PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Adam Saburo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and marucio machida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Saburo
vs
machida

178 cm
21
165 lbs
5 - 42 - 0

175 cm
24
160 lbs
9 - 6 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Nippon ™ {Everything Under $10}
Nippon ™ {Everything Under $10}

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 42 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Adam Saburo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, marucio machida!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Yukihiro Shimada and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saburo shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says machida as he avoids it easily.

machida feints and as Saburo raises his hands in defense, machida changes levels and drives through with a 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.
Let's hope that machida has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
machida preventing the sweep.
Saburo is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
machida controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Saburo misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

machida gets a takedown into half guard.
machida is taking a breather. Saburo 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.
Saburo wants to control but machida is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Saburo throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
machida not doing much here.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Saburo trying to control but machida postures up.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. marucio machida wasn't active enough on the ground.
machida tries to close the distance and clinch but Saburo swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

machida shoots in and gets a takedown into Saburo's guard.
Saburo is breathing heavily.
machida slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. marucio machida wasn't active enough on the ground.
machida changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Saburo tries to avoid it but machida manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Saburo to the ground. Saburo escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Saburo tries to score a power double leg takedown but machida sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Saburo somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Adam Saburo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Saburo is defended easily by machida.

machida drives through with a takedown into guard.
machida engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. marucio machida wasn't active enough on the ground.

machida shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Saburo napping and manages to drive through into side control!

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
machida decides to stand back up.
marucio machida seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Saburo gets caught flat footed, as machida shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Saburo trying to keep a closed guard but machida is proving a slippery customer.
machida is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
machida postures up.
machida content to stall in guard here.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
machida fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

machida scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Saburo trying to control but machida postures up.
machida is taking a breather. Saburo 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.
Saburo has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. machida is working away from the top position though.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

machida decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
machida sitting and controlling from the half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

A telegraphed takedown attempt from machida is defended easily by Saburo.
machida fails with an attempt to clinch.
machida gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Saburo moves into the clinch.
machida misses with a punch on the inside.
Saburo tries to score a body lock takedown but machida shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
machida lands a left hand.
Saburo looking for a takedown.
machida lands a left hand that snaps the head of Saburo backwards.
machida lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
machida lands with a right to the head.
A quick uppercut on the inside from machida.
A shot in the inside from machida.
machida working some nice short punches in the clinch.
machida scores with a shot to the side of Saburo's head.
machida lands a nice uppercut.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A short uppercut from machida.
machida lands with a light punch inside.
Saburo tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. machida just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Adam Saburo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
machida scores with a nice hook to the head.
machida softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
machida lands a hook that snaps the head of Saburo backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
machida blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
machida working some nice short punches in the clinch.
machida lands a hook to the side of the head.
machida lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Saburo backwards.
machida gets through Saburo's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
machida working some nice short punches in the clinch.
machida scores with a shot to the side of Saburo's head.
machida lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
machida working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
machida lands with a short shot to the head.
A short right from machida.
machida pushes Saburo back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
machida scores with a nice hook to the head.
machida scores with a shot to the side of Saburo's head.
Still in the clinch, machida scores with a nice short uppercut.
machida lands an uppercut.
machida lands a right hand.
machida scores with a shot to the side of Saburo's head.
machida lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Saburo tries to pull guard but machida won't allow it.
A nice left hand lands by machida.
Still in the clinch, machida scores with a nice short uppercut.
A shot in the inside from machida.
machida throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Saburos head.
machida lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
machida gets underhooks to prevent Saburo's takedown attempt.
machida lands a left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
machida lands an uppercut.
machida lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Saburo backwards.
machida lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Saburo takes a shot to the head.
machida pushes Saburo back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Saburo has machida pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. machida manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
machida softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
machida lands a right hand.
machida lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A short uppercut from machida.
machida scores with a shot to the side of Saburo's head.
machida lands with a light punch inside.
machida throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Saburos head.
machida lands with a light punch inside.
Saburo takes a shot to the head.
machida stops a takedown attempt from Saburo.
machida lands on the inside with an uppercut.
machida lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Saburo's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
machida makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
machida doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
machida lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Saburo backwards.
Saburo takes a shot to the head.
Saburo is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Saburo fails to pull guard.
machida lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Saburo backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saburo is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
A short uppercut from machida.
machida scores with an uppercut up the middle.
machida keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Saburo's efforts to push away.
machida lands a right hand.
A shot in the inside from machida.

Saburo breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Saburo throws a nice looking combination but machida bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

machida shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Saburo napping and manages to drive through into side control!
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Saburo regains half guard.
Saburo wants to control but machida is keeping busy and won't allow it.
machida seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
marucio machida has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. marucio machida hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
machida with a lazy takedown attempt

and Saburo counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Saburo wants to stand up but machida has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Saburo is trying to control the action in half guard but machida is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
machida has his hands clasped together around Saburo's back. He's all about the action.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
machida fails with the takedown.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

marucio machida showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Nice takedown defense from machida. No joy for Saburo on that attempt.
machida avoids a punch combination nicely.
machida misses with a takedown attempt
and Saburo counters with a one-two to the body.
machida shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Saburo defends it nicely.
Saburo will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
machida tries to clinch up but Saburo circles away and keeps his distance.
machida shoots in looking for a takedown but Saburo manages to keep the fight standing, pushing machida's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Adam Saburo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of marucio machida.
machida misses with a takedown
and Saburo counters with a nice low kick that buckles machida's knee momentarily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
machida shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Saburo counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
machida gets underhooks to prevent Saburo's takedown attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Saburo jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as machida walks away with a smile on his face. Saburo gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
machida tries to clinch up
and Saburo counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.

That's one minute gone in the round.

machida closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
machida working away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
machida taking a breather here.
Saburo tries to escape but machida is in control.
Saburo tries to improve position but can't.
machida in side control, just content to control the action for now.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. marucio machida was stalling too much, according to the referee.

machida looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
machida prevents Saburo from standing back up.
machida stalling.
machida's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by marucio machida.
Saburo displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from machida.
Nice sprawl there from Saburo as machida shoots in.

Saburo instigates a clinch.
machida misses with some punches.
Saburo tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. machida smiles and moves away.

machida throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Saburo tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. machida is in Saburo's guard.
Saburo wants to stand and escape but machida is having none of it.
Saburo wants to sweep here but machida controlling him for the moment.
machida stays in close to Saburo's body and controls the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Saburo is looking for a triangle but machida pushes his legs off easily.
marucio machida is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Saburo being controlled here, momentarily.

marucio machida has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Saburo gets caught flat footed, as machida shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
machida has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Saburo is looking to stand up but machida isn't so interested in that idea.
machida advances to half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Saburo is looking to control machida's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Saburo avoid being mounted?
machida is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Adam Saburo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

And that's the end of the fight!
marucio machida comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got machida winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Ren Mimura scores the fight 26:30
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 26:30
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 26:30

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