PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Manny Machado (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Krause (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Krause comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Heart of a Champion kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! The key to victory for Manny Machado has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Machado
vs
Krause

175 cm
37
164 lbs
30 - 14 - 0

180 cm
34
157 lbs
17 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Basic striking
Granite chin

FORCEE

Aspire Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 30 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Manny Machado!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 10 - 0, fighting out of London, James Krause!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Matheus Silva and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Krause fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Machado manages to avoid it.
Machado fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Krause fails with the takedown
and Machado counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Machado swings for the body but Krause moves out of range.
Krause tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Machado defends well and Krause ends up having to push Machado into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Krause shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Manny Machado has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Krause.
A slow jab from Krause misses its intended target.
Machado slaps away a takedown attempt from Krause, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Krause misses with a takedown

and Machado counters by moving into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Krause tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Machado just stands there and leans against the cage.
Krause is working for takedown but Machado is calmly controlling the position for now.
Machado lands with a short shot to the head.
Machado creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Krause jumps guard but Machado stands there with Krause around his waist. Krause gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Machado lands with a short punch from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Krause jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Machado walks away with a smile on his face. Krause gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Krause fails with the takedown
and Krause takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Machado lands a leg kick that knocks Krause off balance momentarily.
Krause shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Machado as he jumps to the side.
Krause misses with a left hand
and Machado counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Manny Machado is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Machado paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Machado moves out of range of the strikes.
Machado throws a shot to the body.
Krause shoots in looking for a takedown. Machado tries to sprawl out of it but Krause keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Machado manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Machado lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Machado rushes Krause and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Krause jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Machado walks away with a smile on his face. Krause gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Machado looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Machado is looking to score with low kicks.
Krause throws an off balance right hand
and Machado counters with a left to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Machado cracks Krause with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Krause ducks right into an uppercut from Machado.
Machado slips a jab from Krause.
Krause is trying hard to land a takedown here. Machado sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Krause closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Machado quickly recovers to half guard.
Machado wants to control but Krause is keeping busy.
Krause works his way into full mount!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Machado tries to hold on but Krause pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machado is desperately trying to improve his position but Krause has a good base and remains in mount.
Machado gets back to half guard.
Machado tries to roll over but Krause keeps him under control.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Krause working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Krause wants to pass to mount but Machado is defending the position.

Krause is working for a kimura but Machado is defending it quite comfortably.
Krause controlling the action here.
Krause is trying to control. Machado wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Machado manages to get to full guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Machado wants to stand but Krause is controlling the position.
Krause not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Machado keeping moving, preventing Krause from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Krause is fighting to break Machado's control of his arms but Machado is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Machado is trying to control the position from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Manny Machado dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

A telegraphed takedown attempt from Krause is defended easily by Machado.
Krause fails with a takedown attempt.
Krause dives in for a single leg takedown but Machado sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
It looked like Machado was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Krause.
Manny Machado has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Krause.
Krause takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Machado scores with a hook to the body. Krause takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Krause dives in and grabs Machado's left leg, looking for a takedown. Machado pushes down on Krause's head and hops out.
Krause misses with a wild body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Krause tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Machado was well out of range. Poor timing from Krause.
Machado bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Krause fails with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Krause shoots in looking for a takedown. Machado tries to sprawl out of it but Krause keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Machado manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Machado drives through and clinches with Krause against the cage.
Machado taking a breather.
Krause tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Machado just stands there and leans against the cage.

Krause jumps guard.
Machado won't allow Krause to sweep him here.
Krause looking to control but Machado passes into half guard.
Machado performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
The fighters are battling for position here. Krause manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Krause throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Machado escapes and throws Krause's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Krause is not content to let Machado control the position.
Machado is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Krause can do to turn this around?
Krause can't do much from the bottom here.
A lull in the action here.
Krause trying to control but Machado flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Krause is really stuck here.
Krause keeps trying to improve his position.
Krause tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Krause is trying desperately to improve position.
Machado lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Krause hang on?
Machado trying to control but Krause is having none of it.
Machado takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Krause sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

Krause looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Krause wants to get back to full guard.
Krause is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Machado jumps into side control!
Machado lands a decent elbow from side control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Machado gets to mount! Krause was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Krause sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Manny Machado dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Machado misses with a wild body shot.
Machado throws a hook but Krause avoids it easily.
Krause fails to land the takedown.
Machado scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Machado ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Krause moves away.
Machado lands a jab to the head.
Machado works Krause's body with a nice hook.
Krause shoots for a takedown but Machado saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Krause avoids the head kick by Machado.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Krause looking to score a takedown here. Machado is defending well but Krause drives through and ends up in Machado's guard.
Machado is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Krause wants to improve his position but Machado is controlling well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machado is trying to control. Krause wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Machado takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Machado trying to control from Krause's half guard. Krause has other ideas though and has regained full guard.

Krause working for a triangle but Machado defends it easily.
Krause is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Machado engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Krause is looking for a triangle here but Machado uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machado trying to control the position but Krause is working away.
Krause manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Krause is looking for a sweep. Machado is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Machado stalling.

