PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Thiago Machida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fidel Jr Castro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Thiago Machida has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Machida
vs
Jr Castro

185 cm
22
213 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

185 cm
21
215 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Intelligent

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Thiago Machida!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Fidel Jr Castro!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Wesley Smith and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Machida scores with a leg kick.
Machida misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Castro drives through with a takedown into guard.
Machida keeping moving, preventing Castro from controlling successfully.
Castro stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Machida swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Castro 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.
Machida wants to get back to his feet but Castro is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Machida looking to control.
Castro prevents Machida from getting back to his feet.
Machida is trying to control the position but Castro postures up.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Machida.
Machida misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Castro blocks a head kick by Machida.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Castro shoots in but no luck this time.
Machida looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Machida is breathing heavily.
Machida finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Castro checks the leg kick nicely there.
Machida throws a body kick that misses.

Castro darts in and clinches Machida up against the cage.
Castro has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Machida avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Machida misses with a short punch on the inside.

Castro drags the fight down to the ground.
Castro looking to hit a scissor sweep but Machida is one step ahead there.
Castro keeping moving, preventing Machida from controlling successfully.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Castro wants to sweep here but Machida controlling him for the moment.
Castro manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Castro looking to control but Machida is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Machida wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Castro.

Castro is working for a guillotine from mount but Machida frees his head quite easily.
Machida tries to reverse the position but Castro maintains control.
Machida sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Machida holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Castro seems to be looking for submissions.
Machida wants to control but Castro is keeping busy.
Nice strikes from Castro there.

Castro is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Machida is just riding it out for now. Castro eventually gives up the hold.
Castro frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Machida can't escape the position.
Castro trying to control but Machida is having none of it.

Castro is standing up, even though he is in mount.

Castro closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Castro lands in his opponent's guard.
Machida can't keep his opponent in guard - Castro advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machida keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Castro thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Machida's head.

Castro seems to be looking for submissions.
Machida gets back to full guard.

Castro decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Castro takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Castro takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Castro misses with a takedown attempt - Machida sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Thiago Machida has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fidel Jr Castro.
Castro will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Castro shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Machida but Machida pushes him off and we're back to square one.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fidel Jr Castro dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Castro steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Machida. That one must have hurt.
Machida looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Machida tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Machida throws a nice head kick!
Machida throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Machida misses with a body kick.
Machida goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Castro checks a low kick from Machida.
Castro keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Castro shoots in and bounces Machida off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Castro postures up.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Castro drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Castro jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Machida utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Machida controls Castro momentarily but Castro frees himself.
Castro trying to control but Machida is working from the bottom.
Castro wants to pass the guard but Machida is keeping the position.
Machida wants to get back to his feet but Castro is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Castro.
Machida throws a head kick but Castro moves out of range.
Fidel Jr Castro is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Castro fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Machida sprawls well initially but Castro persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Machida is looking to escape.
Castro is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Castro tries to control but Machida wriggling away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Castro wants to take his opponent's back but he's not managed it.
Machida is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

Machida defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Castro.

Castro looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Machida has given up his back - I don’t know if this is a deliberate ploy to try and escape or if he is just struggling down there.
Castro trying to control momentarily.
Machida looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
Machida trying to control the position but Castro manages to sink in the hooks.
Castro doesn't have the hooks in and Machida manages to turn into his guard.

Castro working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Machida doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Machida manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Machida is looking to stand up but Castro won't let him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Castro tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Castro working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Machida doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Machida manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Castro has a closed guard, preventing Machida from standing up.

Castro looking for a guillotine here but Machida defends easily.

Castro scrambles and gets back to his feet.

Castro instigates a clinch.
Machida prevents the takedown attempt.
Castro looking for a takedown.
Thiago Machida has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fidel Jr Castro.

Castro lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Castro seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Machida does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Castro wants to pass the guard but Machida is defending well.
Castro passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Machida!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Castro with a couple of short strikes.

Castro looking to secure an arm triangle but Machida defends it well.
Fidel Jr Castro has got the better of the ground game so far.

Castro looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Castro wants to take Machida's back but he can't do it this time.

Castro jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Machida manages to avoid the submission attempt.

Castro working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Castro tries for a kimura but Machida is defending well.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Machida is trying to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fidel Jr Castro showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Castro moves out of range of the body kick from Machida.
Castro will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Castro blocks the body kick.
A clash of legs there as Castro blocks the low kick.
Machida looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Castro checks the leg kick nicely there.
Machida throws a quick inside leg kick.

Castro bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
You can see the frustration on Machida's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Castro tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Castro takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Machida is pushing Castro's head away, looking to escape. Castro manages to hold on to the position though.
Castro working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Castro is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Machida is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Machida throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Machida throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Castro looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Machida is fending him off so far but Castro persists. Nope, Machida circles away and we're back to standing.

Castro drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Castro 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.
Machida wants to stand but Castro is controlling the position.
Machida is trying to keep Castro in close.
Castro wants to control from the top but Machida keeps moving.
Castro pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Machida is keeping the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machida wants to sweep here but Castro controlling him for the moment.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Machida misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Castro avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
A good leg kick by Machida.
Machida buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Machida chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Machida throws a solid leg kick but Castro takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Machida.
Machida throws a chopping leg kick but Castro manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
A head kick misses from Machida.
Thiago Machida is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Castro scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Machida trying to hold on to Castro's head to control him but Castro postures up.

Castro 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machida works his way to full guard. Good work.
Machida bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Castro's guard.

Machida avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Castro working a defensive guard here.
Machida slips nicely into half guard.

Castro actively working from the bottom here.
Castro is refusing to be controlled, as Machida sits in half guard.
Castro manages to get to full guard.
Castro is trying to keep Machida in close.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Castro is looking for a triangle but Machida pushes his legs off easily.

Castro wriggles free and stands up.
Machida tries to score with a low kick but Castro moves his leg out of the way.

Castro fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Machida sprawls well initially but Castro persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Castro wants to lay and pray for a moment but Machida keeps working.

Castro is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Machida manages to escape and get back to his feet!

Excellent takedown into side control there by Castro.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Castro stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Castro shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Machida as he jumps to the side.

And that's the end of the fight!
Fidel Jr Castro comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Castro 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Fidel Jr Castro!