PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Spider Machida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jeff Blatt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Blatt has chosen you're going down- sick puppies as his entrance music. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Machida
vs
Blatt

188 cm
28
223 lbs
18 - 17 - 0

189 cm
28
218 lbs
18 - 15 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

- - - - - All Nutrients 160 - - - - -
- - - - - All Nutrients 160 - - - - -

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 18 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Spider Machida!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jeff Blatt!
The judges for this bout are Dillan Fox, William Peck and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Blatt moves in looking to clinch but Machida pushes him off.
Spider Machida seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Machida gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Blatt.
A left lands for Blatt.

It looks like Spider Machida has been cut.
Machida misses with a low kick.
Blatt takes a kick to the side of the head.
Machida scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Machida shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Machida tried to score with a low kick but Blatt checks it.
Nice defenses there by Blatt.
Machida throws a jab when Blatt was well out of range.
Blatt shoots for a takedown but Machida saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Machida ducks under a wild hook from Blatt.
Blatt takes one to the chin there.
Blatt throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Machida misses with a jab, cross combination.
Blatt chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Machida can pounce on him.
Machida looks to score with a jab to the body but Blatt is just out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blatt misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Machida.
Blatt shoots in for a double leg but Machida sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Blatt is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Machida.
Machida scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Blatt lands with a hook. Machida tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Machida closes the distance and lands a one-two.

It looks like Jeff Blatt has been cut.
Machida swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Blatt connects with a body shot.
Blatt shoots in and drives through. Machida sprawls well.
Spider Machida has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jeff Blatt.
Blatt throws a shot from downtown. Machida moves away and avoids it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Blatt moves out of range as Machida strikes.
Blatt checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Machida tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Blatt was well out of range. Poor timing from Machida.
Machida swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blatt keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Machida.
A looping hook to the body misses from Machida. Blatt does a little dance to reset his feet.
A telegraphed right hand from Machida misses the target.

Blatt drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Blatt is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Machida knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Blatt working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes there by Blatt.

Blatt tries for a kimura but Machida is defending well.
Blatt postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.

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.
Machida tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Blatt wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Blatt is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Machida has escaped the position, nice work there.

Blatt tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Blatt has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Blatt misses with the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jeff Blatt dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Machida throws a hook but Blatt avoids it easily.
The fight stays on the outside here - Machida looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Blatt throws a right hand that misses
and Machida counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Danga de danga de dang - Machida scores with a four punch combination!
Blatt steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Machida.
Blatt lands a jab to the nose.
Machida throws a half hearted mid kick.
Machida takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Machida misses the body punch
and Blatt counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Blatt moves away from the strike by Machida.
Machida is looking to chop away at Blatt's legs.
Blatt punishes Machida's body with a nice straight punch.
Machida misses with a body kick.
Blatt misses the shot to the body.
Blatt checks a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida tries to move into range but Blatt moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Machida lands a right hook to the body.
Machida fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Blatt manages to avoid it.
Jeff Blatt seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Blatt takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Machida scores with a hook to the body. Blatt takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Blatt shoots for a double leg takedown but Machida sprawls well. He's pushed Blatt's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Blatt ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
The fighters circling - Machida throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Machida swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Blatt shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Machida pinned against the cage. Machida gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Blatt manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Machida on his heels. He'll look to pass Machida's guard now, I'm sure.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Machida keeping moving, preventing Blatt from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Blatt drops back, looking for a kneebar! Machida looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Machida looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Machida!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Blatt tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Machida wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Machida has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machida throws out a loose jab but Blatt uses good head movement to avoid it.
Blatt swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Machida scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Blatt doesn't seem bothered though.
Machida takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

Blatt fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Machida to the ground. Blatt is now in Machida's guard.
Machida is trying to hold Blatt in close to prevent damage but Blatt has managed to pass into half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Blatt trying to advance position but Machida counters by regaining guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Blatt trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jeff Blatt showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Machida misses with a two punch combination.
Blatt doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
The fighters circling - Machida throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Machida throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Blatt tries to clinch up.
Machida ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Machida lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Machida moves out of range as Blatt strikes.
Machida wants to clinch up but Blatt keeps it at a distance.
Machida leaves Blatt with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
The fighters circling - Machida throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Machida misses with a low kick as Blatt jumps back.
Machida throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blatt uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Machida.
A shot to the body from Machida misses
and Blatt connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Blatt drives through and clinches with Machida against the cage.
Blatt tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Blatt holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Blatt presses Machida against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Machida scores with a shot to the side of Blatt's head.
Blatt tries to circle away but Machida has him pinned against the cage.
Machida lands a left hand.
Blatt lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Machida or not.
Machida swings wildly with an uppercut but Blatt uses good head movement to avoid it.
Blatt stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Machida tries a body shot but Blatt blocks it.
Spider Machida has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
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!

Blatt pulls guard effortlessly.
Blatt keeping full guard, as Machida tries to pass.
Machida is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Spider Machida.
Machida slips a jab from Blatt.
Machida lands with a hook. Blatt tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Blatt avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blatt connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Blatt swings widly with a right hand
and Machida counters with a three punch combo that has Blatt backing up. Blatt nods at Machida to acknowledge the strikes.

That has opened up Jeff Blatt's cut even more.
The fighters circle momentarily. Blatt darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Spider Machida is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Blatt is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Blatt might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
A big right from Machida misses.
Machida fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Blatt manages to avoid it.
Machida avoids a punch combination nicely.
Machida moves forwards but Blatt connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Blatt!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Blatt fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Machida manages to avoid it.
Machida ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Blatt moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blatt looks to land a right hand but Machida moved out of range.
Blatt takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Machida tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Machida ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Blatt moves away.
A punch lands to the side of Blatt 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Blatt thows a left - swing and a miss!
Machida looks to score with a jab to the body but Blatt is just out of range.
Machida ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Blatt keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Blatt keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Machida misses the shot to the body.
Blatt rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Machida moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Machida connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

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 Spider Machida.
I think Blatt 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 Dillan Fox scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Peck scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jeff Blatt!
Jeff Blatt decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.