elbow strike from Machado.
Kharitonov swings wildly with an uppercut but Machado uses good head movement to avoid it.
With the fighters up against the cage, Machado throws an elbow but misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kharitonov is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Kharitonov is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Machado just misses with a elbow thrown towards Kharitonov's brow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kharitonov lands an uppercut.
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.
Machado letting Kharitonov take a breather here.
Kharitonov blocks an elbow strike from Machado.
With the fighters up against the cage, Machado throws an elbow but misses.
Kharitonov blocks the elbow strike.
Machado swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kharitonov lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Machado misses with the head strike.
Come on Kharitonov - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Kharitonov is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Kharitonov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kharitonov takes an elbow to the temple.
Kharitonov content to slow the pace in the clinch.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Kharitonov just leaning against Machado, taking a breather.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Vladimir Kharitonov.

Kharitonov moves into range and clinches up with Machado.
Kharitonov blocks an elbow strike from Machado.
Machado misses with a short punch on the inside.
Machado creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Kharitonov's defenses.
With the fighters up against the cage, Machado throws an elbow but misses.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Machado misses with an elbow strike.
Machado lands an elbow just above Kharitonov 's eye.
Kharitonov blocks an elbow strike.
Kharitonov misses with some punches.
With the fighters up against the cage, Machado throws an elbow but misses.
Machado tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Machado lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Machado has a couple of punches blocked by Kharitonov.
A shot in the inside from Kharitonov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kharitonov holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Kharitonov misses with a punch on the inside.
With the fighters up against the cage, Machado throws an elbow but misses.
Machado misses with an elbow over the top.
Machado lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Kharitonov is trying to maintain a safe position but Machado gets an underhook and turns Kharitonov into the cage.
Machado lands an elbow just above Kharitonov 's eye.
A head punch on the inside from Kharitonov fails to land.
Machado lands an elbow just above Kharitonov 's eye.
Kharitonov lands with a short shot to the head.
Machado throws an elbow that misses.
Kharitonov looking to stall.
Kharitonov throws a punch but it's blocked by Machado.
Kharitonov manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Machado lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machado misses with an elbow over the top.
Machado creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Kharitonov's defenses.
Machado creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Kharitonov's defenses.

It looks like Vladimir Kharitonov has been cut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Machado misses with some punches.
Machado blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kharitonov throws a punch but it's blocked by Machado.
Machado creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Kharitonov's defenses.
Machado blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Machado misses with some punches.
Machado lands a nice uppercut.
Machado can't get the takedown.
Kharitonov blocks an elbow strike.
Kharitonov swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Machado wants the takedown. Kharitonov is fighting it off but Machado persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Kharitonov's guard against the cage.
Kharitonov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Machado in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
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 Vladimir Kharitonov's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kharitonov throws a body kick, spinning off balance

and Machado counters with a nice double leg into side control. Kharitonov won't be happy with that.
Kharitonov tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Machado wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Kharitonov gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Machado has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Kharitonov on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Kharitonov is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Machado scores with a couple of nice shots.
Kharitonov is looking for a sweep. Machado is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Machado working Kharitonov over with strikes.
Machado working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Machado slips a nice elbow through Kharitonov's hands, connecting with Kharitonov's forehead.
Machado with the ground and pound but Kharitonov uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Kharitonov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Machado won't allow Kharitonov to sweep him here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machado stands up over Kharitonov, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Machado is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kharitonov can do to turn this around?
Machado scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Machado throws an elbow that misses. Kharitonov uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Machado's guard. Nice move by Kharitonov!

Kharitonov throws a strike but Machado rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Machado throwing strikes from guard but Kharitonov blocks nicely.
Machado trying to control the position from guard on top but Kharitonov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Machado postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Machado is stalling in the full guard.
Machado with a nice head shot there.
Rodrigo Machado overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machado postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Machado connects with a couple of short punches.

Kharitonov is rocked!
Machado is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Machado loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Machado stopping the sweep attempt from Kharitonov.
Machado is looking to work some ground and pound but Kharitonov has wrist control.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Kharitonov is on top in guard.

Kharitonov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Kharitonov throwing strikes but missing.
Machado working a defensive guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machado utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kharitonov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kharitonov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Kharitonov cracks Machado with a solid left hand.
Kharitonov postures up in Machado's guard and throws a big left but Machado blocks it.
Kharitonov trying to control but Machado is working from the bottom.
Kharitonov throws an elbow that misses. Machado uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Kharitonov's guard. Nice move by Machado!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kharitonov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Machado lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Kharitonov is trying to control the position but Machado postures up.
Machado cracks Kharitonov with a solid left hand.
Machado loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Machado in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Machado is working Kharitonov over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Kharitonov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Machado is one step ahead there.
Kharitonov keeping full guard, as Machado tries to pass.
Machado missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rodrigo Machado dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Vladimir Kharitonov'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. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Machado dodges the punch combination from Kharitonov.
Kharitonov throws a sloppy head kick and Machado moves out of range easily.
Machado keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kharitonov.
Machado changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

Kharitonov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Kharitonov takes an elbow to the temple.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kharitonov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kharitonov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Machado working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Kharitonov is still on wobbly legs! Can Machado finish him?
Machado lands an uppercut in the clinch that drops Kharitonov to his knees! Machado keeps firing more shots against his stricken opponent and the referee jumps in to save him!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:08 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Rodrigo Machado!