PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Apollo Machida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Connor MacLeod (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). MacLeod has chosen Battle Hymn as his entrance music. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the fighters buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Machida
vs
MacLeod

190 cm
22
165 lbs
8 - 0 - 1

180 cm
21
160 lbs
5 - 1 - 1

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 0 - 1, fighting out of New York, Apollo Machida!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 1, fighting out of New York, Connor MacLeod!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Alyssa Summers and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
MacLeod throws a hook to the side of Machida's head but Machida sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
MacLeod dips to his left and cracks Machida with an uppercut!
Machida throws a low kick, looking for MacLeod's leg but MacLeod calmly moves out of range.
MacLeod throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Machida keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from MacLeod.
MacLeod checks a leg kick.
An inside leg kick lands from Machida.
MacLeod throws a shot from downtown. Machida moves away and avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida cracks the inside of MacLeod's front leg.
MacLeod throws a lazy uppercut
and Machida counters with a nice low kick that buckles MacLeod's knee momentarily.
A solid leg kick lands there for Machida.
Machida takes a jab right on the kisser.
Machida throws out a leg kick but MacLeod moves out of range and Machida only half commits.
MacLeod checks a leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MacLeod throws an off balance right hand
and Machida counters with an outside leg kick.
MacLeod bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Machida's head.
Machida ducks under a wild hook from MacLeod.
Machida keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
MacLeod throws a one two combo.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Machida uses good head movement to avoid the hook from MacLeod.
Machida misses with an attempted mid kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machida throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Decent striking displayed by MacLeod there.
Machida misses with a leg kick.
MacLeod pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Machida throws a leg kick but MacLeod sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Machida wants to land a leg kick but MacLeod is out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
MacLeod scores with a shot to the body.
Machida feints and then cracks MacLeod's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow MacLeod down.
Machida throws a quick inside leg kick.
MacLeod fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Machida looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
MacLeod misses with a hook
and Machida counters with a lovely straight right hand!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
MacLeod connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Machida's hands.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Connor MacLeod dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A slapping body kick lands there for Machida.
Good leg kick by Machida there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Machida throws a nice inside leg kick.
Connor MacLeod seems to be getting the better of the standup.
MacLeod misses with an uppercut
and Machida counters with a good, hard body kick but MacLeod shrugs it off.
Machida throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Machida takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Machida throws a push kick but MacLeod slaps the foot to one side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MacLeod misses with a hook.
MacLeod throws a jab but it's blocked by Machida.
A slow jab from MacLeod misses its intended target.
A nice leg kick lands there from Machida.
MacLeod thows a left - swing and a miss!
MacLeod keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machida takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
MacLeod uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Machida has time to react.
Nice shot by MacLeod.
Machida swings and misses with a shot to the body
enabling MacLeod to counter with a crisp jab.

Machida is rocked!
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!
MacLeod circles and sees the opportunity to plant his feet and throw a really nice straight left hand that drops Machida to the canvas! Machida doesn't know where he is but he's trying to survive - MacLeod keeps piling on the pressure and forces the referee to step in! This one is aaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:51 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Connor MacLeod!
Connor MacLeod is the new lightweight champion!
In his post fight interview, Connor MacLeod started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.