PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Xander Machado (ranked 2720 p4p, 1726 weight class) and Scott Murley (ranked 352 p4p, 234 weight class). Machado's entrance music is Latin Thugs. A fine choice. 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.

Machado
vs
Murley

196 cm
37
208
16 - 17 - 0

194 cm
38
212
20 - 14 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
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 16 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Xander Machado!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Scott Murley!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Murley misses with a double jab.
Murley needs to keep his hands up - Machado had a free shot at his head there.
Murley throws a body shot but no joy.
Murley dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Murley throws a jab but it's blocked by Machado.
Machado takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Machado fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Machado slips under a jab.
Machado throws a sloppy head kick and Murley moves out of range easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Machado closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Murley did well to prevent Machado getting side control.
Murley has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Machado is working away from the top position though.
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!
Murley 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!
Machado looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murley has good solid back control here.
Machado trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Machado can't escape the position.
Machado is working hard here to advance position.
Machado trying to control but not successfully.
Murley slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Let's hope that Murley 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 is in bad spot here.
I would not like to be Machado right now.
Machado looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
Machado looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Will Murley go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
Good control from Murley.
Murley doesn't have the hooks in and Machado manages to turn into his guard.
Murley 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machado passes Murley's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Machado is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Murley is staying active underneath Machado, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Murley is holding on to half guard well.
Machado perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

Machado is looking for a kimura but Murley is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Machado to get the leverage.
Murley is looking to control Machado's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Murley avoid being mounted?
Murley might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Machado haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Murley is looking to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machado perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Murley gets back to full guard.
Machado trying to control the position from guard on top but Murley is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Murley controlling Machado's posture.
Machado wants to pass the guard but Murley is keeping the position.
Murley is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Machado is stalling in the full guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Murley lands with a straight right. Machado didn't see that one coming.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Scott Murley 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.

Murley misses with a looping right.
Machado wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
A telegraphed right hand from Murley misses the target.
Machado seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Murley throws the left hand but Machado avoids the punch easily.
Machado avoids the body shot from Murley.
An attempted straight right counter from Machado misses the target.
Murley throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Murley with a nice cross.
Murley throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Murley looks to land a combination. Machado sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Scott Murley seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Machado moves out of range as Murley strikes.
Machado tries to counter by clinching up but Murley breaks away and moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Machado misses with a jab, cross combination.
Murley misses with a leg kick.
Murley swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Machado drives through with a takedown into Murley's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Murley has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Machado wants to control from the top but Murley keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murley is pulling down on Machado's head. It's preventing any offense from Machado, at least for the moment.
Machado trying to control but Murley is working from the bottom.
Murley tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Murley can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Machado controls the pace.

Machado is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Murley looking to control.
Machado pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Murley is keeping the position for now.

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.
Murley wants to sweep here but Machado controlling him for the moment.
Machado is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Murley wants to sweep but no luck.
Machado looking to sit in guard and control but Murley gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Murley wants to control from the top but Machado keeps moving.
Machado 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.
Murley trying to control but Machado is working from the bottom.
Machado tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Machado is trying to keep Murley in close.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machado looking for a sweep. Not yet Machado, not yet.
Machado seems keen to control Murley's posture.
Murley engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Machado wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Machado manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Murley manages to get himself to full guard.

Machado drops back looking for a leg! Murley is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Murley manages to kick Machado off! Machado jumps back into Murley's guard.
Machado is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Murley 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.
Murley has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Machado trying to control but Murley is working from the bottom.
Murley has his hands on Machado's head, controlling the position.
Murley really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Machado. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Machado looking to pass the guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Scott Murley will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Murley scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Murley digs a good body shot into Machado's ribs.
Machado slips a straight right by Murley.
A quick step to the side and Machado tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Machado ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Murley waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Machado.
Murley just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromMachado.
Murley bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Machado's head.
A jab from Murley misses.
Murley bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Machado's head.

Machado is rocked!
Murley lands a big uppercut and this one is all over! His foe lies motionless on the canvas - a massive one punch knockout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:49 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Scott Murley!
Xander Machado spoke after the fight, saying 'No Worries Homies, Gonna Train Hard And Win Next Fight'.