PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ryota Miyagi (ranked 5133 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lyoto Machida (ranked 5902 p4p, 566 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Miyagi
vs
Machida

180 cm
23
185 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

186 cm
20
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ryota Miyagi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Lyoto Machida!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Hirohito Nitta and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Machida tries to clinch but Miyagi is having none of it.
Sloppy strikes from Miyagi. Those never looked like landing.
Machida showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Miyagi.
Machida darts in looking for a takedown but Miyagi gets double underhooks and turns Machida into the cage.
Miyagi swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Both fighters circling a little - Machida finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Miyagi avoids the head kick by Machida.
Machida looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Miyagi is fending him off so far but Machida persists. Nope, Miyagi circles away and we're back to standing.
Machida tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Miyagi manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Machida lands a nice looking kick to the body. Miyagi takes a step back to recover.
Machida misses with the combination.
Machida keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Miyagi is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Machida clinches up with Miyagi and pushes him back against the cage.

Machida breaks from the clinch.
Machida misses with a series of wild punches.
Miyagi with a lazy takedown attempt
and Miyagi takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Machida has Miyagi up against the cage in a clinch.
Miyagi looking to stall.
Machida has Miyagi pushed against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Machida manages to break the clinch.

Miyagi closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Miyagi is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Miyagi is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Ryota Miyagi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lyoto Machida.
Machida works on Miyagi's body with a couple of short punches.

Machida breaks from the clinch.
Miyagi stalks Machida and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Machida's face. Machida staggers backwards, shaken.
Machida blocks a head kick by Miyagi.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Machida shoots in but no luck this time.
Miyagi appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Machida connects with a jab.
Miyagi keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Miyagi shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Machida counters with a stiff right hand.

Machida has taken the fight to the clinch.
Miyagi misses with a hook from the clinch.

Miyagi breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Miyagi gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Machida decides to pull guard.
Miyagi content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Miyagi looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Miyagi stands up and waves to Machida to follow him.
Miyagi closes the distance and clinches up with Machida, looking for a takedown. Miyagi pushes Machida against the cage but Machida circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machida scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Machida gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Miyagi counters with a three punch combo that has Machida backing up. Machida nods at Miyagi to acknowledge the strikes.
Machida goes for a double leg but Miyagi avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Miyagi continues to drive forward.
As Machida looks to move away, Miyagi throws a big counter combo but Machida just gets out of the way.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Miyagi forces Machida back against the cage and clinches.
Machida looking to slow down the pace here.
Machida taking a breather.

Machida manages to break the clinch.
A head kick misses from Machida.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Lyoto Machida will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Miyagi moves into the clinch.
Miyagi lands a body punch.
Miyagi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Machida's elbow.
Machida takes a shot to the head.
Miyagi taking a breather.
Machida has Miyagi pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Miyagi manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Miyagi working aggressively here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Machida gets control of Miyagi's arms and successfully pulls guard. Machida will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Machida has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Miyagi can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Miyagi wanted to stand there but Machida had control of the position.
Machida is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Miyagi preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Machida showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Miyagi is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

Machida breaks from the clinch.
Machida looks to score with a jab to the body but Miyagi is just out of range.

Miyagi gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Miyagi gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Machida.

Machida breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Miyagi misses with a wild combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machida shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Miyagi as he jumps to the side.
Ryota Miyagi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lyoto Machida.
Miyagi tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Machida manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Miyagi sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.

Miyagi closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Machida is looking to get back to his feet here but Miyagi is keeping cool and he's managed to take Machida's back.
Machida is covering up but some of the strikes from Miyagi are getting through and doing damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Miyagi has his arm under Machida's chin here. Game over son! Miyagi squeezes tightly and Machida is forced to tap out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:20 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Ryota Miyagi!