PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tim Leston (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lyoto Machida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Leston comes to the cage accompanied by .. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Leston
vs
Machida

183 cm
23
192 lbs
17 - 10 - 0

185 cm
29
185 lbs
22 - 16 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
World class boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tim Leston!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Lyoto Machida!
The judges for this bout are Aafke Stam, Paul Aken and Wagner Zegers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Machida lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
A slapping leg kick lands for Machida.
Tim Leston seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Machida swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Machida throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Machida looks to score with a jab to the body but Leston is just out of range.
Machida darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Leston wants to clinch
and Machida counters with a thumping low kick.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Leston wants to clinch but Machida slips to the side
and Machida counters with a stiff right hand.
Leston moves to clinch but Machida breaks away
and Machida connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Machida lands an overhand right.
Machida throws out a loose jab but Leston uses good head movement to avoid it.
Machida lunges at Leston with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Leston's hand.
Leston moves to clinch but Machida breaks away
and Machida counters with a leg kick.
Leston moves to clinch but Machida breaks away
and Machida counters with a nice body shot.
Machida misses with a body shot.
Machida slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Machida tests Leston's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Machida misses with a straight left.
Leston moves to clinch but Machida breaks away
and Machida counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Leston closes the distance but Machida moves to the side
and Machida counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leston staying out of range there.
Leston looks to clinch
enabling Machida to counter with a crisp jab.
Leston tries to clinch
and Machida counters with a stiff right hand.
Machida bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Leston closes the distance looking to clinch
letting Machida counter with a right hand.
Leston tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Machida makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Machida connects with a body shot that sends Leston's belly button to the back.
Leston moves to clinch but Machida breaks away
and Machida counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Leston moves to clinch but Machida breaks away
and Machida counters with a low kick, right behind Leston 's knee.
Machida misses the shot to the body.
Machida misses the shot to the body.

Leston drives through and clinches with Machida against the cage.
Machida is trying to maintain a safe position but Leston gets an underhook and turns Machida into the cage.
Machida misses with a punch to the body.
Machida misses with some punches.
Machida scores with a nice hook to the head.
Leston blocks a body shot from Machida.
Machida doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Leston blocking some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machida misses with a hook to the ribs.
Machida misses with some punches.
Machida cracks Leston with a nice body shot.
Machida letting Leston take a breather here.
Machida throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Machida tries to work over Leston's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Leston dodges an elbow strike from Machida.
Machida connects with a nasty looking knee right to Leston's face.
Machida has a couple of punches blocked by Leston.
Machida missing with knees to the body.
Leston blocks an elbow strike from Machida.
A short right from Machida on the inside.
Machida misses with a short punch on the inside.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Machida just misses with a elbow thrown towards Leston's brow.
Machida doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Machida misses with a punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machida misses with a hook to the ribs.
Leston stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Machida trying to land knees to the body.
Machida is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Leston is defending well for now.
Machida is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Leston is defending well for now.
Leston will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Machida up against the cage.
Leston blocks the elbow strike.
Machida trying to land knees to the body.
Machida can't find room to land a body shot as Leston controls the action.
Leston on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Machida can't find room to land a body shot as Leston controls the action.
Leston blocking some punches.
Machida tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Machida is pushing Leston up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Leston leaning his opponent against the cage.

That's four 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.
Leston blocks an uppercut.
Machida looking to slow down the pace here.
Machida is trying to slow the pace down but that's a couple of times in a row that he's tried to get underhooks and Leston has denied him.
Machida tries a body shot but Leston blocks it.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Machida just misses with a elbow thrown towards Leston's brow.
Machida misses with a knee to the head.
Machida doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Machida looks gassed!
Machida tries to land knees in the clinch but Leston avoids the damage to the body.
Machida tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Leston's elbow.
Leston is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Machida using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Leston has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lyoto Machida dominated that round.
That's time! Leston's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Leston fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Machida, pushing him back against the cage.
Machida pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Machida fails to land.
Machida wants to stall.
Machida doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Machida swings wildly with an uppercut but Leston uses good head movement to avoid it.
Machida stalls.
Machida swings wildly with an uppercut but Leston uses good head movement to avoid it.
Machida letting Leston take a breather here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Machida missing with knees to the body.
Leston avoids a wild elbow strike from Machida.
Leston dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida lands with a left to the head.
Machida creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
A short uppercut from Machida.
Leston has Machida pushed against the cage.
Machida misses with a punch to the body.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Machida creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Machida lands a left hand.
Machida looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Come on Leston - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
A head punch on the inside from Machida fails to land.
Machida can't find room to land a body shot as Leston controls the action.

