PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ed Motta (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rickson Machado (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Motta
vs
Machado

190 cm
24
260 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

182 cm
22
275 lbs
9 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ed Motta!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rickson Machado!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Thiago Cunha and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Machado swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Machado bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

Machado shoots in and bounces Motta off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Machado seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Machado trying to control but Motta is working from the bottom.
Machado is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machado wants to control from the top but Motta keeps moving.

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

That's two 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.
Motta tries to stand but Machado is controlling from the bottom.

Machado looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Motta passes into side control.
Machado struggling a bit here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machado gets back to half guard.
Machado wants to improve his position but Motta is controlling well.
Motta knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Machado on the ground.
Machado is trying to maintain the position but Motta is very close to passing his half guard.
Machado is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Motta is staying active.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Despite being in the dominant position, Rickson Machado just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Horrible takedown by Machado or perhaps it was just good defense by Motta which made him look bad.

That's four 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.
Machado ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Ed Motta seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jab from Motta.
The fight stays on the outside here - Machado looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Motta throws the left hand but Machado avoids the punch easily.
Motta loads up on a big right hand but Machado slips the punch.
Machado ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

Machado gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Motta tries to circle away but Machado has him pinned against the cage.
A short body shot lands from Motta as the two fighters clinch.
With the fighters up against the cage, Machado throws an elbow but misses.
Motta digs a right hand underneath Machado's ribcage. Machado let out a lung full of air as it connected.

Motta breaks the clinch.
Machado on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Ed Motta is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Motta circles away from the clinch attempt.
Motta throws a left and a right that both miss

and Machado counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Machado goes for a takedown in the clinch but Motta prevents it.
Machado looks gassed!

Motta manages to break the clinch.
Motta jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Motta throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Machado steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Motta.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ed Motta dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Nice uppercut there from Motta.
Motta scores with a jab to the head.
Machado gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Motta.
Motta misses with an uppercut. Machado saw that one coming.
Machado slips under a jab.
Motta throws a jab when Machado was well out of range.
Machado is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Machado tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Machado closes the distance and pushes Motta back into the cage.
Machado misses with a knee strike.
A short body shot lands from Motta as the two fighters clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Motta creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Motta is looking to break free of the clinch but Machado has double underhooks.

Motta escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Danga de danga de dang - Motta scores with a four punch combination!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Machado ducks right into an uppercut from Motta.
Machado gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Motta slips a jab from Machado.
Machado is breathing heavily.
Motta misses with a looping left.
Motta jabs at Machado's body.
Motta throws a hook but Machado blocks it.
Motta misses with a looping left.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Motta lunges at Machado with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Machado's hand.
Motta's corner calls for a 1-2. Motta obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

It looks like Rickson Machado has been cut.
Motta lands with a hook. Machado tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Motta bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Machado's head backwards.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Motta connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Motta thuds his right hand into Machado's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Machado steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Motta.
Motta keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Motta scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Machado has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Motta finds it's way round the side to connect with Machado's head.
Motta lands a really nice looking cross but Machado seems unphased.
Machado walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

