PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Carlos Junior (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rafael Machida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Junior
vs
Machida

174 cm
24
205 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

185 cm
23
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good in bed

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Carlos Junior!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rafael Machida!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Matheus Silva and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Junior lands a jab followed by a vicious hook that sends Machida sprawling to the canvas. Junior follows him down, looking for the kill. Can Machida hang on?

Machida is rocked!

It looks like Rafael Machida has been cut.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Machida is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Junior's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Junior's back!
Machida is still in real trouble! Can Junior finish him?
Junior finds himself mounted whilst avoiding strikes.
Machida seems to have recovered his senses.
Machida dominating with strikes here.
Machida misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Junior is wriggling around trying to escape.
Machida controlling from mount.
Machida landing strikes, looking to finish!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Junior prevents Machida from taking his back.
Junior tries to hold on but Machida postures up.
Machida controlling his opponent.
Junior tries to hold on but Machida pushes him away.
Junior is looking to improve his position but Machida isn't that keen on the idea.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Junior is working hard here to advance position.
Junior might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Machida working the ground and pound effectively.
Junior really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Machida breaks from Junior's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Machida lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.

Machida goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Junior turns into him and now he's in Machida's guard.

Junior got a little sloppy there for a moment and Machida has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Junior has managed to get both his arms back between Machida's legs - danger averted.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Machida has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Junior can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Machida throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Junior stopping the sweep attempt from Machida.
Machida keeping moving, preventing Junior from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Machida trying to control the position.
Machida is pulling down on Junior's head. It's preventing any offense from Junior, at least for the moment.
Junior trying to stand up but can't free himself from Machida's guard.
Junior working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Junior moves in looking to clinch but Machida pushes him off.
Junior pulls out of a head kick attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Carlos Junior dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Rafael Machida's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Machida looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Junior is looking for a sweep. Machida is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Machida lands a nice short elbow.
Machida stalling.
Machida works his way into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida wants to lay and pray for a moment but Junior keeps working.
Junior manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Machida is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Junior's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Junior's back!
Junior just trying to survive but Machida is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.

Machida looking for the RNC.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Junior is trying to stand back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Junior can't escape the position.
Machida is looking to control Junior but Junior is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Machida scores with some strikes to the side of the head there. Good, points scoring shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Can Junior hold on?! Machida is landing more strikes to his hapless foe.

Machida has got one arm under Junior's chin. This could be trouble... Junior trying to control the other hand but Machida gets it free and sqeezes tight - just a matter of time now! Yep, Junior has tapped out! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:35 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Rafael Machida!