PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Lyoto Machida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Zambidis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Machida comes to the ring accompanied by Linkin Park - Bleed It Out. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Machida
vs
Zambidis

185 cm
21
201 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

178 cm
27
195 lbs
5 - 5 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Knockout power

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Lyoto Machida!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Mike Zambidis!
The judges for this bout are Aafke Stam, Nard Betker and Radbod Blank.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zambidis thuds his right hand into Machida's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Machida is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Machida tries to close the distance and clinch but Zambidis swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Machida moves out of range as Zambidis throws a body kick.
Zambidis throws a head kick that misses.
Machida tries to clinch there but Zambidis circles away.
Zambidis misses with a body kick.
Sloppy strikes from Zambidis. Those never looked like landing.
Machida takes one to the side of the head.
Zambidis swats away the attempt to clinch by Machida.
Zambidis throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Zambidis throws a head kick but Machida moves out of range.
Zambidis misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Machida tries to clinch up but Zambidis circles away and keeps his distance.
A low kick from Zambidis misses

and Machida moves into the clinch.
Machida tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zambidis misses with a body punch.
Zambidis tries to score a body lock takedown but Machida shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Machida tries to stall but Zambidis uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Machida working Zambidis over with 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. Zambidis is defending well for now.
Machida tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Zambidis tries to break free but Machida pushes him back against the ropes.
Zambidis tries a body shot but Machida blocks it.
A frustrated look appears on Zambidis's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Machida keeps control of Zambidis as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Machida with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
A knee to the head by Machida.

It looks like Mike Zambidis has been cut.
Zambidis blocks a body shot from Machida.
Zambidis managing to block the knees to the body from Machida.

Zambidis pulls guard effortlessly.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Zambidis is controlling Machida's posture.
Zambidis looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machida has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Zambidis is proving hard to escape from.
Machida tries to free his leg and advance position but Zambidis is retaining full guard.

Zambidis working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Machida doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Machida manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Machida trying to control the position from guard on top but Zambidis is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Zambidis really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Machida. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Zambidis has Machida pulled in close to control his posture.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Zambidis can do anything to dispel that myth.
Machida wants to stand but Zambidis has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Zambidis misses with a wild combination.
Zambidis keeps the fight on the outside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zambidis throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Machida doesn't manage to clinch there - Zambidis circles away.
Machida tries to clinch up but Zambidis circles away and keeps his distance.
Machida wants to clinch.
Zambidis throws a head kick but Machida moves out of range.
Zambidis walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Machida checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Sloppy strikes from Zambidis. Those never looked like landing.
Zambidis keeps the fight on the outside.
Machida is looking to clinch.
Machida tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zambidis was well out of range. Poor timing from Machida.
Zambidis throws a body kick despite being completely out of range

and Machida counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Machida prevents the takedown attempt.
Machida is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zambidis tries to break the clinch but Machida is controlling the position.
Machida has Zambidis pressed against the ropes, preventing Zambidis from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Machida keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Zambidis's efforts to push away.
Zambidis blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Zambidis looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Machida scores a nice knee to the body.
Zambidis misses with a punch to the body.
A knee to the head by Machida.
Zambidis wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Machida has him pressed against the ropes.
A frustrated look appears on Zambidis's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Zambidis managing to block the knees to the body from Machida.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zambidis tries to pull guard but Machida won't allow it.
Lyoto Machida has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Zambidis.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Machida keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Zambidis's efforts to push away.
Nice elbow from Machida.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Lyoto Machida will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Mike Zambidis's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Zambidis throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Zambidis looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Zambidis throws a sloppy head kick and Machida moves out of range easily.
Zambidis misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Zambidis looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Machida throws a wild body kick that Zambidis sees coming a mile off.
Machida moves out of range of the body kick from Zambidis.
Zambidis misses with a double jab.
Zambidis looks for the body kick but Machida saw that one coming.
Zambidis thuds his shin into the meat of Machida's side.
Lyoto Machida is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Machida tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in the close the distance. Zambidis manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A head kick misses from Zambidis.
Machida is looking to clinch.
Machida tries to clinch but Zambidis is having none of it.
Zambidis slips under a jab from Machida.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zambidis throws a head kick but Machida moves out of range.
Zambidis lands a jab.
Machida tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A left and a right from Zambidis both land. Nice combination.
Zambidis misses with a body kick.
Zambidis lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Machida circles away quickly and effectively.
Machida fails with an attempt to clinch.
Machida doesn't manage to clinch there - Zambidis circles away.
Zambidis lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Zambidis misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Machida is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Machida blocks the body kick.
Machida avoids the head kick by Zambidis.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machida tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in the close the distance. Zambidis manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Mike Zambidis seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Zambidis throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Zambidis is breathing heavily.
Machida tries to clinch but Zambidis moves out of range.
Machida avoids the head kick by Zambidis.
Zambidis scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Machida tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Zambidis paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A combination from Zambidis does no damage.
Zambidis keeps the fight on the outside.
Machida wants to clinch up but Zambidis keeps it at a distance.
Machida avoids the head kick by Zambidis.
Machida wants to clinch.
Machida tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in the close the distance. Zambidis manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Machida has managed to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zambidis is trying to force a seperation but Machida has the dominant position.
Zambidis is trying to force a seperation but Machida has the dominant position.
Machida landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Machida is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Machida throws a knee to the head but misses.
Zambidis is trying to break free.
Zambidis takes a knee to the side of the body.
Zambidis is trying to break the clinch but Machida is controlling him.
Machida landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Zambidis takes a knee to the side of the body.
Zambidis throws a punch but it's blocked by Machida.
Zambidis wants to get back to striking at distance but Machida won't allow it.
Machida lands a nice elbow.
Machida with a knee to the head.
Lyoto Machida has scored more points in the clinch so far.

