PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sakamoto Ryouma (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lyoto Machida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ryouma comes to the cage accompanied by The Rock. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Ryouma
vs
Machida

188 cm
18
220 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

189 cm
18
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ Brown 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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Sakamoto Ryouma!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Lyoto Machida!
The judges for this bout are Summer Carpenter, Damien Edna and John Mangel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ryouma fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ryouma stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Ryouma wants it to stay on the feet.
Machida is trying hard to land a takedown here. Ryouma sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Ryouma shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Machida decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Ryouma's guard.
Ryouma utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ryouma is looking to stand up but Machida isn't so interested in that idea.
Machida throwing strikes from guard but Ryouma blocks nicely.
Ryouma on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Ryouma tries to get out of the position.
Machida stops Ryouma from standing up.
Ryouma wants to get back to his feet but Machida passes into half guard.
Machida throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Machida working Ryouma over with strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida is nestled in close to Ryouma, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Ryouma wants to get back to his feet.
Machida missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Machida is looking to take a break and control but Ryouma is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Machida works his way into full mount!
Ryouma is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Machida landing punches.
Machida landing shots from mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ryouma is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Ryouma is breathing heavily.
Machida lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Machida punishing his opponent with strikes.
Machida has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Ryouma is bucking up trying to escape but Machida cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Ryouma really wants to buck Machida off and get back to his feet.
Ryouma is in a horrible position here. Machida smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Machida landing strikes, looking to finish!
Machida lands a heavy elbow.
Machida with a couple of short strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machida tries to control but Ryouma wriggling away.
Ryouma knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Machida on the ground.
Machida lands a big shot there that rocks Ryouma but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Machida looking to finish Ryouma with some ground and pound. This is bad for Ryouma!
Machida working the ground and pound effectively.
Machida throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Ryouma is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Machida throwing strikes here but Ryouma is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Ryouma wants to try and get back to his feet.

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 landing strikes from the mount.
Ryouma is trying to stand.
Machida in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Machida working Ryouma over with strikes here.
Machida lands a heavy elbow.
Machida in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
A nice elbow there by Machida.
Machida with a couple of short strikes.
Ryouma is in a horrible position here. Machida smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Machida with shots to the head and body - Ryouma looks very uncomfortable down there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lyoto Machida dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Machida closes the distance and clinches up with Ryouma, looking for a takedown. Machida pushes Ryouma against the cage but Ryouma circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Machida ducks under a wild hook from Ryouma.

Ryouma clinches with his opponent.
Ryouma leaning his opponent against the cage.
Ryouma lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Machida backwards.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Ryouma.
A frustrated look appears on Machida's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Ryouma lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

Ryouma's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ryouma shoots in for a double leg but Machida sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Machida fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Machida looks for a takedown but Ryouma sprawls well.
Sakamoto Ryouma has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lyoto Machida.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Ryouma clinches with his opponent.

Ryouma breaks from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ryouma takes the fight into the clinch.

Ryouma breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Machida wants to clinch but Ryouma slips to the side

so Ryouma counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Ryouma wants to get up but he can't break Machida's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Ryouma wants to stand and escape but instead Machida has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Machida throwing strikes but missing.
Machida makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machida loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Ryouma wants to stand up but Machida is controlling him.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Ryouma tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ryouma tries to close the distance and clinch but Machida swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Ryouma closes the distance and clinches.
Machida blocks an elbow strike from Ryouma.
A bit of stalling here from Ryouma.
Ryouma pushes off an throws an elbow but Machida leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Machida wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ryouma pushes off an throws an elbow but Machida leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

Ryouma manages to break the clinch.
Machida avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Machida.
No luck for Machida with that takedown attempt.

Ryouma rushes Machida and presses him up against the cage.
Machida throws a punch but it's blocked by Ryouma.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ryouma.
Ryouma lands with a light punch inside.
Ryouma avoiding damage.
Ryouma gets a warning from the ref for wasting time.
Ryouma working some nice short punches in the clinch.

Ryouma escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Machida displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Ryouma.
Machida changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Ryouma tries to avoid it but Machida manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Ryouma to the ground. Ryouma escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ryouma wants to clinch up but Machida keeps it at a distance.
Machida misses with a takedown attempt - Ryouma sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Ryouma closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Ryouma pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Ryouma tries to clinch there but Machida circles away.

Ryouma takes the fight into the clinch.
Ryouma lands an elbow just above Machida 's eye.
Ryouma gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Ryouma avoiding damage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Machida.

Ryouma pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Machida is looking to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sakamoto Ryouma dominated that second round.
That's time! Ryouma's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Machida tries for a takedown but Ryouma sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Ryouma doesn't manage to clinch there - Machida circles away.
Ryouma with a lazy takedown attempt
and Machida counters with a head kick. That will keep Ryouma thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Ryouma throws the left hand but Machida avoids the punch easily.
Ryouma misses with the combination.
Sakamoto Ryouma is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Machida looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Ryouma is fending him off so far but Machida persists. Nope, Ryouma circles away and we're back to standing.
Ryouma throws a hook but Machida avoids it easily.
Sakamoto Ryouma seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Machida changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Ryouma tries to avoid it but Machida manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Ryouma to the ground. Ryouma escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Sakamoto Ryouma has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lyoto Machida.
Machida avoids a punch combination nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ryouma tries to clinch there but Machida circles away.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ryouma tries for a takedown but Machida circles away easily

and Machida counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Machida.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Ryouma smiles and moves away.

Ryouma forces Machida back against the cage and clinches.

Ryouma breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ryouma tries to clinch but Machida moves out of range.

Ryouma moves into the clinch successfully.
Ryouma prevents the takedown attempt.
Machida has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Ryouma lands an elbow inside that Machida shrugs off.
Machida tries for a takedown but Ryouma manages to get underhooks.
Machida dodges an elbow strike from Ryouma.
Ryouma gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Machida.
Machida wants to stall.
Ryouma leaning against his opponent.
Machida goes for a takedown attempt but Ryouma pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Machida. No joy for Ryouma on that attempt.
Ryouma tries to clinch but Machida is having none of it.
Ryouma works over Machida's head and body with a nice combination.
Machida looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Machida avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ryouma tries to clinch up but Machida circles away and keeps his distance.
Ryouma tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Machida makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Machida fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ryouma tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Machida counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Machida.
Machida landing with the ground and pound.
Ryouma working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Machida.
Machida trying to control but Ryouma is working from the bottom.

Machida 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.
Ryouma wants to stand up but Machida is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machida lands a couple of digs.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Ryouma looks to throw the jab but Machida is out of range.
Machida avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Machida tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ryouma sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Machida somewhat.

Ryouma drives through and clinches with Machida against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Lyoto Machida.
I think Machida has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Summer Carpenter scores the fight 29:29
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 28:29
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Lyoto Machida!