PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Wanderson Machado (ranked 13 p4p, 60 weight class) and Joey Simone (ranked 4 p4p, 11 weight class). Machado comes into the arena with El Barrio blaring out of the sound system. Simone has chosen Gucci Mane - Trap God Intro as his entrance music. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Machado
vs
Simone

175 cm
33
214
33 - 9 - 0

198 cm
37
175
22 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Red Belt
World class MT
Good gas tank

Bondi MMA ðŸï¸
Hoarse Pills

Furnace Performance ðŸ”¥
Shadow Realm Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 33 - 9 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Wanderson Machado!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Joey Simone!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Yukihiro Shimada and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The crowd cheers as Simone lands an impressive looking overhand right. Machado doesn't seem phased though.
The fight stays on the outside here - Simone looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Joey Simone seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Machado takes one on the button.
Simone lands a right hook to the body.
Simone swings away with a body shot that misses
and Simone takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

It looks like Joey Simone has been cut.
Simone tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Machado makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Simone misses with the combination.
Machado throws a leg kick but Simone moved away.
Simone has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Simone throws a predictable looking body shot
and Machado counters with a nice low kick that buckles Simone's knee momentarily.
Machado misses the body punch
and Simone counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Simone scores with a nice right hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Simone throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Machado sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machado walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Simone connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Machado momentarily.
Simone takes a swing at Machado's ribcage but misses.
A counter left hand to the body from Machado misses its target.
Simone slips a straight right by Machado.
Machado throws a right and a left that Simone avoids nicely.
Simone tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
It looked like Machado wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Machado throws a body punch but Simone moves out of range.
Machado takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Simone is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Machado throws a right and a left that Simone avoids nicely.
Machado thows a left - swing and a miss!
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Simone! But no joy.
Nice uppercut there from Simone.
Machado takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Simone lands the left hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Simone on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good work by Simone as he checks the leg kick.
A jab from Simone does it's job there.
Simone staying out of range there.
Simone throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
An attempted straight right counter from Machado misses the target.
Simone lands a nice shot to the body.

Machado feints and then winds up with a huge right hand that connects perfectly and sends Simone sprawling to the canvas! Simone rolls over backwards and springs off the cage and manages to regain his footing - how acrobatic! Oh, he's still wobbly - can Machado finish him?!
Simone getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Machado misses with a looping right.
Machado keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Machado fires out a quick counter leg kick but Simone just manages to avoid it.
Simone ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Machado moves away.
Machado drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Simone is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Machado had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into mush.
Simone throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Simone jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machado ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

Simone has taken the fight to the clinch.
Machado throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Simone lands a right hand.
Simone digs a right hand into Machado's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Machado's gas tank.

Simone manages to pull guard.
Simone 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.

Simone is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Machado is aware though and is defending well.
Simone lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Simone trying to control but Machado is working from the bottom.
Simone content to stall in guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simone looking to pass the guard.
Machado looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Simone trying to control the position from guard on top but Machado is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Machado seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Simone pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Machado is keeping the position for now.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Joey Simone dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Joey Simone's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Simone cracks Machado with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Simone looks to score with a jab to the body but Machado is just out of range.
Joey Simone seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Machado throws a low kick, looking for Simone's leg but Simone calmly moves out of range.
Simone uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Simone lands a slapping body shot.
Simone keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Machado.
Simone misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Machado.
A quick step to the side and Machado tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Jab by Simone.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Simone fails in his attempt to clinch.
Machado uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Simone.
Simone scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
A looping hook to the body misses from Simone. Machado does a little dance to reset his feet.
Machado is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Machado dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Simone. That did some damage!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machado takes a jab right on the kisser.

Simone clinches.
Machado scores with a hook to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Simone.
Simone working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Machado scores with a nice hook to the head.
Machado tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Machado misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Simone has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Still in the clinch, Simone scores with a nice short uppercut.
Simone gets through Machado's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Nice body punch from Machado - that landed with a thud.
Simone is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Machado tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Simone's elbow.
Simone has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Machado lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

Machado's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Jab by Simone.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Machado lands a nice looking body shot.
Simone tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Machado manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A looping hook to the body misses from Machado. Simone does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machado keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Machado throwing a counter right hand but Simone manages to avoid it.
Simone tests Machado's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Machado lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Simone at a distance.
Machado throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Simone counters with a nice body shot.
Machado takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

Simone drives through and clinches with Machado against the cage.

Machado breaks from the clinch.
Nice straight punches there by Machado. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Machado.

That has opened up Joey Simone's cut even more.
Simone connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Machado connects with a leg kick.
Simone slips a straight right by Machado.
Simone misses with a wild combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simone throws an overhand right that lands on Machado's shoulder, as Machado tries to avoid the shot.
Simone uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Machado.
Simone lands an overhand right.
Simone lands a two punch combo.
Machado looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Simone throws an overhand right that lands on Machado's shoulder, as Machado tries to avoid the shot.
The fighters circle momentarily. Simone darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