Zambidis breaks from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zambidis throws a head kick but Machida moves out of range.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Zambidis lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Machida has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Machida and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Machida avoids a punch combination nicely.
Machida tries to clinch but Zambidis is having none of it.
Machida throws a series of punches but Zambidis moves out of range.
Machida tries to close the distance and clinch up but Zambidis swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Machida throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Machida wants to clinch.
Machida doesn't manage to clinch there - Zambidis circles away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Machida moves in looking to clinch but Zambidis pushes him off.
Machida wants to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Lyoto Machida will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Mike Zambidis's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Zambidis.
Machida fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zambidis manages to avoid it.
Zambidis tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Machida wants to clinch up but Zambidis keeps it at a distance.
Zambidis throws a head kick that misses.
Machida moves out of range of the body kick.
Machida thows a body shot but no joy.
Zambidis tries to bum rush Machida with a series of wild strikes but Machida uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Machida tries a head kick but it misses.
Machida wants to clinch.
Zambidis throws a head kick but Machida moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zambidis looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Zambidis throws a series of punches but Machida moves out of range.
Machida tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Machida tries to close the distance and clinch up but Zambidis swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Zambidis swats away the attempt to clinch by Machida.
Machida avoids the head kick by Zambidis.
Machida tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Zambidis misses with a head kick.
Zambidis takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Machida tries to close the distance and clinch up but Zambidis swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Zambidis circles away from the clinch attempt.
Zambidis misses with a wild combination.
Zambidis moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zambidis pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Machida tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Machida blocks a head kick by Zambidis.
Zambidis throws a nice looking combination but Machida bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Zambidis gets tackled into the ropes by Machida. Machida maintains the clinch.
Machida controlling the action here for a moment.
Zambidis wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Zambidis on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Zambidis wants to break free but Machida has control.
Zambidis is trying to break the clinch but Machida is controlling him.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Zambidis blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machida can't find room to land a body shot as Zambidis controls the action.
Machida comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
The fighters are pressed against the ropes, as the pace of the fight slows.
Zambidis managing to block the knees to the body from Machida.
Zambidis wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Zambidis managing to block the knees to the body from Machida.
Zambidis is trying to push Machida away but Machida has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.
Zambidis has had enough of the clinch but Machida keeps him there for the moment.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
Machida struggles to land a body shot inside as Zambidis controls his hands.
Machida working Zambidis over with knees to the body.
Zambidis tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Machida's elbow.
Machida is pushing Zambidis up against the ropes, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Zambidis is trying to push Machida away but Machida has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machida comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Zambidis tries to circle away but Machida has him pinned against the ropes.
Machida missing with knees to the body.
Machida trying to land knees to the body.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
Machida landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Zambidis wants to get back to striking at distance but Machida won't allow it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zambidis tries to circle away but Machida has him pinned against the ropes.
Machida keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Zambidis's efforts to push away.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Machida putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Zambidis in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Mike Zambidis has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Lyoto Machida is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Zambidis can't break the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lyoto Machida showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Machida, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 29:28
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 30:27
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lyoto Machida!
Lyoto Machida thanked the fans post fight for their support.