PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Chino Machida (ranked 20494 p4p, 295 weight class) and Viktor Petrov (ranked 5988 p4p, 254 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Petrov's choice of entrance music: They want too see me fall. Chino Machida has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Machida
vs
Petrov

166 cm
25
139 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

187 cm
26
145 lbs
1 - 6 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Big heart

Good wrestler
Good elbows
Knockout power

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 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Chino Machida!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Viktor Petrov!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Ryoma Takatsuka and Roger Salmon.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Petrov shoots in and gets a takedown into Machida's guard.
Petrov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Machida. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Machida has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the ropes to get back to his feet. Petrov has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the ropes.

Machida has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Petrov uses from the top position.
Machida trying to control the position here.
Petrov controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Machida trying to keep a closed guard but Petrov is proving a slippery customer.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Machida has his foot on Petrov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Petrov works his way back into a safe position though.
Petrov with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida 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.
Machida keeping moving, preventing Petrov from controlling successfully.
Machida controls Petrov momentarily but Petrov frees himself.
Machida is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Petrov trying to control but Machida is working from the bottom.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Machida controls Petrov momentarily but Petrov frees himself.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Machida.
Petrov throws a counter combo.

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.
Petrov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Machida sprawls well. Machida wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Petrov gets slowly back to his feet.
Machida misses with a takedown
and Petrov counters with a nice body shot.

Petrov drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Petrov tries to move into full mount but can't pass Machida's legs.
Machida can't do much from the bottom here.
Machida pushes Petrov away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Petrov gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machida is trying to control Petrov's posture but Petrov avoids it.
Petrov throws an elbow but Machida slips to the side and avoids it well.
Machida being controlled for a moment.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Petrov trying to control the action but Machida is working from the bottom.
Machida prevents Petrov from improving position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
You can see the frustration on Machida's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Machida manages to get back to half guard.

Machida looking for submissions off his back.
Petrov is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Machida is looking to control Petrov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Machida avoid being mounted?
Machida is looking to escape.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Machida instigates a clinch.

Machida manages to pull guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Chino Machida will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Machida shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Petrov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Petrov shoots in looking for a takedown. Machida tries to sprawl out of it but Petrov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Machida manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Machida misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Viktor Petrov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Petrov 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.
Machida looking to control.

Machida is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Petrov is aware though and is defending well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Petrov drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Machida dives on top into guard.

Petrov can't keep his opponent in guard - Machida advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Petrov pushes Machida off looking to stand but Machida dives back in and keeps control.
Machida wants to take a breather but Petrov is having none of it.
Petrov is trying to control but Machida passes into side control!

Machida stands up.

Petrov is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Machida's half guard.
Petrov stalling away here and it's allowed Machida to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Machida working a defensive guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Petrov stopping the sweep attempt from Machida.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

Machida looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Petrov looking to sit in guard and control but Machida gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Machida preventing the sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Machida drops back looking for a leg! Petrov is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Petrov manages to kick Machida off! Machida jumps back into Petrov's guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Machida trying to control the position from guard on top but Petrov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Petrov striking off his back but it's not causing Machida any problems.

Petrov escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Machida gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Machida wants to control from the top but Petrov keeps moving.

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.
Machida stopping the sweep attempt from Petrov.
Petrov looking to control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
No luck for Petrov with that takedown attempt.
Machida is looking for a counter combo.
Petrov throws a sloppy head kick and Machida moves out of range easily.
Machida shoots in but Petrov avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chino Machida. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Machida shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Petrov shapes to counter with a head kick.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Machida thows a body kick. Petrov tries to catch it but that hurt him.

Petrov closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Petrov lands in his opponent's guard.
Petrov is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Chino Machida will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Petrov closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Machida did well to prevent Petrov getting side control.
Machida regains full guard. Nicely done.
Petrov trying to control but Machida is working from the bottom.
Petrov sitting in guard here, content to control.
Petrov wants to control from the top but Machida keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Petrov is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Petrov showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Petrov avoids the body shot from Machida.
Machida moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromPetrov.
Machida shoots in for a takedown but Petrov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Machida is defended easily by Petrov.
Petrov fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Petrov drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Petrov has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Machida is proving hard to escape from.
Petrov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Petrov preventing the sweep.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Petrov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Petrov won't allow Machida to sweep him here.
Machida might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Machida has his foot on Petrov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Petrov works his way back into a safe position though.
Petrov is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Petrov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Petrov drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Machida manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Petrov has Machida in his guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Petrov looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Machida has picked Petrov up and slammed him! Petrov can't keep hold of the triangle and Machida manages to pass to side control!
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Petrov struggling a bit here.
Petrov is trying to improve his position.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Petrov can do anything to dispel that myth.
The strikes coming from Machida are missing the target in this wave of attacks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Machida working away.
Petrov is looking for a sweep.
An elbow from Machida crashes against the mat.
Machida throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Machida has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Petrov!

Machida is working for a guillotine from mount but Petrov frees his head quite easily.
Petrov is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chino Machida showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Machida, 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 30:27
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Chino Machida!