PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Greg Norman (ranked 3068 p4p, 406 weight class) and Xander Machado (ranked 3533 p4p, 442 weight class). Norman comes to the cage accompanied by Blac Youngsta - Birthday. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Norman
vs
Machado

190 cm
34
210 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

196 cm
30
208 lbs
5 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
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 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Greg Norman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Xander Machado!
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, Reed Andrews and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Norman swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Norman misses with a straight right.
It seemed like Machado was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Norman misses the shot to the body.
A clash of legs there as Machado blocks the low kick.
Machado ducks under a wild hook from Norman.
Norman throws a nice outside leg kick.
Norman misses the jab.
Machado drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Norman defends it well.
Norman looks to land a body kick but Machado moved away.
Norman throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Norman misses with a hook
letting Machado counter with a right hand.
Norman keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
The fighters circling - Norman throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Norman pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Machado closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Norman quickly recovers to half guard.
Norman is holding on to half guard well.
Machado wants to control but Norman is keeping him busy.
Machado sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Norman defending well though.
Norman blocking the ground and pound attempt from Machado.
Machado not doing much here.
Machado not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Norman is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Machado's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Machado's back!
You can see the frustration on Machado's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Machado manages to reverse the position and now he's in Norman's guard. Nice work there by Machado.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machado throwing strikes from guard but Norman blocks nicely.
Machado preventing the sweep.
Machado landing some decent shots from guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Machado postures up in Norman's guard and throws a big left but Norman blocks it.
Machado has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Norman wants to sweep but no luck.
Machado is fighting to break Norman's control of his arms but Norman is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Machado working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Machado loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Norman pulls Machado in close to prevent any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machado throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Norman works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Machado trying to control but Norman is working from the bottom.
Norman preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Machado in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Machado distracts Norman with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Machado accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Machado trying to control the position from guard on top but Norman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Machado misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Norman.
Norman misses with a few strikes there.

That's four 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.

Machado feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Machado throwing strikes from guard but Norman blocks nicely.
Norman has momentary wrist control but Machado slips an elbow through the middle.
Norman preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Norman avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Machado is looking to work some ground and pound but Norman has wrist control.
Machado missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Machado trying to control the position from guard on top but Norman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Machado throws a big right hand that misses.
Machado is looking to work some ground and pound but Norman has wrist control.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Norman lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Xander Machado will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Norman attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Norman tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Machado is able to avoid easily.
Norman blocks a head kick by Machado.
It looked like Norman wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Norman pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

Machado closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Norman did well to prevent Machado getting side control.
Machado lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Machado throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Norman to regain full guard.
Norman managing to control the position.
Norman wants to sweep here but Machado controlling him for the moment.
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 Norman is retaining full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machado passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Machado content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Machado throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Machado in side control lands a decent elbow.
Norman is not content to let Machado control the position.
Norman parries the strikes from Machado easily there. Machado is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Norman to escape.
You can see the frustration on Norman's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Machado wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Norman, who protects the arm well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machado with the ground and pound but Norman regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Norman is staying active underneath Machado, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Machado wants to pass the guard but Norman is defending well.
Machado has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Machado throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Norman regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Machado.
Machado wants to control from the top but Norman keeps moving.
Xander Machado has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machado in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Machado throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Machado throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Norman misses with a hook. Machado ducked under it nicely.
Machado throws a combination. Norman tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Norman throws a hook but Machado blocks it.
Norman misses with an uppercut. Machado saw that one coming.
Norman throws a body kick, spinning off balance

and Machado counters with a single leg into guard. Norman didn't expect that.
Norman working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Machado.
Norman working a defensive guard here.
Norman working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Machado.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machado slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Machado postures up in Norman's guard and throws a big left but Norman blocks it.
Machado engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Machado loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Norman keeping moving, preventing Machado from controlling successfully.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Greg Norman is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Machado ducks under a wild hook from Norman.
A telegraphed right hand from Norman misses the target.

Machado throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Norman was covering up waiting for the punch and Machado finishes the takedown easily into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Xander Machado showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Norman's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Norman throws a shot from downtown. Machado moves away and avoids it.
Machado avoids the head kick by Norman.
Sloppy strikes from Machado. Those never looked like landing.
Norman checks a leg kick nicely.
Norman throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Norman throws out a loose jab but Machado uses good head movement to avoid it.
Machado tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Machado connects with a nice looking jab.
Greg Norman is winning the standup battle so far.
Norman looks to land a left hand but Machado moved out of range nicely.
Machado blocks a low kick nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Norman misses with a straight right.
Norman throws a body kick that misses
and Machado counters with a left to the body.
Xander Machado is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A good leg kick by Norman.
Norman throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Machado lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Norman throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Machado tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Norman swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Norman tries to land a front kick but Machado steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
A head kick misses from Norman.
Machado throws a big counter head kick but Norman avoids it with no problem.
Norman throws a looping overhand right but Machado ducks down to avoid it.
Machado is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Norman throws a low kick but it's checked well by Machado.
Greg Norman seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Norman finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Machado misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Norman attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
A low kick from Norman misses

and Machado counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Machado sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Norman defending well though.
Machado thows a huge punch but Norman dodges it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machado controlling the action here.
Machado not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Norman keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Machado lands strikes from half guard.
Xander Machado is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Machado lands with a punch from half guard.
Machado stalling.
Machado thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Machado missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Norman is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Machado wants to pass to mount but Norman is defending the position.
Machado looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Norman misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Machado looks to land a body kick but Norman moved away.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Machado checks a leg kick.
Machado lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Machado.
Machado blocks a jab.
Nice sprawl there from Norman as Machado shoots in.
Norman throws a jab but it's blocked by Machado.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Norman does no damage.
Despite the aggression on Machado's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Norman misses with a looping right.
Machado looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Norman misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Machado counters with a takedown into side control.
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 looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Norman is avoiding damage well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Norman avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Machado.
Machado cracks Norman with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Norman trying to remain calm as Machado controls from the top position.
Let's hope that Machado has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Machado scoring with punches and elbows.

And that's the end of the fight!
Xander Machado comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Machado winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Jorge Garcia scores the fight 27:30
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 27:30
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Xander Machado!
A relieved looking Xander Machado thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.