PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jamison Cassidy (ranked 937 p4p, 145 weight class) and Xander Machado (ranked 2727 p4p, 353 weight class). Cassidy comes to the cage accompanied by Space Oddity by David Bowie. 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.

Cassidy
vs
Machado

186 cm
24
213 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

196 cm
30
208 lbs
6 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Very quick

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Conviction
Urban Fighter

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 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jamison Cassidy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Xander Machado!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Yves DeLean and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cassidy is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Machado.
Jamison Cassidy seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cassidy lands a jab to the nose.
Cassidy throws a wild body kick that Machado sees coming a mile off.
Cassidy uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Machado.
Cassidy misses with a leg kick.
Cassidy fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Machado checks it well.
Machado is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Cassidy wants to clinch up but Machado keeps it at a distance.
Machado uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Cassidy.

Cassidy clinches up with Machado and pushes him back against the cage.
Machado looking for a takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cassidy tries a body shot but Machado blocks it.
Cassidy misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Cassidy works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Stalling in the clinch from Cassidy.

Machado has clasped his hands together around Cassidy's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cassidy tries to bench press Machado off him but Machado keeps the position.
Machado working away.
Cassidy is letting Machado control him for a moment.
Cassidy is looking for a sweep.
Machado working away.

Machado looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Cassidy is looking to regain half guard here but Machado keeps moving and retains side control.
Machado is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Cassidy's shoulder. That is not cool.
Cassidy is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Machado taking a breather here.
Cassidy tries to buck Machado off but Machado is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Machado thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Cassidy gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Machado is looking to take a break and control but Cassidy is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Cassidy has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Machado is working away from the top position though.
Machado tries to pass the half guard into mount. Cassidy knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Machado looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cassidy manages to get to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cassidy working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Machado doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Machado manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Cassidy throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Machado looking to pass the guard.
Machado wants to control from the top but Cassidy keeps moving.
Cassidy controls Machado momentarily but Machado frees himself.

Machado avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Cassidy throws his legs up looking for a submission but Machado uses it to pass to side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Cassidy tries to improve position but can't.
Cassidy is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at Nemesis Gym, so we'll see if he gets out of it.
Cassidy can't do much from the bottom here.
Cassidy trying his best to control but Machado has mounted him.
Cassidy is desperately trying to improve his position but Machado has a good base and remains in mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Machado controlling the pace for now.
Cassidy tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Machado is working for a guillotine from mount but Cassidy frees his head quite easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Machado avoids the attempt from Cassidy to control.
Cassidy is looking to improve his position but Machado isn't that keen on the idea.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Xander Machado dominated that round.
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.

Cassidy throws a leg kick
and Machado counters with a left and a right that stings Cassidy.

Cassidy clinches up against the cage.
Cassidy taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Machado blocks a body shot from Cassidy.
Machado blocking some punches.
Machado wants to stall.
Machado wants to take the fight to the mat but Cassidy manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
The referee is keeping an eye on Cassidy - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Machado has clasped his hands together around Cassidy's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Cassidy is looking to regain half guard here but Machado keeps moving and retains side control.
Machado wants to lay and pray for a moment but Cassidy keeps working.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cassidy is looking for a sweep.
Cassidy trying to control but Machado flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Xander Machado has got the better of the ground game so far.
Machado has the hooks in. Cassidy is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

Cassidy is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Machado gets his way!
Machado has good solid back control here.

Machado tightening his grip on Cassidy, looking for the choke.
Cassidy is in bad spot here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Machado tightening his grip on Cassidy, looking for the choke.
Cassidy trying to control the action but Machado just sinks the hooks in.
Cassidy is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Machado is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

Machado working for the choke.
Will Machado go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
I really don't envy Cassidy right now.
Machado trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Cassidy doesn't escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Machado is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Machado trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Cassidy trying to control the hands but Machado won't let him.

Machado looking for the RNC.
Cassidy holding both Machado 's hands and preventing any damage.

Machado is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Machado controlling well, preventing Cassidy from escaping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Machado is working for the choke. It looks like he might have got it... has he...? Yes! Cassidy is tapping out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:21 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). 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.