Krause with the active half guard here but Machado passes nicely into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Machado remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Krause is trying to control Machado's posture but Machado avoids it.
Krause 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.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Krause sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Krause is trying to get back to full guard.
Krause wants to control but Machado is keeping busy and won't allow it.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Manny Machado clearly takes that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Machado lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Krause at a distance.
Krause dives in and grabs Machado's left leg, looking for a takedown. Machado pushes down on Krause's head and hops out.
Machado is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Krause.
Machado stuffs the takedown.
Machado is looking to wear down Krause with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Machado lands with a shot to the body.
Krause fails with a takedown attempt.
Machado is looking to counter the offense by Krause and move into the clinch.
Manny Machado has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Krause.
Machado works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Machado swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Krause throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Machado's waist but Machado gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Krause off to one side.
Machado swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Machado fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Krause has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Krause fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Machado avoids it really well and circles away.
Machado scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Krause shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Machado as he jumps to the side.
Machado stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Machado wants it to stay on the feet.
Krause takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Machado lands a nice shot to the body.
Machado connects with a body shot that sends Krause's belly button to the back.
Krause has his takedown stuffed
and Machado connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Manny Machado is winning the standup battle so far.
Machado throws a series of punches but Krause avoids them all with ease.
Krause tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Machado defends well and Krause ends up having to push Machado into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Jab by Machado.
Jab by Machado.
Machado takes a swing at Krause's ribcage but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Krause gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Machado counters by moving into the clinch.
Krause tries to pull guard but Machado holds him up against the cage and eventually Krause drops back down to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Machado lands a body shot.
Krause is working for takedown but Machado is calmly controlling the position for now.
Krause is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Krause jumps guard but Machado turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Krause is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Machado gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Machado lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Machado working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Machado stops a takedown attempt from Krause.
Krause jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Machado walks away with a smile on his face. Krause gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Machado lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Krause takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
James Krause seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Krause changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Machado tries to avoid it but Krause manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Machado to the ground. Machado escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machado works Krause's body with a nice hook.
Machado swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Krause has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Krause there as he acknowledges the shot.
Machado works the jab nicely.
Krause looks for a takedown but Machado sprawls well.
Krause has his takedown stuffed
and Machado makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Machado tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Krause was well out of range. Poor timing from Machado.
Krause dodges the punch combination from Machado.
Krause shoots in but no luck this time.
Krause shoots and misses
and Machado counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Krause dives in for a single leg takedown but Machado sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machado ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Krause moves away.
Machado throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Krause on the side of the head.
Machado changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
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!
Machado connects with the punch.
Machado throws a right and a left that Krause avoids nicely.
Machado lands with a shot to the body.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Machado lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Krause has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Krause and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Krause.
Machado can't do much from the bottom here.
Machado is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Krause is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Machado tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Krause wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Manny Machado had his way with James Krause in that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Krause misses with a body shot
and Machado counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A looping hook to the body misses from Machado. Krause does a little dance to reset his feet.
Machado throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Krause tries to score a power double leg takedown but Machado sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Krause somewhat.
Krause tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Machado swivels and escapes.
Krause shoots in looking for a takedown. Machado tries to sprawl out of it but Krause keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Machado manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Manny Machado has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Krause.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Krause dives in and grabs Machado's left leg, looking for a takedown. Machado pushes down on Krause's head and hops out.
Machado shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Machado lands with an overhand left.
Krause fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Machado drives through and clinches with Krause against the cage.
Machado stops a takedown attempt from Krause.
Machado lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Krause or not.
Krause is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Machado is stalling here.
Krause jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Machado walks away with a smile on his face. Krause gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Machado ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Krause moves away.
Machado defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Krause.
Machado is looking to counter the offense by Krause and move into the clinch.
Machado fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Krause.
Krause falls off balance throwing a combination
and Machado makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Machado stuffs the takedown.
A shot to the liver by Machado. Beautiful body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Krause has his takedown stuffed
and Machado counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Machado misses the shot to the body.
Krause on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Krause shoots in looking for a takedown but Machado manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Krause's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Krause has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Machado connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
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!
Machado scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

Krause gets a takedown into half guard.
Krause is keen to just control but Machado is a slippery customer.
Krause is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
James Krause has got the better of the ground game so far.
Krause tries to pass the half guard into mount. Machado knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machado controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Machado continues to stall.
Krause wants to free his trapped foot but Machado is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Krause seems to be looking for submissions.
Machado missing with punches from the bottom.
Krause is thwarting Machado's attempts to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Krause tries to pass the half guard into mount. Machado knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Manny Machado is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Machado is staying active underneath Krause, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Krause swings for the body but Machado moves out of range.
Machado lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Machado fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Krause checks it well.
And Krause tries to counter it with a takedown but Machado pushes his down on his head and steps out.

Machado closes the distance and pushes Krause back into the cage.
Machado lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Machado lands a right hand that snaps the head of Krause backwards.

Krause pulls guard successfully.
Machado is stalling in the full guard.
James Krause has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Machado wants to control from the top but Krause keeps moving.

And that's the end of the fight!
Manny Machado showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Machado, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 50:44
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 50:44
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 50:44

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Manny Machado!
Manny Machado retains his lightweight title!
During a confident post fight interview, Manny Machado thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
The defeated James Krause had this to say: 'I want a rematch. I'll beat him in the next one, just as I did with everyone who was lucky enough to beat me in Highland Games.'.