PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Xander Machado (ranked 1306 p4p, 28 weight class) and Kaspars Petrovs (ranked 1192 p4p, 23 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Machado might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Latin Thugs. Kaspars Petrovs has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Xander Machado's chin.

Machado
vs
Petrovs

196 cm
34
208 lbs
13 - 12 - 0

180 cm
32
172 lbs
17 - 19 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

UnderGround Supplements

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Xander Machado!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 19 - 0, fighting out of London, Kaspars Petrovs!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Gwen Towbar and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Petrovs misses with a shot to the body
and Machado cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Petrovs throws a left and a right that both miss

so Machado counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Machado is stalling in the full guard.
Petrovs keeping moving, preventing Machado from controlling successfully.
Machado tries to free his leg and advance position but Petrovs is retaining full guard.
Petrovs is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Petrovs wants to stand and escape but Machado is having none of it.
Machado trying to control but Petrovs is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Machado sitting in guard, not really doing much.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machado moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Machado jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Petrovs lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Machado circles away quickly and effectively.
Machado feinted with a counter takedown.
Petrovs throws a body shot but no joy.
Petrovs throws a right hand that misses

and Machado counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Machado is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Machado is trying to work for a kimura but Petrovs is defending well.
Machado is thwarting Petrovs's attempts to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Petrovs is trying to get back to full guard.

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.
Petrovs tries to kick Machado off but Machado keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Machado wants to pass the guard but Petrovs is defending well.
Petrovs is trying to maintain the position but Machado is very close to passing his half guard.

Machado is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Petrovs defends it well.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Machado prevents Petrovs from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Machado is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Machado is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Machado seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Petrovs does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Machado is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Machado is keen to just control but Petrovs is a slippery customer.
Petrovs wants to control but Machado is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Machado is working for a kimura but Petrovs is defending it quite comfortably.
Petrovs is trying to stand.
Petrovs keeping hold of Machado's head, controlling as best he can.
Machado prevents Petrovs from standing back up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Petrovs misses the jab.
Petrovs tries to score a power double leg takedown but Machado sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Petrovs somewhat.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Machado looks to land a combination but Petrovs avoids it well.
Machado scores with a shot to the body.
Petrovs misses with a few strikes there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Xander Machado dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Machado stuffs the takedown.
Petrovs throws a right and a left that both miss.
Machado displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Petrovs throws out the jab.
Petrovs swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A punch combination from Petrovs misses.
Sloppy strikes from Machado. Those never looked like landing.
Petrovs misses with a hook
and Machado counters with an inside leg kick.
Petrovs swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Machado counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Petrovs!
Machado is looking to take a break and control but Petrovs is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Petrovs pushes Machado away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Machado gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Machado controls the position from side control.

Machado tries for a kimura but Petrovs is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Machado working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Machado trying to control the position but Petrovs is working away.
Petrovs trying his best to control but Machado has mounted him.
Petrovs keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Petrovs wants to try and get back to his feet.
Petrovs tries to hold on but Machado postures up.

Machado working for a guillotine from mount but Petrovs is in no mood to give up.
Machado looking to control but Petrovs is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Xander 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.
Petrovs tries to buck Machado off but he can't manage it.
Machado tries to control but Petrovs wriggling away.
Petrovs tries to lock up and control but Machado gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Petrovs is squirming around, avoiding Machado's attempts to control the action.
Machado won't let Petrovs get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Machado will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Petrovs tries to reverse the position but Machado maintains control.
Machado controlling from mount.
Machado wants to control the pace but Petrovs is squirming around nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Petrovs wants to try and get back to his feet.
Petrovs is trying to escape the mount.
Machado trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Petrovs is desperately trying to improve his position but Machado has a good base and remains in mount.
Machado wants to control the pace but Petrovs is squirming around nicely.
Machado controlling from the full mount.

Machado wants to finish this one by submission but Petrovs is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Machado.
Petrovs is working to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Machado working for a submission but Petrovs is keeping him at bay.

Machado looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.

Machado wants to finish this one by submission but Petrovs is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Machado.
Petrovs wants to control but Machado is having none of it.
Machado looking to control but Petrovs is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Petrovs is looking to get to half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Xander Machado dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Petrovs is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Machado tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Petrovs manages to circle out of the way.
Petrovs throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Machado counters with a stiff right hand.
Petrovs lands a body shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Petrovs misses the target.
Petrovs tries to bum rush Machado with a series of wild strikes but Machado uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Machado pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Petrovs is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Machado.
Petrovs rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Machado counters with a stiff right hand.
Petrovs misses with a wild combination.
Petrovs is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A looping hook to the body misses from Petrovs. Machado does a little dance to reset his feet.
Machado throws a quick counter kick to the body but Petrovs avoids it.
Machado fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Petrovs wants to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Petrovs stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Petrovs tries to clinch but Machado is having none of it.
Petrovs misses with a body shot.
Petrovs throws a nice looking combination but Machado bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Petrovs swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Machado counters with a one-two to the body.
The fighters circling - Petrovs throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Petrovs tries for a takedown but Machado circles away easily
and Petrovs takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Petrovs will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Petrovs lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Kaspars Petrovs seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Machado.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Petrovs lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Machado at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Petrovs misses with a two punch combination.
Petrovs takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Petrovs misses the shot to the body.

Machado darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Petrovs tries to get to full guard but Machado has control of the leg.

Machado is trying to work for a kimura but Petrovs is defending well.
Xander Machado is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Machado is pressing down on Petrovs's thigh, looking to free his foot. Petrovs is holding on for now.
Machado controlling the pace.
Machado wants to pass to mount but Petrovs is defending the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Machado seems to be looking for submissions.
Machado content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Petrovs wants to get back to his feet.

Petrovs is defending against the submission attempts here by Machado.

Machado is looking for a kimura but Petrovs is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Machado to get the leverage.
Petrovs is trying to stand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Machado is taking a breather. Petrovs says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Petrovs holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Petrovs is trying to stand.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Petrovs fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Machado manages to avoid it.
Petrovs throws a 1-2 combo that connects squarely on Machado's jaw, knocking him onto his back! Petrovs dives in looking to finish as Machado flails his arms in a desperate attempt to block Petrovs's strikes! Petrovs is raining down hammerfists and the ref stops it! Machado's desperate flailing just didn't constitute intelligent defence. Some people will probably question the ref's decision but Machado was definitely hurt and the ref saved him from taking unnecessary punishment. A fighter's safety is paramount in this sport.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:27 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Kaspars Petrovs!
Kaspars Petrovs decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.
Xander Machado was interviewed post fight and said 'No Worries Homies, Gonna Train Hard And Win Next Fight'.