PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between santana machida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matsuda Shotaro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

machida
vs
Shotaro

185 cm
24
187 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

178 cm
19
185 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

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 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, santana machida!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Matsuda Shotaro!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Sosuke Kotani and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

machida instigates a clinch.
Shotaro looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
Shotaro tries for a takedown. No joy.
machida lands a nice elbow.

It looks like Matsuda Shotaro has been cut.
machida lands a nice knee to the body.
machida is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
machida unloads a knee to the mid-section.
This has been an exciting period of action!

machida lands a big knee to the head and Shotaro goes down! machida is looking to finish!
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

machida stands up.
machida tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Shotaro paws at him with a jab and circles away.

machida fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Shotaro, pushing him back against the cage.
machida scores a nice knee to the body.
Knees in the clinch landing for machida.
machida lands a good knee to the midsection. Shotaro won't want to take too many of those.
machida landing some nice looking knees to the body.
machida landing knees to the head.

That has opened up Matsuda Shotaro's cut even more.
machida lands a nice knee to the body.
machida lands a nice knee to the body.
machida scores a nice knee to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
machida landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
machida with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
machida scores with a knee to the head.
machida landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Nice elbow from machida.
Shotaro looking for a takedown.
machida landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
machida tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Shotaro avoids it.
machida blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Shotaro goes for a takedown in the clinch but machida prevents it.
santana machida has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matsuda Shotaro.
Shotaro takes a knee to the side of the body.
Shotaro tries for a takedown but machida manages to get underhooks.
machida lands a good knee to the midsection. Shotaro won't want to take too many of those.

Shotaro drags the fight down to the ground.

machida gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

machida rushes Shotaro and presses him up against the cage.
A knee to the head by machida.
machida lands an elbow that stopped Shotaro in his tracks for a moment.
machida lands an elbow inside.
machida connects with a nasty looking knee right to Shotaro's face.
Shotaro takes a knee right on the jaw!
machida tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Shotaro avoids it.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. machida obliges.
machida connects with a nasty looking knee right to Shotaro's face.
machida has Shotaro pressed against the cage, preventing Shotaro from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
machida landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Shotaro working hard to break the clinch.
machida lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
machida has Shotaro pressed against the cage, preventing Shotaro from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
machida lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Shotaro takes an elbow to the forehead.
machida unloads a knee to the mid-section. Shotaro lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shotaro blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Nice elbow from machida.
machida landing knees to the body.
machida scores a nice knee to the body.
Shotaro drops down looking for an ankle pick but machida pulls his leg out and moves away.
machida wants to clinch up but Shotaro keeps it at a distance.
Shotaro tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but machida paws at him with a jab and circles away.
machida fails in his attempt to clinch.
machida tries to clinch there but Shotaro circles away.
santana machida seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

machida clinches up against the cage.
machida lands a knee to the body.
machida landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
machida scores a nice knee to the body.
Shotaro has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. machida avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
machida lands an elbow inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
machida landing some nice looking knees to the body.
machida using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
machida misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Shotaro.
machida lands a nice elbow.
machida lands a knee to the head.

machida pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
machida is looking to clinch.

Shotaro decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
machida is trying to stand.
machida 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.

machida has one foot on Shotaro's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Shotaro looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Shotaro shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. machida is trying to defend but Shotaro finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Shotaro controlling the pace.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

santana machida dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Matsuda Shotaro's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

machida tries to clinch up but Shotaro circles away and keeps his distance.
Shotaro fails to land the takedown.
machida tries to clinch but Shotaro is having none of it.
machida throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

machida clinches with his opponent.
machida lands a knee to the body.
machida lands an elbow inside that Shotaro shrugs off.
machida scores a nice knee to the body.
machida is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Shotaro can do to turn this around?
machida scores a nice knee to the body.
machida is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
machida is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
santana machida has scored more points in the clinch so far.
machida scores a nice knee to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Knees to the body from machida.
Shotaro can't get the takedown.
machida prevents the takedown attempt.
santana machida has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matsuda Shotaro.
Shotaro takes a knee to the side of the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shotaro avoiding damage as machida throws knees to the body.
Shotaro is trying to drag machida to the mat but machida just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
machida tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Shotaro avoids it.
A knee to the head by machida.
machida working Shotaro over with knees to the body.
Shotaro tries to break the clinch but machida is controlling the position.
Shotaro wants to get back to striking at distance but machida won't allow it.
machida lands a knee to the body.
machida landing knees to the head.
machida crunches a lovely knee into Shotaro's ribcage.
machida throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Shotaro blocks it with crossed arms.
machida lands an elbow just above Shotaro 's eye.
machida utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
machida connects with a knee to the head.
machida lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Shotaro misses with a punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. machida obliges.
Shotaro takes an elbow to the forehead.
Shotaro has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. machida avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Shotaro drops down looking for an ankle pick but machida pulls his leg out and moves away.
Decent striking displayed by machida there.

