PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Matt Mert (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matt Machida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mert kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Pregador Luo - Bate Pesadão. Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Mert
vs
Machida

195 cm
18
190 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

186 cm
25
210 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Determined

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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Matt Mert!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Matt Machida!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Mauricio Rocha and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Machida clinches up with Mert and pushes him back against the cage.
Mert looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
Mert on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Machida prevents a takedown attempt there.
Machida drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Mert tries for a takedown but Machida manages to get underhooks.

Machida pulls guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Machida pulls Mert in close to prevent any damage.

Machida is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Machida managing to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida punching from the bottom.
Machida really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Mert. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Mert won't allow Machida to sweep him here.
Machida controlling the position.
Machida's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Matt Machida hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Mert gets tackled into the cage by Machida. Machida maintains the clinch.
Machida is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Mert pulls him back up using the underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mert prevents a takedown attempt there.
Matt Mert has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matt Machida.

Machida escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Machida looks to land a combination. Mert sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Machida.
Mert stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Machida.
Machida shoots in looking for a takedown but Mert manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Machida's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Machida decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Machida is working for a submission of some sort.

Machida decides to return to a standing position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mert throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Machida shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Machida wants to stand but Mert has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Machida sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Mert wants to control but Machida is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machida lands strikes from half guard.
Machida scoring with strikes to the body and head.
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. Machida connects with a nice short shot to Mert's temple.
Machida is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Still in half guard, Machida seems content to control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Machida wants to stand up but Mert is controlling the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Machida dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Machida moves into the clinch.
Mert drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Machida stalling the fight.

Machida escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Machida forces Mert back against the cage and clinches.
Machida is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Machida lands an elbow that stopped Mert in his tracks for a moment.
Machida jumps guard but Mert turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Mert 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. Mert gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Mert's calf.
Machida lands a head kick!

Machida has closed the distance and engaged Mert in a clinch.
Machida is trying to drag Mert to the mat but Mert just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Machida escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Machida is defended easily by Mert.
Matt Mert has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matt Machida.
Machida fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Machida drives through and clinches with Mert against the cage.

Machida breaks from the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Machida works Mert's body with a nice hook.

Machida moves into the clinch.
Machida lands a right hand that snaps the head of Mert backwards.
A bit of stalling here from Machida.

Machida drags the fight down to the ground.
Mert is fighting to break Machida's control of his arms but Machida is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Mert preventing the sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Machida had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Mert defends it easily.
Mert won't allow Machida to sweep him here.

Mert avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Machida is pulling down on Mert's head. It's preventing any offense from Mert, at least for the moment.
Machida throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machida wants to sweep here but Mert controlling him for the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mert postures up in Machida's guard and throws a big left but Machida blocks it.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Machida holds on and takes a little breather.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

Matt Machida has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Mert defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Machida.
Mert defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Machida.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Machida showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Machida will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Machida has taken the fight to the clinch.
Mert gets underhooks to prevent Machida's takedown attempt.

Machida breaks from the clinch.
A head kick misses from Mert.

Machida moves into the clinch.
Machida jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Mert walks away with a smile on his face. Machida gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Matt Mert has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matt Machida.
Machida throws a sloppy head kick and Mert moves out of range easily.
Mert walks into a stiff left hand from Machida.
Machida scores with a kick to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Mert blocks a head kick by Machida.
Machida fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Mert looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Machida shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Mert manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Machida stands up over Mert, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Machida pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mert is keeping the position for now.
Machida is stalling in the full guard.
Mert has a closed guard, preventing Machida from standing up.
Mert trying to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machida wants to stand but Mert has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Mert is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Machida looks to land a combination. Mert sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Machida cracks Mert with an open hand slap.

Machida shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mert misses with some strikes from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machida slows the pace down in half guard.
Mert wants to control but Machida is keeping busy.
Machida takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Machida is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Mert sees it coming and defends easily.
Well, if Machida 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mert trying to hold on to Machida's head to control him but Machida postures up.

Machida decides to stand and escape the position.

Machida closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Machida lands in his opponent's guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Mert has his foot on Machida's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Machida works his way back into a safe position though.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matt Machida comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Machida has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Daniel Cesar scores the fight 27:30
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 27:30
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matt Machida!