PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Lyoto Machida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Leandro Alves (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Machida kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Face the pain. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Machida
vs
Alves

186 cm
22
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

198 cm
19
199 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
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 Rio de Janeiro, Lyoto Machida!
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, Leandro Alves!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Seu Braga and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Alves shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Machida but Machida pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Alves fails with the takedown.

Machida clinches.

Machida has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Alves is trying to keep an underhook but Machida manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Machida tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Alves trying to control from the bottom.
Machida looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Alves tries to get to full guard but Machida has control of the leg.
Alves pushes Machida off looking to stand but Machida dives back in and keeps control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida working over Alves with some ground and pound. Alves looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Machida lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Machida stalling.
Alves wants to get back to full guard.
Machida sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Machida thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Machida perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Alves keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Machida looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Machida drops an elbow to the side of Alves's head.

Machida decides to return to a standing position.
Alves looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Alves closes this distance looking for a takedown but Machida circles away.
Lyoto Machida has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Leandro Alves.
Alves looks gassed!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Alves.
Alves throws a shot from downtown. Machida moves away and avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Machida clinches up against the cage.

Machida turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Machida manages to end up in side control.
Alves takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.

Machida decides to stand up, so the ref orders Alves to his feet.

Machida looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Alves has hold of Machida's hands but Machida slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Machida is taking a breather. Alves says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Machida decides to return to a standing position.

Machida gets a takedown into half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Well, if Machida is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lyoto Machida dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Alves takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Machida fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Alves avoids it really well and circles away.
Machida checks the leg kick nicely there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Alves shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Machida's guard.
Machida wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Alves wants to control from the top but Machida keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Machida is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Alves defends well.
Alves tries to free his leg and advance position but Machida is retaining full guard.

That's two 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.
Alves trying to control the position from guard on top but Machida is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Alves would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Alves trying to control but Machida is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alves stopping the sweep attempt from Machida.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Alves has his takedown stuffed

and Machida counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Machida.
Machida is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Machida advances to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machida content to control rather than advance.
Machida scoring with strikes to the body and head.

Machida stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Alves to get to his feet.

Machida drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Machida not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lyoto Machida dominated that second 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. This is the final round!

Machida gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Alves goes for a takedown in the clinch but Machida prevents it.
Machida prevents Alves from breaking the clinch.
Alves fails to pull guard.

Machida breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Alves gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Machida moves into the clinch.
Lyoto Machida has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Leandro Alves.
Alves takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alves goes for a takedown attempt but Machida pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Machida fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Alves sprawls well initially but Machida persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Alves with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Machida in particular looking to stall.
Machida has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

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.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Lyoto Machida.
Alves doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Machida counters with a left to the body.

Machida rushes Alves and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Machida tries a knee to the head but Alves blocks it.

Machida manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Machida on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Machida tries to get out of the position.
Machida keeping moving, preventing Alves from controlling successfully.
Machida seems keen to control Alves's posture.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alves trying to control but Machida is working from the bottom.
Alves is fighting to break Machida's control of his arms but Machida is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Alves wants to stand and escape but instead Machida has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Machida is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Machida seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Alves for as long as he can get away with.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Lyoto Machida.

Machida looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Alves!
Leandro Alves has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Lyoto Machida is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Machida controlling his opponent.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lyoto Machida showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Machida has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Matheus Silva scores the fight 30:26
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 30:26
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 30:26

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