PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between WaR Machine (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eddie Kessler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Machine
vs
Kessler

173 cm
23
149 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

168 cm
22
152 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Good kicks
Tends to cut

Win Nutritional - low prices - proof of quality

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, WaR Machine!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Eddie Kessler!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Machine throws a head kick that misses.
Kessler attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Kessler wants to land a leg kick but Machine is out of range.
Kessler circles away from the clinch attempt.
Machine throws a sloppy head kick and Kessler moves out of range easily.
Kessler throws a low kick but Machine avoids it.
Machine fails to land the takedown.
Machine throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Machine.
Machine misses with a head kick.
WaR Machine seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Machine throws a head kick but Kessler moves out of range.
Kessler blocks a leg kick.
Kessler blocks a head kick by Machine.
Machine tries a head kick but it misses.
Nice takedown defense from Kessler. No joy for Machine on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for WaR Machine. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Machine closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Machine blocks an elbow strike from Kessler.

Machine's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kessler swats away the attempt to clinch by Machine.
Kessler looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Machine takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Kessler avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Kessler drives through with a takedown into guard.
Kessler won't allow Machine to sweep him here.
Kessler trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Kessler tries to free his leg and advance position but Machine is retaining full guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Kessler's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Kessler prevents Machine from getting back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kessler trying to control the position from guard on top but Machine 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.
Kessler tries to free his leg and advance position but Machine is retaining full guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Machine throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kessler's waist but Kessler gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Machine off to one side.
Machine tries to close the distance and clinch but Kessler swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Machine throws a head kick but Kessler moves out of range.
Kessler blocks a head kick by Machine.
Kessler throws a wild body kick that Machine sees coming a mile off.
Machine tries a head kick but it misses.
Kessler tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Machine blocks the body kick.
Machine misses with a head kick.
Machine throws a head kick that misses
and Kessler counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Machine is breathing heavily.
Machine misses with a head kick.
Kessler throws the kick towards the body but Machine avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kessler looks for a takedown but Machine sprawls well.

Kessler shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Kessler was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Kessler throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Machine because Kessler loaded up on that one.

Kessler working for a guillotine from mount but Machine is in no mood to give up.
Machine is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Kessler landing strikes from the mount and Machine is in trouble!
Machine is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Machine is desperately trying to improve his position but Kessler has a good base and remains in mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kessler thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Machine is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kessler throws some wild stikes that Machine manages to avoid easily.
Kessler mounts Machine! Really nice guard pass there!
Machine holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Kessler tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Kessler looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Kessler wants to take his opponent's back but he's not managed it.
Machine is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eddie Kessler dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Machine shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kessler pinned against the cage. Kessler gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Machine shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Kessler counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Machine looks to score with a jab to the body but Kessler is just out of range.
WaR Machine is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Machine throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kessler throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Machine throws a lazy head kick
and Kessler counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Machine tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kessler fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Machine.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Machine throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

It looks like Eddie Kessler has been cut.
Kessler throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Kessler throws a big shot that misses.
Machine closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kessler circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for WaR Machine. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Machine shoots in for a double leg but Kessler sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kessler lands a head kick. Machine smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Machine wants to clinch.
Kessler shoots in for a double leg but Machine sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Kessler tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Machine throws a lazy head kick

and Kessler counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Kessler.
Kessler trying to control but Machine is working from the bottom.
Kessler stops Machine from standing up.
Kessler trying to control but Machine is working from the bottom.
Machine preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kessler trying to control the position from guard on top but Machine is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kessler thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Kessler passes Machine's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Machine wants to get back to his feet.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Machine fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kessler avoids it really well and circles away.
Machine throws a sloppy head kick and Kessler moves out of range easily.

Kessler shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Machine napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Kessler tries for a kimura but Machine is defending well.
Machine wants to get back to his feet but Kessler drags him back down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kessler working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Kessler tries to score with some ground and pound. Machine controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Kessler throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Machine is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

Kessler is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Machine knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Kessler fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Machine is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Machine is trying to stand back up but Kessler is controlling him
Machine trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Kessler is trying to control the action in half guard but Machine is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Kessler missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Machine pushes Kessler off and gets back to his feet.
Machine misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kessler blocks a head kick by Machine.
Kessler shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Machine as he jumps to the side.
Machine tries for a takedown but Kessler sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Kessler takes a kick to the side of the head.

Kessler fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Machine sprawls well initially but Kessler persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eddie Kessler showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Eddie Kessler's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Kessler blocks a head kick by Machine.

Machine gets caught flat footed, as Kessler shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Machine working for a triangle but Kessler defends it easily.
Kessler pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Machine is keeping the position for now.

Kessler drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Machine manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Kessler has Machine in his guard.
Machine wants to get up but he can't break Kessler's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kessler looking for a sweep. Not yet Kessler, not yet.
Machine wants to get up but he can't break Kessler's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kessler is trying to keep Machine in close.
Eddie Kessler has got the better of the ground game so far.

Kessler has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Machine can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Kessler wants to control but Machine passes easily into half guard.
Kessler trying to control from the bottom.
Machine wants to stand up but Kessler has a hold of him and won't allow it.

Machine stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Kessler to get to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Machine throws a head kick that misses.
Machine throws a sloppy head kick and Kessler moves out of range easily.
Kessler tries a head kick but it misses.
A head kick by Machine misses

and Kessler counters with a shoot takedown. Machine fights it but they end up in guard.
Kessler passes into half guard.
Machine wants to get back to his feet.
Kessler is keen to just control but Machine is a slippery customer.

Machine makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
An inside leg kick lands from Kessler.
Machine throws a sloppy head kick and Kessler moves out of range easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machine tries a head kick but it misses.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Kessler.
Machine misses with a head kick.

Kessler shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Machine napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Kessler prevents Machine from escaping the position.
Kessler trying to control the position but Machine is working away.
Machine defending against the ground and pound.
Machine tries to improve position but can't.
Machine is trying to control Kessler's posture but Kessler avoids it.
Kessler creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Machine sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Eddie Kessler is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machine is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Kessler is controlling him well.
Kessler throws an elbow but Machine slips to the side and avoids it well.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Machine throws a head kick but Kessler moves out of range.
Kessler throws a half hearted mid kick.
Machine misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Machine avoids the head kick by Kessler.

Kessler bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Kessler tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Kessler has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
WaR Machine has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Machine tries to escape but Kessler is in control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Eddie Kessler comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Kessler winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eddie Kessler!