machida closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
machida landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
machida with a knee to the head.
Shotaro goes for a takedown in the clinch but machida prevents it.
machida putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Shotaro in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
machida landing knees to the body.
Shotaro on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
machida missing with knees to the body.
Shotaro tries to break the clinch but machida is controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shotaro drops down looking for an ankle pick but machida pulls his leg out and moves away.

machida instigates a clinch.
machida unloads a knee to the mid-section. Shotaro lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Shotaro blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
machida unloads a knee to the mid-section. Shotaro lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
machida gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Shotaro.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. machida obliges.
machida utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
machida missing with knees to the body.
Shotaro managing to block the knees to the body from machida.
Shotaro is trying to drag machida to the mat but machida just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Shotaro goes for a takedown in the clinch but machida prevents it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
machida prevents a takedown attempt there.
machida scores with a knee to the head.
machida unloads a knee to the mid-section. Shotaro lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
machida tries to land knees in the clinch but Shotaro avoids the damage to the body.
machida lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Shotaro on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
machida is pressed up against the cage. Shotaro has hold of a leg and is looking to drag machida down to the mat. machida avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

machida gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Shotaro trying to control the position but instead, machida has worked for underhooks and has pushed Shotaro into the cage.
machida putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Shotaro in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
machida landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
machida comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
machida landing some nice looking knees to the body.
machida utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

santana machida dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Matsuda Shotaro's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

machida lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Shotaro avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
machida moves in looking to clinch but Shotaro pushes him off.

machida closes the distance and clinches.
Knees in the clinch landing for machida.
machida lands a knee to the body.
machida lands a nice elbow.
machida lands a damaging elbow.
machida crunches a lovely knee into Shotaro's ribcage.
Shotaro takes an elbow to the temple.
A knee to the head by machida.
machida gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Shotaro.
machida connects with a nasty looking knee right to Shotaro's face.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
machida keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Shotaro's efforts to push away.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. machida obliges.

That's one minute gone in the round.
machida is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
machida lands an elbow that stopped Shotaro in his tracks for a moment.
machida lands a damaging elbow.
machida lands a nice elbow.
machida landing knees to the head.
Knees in the clinch landing for machida.
machida connects with a nasty looking knee right to Shotaro's face.
machida with an attempt at a knee that misses.
machida lands a nice knee to the body.
machida using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Shotaro has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Shotaro managing to block the knees to the body from machida.
machida lands an elbow inside that Shotaro shrugs off.
machida lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
machida with a knee to the head.
machida landing knees to the head.
Shotaro takes an elbow to the forehead.
machida tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
machida using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Shotaro has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
machida lands a knee to the body.
machida creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Shotaro's defenses.
Shotaro drops down looking for an ankle pick but machida pulls his leg out and moves away.
Shotaro blocks a head kick by machida.

machida gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Shotaro takes a knee right on the jaw!
santana machida is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Shotaro blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
machida unloads a knee to the mid-section.
machida tries to land knees in the clinch but Shotaro avoids the damage to the body.
machida misses with a knee strike.
Shotaro on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Shotaro takes a knee to the side of the body.
machida tries to land knees in the clinch but Shotaro avoids the damage to the body.
machida with a knee to the head.
Shotaro takes an elbow to the temple.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
machida misses with a knee strike.
machida tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Shotaro avoids it.
machida misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Shotaro.
machida gets underhooks to prevent Shotaro's takedown attempt.
santana machida has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matsuda Shotaro.
machida throws a knee to the head but misses.
machida lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
machida scores with a knee to the head.
machida lands an elbow just above Shotaro 's eye.
machida is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Shotaro is defending well for now.
machida scores a nice knee to the body.
Shotaro takes a knee to the side of the body.
machida using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
machida prevents Shotaro from breaking the clinch.
Shotaro is working for takedown but machida is calmly controlling the position for now.
machida gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Knees in the clinch landing for machida.
Shotaro takes a knee right on the jaw!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
machida connects with a knee to the head.
Shotaro blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Knees to the body from machida.
Shotaro avoiding damage as machida throws knees to the body.
machida lands a nice knee to the body.
machida utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Shotaro is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
A knee to the head by machida.
machida connects with a nasty looking knee right to Shotaro's face.
machida lands a knee to the head.
machida is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Shotaro is defending well for now.
machida is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Shotaro is defending well for now.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
machida with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Shotaro avoiding damage as machida throws knees to the body.
machida tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Shotaro avoids it.
Matsuda Shotaro has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
machida comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Shotaro misses with an elbow strike.

And that's the end of the fight!
santana machida showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for machida, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 30:26
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... santana machida!