Simone rushes Machado and presses him up against the cage.
Simone tries to pull guard but Machado forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Simone misses with a hook to the ribs.
Simone jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Machado walks away with a smile on his face. Simone gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Machado defending well as Simone loads up on a big left hand.
Simone misses with a body shot
and Machado counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simone rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Machado counters with a right hand to the body.
Simone is breathing heavily.
Simone lands with a straight right. Machado didn't see that one coming.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Simone throws a right and a left that both miss.
Machado misses the shot to the body.
Machado missing with a left hand there. Simone was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Machado on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Machado looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Simone is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Machado.
A little feinted left hand from Machado on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Machado avoids a punch combination nicely.
Simone uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Machado.
Machado scores with a head kick. Simone tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Machado throws an overhand right that lands on Simone's shoulder, as Simone tries to avoid the shot.
Simone wants to counter the offense by Machado and move into the clinch position.
Simone bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Joey Simone showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Joey Simone's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Simone darts in and clinches Machado up against the cage.
Simone pushes Machado back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Machado works on Simone's body with a couple of short punches.
Machado misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Machado pushes Simone back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Machado doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Simone scores with a shot to the side of Machado's head.
Machado lands a left hand that snaps the head of Simone backwards.
Joey Simone seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Machado misses with some punches.
Simone tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Machado's elbow.
Simone fails to pull the fight into his guard.
A right hand to the body from Machado.
Machado misses with a punch to the body.
Simone misses with the head strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Machado.
A nice right hand lands inside from Machado.
Simone takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Machado breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Simone avoids the head kick by Machado.
Machado swats away the attempt to clinch by Simone.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simone fails in his attempt to clinch.
Simone connects with a good right hand that stumbles Machado. Machado circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Simone throws a jab when Machado was well out of range.

Simone moves into the clinch.
Machado tries a body shot but Simone blocks it.
A shot in the inside from Simone.
A nice right hand lands inside from Simone.
A body shot lands from Machado.
Machado throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Machado lands a body punch in the clinch.
Simone's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Machado lands a body shot in the clinch.
A short body shot lands from Machado as the two fighters clinch.

Machado manages to break the clinch.
Machado tries to work over Simone's front leg with a kick but Simone checks it.
Machado swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machado misses with a body shot.
Simone swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Simone. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Machado takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Machado blocks a jab.
Simone throws a sloppy body shot
and Simone takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Machado throws a hook to the side of Simone's head but Simone sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Simone ducks under a wild hook from Machado.
Simone missing with a left hand there. Machado was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Simone with a jab.
Simone throws out a loose jab but Machado uses good head movement to avoid it.
Simone blocks a jab.
Simone thuds his right hand into Machado's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Simone thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simone throws out a loose jab but Machado uses good head movement to avoid it.
As Simone looks to move away, Machado throws a big counter combo but Simone just gets out of the way.
Simone rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Machado counters with a stiff right hand.
Machado swinging wildly here.
Machado throws a solid leg kick but Simone takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Machado.
Machado throws a lazy right hand but Simone sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
The crowd cheers as Simone lands an impressive looking overhand right. Machado doesn't seem phased though.

Machado cracks Simone with a big right hand that sends him to the floor! Simone looks wobbly but he's sprung back up to his feet straight away… can Machado finish him?

Simone is rocked!

The cut above Joey Simone's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Machado misses with a body shot.
Simone is still on wobbly legs! Can Machado finish him?
Machado drops his hands momentarily and Simone takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Machado takes a swing at Simone's ribcage but misses.
No joy there for Simone, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Machado looks to score with a jab to the body but Simone is just out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simone misses with a lunging right hand
and Machado counters with a low kick, right behind Simone 's knee.
Simone seems to have recovered his senses.
Machado misses with a wild body shot.
Simone throws an off balance right hand
and Machado counters with a nice leg kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Machado misses the target.
Machado works the jab nicely.
Machado takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Simone avoids the body shot from Machado.
Simone swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Machado ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Simone misses with a straight left.
As Simone looks to move away, Machado throws a big counter combo but Simone just gets out of the way.
Machado connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Machado throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Machado walks into a straight right hand from Simone.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Wanderson Machado clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Joey Simone's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Simone doesn't manage to clinch there - Machado circles away.
Machado tries a low kick but Simone avoids it.
A nice inside leg kick there by Machado. That's going to slow Simone down.

Simone fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Machado, pushing him back against the cage.

Machado manages to break the clinch.
Simone tries to close the distance and clinch but Machado swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A jab lands there for Machado.
Simone throws a body shot but no joy.
Simone moves out of range of the strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Machado takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Simone scores with the left hand. Machado knows he should have avoided that one.
Machado throws a right and a left that both miss.
A slow jab from Machado misses its intended target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simone scores with a jab. Machado acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
A slow jab from Simone misses its intended target.
Machado was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Machado takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

Simone closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Machado tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Machado misses with a punch on the inside.
Machado misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Machado cracks Simone with a nice body shot.
Simone prevents a body shot from Machado.
Machado wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Simone has him pressed against the cage.
Simone misses with a hook from the clinch.
A right hand to the body from Machado.
Simone is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Machado tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Machado goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Still in the clinch, Machado scores with a nice short uppercut.
Simone fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Good body shot from Simone.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Simone.

Machado manages to break the clinch.
Simone throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Machado counters with a stiff right hand.
Simone misses with a right hand
and Machado counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Joey Simone's cut is absolute horrible now. This looks like something out of a horror film with blood covering both fighters.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Simone misses with a looping left.
Simone connects with a body shot.
Simone scores with a jab to the body.
Wanderson Machado has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Machado takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Simone displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Machado connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Simone comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Machado looks to land a combination but Simone avoids it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simone is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Machado slips under a jab from Simone.
Machado was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Machado slips a jab from Simone.
Machado ducks under a wild hook from Simone.
Machado throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A decent looking cross lands there for Simone.
Simone uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Machado.
Simone's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Machado dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Simone. That did some damage!
Simone jabs Machado right on the nose. Machado blinks but takes it well.
Simone lands a head shot.
Simone throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Machado connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Machado's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Simone connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Machado scrambles back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machado misses with a series of wild punches.
Simone looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Simone misses with a left hand
and Machado cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Joey Simone's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:25 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Wanderson Machado!
Wanderson Machado retains his light heavyweight title!
An out of breath Wanderson Machado thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.