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 trying to land knees to the body.
Leston blocks an elbow strike.
Machida tries to stall but Leston uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Machida is breathing heavily.
Leston taking a breather.
Machida misses with a punch on the inside.
Machida tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Leston being controlled against the cage.
Leston blocks an uppercut.
With the fighters up against the cage, Machida throws an elbow but misses.
Machida struggles to land a body shot inside as Leston controls his hands.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Leston as Machida tries to tie him up.
Leston is struggling to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leston blocks a body shot from Machida.
Machida misses with the head strike.
Leston will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Machida up against the cage.
Leston takes a shot to the head.
Leston stalling the fight.
Leston on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Leston as Machida tries to tie him up.
Leston slows down the pace here.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Tim Leston.
Machida takes a swing at Leston's ribcage but misses.
Leston closes the distance looking to clinch
and Machida counters with a body kick that stops Leston in his tracks momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Leston tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Machida counters with a straight right hand.
Machida tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Leston was well out of range. Poor timing from Machida.
Leston looks to clinch
and Machida counters with a body kick.
Leston tries to clinch
and Machida connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Leston tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Machida manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Good exchange - Machida coming out on top.
Machida loads up on a big right hand but Leston slips the punch.
Machida throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Leston wants to clinch.
Machida circles away from the clinch attempt.
Leston tries to clinch
and Machida counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Leston thinking.
Machida motions for Leston to come forward. Machida throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Leston tries to clinch up but Machida circles away and keeps his distance.
Machida pivots, looking for a leg kick but Leston is out of range and Machida settles back down.
Leston wants to clinch but Machida slips to the side
and Machida counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Machida takes a swing at Leston's ribcage but misses.
Leston fails with an attempt to clinch.
Leston wants to clinch
and Machida counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Lyoto Machida will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Leston steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Machida.
Machida circles away from the clinch attempt
and Machida counters with a lovely shot to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Machida. Leston does a little dance to reset his feet.
Leston tries to clinch but Machida moves away
and Machida counters with a slapping leg kick.
Leston tries to clinch but Machida moves away
and Machida makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Leston tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Machida counters with a good low kick that Leston was not able to check.
Leston tries to clinch but Machida moves away
and Machida counters with a right hand to the body.

Leston darts in and clinches Machida up against the cage.
Machida misses with a punch on the inside.
Leston is struggling to control the position.
Machida pushes off an throws an elbow but Leston leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Machida misses with a knee strike.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Leston takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Machida misses with a punch on the inside.
Leston's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Machida throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leston prevents a body shot from Machida.
Machida working aggressively here.
Machida tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Leston on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Machida misses with the head strike.
Leston is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Leston managing to block the knees to the body from Machida.
Machida throws a punch but it's blocked by Leston.
Leston blocks an elbow strike from Machida.
Machida misses with a body punch.
Machida tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Machida avoiding damage.
Machida takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Machida misses with an elbow over the top.
Machida swings wildly with an uppercut but Leston uses good head movement to avoid it.
Machida trying to land knees to the body.
Leston blocking some punches.
Machida swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Leston is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Machida swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Leston managing to block the knees to the body from Machida.
Machida goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Stalling in the clinch from Leston.
Machida has a couple of punches blocked by Leston.
The referee is keeping an eye on Leston - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Machida taking a breather.
Machida misses with a body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for Leston to work.
A head punch on the inside from Machida fails to land.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Machida throws a head punch that misses.
Machida missing with knees to the body.
The referee is keeping an eye on Leston - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Leston gets a warning from the ref for wasting time.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Tim Leston.

Leston gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Machida has Leston pushed against the cage.

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.
Come on Leston - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Machida throws an elbow that misses.
Machida looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Machida tries to throw a body punch but Leston avoids it by throwing Machida back against the cage.
Machida throws a punch but it's blocked by Leston.
Machida tries to work over Leston's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Leston is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Machida throws an elbow that misses.
Leston has Machida pressed against the cage.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Leston blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Tim Leston has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Leston looking to slow down the pace here.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Tim Leston.
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 Aafke Stam scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 28:29
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 29:28

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