Machado is rocked!
Motta lands with a cross.
Machado is still on wobbly legs! Can Motta finish him?
Machado showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Motta.
Machado seems to have recovered his senses.
Motta misses with a looping left.
A jab lands there for Motta.
Machado has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Motta finds it's way round the side to connect with Machado's head.
A jab from Motta misses.
Motta throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Machado on the side of the head.
Motta is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Machado can do to turn this around?
Machado shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Motta throws out a loose jab but Machado uses good head movement to avoid it.
Machado has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Motta finds it's way round the side to connect with Machado's head.
Motta avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Machado takes one to the chin there.
Machado ducks under a wild hook from Motta.
Motta keeps the fight on the outside.
Machado has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Motta lands a right hook to the body.
Motta fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Machado looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Motta is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Machado takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Motta lands with a nice body punch.
Motta throws a hook but Machado blocks it.
Nice sprawl there from Motta as Machado shoots in.
A big right from Motta misses.
Machado tries to clinch up but Motta circles away and keeps his distance.
Machado with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Motta to score with a decent uppercut.
Nice straight punches there by Motta. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Motta.
Motta connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Motta lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Motta dips to his left and cracks Machado with an uppercut!
Motta looks to throw the jab but Machado is out of range.
Rickson Machado is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Machado needs to keep his hands up - Motta had a free shot at his head there.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Motta jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Motta throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Machado tries to move into range but Motta moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Machado takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Machado walks into a jab.
Motta lands with a cross.
Motta throws the left hand but Machado avoids the punch easily.
Machado doesn't manage to clinch there - Motta circles away.
Machado defending well as Motta loads up on a big left hand.
Motta throws a shot to the body.
Machado looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Machado gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Nice uppercut lands for Motta. That snapped Machado's head back.
The fighters circle momentarily. Motta darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Motta lands a glancing blow to the side of Machado's head.
Machado displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Motta throws out the jab.
Motta throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Machado displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Motta throws out the jab.
Motta moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Machado walks into a straight right hand from Motta.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Motta misses with a straight left.
Motta misses with a straight right.
Motta throws out a loose jab but Machado uses good head movement to avoid it.
Machado wants to clinch.
Nice jab there from Motta.
Machado slips under a jab from Motta.
Motta showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Machado.
Motta throws a hook but Machado blocks it.
Motta catches Machado with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Motta scores with a hook.
Motta throws a shot from downtown. Machado moves away and avoids it.
Motta looks to land a left hand but Machado moved out of range nicely.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Motta misses with a hook.
Motta throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Ed Motta is winning the standup battle so far.
Motta connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
A jab from Motta misses.
Motta throws a big shot that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ed Motta dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Rickson Machado's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Machado doesn't manage to clinch there - Motta circles away.
Nice uppercut there from Motta.
Machado changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Machado avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Machado shoots in and bounces Motta off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Machado tries to free his leg and advance position but Motta is retaining full guard.
Machado stays in close to Motta's body and controls the position.
Machado is looking to work some ground and pound but Motta has wrist control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machado trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Motta being controlled here, momentarily.
Machado wants to control from the top but Motta keeps moving.
Motta keeping full guard, as Machado tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Machado fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Machado takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Motta is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Motta lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Motta scores with a jab to the jaw.
Motta misses with a looping right.
Motta throws a combination that misses

and Machado holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Machado lands an elbow just above Motta 's eye.
Machado tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Motta just stands there and leans against the cage.

Motta escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Machado staying out of range there.
Motta scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Machado wants to clinch up but Motta keeps it at a distance.
Machado fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Ed Motta has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rickson Machado.

Machado clinches up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machado has Motta pressed against the cage, preventing Motta from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Machado is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Motta is defending well for now.
Motta gets through Machado's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Machado tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Motta lands a left hand.

Motta breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Machado uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Motta.
Motta misses with a straight right.
Motta throws a series of punches but Machado moves out of range.
Machado will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Machado slips under a jab from Motta.
Motta avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Machado tries to clinch up but Motta circles away and keeps his distance.

Machado closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Motta to the mat! Motta manages to get full guard.
Motta keeping full guard, as Machado tries to pass.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Motta keeping moving, preventing Machado from controlling successfully.
Machado pushes down on Motta's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Motta has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Machado is working away from the top position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Rickson Machado just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on Rickson Machado's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Machado has taken the fight to the clinch.
Machado is working for takedown but Motta is calmly controlling the position for now.
Motta tries a body shot but Machado blocks it.
Motta wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Motta takes an elbow to the forehead.
Machado unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Motta wants to get back to striking at distance but Machado won't allow it.
A right hook to the body lands for Motta.
Motta wants to break free but Machado has control.
Machado jumps guard but Motta stands there with Machado around his waist. Machado gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Motta takes an elbow to the temple.
A frustrated look appears on Motta's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Motta as Machado tries to tie him up.
Machado misses with a knee strike.
A right hand to the body from Motta.
Machado is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

Motta escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Motta misses with a wild body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machado walks into a left hand.
Motta keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Ed Motta has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rickson Machado.

Machado closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Machado lands in his opponent's guard.
Motta is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Machado drops back, looking for a kneebar! Motta looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Motta looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Motta!
You can see the frustration on Machado's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machado manages to work his way to half guard, despite Motta's best efforts.

Machado looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Machado is looking for a sweep. Motta is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machado is trying to control but can't.
Motta is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Machado is looking for a sweep. Motta is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Machado regains full guard. Nicely done.

Machado working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Motta doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Oh but Machado is tightening it up a little... Motta has to be careful here... He's got his foot tucked under now, this looks tight! Motta reacted too slowly and this one could be over in a matter of seconds! YES! Motta taps out! nice BJJ there by Machado!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:44 of round 4, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Rickson Machado!
Rickson Machado is the new heavyweight champion!