PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Joe Nick (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Smashing Machine (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Nick
vs
Machine

184 cm
18
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

187 cm
18
220 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Tends to cut

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 Las Vegas, Joe Nick!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Smashing Machine!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Alan Glass and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Machine looks to clinch
and Nick makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Machine really felt that one!
Machine tries to clinch up
enabling Nick to counter with a crisp jab.
Machine tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Nick paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Nick with a lazy takedown attempt

and Machine counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Machine.
Machine wants to pass the guard but Nick is keeping the position.
Machine trying to control the position from guard on top but Nick is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Machine throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Nick works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Machine controls from within his opponent's guard.
Machine is looking to work some ground and pound but Nick has wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nick preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Nick wants to get back to his feet but Machine passes into half guard.
Machine trying to control from half guard but Nick is working away.
Machine thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Nick tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Nick tries to get to full guard but Machine has control of the leg.
Nick has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Machine is working away from the top position though.

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.
Machine with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
It looks like Machine might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.

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

Machine throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Nick was covering up waiting for the punch and Machine finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Machine controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machine thows a big elbow that misses.
Machine is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Machine looking to pass the guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Machine controls from within his opponent's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Smashing Machine has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Machine closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Nick quickly recovers to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machine trying to pass the guard but Nick defending well.
Nick trying to hold on to Machine's head to control him but Machine postures up.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Machine connects with a nice short shot to Nick's temple.
Nick is trying to maintain the position but Machine is very close to passing his half guard.

Machine is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Well, if Machine 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.

Smashing Machine dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Nick throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Joe Nick is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Machine.

Nick closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Machine quickly recovers to half guard.
Machine missing with punches from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nick trying to control the action but Machine is working from the bottom.
Machine keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Machine wants to improve his position but Nick is controlling well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machine is not content to let Nick control the position.
Machine wants to improve his position but Nick is controlling well.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Joe Nick just wasn't active enough.
Nick stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Nick wants it to stay on the feet.

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

Machine decides to take the fight back to the feet.

Nick shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machine tries to get to full guard but Nick has control of the leg.
Machine is holding on to half guard well.

Machine manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Nick fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

Machine scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Machine controls the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nick wants to get back to his feet but Machine drags him back down.
Nick is trying to escape the position but Machine is controlling the position.
Nick is trying to get back to half guard.
Machine passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Nick!
Nick is bucking up trying to escape but Machine cracks him with another couple of good strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machine cracks Nick with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Machine sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Nick is in a horrible position here. Machine smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Nick has given up his back. Will we see Machine going for some submissions?
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Machine is riding his opponent, not letting Nick buck him off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Smashing Machine showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Nick's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Machine looking to score a takedown here. Nick is defending well but Machine drives through and ends up in Nick's guard.
Nick keeping moving, preventing Machine from controlling successfully.
Nick is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Machine throwing strikes but missing.
Machine looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Machine wants to control from the top but Nick keeps moving.
Smashing Machine has got the better of the ground game so far.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Smashing Machine.
Machine throws a nice looking combination but Nick bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Nick swats away the attempt to clinch by Machine.

Machine closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Nick quickly recovers to half guard.
Nick trying to hold on to Machine's head to control him but Machine postures up.
Nick wants to improve his position but Machine is controlling well.

Nick looking for submissions off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Still in half guard, Machine seems content to control.
Machine works his foot free and advances to mount.
Machine lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Nick hang on?
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Machine cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!

Machine looking to secure an arm triangle but Nick defends it well.
Machine controlling from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Machine is working for a guillotine from mount but Nick frees his head quite easily.

Machine jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Nick is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Nick and Machine has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

And that's the end of the fight!
Smashing Machine comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Machine 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Smashing Machine!