PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Carlos Machado (ranked 2765 p4p, 1856 weight class) and Hank Houston (ranked 340 p4p, 237 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Machado
vs
Houston

183 cm
20
196
1 - 0 - 0

177 cm
19
189
5 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Cardio machine

Dangerous GnP
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Urban Fighter

Shadow Realm Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Carlos Machado!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Hank Houston!
The judges for this bout are Paul Gruel, Roger Salmon and Chris Saunders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Machado uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Houston.
Machado shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Houston counters with a left to the body.
Machado tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Houston paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Machado gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Houston.

It looks like Carlos Machado has been cut.
Houston lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Houston throws a shot to the body.
Machado takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Machado looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Houston is fending him off so far but Machado persists. Nope, Houston circles away and we're back to standing.
Houston keeps the fight on the outside.
Houston's coach down at Temple of Fitness was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Houston's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Houston lands a glancing blow to the side of Machado's head.

Machado is rocked!
Machado doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Oh Machado is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Houston lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

Machado darts in and clinches Houston up against the cage.

Machado jumps guard and drags Houston to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Houston not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machado seems to have got his legs back now.
Machado trying to keep a closed guard but Houston is proving a slippery customer.

Machado has his foot on Houston's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Houston works his way back into a safe position though.

Machado looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Houston pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Machado is keeping the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Machado looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Machado looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Houston postures up.
Houston 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.
Houston content to stall in guard here.
Machado trying to keep a closed guard but Houston is proving a slippery customer.

Houston avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Machado seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Houston content to stall in guard here.

Machado has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Houston can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Houston trying to control the position from guard on top but Machado is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Machado has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Houston can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Houston works over Machado with some ground and pound from guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Machado looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Houston passes into half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Houston in particular looking to stall.
Machado is trying to maintain the position but Houston is very close to passing his half guard.
Houston trying to control from half guard but Machado is working away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Machado trying to control here.
Houston is figuring out what he wants to do next.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Hank Houston dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Carlos Machado's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Houston tests Machado's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Machado tries for a takedown but Houston sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Houston. Machado does a little dance to reset his feet.

Machado shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Houston keeping moving, preventing Machado from controlling successfully.
Houston is adopting a defensive guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Houston can do anything to dispel that myth.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Machado trying to control but Houston is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Houston wants to sweep but no luck.
Houston pulls Machado in close to prevent any damage.

Machado postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Houston is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Machado, into his guard.

Houston content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Machado is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Houston stays in close to Machado's body and controls the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Houston trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Houston is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Houston is fighting to break Machado's control of his arms but Machado is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Houston tries to free his leg and advance position but Machado is retaining full guard.

Machado has thrown up a leg looking for a triangle. Houston doesn't defend quickly enough and Machado has managed to lock this one up! Can Houston escape?! NO! He's tapping out! Damn, that was a quick submission - congrats to Machado on a fantastic submission victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:55 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Carlos Machado!