PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Helio Machado (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Owen Ziegler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Machado comes to the cage accompanied by Mindless Self Indulgence - Bitches. Ziegler has chosen The Game Nightmare as his entrance music. Owen Ziegler told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Machado
vs
Ziegler

170 cm
23
164 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

183 cm
18
160 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Helio Machado!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Owen Ziegler!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Seu Braga and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Machado closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Machado lands in his opponent's guard.
Machado trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Machado advances to half guard.

Machado seems to be looking for submissions.
Ziegler is looking for a sweep. Machado is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

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.

Ziegler looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Machado moves nicely into side control.
Ziegler manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machado tries to get to full guard but Ziegler has control of the leg.
Machado is working hard here to advance position.

Machado actively working from the bottom here.
Ziegler wants to pass to mount but Machado is defending the position.
Ziegler not doing much here.
Machado moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Machado escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Ziegler gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Machado looking for a guillotine here but Ziegler defends easily.
Machado is breathing heavily.
Machado keeping moving, preventing Ziegler from controlling successfully.

Machado is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Machado is working an open guard so Ziegler takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Machado shoots in but no luck this time.
Machado avoids a kick to the body.

Machado drives through with a takedown into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machado preventing the sweep.
Machado tries to free his leg and advance position but Ziegler is retaining full guard.
Ziegler is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Machado wants to pass the guard but Ziegler is keeping the position.
Ziegler is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Machado wants to pass the guard but Ziegler is keeping the position.
Machado might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Machado slips nicely into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Machado wants to pass the guard but Ziegler is defending well.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Ziegler closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Machado tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Ziegler wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Ziegler decides to stand back up. Ziegler steps back and let's Machado get back to his feet.

Ziegler rushes Machado and presses him up against the cage.

Ziegler lands a takedown into guard.

Machado looking for a triangle here. Ziegler is fighting it but it looks tight! Machado pulls the arm across and this one won't last much longer! Nope, Ziegler is tapping out - this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Helio Machado!
Helio Machado retains his lightweight title!